Contents synopsis:

This is a classic self-improvement book first published by Charles F. Haanel as a correspondence course in 1912 and then as a single book in 1917. This book was a key source for much of the material in the recent book and video. titled The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

In this book, Haanel uses concepts from new age psychology to describe how people can use thinking in complex ways to be successful. Based on earlier works by William James and other 19th century writers, it focuses on the mind’s ability to create reality. While this sounds fantastic, it is not. Haanel was a serious and successful businessman who truly believed that the way we think and the way we use our minds is the biggest influence on the reality we build for ourselves. It is not about magic, but about how to use your mind to build your own disciplines that allow you to achieve more and are also based on the relationship between thought and matter.

The skeptic need only look at modern theoretical physics to find verification of the basic theories that Haanel wrote about a century before science discovered the basis for his theories.

For anyone serious about exploring the potential to discipline the mind and use it to influence its results, this book provides valuable information. He was way ahead of his time.

Each chapter is followed by study questions and exercises for the reader to implement the lessons taught.

Readability / Writing quality:

This book is written in the typical prose style of similar books from a century ago. For modern readers who are used to summary materials with clear chapter titles and bulleted lists, this will be more difficult to follow. The book is written in the style of numbered paragraphs. Each set of concepts builds on the previous ones. It requires a bit more concentration than many modern books.

Notes on the author:

Haanel was an author and businessman in St. Louis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in 1866 and died in 1949. His books were widely read during his lifetime. He also wrote Mental Chemistry and The New Psychology.

Three great ideas you can use:

1. The universal or cosmic mind is a representation of how all the thoughts in the universe are connected. The more one develops the capacity to become aware of this universal mind, the more effective one’s thinking can be.

2. Our reality, both in terms of matter and energy, is influenced by our way of thinking. We can achieve more by harnessing this power, or we can fail because of our inability to understand it.

3. A practice of focused and directed thought experiments and mediations can elevate your thinking power in ways that lead to greater understanding and achievement. It takes time and effort, but the author has proven itself like others.

Publication information:

The Charles F. Haanel Master Key System is no longer protected by the author’s copyright. However, Jeremy RP posted a copyrighted version. Tarcher for Penguin Books in 2007.

Rating of this book

Overall Book Rating: Good

Writing style: somewhat difficult.