Outwitting the Devil was mind-blowing. First of all, who would have thought that Napoleon Hill, who wrote Think and Grow Rich, would write such a theologically and prophetically inspiring book that carried all of the weight that Think and Grow Rich carried in a more potent fashion? He states that the interviewee, "The Devil", is exactly who he claims himself to be, whether in vision or in reality. The wisdom that he writes of in this book is beyond question so potent that one may be able to check the validity of it with their own experience.The "Devil" in Napoleon Hill's book answers the question of why man fails, what exactly the Devil battles against man for, and how he goes about it in order to stop him from ever being successful, thus lending him vulnerable to a life of "drifting" and a death of eternal damnation. He states that the devil's greatest fear is a man who is determined and has an independent mind. The devil gives clarity about his devices and tactics that he uses against mankind to stop him from being productive thinkers and thus helping other human beings while they are on earth. It is shocking to hear the words of your adversary in such plain tones.
The only downfall of the book is it leaves one with many questions as to how to really make the changes that the "Devil" suggests in order to go from being a "drifter" to being a "non-drifter" who is painted as the picture of overall success in the world and who does not sin. The "Devil" even explains just what sin is in the book, and it's actually more simple than one might have thought...
Think and Grow Rich was a great stair step with an action plan for success that is obviously influenced by the same principles that Outwitting the Devil provides. The fact that Napoleon Hill brings out so much wisdom from the text from the interview in the other book makes the road to wealth book a must read.
However, reading Think and Grow Rich did not offer me the spiritual understanding that I needed to answer the theological questions that Outwitting the Devil presented. However, I did find a book by a Jewish entrepreneur named Rabbi Daniel Lapin called Thou Shalt Prosper, that, if read with enough discernment, may be found to give so many answers to the questions that Outwitting the Devil presented that one would be shocked.
In Thou Shalt Prosper, Rabbi Daniel Lapin endeavors to teach one what Jewish tradition contributes to the mindset of successful Jewish entrepreneurs and why these principles (Biblically-based) are so successful in propelling many Jews into becoming wealthy and prosperous both in finances and spirit.
He talks about the culture of America and how it teaches that "business is bad" because "business" is an altogether spiritual act. He gets to the roots of the myths about Jewish success and explains why they're not real. He relates to environmentalists and he teaches about the four basic motivations of mankind. He does it with scripturally-based wisdom and really draws out concepts from the Bible that are highly uncommon in America.
I recommend reading Outwitting the Devil and then follow that by reading Think and Grow Rich, and then Thou Shalt Prosper. You will be blessed in your endeavors to grow in wisdom about business. If anyone has anymore suggestions for readings in this vein, please post your comments below and let me know. I'd be more than willing to check them out!
