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The Secret of The Secret | 
 enlarge | Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
Category: EBooks
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $9.99
You Save: $6.96 (41%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 27323
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Edition: First Edition
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Dewey Decimal Number: 299.93
ASIN: B000V77032
Publication Date: July 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
The bestselling blockbuster The Secret by Rhonda Byrnes has taken America by storm. The Secret of "The Secret" explores the explosive success of The Secret as well as the intriguing people and ideas behind it. The Secret has already become a runaway sensation. All across America, people are clamoring to embrace it. Karen Kelly delves into this extraordinary phenomenon -- What IS the secret? Where did it come from and does it really work? The Secret of "The Secret" also investigates why this little book, particularly in America, has struck such a chord--does hope always spring eternal in the U.S.? What is it about our culture that has historically drawn us to seek answers and change our destiny using the power of the mind and the universe? Scholars and popular culture experts provide perspective on what makes the idea so appealing. Several participants from The Secret share their behind-the-scenes stories and insights. Renowned psychologists, scientists, and theologians, weigh in on the power and limits of positive thinking and The Law of Attraction (the basis behind The Secret). Uncover the scientific and religious roots that form the building blocks of The Secret, as experts evaluate the author's claims about the various connections between these principles and "the secret." Finally, the answers to the burning questions behind one of the biggest success stories of our time have arrived. Discover The Secret of "The Secret"
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 A Good General Sociocultural Approach, But Lacking Depth May 9, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Kelly's book approaches The Secret from a sociocultural perspective, attempting to find a middle way between the secular and religious critics while also being sensitive to the supporters of Byrne and company. Naturally, this approach may seem too neutral for some critics, but will find favor with some supporters.
Given that Kelly researched and wrote the book in six weeks, and provides historical and biographical details from original research that are not found in other books, it is a welcome effort. However, there are some notable omissions due, perhaps, to her lack of deeper familiarity with the New Age Movement (including esotericism/occultism) in general and the New Thought Movement in particular, especially as they relate to the Self-Help tradition in American culture. The following books would have helped fill in the gaps: New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought (1998) by Wouter J. Hanegraaff, The Roads to Truth: In Search of New Thought's Roots (2005) by Sherry Evans, and Self-Help and Popular Religion in Early American Culture: An Interpretive Guide (1999) along with its companion Self-Help and Popular Religion in Modern American Culture (1999) by Roy M. Anker.
Although Kelly admits on page 34 that a "history of the self-help movement is beyond the scope" of her book, her statement that after Benjamin Franklin "the most influential person in terms of the happiness and self-help movement may be William James" is seriously questionable, although both individuals are important. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) and Phineas P. Quimby (1802 - 1866) should also be mentioned as the fountainheads of Transcendentalism and New Thought, respectively. Regarding the latter as it relates to the law of attraction, the influence of Ralph Waldo Trine (1866 - 1958), especially his popular classic In Tune with the Infinite (1897) should be mentioned. For what it's worth (which may not be much), Sherry Evans in her above-mentioned book stated that "Henry Ford credits his success in the automobile manufacturing business to Trine's book" (page 142). This is not addressed by Kelly in her section on Ford in chapter 9, although some websites say the same thing. Trine's book mentions and expounds on the law of attraction. Also, Roy Anker in his first book referenced above shows the impact of the revivalism of The Second Great Awakening at the beginning of the 19th century on individualism and self-help in America. For more details regarding the conservative influence in 19th and early 20th century America, see not only Anker's books but also The Holiness Revival of the Nineteenth Century by Melvin Dieter and Faith Cure: Divine Healing in the Holiness and Pentecostal Movements by Nancy Hardesty. For a broader perspective, see Healing in the History of Christianity by Amanda Porterfield who makes an insightful comparison between Benjamin Franklin and John Wesley in terms of health related to self-help and doesn't leave out the impact of New Thought and Christian Science.
Although it is acknowledged that Kelly begins Part II (The Ideas Behind the Secret) by stating that her "look at the philosophical, scientific, and theological ideas behind the law of attraction is far from exhaustive" (page 79), she still overlooks the role of 19th century Spiritualism in the history of the law of attraction as well as the impact the ideas of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688 - 1772) had in America. J. Stillson Judah in his book The History and Philosophy of the Metaphysical Movements in America (1967), ties the law of attraction to Andrew Jackson Davis (1826 - 1910), the primary theologian of 19th century American Spiritualism. He states: "The law of attraction, so important to Spiritualism and to other metaphysical groups, also had its basis in Swedenborg's doctrine of correspondences. This was the name which Davis gave to his theory that effects correspond to and represent the essentials of their causes. Like attracts like. In Davis' application it meant that after death a person would be attracted to the spirit plane corresponding to his development and progression in this world. Conversely, Davis maintained that thoughts of love and kindness would attract spirits of the higher planes to the seance... The metaphysical healing groups add a further interpretation to this law: each person's conditions, e.g., health, sickness, prosperity, poverty, etc. are attracted to him according to his thinking" (pages 39 - 40). In Spiritualism in America (1861) by Benjamin Coleman, there is a quote from a Mr. Newton which states: "We were taught that the great law of attraction or affinity holds as universally in the spiritual as in the physical world; that we draw around us spirits like ourselves, those whose motives, feelings, aspirations, are most in affinity with our own, and that if we would attract only the good, the pure, the exalted, we must ourselves be pure-minded, sincere, devout; and the channel of communication must also be pure and elevated" (page 80). 19th century Spiritualism is a precursor to contemporary channeling such as that of Esther Hicks.
Other areas not covered by Kelly include the historical relationship between the law of attraction and mesmerism, spiritual evolution, and the law of karma. Regarding the last two, there are several New Thought authors, including William Walker Atkinson (1862 - 1932) and James Allen (1864 - 1912) that relate these concepts to attraction. However, like Kelly's book, Rhonda Byrne's The Secret doesn't cover these topics either. Just like Kelly's research may have merely introduced her to the New Thought Movement, I believe the same applies to Byrne. Byrne's enthusiasm behind the production of The Secret film and book is that of a new convert, not a seasoned New Thought practitioner with an in-depth knowledge of esoteric ideas. Keep this in mind when reading either Byrne's or Kelly's book. Taking the above into consideration, I still recommend The Secret of "The Secret" and enjoyed reading it.
 Debunked? March 30, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Good effort to debunk the principles behind the popular craze involving the law of attraction, especially insightful in pointing out its shortcoming relative to the quantum aspects. But I am not sure if it was successful in dissuading readers in turning away from the Law of Attraction.
Not exactly what I expected.... but interesting... November 26, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was looking for more information on how to apply the Law of Attraction... I ordered, took a 9 hr trip and started listening to it. It reads more like an investigative reporter... I think I trust most of what was said and I certainly have come to respect Jerry & Esther Hicks more. I'm not sure it is really for the person who has just been exposed to the Secret. Once someone has experienced some incredible results I think they are then ready to listen to someone pick the Secret and Law of Attraction apart. Interesting read.
 disappointment !! just cashing in on the secret October 16, 2007
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
In the beggining of this book the writer claims to keep an open mind about the law of attraction theory during the investigation to uncover the truth. Its easy to say less then half way through that it is clearly debunked by the writer from the start who seems not to give it a chance. Also it was done, I feel in a way to quickly cash in on the success of the secret , It seems the writer didn't take the time to note true facts. An example in one part there is a reference to jesus saying ask and it is given. A reverend totally debunks the notion as a reference to the law of attraction. But no one mentions what else jesus said even though it is on the very same bible page !! The quote " i tell you if you say to this mountain go into the sea and you beleave this in your heart then what so ever you ask for shall be given to you."
This is not keeping an open mind in my opinion. Also they claim all the quotes from einstein " imagination is the preview to lifes coming attractions is fake. ok but they don't mention that einstein did say " imagination is more important then knowledge"
also they say andrew carnagie knew nothing about the law . But they missed the quote" immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs" or the man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entited"
And they dubunk every other historian saying they were miss quoted and alaxander bell and his quotes are cut out completely
The writer never mentions these quotes in order to at least show she is truly calling it even. according to her nepoleon hill too is a liar and never interviewed carnagie. This book is a shame and it seems that the writer didn't even take the time to note important facts . This book is just an excuse to cash in on the secret nothing more.
 Grounded October 3, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Kelly wrote a great piece, well researched, on the success of a booklet/dvd and thought that seems has taken the world by storm. Kelly does not ridicule but takes a tep back to be able to figure out why and how 'the secret' became a hit, as well as what is true and not true about the many claims made by its author and the people Byrne decided to use for her dvd and book. Does quantum physics really hold a key to acquiring wealth? Is that really what the scientists say?
Kelly makes it abolutely clear that sitting down and dreaming of success has never been a proven formula for succes, and also makes a strong point that contentment in life does not necessarily come from eating the fruits of one's labour, but from actually getting out there to search for those fruits; i.e. the journey is more interesting than the goal.
That messsage might not be as popular as the promise of 'instant gratification' through the acquisition of great amounts of matter carried by "the Secret", but definitely more realistic.
AZ - Cape Town, South Africa
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