James Allen's 1902 classic on the power of thought — complete and unabridged, bound with his 1909 companion work, The Mastery of Destiny. Two short books in one small volume: read it in an evening, keep it for years.
THE ORIGINAL 1902 CLASSIC
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." In 1902 James Allen wrote a slim book around a single idea — that the mind is the master weaver, of both the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance. It has never been out of print since.
This edition carries the complete, unabridged text of As a Man Thinketh, bound together with its longer 1909 companion, The Mastery of Destiny — Allen's practical work on self-control, the training of the will, thoroughness, concentration and purpose.
LOOK INSIDE
A few representative pages — the opening passage of As a Man Thinketh, Allen's own chapter list, and the two works at a glance. Short chapters you can open anywhere.
The aphorism, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he," not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
| Work | Year | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| As a Man Thinketh | 1902 | Seven short chapters on thought, character and circumstance |
| The Mastery of Destiny | 1909 | Deeds, character and destiny — and the science of self-control |
| Training of the Will | Ch. 4 | Thoroughness, mind-building and the building of a life |
| The Power of Purpose | Ch. 9 | Concentration, meditation and the joy of accomplishment |
Chapter titles as they appear in Allen's original texts. Both works are in the public domain.
WHAT'S INSIDE
Why your thoughts shape your character — and your circumstances with it
Allen's case that a calm mind is cultivated, never simply lucky
The link he draws between thought, health and the body
Thought and purpose — why aimless thinking arrives nowhere
The science of self-control and the training of the will
Concentration, meditation and purpose from The Mastery of Destiny
HOW TO READ IT
It runs to 124 pages. Read it straight through in an evening, or a chapter at a time — most readers end up doing both.
As a Man Thinketh is seven short chapters. An hour or two, start to finish — long enough to see the whole argument in one sitting.
Mark the lines that land. Allen writes in single sentences you can carry all day, which is why readers come back to the same pages for years.
The longer companion work turns the idea into practice — self-control, will, thoroughness, concentration and purpose, chapter by chapter.
WHY READERS RETURN TO IT
“The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart — this you will build your life by, this you will become.”— James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
Written in 1902 and never out of print since, Allen's little book has been carried by readers for more than a century — and echoed by nearly every writer on the mind who followed.
WHO IT'S FOR
No background needed. Allen wrote for ordinary readers, in plain language, more than a century ago.
Anyone starting a new chapter
Builders, founders & the ambitious
Overthinkers working on their mindset
Journalers & note-takers
A meaningful gift, graduation or otherwise
GET THE BOOK
One copy for the nightstand — small enough to travel with, short enough to actually finish.
Free tracked shipping · 30-day returns · Two complete works
WHAT READERS SAY
“I finished it in one sitting, then read it again the next morning. It is short, but it does not waste a sentence — I have underlined half of it.”
Marcus T.
“It lives in my bag. When my head is loud I open it anywhere, read a page, and get on with the day. Small enough that there is no excuse not to.”
Daniel R.
“Bought it for my son when he moved out. He rang me a week later to talk about the chapter on purpose. Best gift I have given in years.”
Elaine W.
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 86 reviews of this title. Quoted reviews are representative and are replaced with verified reader reviews before launch. This is a personal-development book; experiences vary.
FORMAT & DETAILS
A pocketable paperback made to be read, marked and returned to — two complete works in 124 pages.
A QUICK, HONEST NOTE
This is a personal-development and philosophy book, offered for reflection — not therapy, medical, or psychological advice, and no substitute for care from a qualified professional. Allen's ideas are more than a century old; take what serves you and leave the rest. Individual experiences vary.
GOOD TO KNOW
SEREVE · BOOKS WORTH KEEPING
More than a century after Allen wrote it, the argument has not aged: the mind is the master weaver. Two complete works, 124 pages, and an evening to spare.
Buy It NowFree tracked shipping · 30-day returns · Two complete works
Sereve is an independent bookshop. This listing is the Reader's Library Classics paperback edition of two public-domain works by James Allen (1864-1912) — As a Man Thinketh (1902) and The Mastery of Destiny (1909) — reproduced unabridged. Sereve is not affiliated with or endorsed by any publisher, retailer or other seller. This is a personal-development and philosophy book offered for reflection; it is not therapy, medical, or psychological advice and is no substitute for care from a qualified professional. Individual experiences vary. The $19.99 "was" price is our own regular price, not a publisher list price. The 4.7-star rating reflects 86 reviews of this title; quoted reviews are representative and are replaced with verified reader reviews before launch. Free tracked shipping and easy 30-day returns per our stated policy.
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