What an awful book. I received this as a gift from someone who had some extra copies. I appreciate the gesture, and I would gladly link to them, if it didn’t reflect so poorly on their judgment. It’s that bad.

How Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker became a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller, I have no idea. It’s like the guy started with Rich Dad, Poor Dad, threw out all the good parts, and padded the bad parts out to 200 pages.

I don’t even need to tell you what’s wrong with it. I’ll let the author do that for himself:

“This is a special ceremony, so I’m going to ask you to eliminate any distractions right now. Stop munching, stop talking on the phone, and stop whatever you’re doing. Men, if you like, you can change into a suit and tie, although a tuxedo would be best. Women, a formal evening gown and heels would be perfect. And if you don’t have anything that’s classy or new enough, this would be an occasion to go buy yourself a brand-new dress, designer label preferred.

If you’re all ready, let’s begin. Please kneel down on one knee and bow your head in respect. Ready, here goes. ‘BY THE POWER INVESTED IN ME, I HEREBY ANOINT YOU AS ‘WORTHY’ FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER MORE!’

Okay, we’re done. You can stand up now and hold your head high because you are finally worthy.”

Feel better now?

“The play account rule is that it must be spent every month. That’s right! Each month you have to blow all the money in that account in a way that makes you feel rich. For example, imagine walking into a massage center, dumping all the money from your account on the counter, pointing to the massage therapists, and saying, ‘I want both of you on me. With the hot rocks and the frickin’ cucumbers. After that, bring me lunch!’”

After that, bring me humility!

“[At my workshop] I then pull out a wooden arrow with a steel-pointed tip and explain that as a practice for this discipline [going beyond your comfort zone], you’re going to break this arrow with your throat. I then demonstrate how the steel point goes into the soft part of your throat, while another person holds the other end of the arrow against their outstretched palm. The idea is to walk straight into the arrow and break it using only your throat before it pierces through your neck.”

And if you survive this, next you drink the Kool-Aid!

I really don’t have much to say. For an infinitely better financial motivation book, try Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It has its flaws, but anything negative you can say about it goes ten times for Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.

So why did I even bother writing a review? Because I had to say something. It greatly concerns me that a book like this can become a bestseller. We’re in an economic crisis because too many people checked their brain at the door when making financial decisions, and I don’t think books like this are going to help restore sanity to the American public.

Have any of you read it? Did you find it helpful? If so, tell me what I’m missing.