If you're ever wondering where a lot of the 'hidden' knowledge alluded to in such new self-help phenomenons as 'The Secret' come from, part of your answer may come in this tiny, century old book. As may be surmised from such a statement, people who enjoy books/films such as The Secret will probably find this an inspiring read- and a quick one, at that, while the rest of us will be left to pick out key bits of wisdom from the author's overly simplified picture of the world. That's not to say this isn't a worthwhile read. There is something pure in being able to see where a lot of today's ideas come from, and indeed, there are things that can be learned from 'As a Man Thinketh'. Allen's strong emphasis on the power of positive thinking is never as cloying here as it tends to be in more modern works. In fact, with his simple prose, he makes a plausible case for not letting negativity guide your thought processes.

Still, there's a little too much 'thinking' and a little too little doing in 'As a Man Thinketh'. Perhaps if it had been followed by a supplemental volume called 'So Shall He Doeth' it would have been a better developed work.