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The 100 Best Self Help Books of All Time
Why these best self help books and not others? The best self help books of all time below are the top picks from my long list of scores of self help books, ranked by a combination of Goodreads rating, number of Goodreads reviews and first publication date. The aim is to surface what’s most loved, what’s most popular and what’s proven timelessly relevant.
Think something’s missing? Leave a comment or email me and I’ll add it to the next round of updates. I honestly love hearing from you so please, do get in touch!
Books 1-10: The Top 10 Self Help Books of All Time
Here are the top 10 best self help books of all time from my database…
1. As a Man Thinketh – James Allen (FREE Summary)
THE #1 ranking, uplifting, pocket-sized pep-talk on the power and importance of changing your thoughts as the cornerstone to changing your life – by philosopher and prolific self-help author, James Allen.
Published 1902 // 34 pages // Rated 4.3 over 67,000 reviews on Goodreads
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie (FREE Summary)
The classic guide to greatly improving effectiveness and efficiency by mastering the ability to work with and through the people around you – by self-improvement guru, Dale Carnegie.
Published 1936 // 288 pages // Rated 4.2 over 716,700 reviews on Goodreads
3. The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. Schwartz (FREE Summary)
A powerful, practical and uplifting book to help get you out of a rut, invigorate your goals and empower you towards success – by life-long motivational writer and coach, David J. Schwartz.
Published 1959 // 320 pages // Rated 4.2 over 76,900 reviews on Goodreads
4. The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman (FREE Summary)
The Secret to Love that Lasts
A concise, actionable and time-tested guide to letting others know they are loved and feeling loved and appreciated in return – by best-selling author, pastor and marriage counsellor, Gary Chapman.
Published 1990 // 209 pages // Rated 4.3 over 334,400 reviews on Goodreads
5. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (FREE Summary)
A best-selling book of all time and a cornerstone guide to the Law of Attraction and the role of the subconscious in transforming your life – by a titan of the self-help genre, Napoleon Hill.
Published 1937 // 233 pages // Rated 4.2 over 253,200 reviews on Goodreads
6. Be Here Now – Ram Dass
Published 1971 // 416 pages // Rated 4.3 over 29,800 reviews on Goodreads
7. Influence – Robert B. Cialdini (Summary)
The Psychology of Persuasion
Published 1984 // 320 pages // Rated 4.2 over 118,700 reviews on Goodreads
8. Peace Is Every Step – Thich Nhat Hanh
The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Published 1990 // 160 pages // Rated 4.3 over 33,400 reviews on Goodreads
9. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind – Shunryu Suzuki (Summary)
Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
Published 1970 // 138 pages // Rated 4.2 over 40,200 reviews on Goodreads
10. The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman Vincent Peale (Summary)
Published 1952 // 128 pages // Rated 4.1 over 93,300 reviews on Goodreads
Books 11-100: More Best Self Help Books of All Time
Here are the next 90 books on my list of the best self help books of all time…
11. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living – Dale Carnegie (Summary)
Published 1944 // 358 pages // Rated 4.1 over 87,200 reviews on Goodreads
12. The Art of Living – Epictetus
The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness
Published 125 // 128 pages // Rated 4.2 over 16,700 reviews on Goodreads
13. Law of Success – Napoleon Hill
Published 1925 // 1,035 pages // Rated 4.3 over 10,900 reviews on Goodreads
14. On the Shortness of Life – Seneca (Summary)
Published -49 // 106 pages // Rated 4.2 over 22,900 reviews on Goodreads
15. The Science of Getting Rich – Wallace D. Wattles (Summary)
Published 1910 // 146 pages // Rated 4.2 over 35,300 reviews on Goodreads
16. When Things Fall Apart – Pema Chödrön (Summary)
Heart Advice for Difficult Times
Published 1996 // 160 pages // Rated 4.3 over 43,300 reviews on Goodreads
17. Psycho-Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz (Summary)
A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life
Published 1960 // 288 pages // Rated 4.2 over 20,100 reviews on Goodreads
18. Boundaries – Henry Cloud (Summary)
When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
Published 1992 // 314 pages // Rated 4.2 over 60,900 reviews on Goodreads
19. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey (FREE Summary)
Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
A perennial masterpiece on leading a happy, productive and purposeful existence and an unmissable stop for any pilgrim of personal improvement – by educator, author and speaker, Stephen Covey.
Published 1989 // 372 pages // Rated 4.1 over 590,700 reviews on Goodreads
20. Illusions – Richard Bach
The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Published 1977 // 144 pages // Rated 4.1 over 59,600 reviews on Goodreads
21. The Miracle of Mindfulness – Thich Nhat Hanh (Summary)
An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
Published 1975 // 140 pages // Rated 4.2 over 27,700 reviews on Goodreads
22. You Can Heal Your Life – Louise L. Hay
Published 1984 // 253 pages // Rated 4.1 over 68,900 reviews on Goodreads
23. How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People – Les Giblin
Published 1956 // 192 pages // Rated 4.2 over 12,400 reviews on Goodreads
24. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk – Adele Faber (Summary)
Published 1996 // 286 pages // Rated 4.3 over 26,100 reviews on Goodreads
25. Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude – Napoleon Hill (Summary)
Published 1960 // 384 pages // Rated 4.2 over 9,500 reviews on Goodreads
26. The Four Agreements – Miguel Ruiz (FREE Summary)
A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
A provocative and mind-altering Toltec guide to waking up and finding peace in our illusory world – by retired surgeon, author and Eagle-Knight shaman Don Miguel Ruiz.
Published 1997 // 168 pages // Rated 4.2 over 247,800 reviews on Goodreads
27. Nonviolent Communication – Marshall B. Rosenberg (Summary)
A Language of Life
Published 1999 // 220 pages // Rated 4.3 over 24,400 reviews on Goodreads
28. I Am That – Nisargadatta Maharaj
Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Published 1973 // 550 pages // Rated 4.3 over 6,500 reviews on Goodreads
29. Acres of Diamonds – Russell H. Conwell
Published 1892 // 68 pages // Rated 4.2 over 8,300 reviews on Goodreads
30. The Mastery of Love – Miguel Ruiz
A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship
Published 1999 // 240 pages // Rated 4.2 over 42,100 reviews on Goodreads
31. Awaken the Giant Within – Anthony Robbins
How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!
Published 1992 // 544 pages // Rated 4.1 over 61,700 reviews on Goodreads
32. Practicing the Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from the Power of Now
Published 1999 // 128 pages // Rated 4.2 over 42,100 reviews on Goodreads
33. Siddhartha – Hermann Hesse
Published 1922 // 152 pages // Rated 4.0 over 632,100 reviews on Goodreads
34. Goals! – Brian Tracy
How to Get Everything You Want Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
The first book I ever read on productivity and probably the most readable and complete guide to goal-setting ever written – by sales legend and time-management master, Brian Tracy.
Published 1989 // 291 pages // Rated 4.2 over 13,600 reviews on Goodreads
35. The Symposium – Plato
Published -385 // 131 pages // Rated 4.1 over 47,400 reviews on Goodreads
36. The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle (Summary)
A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Published 1997 // 229 pages // Rated 4.1 over 249,200 reviews on Goodreads
37. The Inner Game of Tennis – W. Timothy Gallwey (FREE Summary)
The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
An insightful and practical guide to optimizing natural learning and performance with applied mindfulness – by author, speaker and ex-Harvard tennis captain, W. Timothy Gallwey.
Published 1974 // 134 pages // Rated 4.2 over 12,600 reviews on Goodreads
38. Codependent No More – Melody Beattie
How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself
Published 1986 // 276 pages // Rated 4.1 over 31,200 reviews on Goodreads
39. The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding – Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised
Published 1985 // 832 pages // Rated 4.5 over 4,200 reviews on Goodreads
40. The Art of Happiness – Dalai Lama XIV (Summary)
Published 1998 // 336 pages // Rated 4.1 over 102,700 reviews on Goodreads
41. Personality Plus – Florence Littauer
How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself
Published 1983 // 208 pages // Rated 4.2 over 9,500 reviews on Goodreads
42. The Master Key System – Charles F. Haanel
Published 1912 // 236 pages // Rated 4.2 over 5,500 reviews on Goodreads
43. The China Study – T. Colin Campbell (Summary)
The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health
Published 2001 // 417 pages // Rated 4.2 over 26,800 reviews on Goodreads
44. The 48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene (FREE Summary)
The ultimate guide to sociopathy gaining and defending against ultimate control – by author and your nearest dictator’s favourite leadership coach, Robert Greene.
Published 1998 // 452 pages // Rated 4.1 over 93,900 reviews on Goodreads
45. The Effective Executive – Peter F. Drucker (FREE Summary)
The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done
THE timeless classic on leadership and management; on getting the right things done – by the dean of business and management philosophy, Peter F. Drucker.
Published 1966 // 208 pages // Rated 4.1 over 31,200 reviews on Goodreads
46. The Success Principles – Jack Canfield
How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Published 2004 // 473 pages // Rated 4.2 over 31,700 reviews on Goodreads
47. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work – John M. Gottman
A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert
Published 1999 // 271 pages // Rated 4.2 over 20,200 reviews on Goodreads
48. Born to Run – Christopher McDougall (Summary)
A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Published 2009 // 287 pages // Rated 4.3 over 181,500 reviews on Goodreads
49. Intuitive Eating – Evelyn Tribole
A Revolutionary Program That Works
Published 1995 // 304 pages // Rated 4.2 over 11,900 reviews on Goodreads
50. Nutrition and Physical Degeneration – Weston A. Price (Summary)
A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and Their Effects
Published 1939 // 524 pages // Rated 4.4 over 1,900 reviews on Goodreads
51. The Slight Edge – Jeff Olson (FREE Summary)
Turning Simple Disciplines Into Massive Success & Happiness
A short, punchy, practical guide to the why, what and how of using simple daily disciplines to achieve breakthrough success – by serial entrepreneur, speaker and author, Jeff Olson.
Published 2005 // 168 pages // Rated 4.3 over 20,500 reviews on Goodreads
52. The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch
Published 2008 // 217 pages // Rated 4.2 over 322,900 reviews on Goodreads
53. First Things First – Stephen R. Covey (Summary)
An action-oriented time-management manual, filled with frameworks and exercises to help you do more of what matters and less of what doesn’t – by the author of the #1 book on this list, Stephen Covey.
Published 1993 // 384 pages // Rated 4.1 over 39,100 reviews on Goodreads
54. Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – Robert M. Sapolsky
Published 1993 // 560 pages // Rated 4.2 over 10,100 reviews on Goodreads
55. Wherever You Go, There You Are – Jon Kabat-Zinn (Summary)
Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life
Published 1994 // 304 pages // Rated 4.1 over 40,800 reviews on Goodreads
56. Wooden – John Wooden (FREE Summary)
A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court
An effort-and-integrity focussed personal philosophy – spanning family, achievement, success and excellence – by UCLA’s famous philosopher-coach, John Wooden, and author, Steve Jamison.
Published 1997 // 201 pages // Rated 4.5 over 4,500 reviews on Goodreads
57. The Art of Loving – Erich Fromm
Published 1956 // 192 pages // Rated 4.0 over 61,100 reviews on Goodreads
58. The Art of Living – William Hart
Vipassana Meditation: As Taught by S. N. Goenka
Published 1987 // 176 pages // Rated 4.4 over 2,700 reviews on Goodreads
59. Nourishing Traditions – Sally Fallon
The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats
Published 1995 // 674 pages // Rated 4.2 over 12,800 reviews on Goodreads
60. Start Where You Are – Pema Chödrön (Summary)
A Guide to Compassionate Living
Published 1994 // 176 pages // Rated 4.2 over 12,200 reviews on Goodreads
61. The Omnivore’s Dilemma – Michael Pollan (Summary)
A Natural History of Four Meals
Published 2006 // 450 pages // Rated 4.2 over 195,600 reviews on Goodreads
62. The Art of Exceptional Living – Jim Rohn
An inspirational reminder of the power of continuous self-improvement and doing the best that you can in every situation – by entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn.
Published 1985 // Rated 4.3 over 2,700 reviews on Goodreads
63. Starting Strength – Mark Rippetoe
Basic Barbell Training
Published 2005 // 320 pages // Rated 4.5 over 8,900 reviews on Goodreads
64. Love and Respect – Emerson Eggerichs
The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
Published 2004 // 336 pages // Rated 4.2 over 48,500 reviews on Goodreads
65. Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell (FREE Summary)
The Story of Success
A systematic debunking of the myth that success is mostly determined by talent and hard-work – with quantitative and qualitative evidence from medicine, sport, business, history, music, science and more – by journalist and author, Malcolm Gladwell.
Published 2008 // 309 pages // Rated 4.2 over 628,900 reviews on Goodreads
66. The Emperor of All Maladies – Siddhartha Mukherjee (Summary)
A Biography of Cancer
Published 2010 // 571 pages // Rated 4.3 over 89,600 reviews on Goodreads
67. The Go-Giver – Bob Burg (Summary)
A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
Published 2007 // 133 pages // Rated 4.4 over 17,800 reviews on Goodreads
68. The Untethered Soul – Michael A. Singer (Summary)
The Journey Beyond Yourself
Published 2007 // 200 pages // Rated 4.2 over 65,300 reviews on Goodreads
69. 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness – Jim Rohn (Summary)
Power Ideas from America’s Foremost Business Philosopher
Published 1996 // 176 pages // Rated 4.5 over 2,300 reviews on Goodreads
70. The Places That Scare You – Pema Chödrön
A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times
Published 2001 // 187 pages // Rated 4.2 over 17,800 reviews on Goodreads
71. Skill with People – Les Giblin
Published 1965 // 44 pages // Rated 4.3 over 1,800 reviews on Goodreads
72. Mindfulness in Plain English – Henepola Gunaratana
Published 1992 // 208 pages // Rated 4.1 over 15,800 reviews on Goodreads
73. Ask and It Is Given – Esther Hicks
Learning to Manifest Your Desires
Published 2004 // 314 pages // Rated 4.2 over 28,200 reviews on Goodreads
74. Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman (Summary)
Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Published 1995 // 384 pages // Rated 4.0 over 95,500 reviews on Goodreads
75. The Power of Intention – Wayne W. Dyer
Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
Published 2005 // 272 pages // Rated 4.2 over 31,100 reviews on Goodreads
76. A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle
Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
Published 2005 // 316 pages // Rated 4.1 over 174,100 reviews on Goodreads
77. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway – Susan Jeffers
Published 1987 // 240 pages // Rated 4.0 over 30,100 reviews on Goodreads
78. Radical Acceptance – Tara Brach
Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha
Published 2000 // 333 pages // Rated 4.1 over 20,900 reviews on Goodreads
79. The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown
Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Published 2010 // 138 pages // Rated 4.2 over 135,500 reviews on Goodreads
80. Failing Forward – John C. Maxwell
Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success
Published 2000 // 209 pages // Rated 4.2 over 10,000 reviews on Goodreads
81. The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy (FREE Summary)
Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success
A concise, practical guide to mastering small choices that determine big outcomes which dictate the course of your life – by best selling author, publisher and motivational speaker, Darren Hardy.
Published 2010 // 162 pages // Rated 4.3 over 34,800 reviews on Goodreads
82. The Strangest Secret – Earl Nightingale
Published 1957 // pages // Rated 4.5 over 600 reviews on Goodreads
83. The Brain That Changes Itself – Norman Doidge (FREE Summary)
Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
An informative and readable journey into the history, science and consequences of recent research in neuroplasticity – the brain’s incredible ability to change and reorganise itself – by psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and researcher, Norman Doidge.
Published 2007 // 427 pages // Rated 4.2 over 33,900 reviews on Goodreads
84. Full Catastrophe Living – Jon Kabat-Zinn (Summary)
Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
Published 1990 // 722 pages // Rated 4.1 over 13,700 reviews on Goodreads
85. Strength Training Anatomy – Frédéric Delavier
Published 1998 // 144 pages // Rated 4.3 over 3,000 reviews on Goodreads
86. Getting to Yes – Roger Fisher (Summary)
Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Published 1981 // 224 pages // Rated 3.9 over 66,300 reviews on Goodreads
87. Emily Post’s Etiquette – Peggy Post
Published 1922 // 896 pages // Rated 4.2 over 2,400 reviews on Goodreads
88. Mastery – George Leonard (Summary)
The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment
Published 1991 // 176 pages // Rated 4.1 over 8,100 reviews on Goodreads
89. The Conquest of Happiness – Bertrand Russell
Published 1930 // 183 pages // Rated 4.0 over 11,000 reviews on Goodreads
90. The Botany of Desire – Michael Pollan (Summary)
A Plant’s-Eye View of the World
Published 2001 // 304 pages // Rated 4.1 over 51,400 reviews on Goodreads
91. Your Erroneous Zones – Wayne W. Dyer
Published 1976 // 320 pages // Rated 4.0 over 13,800 reviews on Goodreads
92. Winning with People – John C. Maxwell
Discover the People Principles That Work for You Every Time
Published 2005 // 304 pages // Rated 4.3 over 6,400 reviews on Goodreads
93. The Food Revolution – John Robbins
How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World
Published 2001 // 449 pages // Rated 4.3 over 3,900 reviews on Goodreads
94. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Published 1988 // 197 pages // Rated 3.9 over 2,331,300 reviews on Goodreads
95. How to Read a Book – Mortimer J. Adler (FREE Summary)
The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
THE classic guide to reading faster, deeper and more effectively than you ever realised was possible – by deep-thinkers, philosophers and life-long learners, M. Adler and C. van Doren.
Published 1940 // 426 pages // Rated 4.0 over 20,300 reviews on Goodreads
96. Crucial Conversations – Kerry Patterson (Summary)
Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Published 2001 // 240 pages // Rated 4.0 over 55,800 reviews on Goodreads
97. The 33 Strategies of War – Robert Greene
Published 2005 // 496 pages // Rated 4.2 over 13,600 reviews on Goodreads
98. Being Mortal – Atul Gawande (Summary)
Medicine and What Matters in the End
A powerful review of the problems with modern medicine and reminder that medical care should focus on well-being rather than survival – by surgeon and best selling author, Atul Gawande.
Published 2014 // 282 pages // Rated 4.4 over 149,300 reviews on Goodreads
99. Daring Greatly – Brené Brown
How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Published 2012 // 287 pages // Rated 4.3 over 157,300 reviews on Goodreads
100. Tiny Beautiful Things – Cheryl Strayed (FREE Summary)
Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
A heart thumpingly raw, vulnerable and powerful collection of letters and advice on the power of love, of forgiveness and of finding growth in the darkest of places – by award-winning writer, Cheryl Strayed.
Published 2012 // 304 pages // Rated 4.3 over 73,300 reviews on Goodreads
Best Self Help Book FAQs
What Is the Best Self Help Book to Read?
The best self help book to read depends on the problem you're trying to solve. New to the genre? Just looking for a high impact read? You can't go wrong with the top 3 titles on this list of the best self help books of all time:
What Is the Number 1 Best Selling Self Help Book?
According to this list of the best selling books of all time, the number 1 best selling self help book of all time is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. For more suggestions, check out this list of the best self help books ever written.
What Are the Top 10 Best Selling Self Help Books?
The top 10 best selling self help books are:
- Think and Grow Rich;
- You Can Heal Your Life;
- Your Erroneous Zones;
- The Purpose Driven Life;
- Who Moved My Cheese;
- Read more...
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Or, you can read all my book recommendations.
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Arthur Worsley
I founded TAoL to discover and share the best wisdom on how to live long and prosper. Before that I studied Psychology, Philosophy & Physiology at Oxford and consulted at McKinsey. Still curious? Learn more or take my FREE productivity quiz.
I founded TAoL to discover and share the best wisdom on how to live long and prosper. Before that I studied Psychology, Philosophy & Physiology at Oxford and consulted at McKinsey. Still curious? Learn more or take my FREE productivity quiz.
