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The Strangest Secret Kindle Edition

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,697 ratings

Customers reported quality issues in this eBook. This eBook has: Typos, Wrong Product Details, Poor Formatting .

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Earl Nightingale was America's key motivational speaker and The Strangest Secret was his most successful work. This is a transcript of the original classic 1956 motivational speech. The text was later revised into a print version which Economist Terry Savage calls "...one of the great motivational books of all time."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Earl Nightingale founded the personal development industry with the writing and recording of an essay entitled, The Strangest Secret, earning a Gold Record for the first recording of it's kind. Nightingale formed the NIGHTINGALE-CONANT CORP of Chicago, Il. Nightingale enjoyed a lifetime career in radio and was an internationally acclaimed speaker. He died in 1989.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07SN86BJ7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reading Essentials (June 2, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 2, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 42 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 34 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1300037695
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,697 ratings

About the author

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Earl Nightingale
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Earl Nightingale’s life began simply. He grew up in Long Beach, California. His parents had little money, and his father disappeared when he was 12. But even as a boy, Earl was always asking questions, always reading in his local public library, trying to understand the way life works.

On December 7, 1941, Earl was at Pearl Harbor … in a lookout tower on the Battleship Arizona. A thousand men died on the Arizona … Earl was one of only a hundred who survived. He was literally blown off the ship, unconscious, and another sailor pulled him to safety.

Earl said that he felt that he had been spared for some reason. After the war Earl became obsessed with why everyone in his neighborhood was poor and confused. He wondered why one person was able to create wealth and happiness for his family, while another with a similar background stayed ignorant and penniless. Answering these questions became Earl’s life work.

Earl worked in radio in Phoenix and later in Chicago. He also owned his own insurance agency.

In 1956, he was about to take a trip but wanted to leave a message for his sales force. He got up in the middle of the night inspired to write a message that he recorded the next morning. That message became one of the most important and famous motivational recordings ever made.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4,697 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and inspiring. They appreciate the straightforward language, simple concepts, and clear examples. Many describe it as a short yet powerful book that gets straight to the point. Readers also find the book revealing and effective. Overall, they consider it a worthwhile purchase and consider the audio version available for free on YouTube.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

269 customers mention "Readability"266 positive3 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and insightful. They say it's a good, short read that makes you think. The author does a great job of pushing readers to believe in themselves. It's a 30 minute read in this format.

"...First, it is a quick and easy read...." Read more

"...this book is filled with nuggets here and there that totally hits it home...." Read more

"I've enjoyed this short book about success. Lots of nice, well-reasoned takeaways...." Read more

"Great book, very inspirational! Definitely worth reading when you need to look at life from a more positive perspective, and start changing the way..." Read more

161 customers mention "Inspiration"161 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and motivating. They say it opens their minds and sets them on a course to change their thoughts. The book provides useful information and well-reasoned takeaways that can improve their lives.

"...Lastly, I say that the words on the pages are revolutionary and applied properly, will transform anyone’s life, just as it has done for me." Read more

"...This book, offered by Mr Nightingale's wife, is the original message and is well worth the small price...." Read more

"I've enjoyed this short book about success. Lots of nice, well-reasoned takeaways...." Read more

"...This is an exceptional book on finding the genius and creative self within you and understanding you have everything you need to succeed...." Read more

98 customers mention "Ease of use"95 positive3 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand with simple concepts and examples. They appreciate the straightforward language, useful instructions, and good pointers. The book provides a clear plan and follow-through until success.

"...unconventional to the majority of society, this book’s ideas are super practical...." Read more

"...Let's face it, the information is out there and easily obtained with a quick search but the reason you want to own this book is, in my opinion, two-..." Read more

"Simple and to the point. But transformational if you apply the words to your life." Read more

"...Enjoyed this books length and it's message which is supported with straight forward examples. Reading this book is a win-win!" Read more

51 customers mention "Shortness"39 positive12 negative

Customers appreciate the book's conciseness. They find it easy to read and enjoy the straightforward message.

"...Choose the good and the good will choose you. Enjoyed this books length and it's message which is supported with straight forward..." Read more

"I like the book short and sweet with lots of important info .." Read more

"This book is short, to the point, and actionable. Is it the perfect path to success, no it is not perfect...." Read more

"...There are not many pages...about 40...so it wouldn't be that thick." Read more

33 customers mention "Revelation"28 positive5 negative

Customers find the book revealing and interesting. They say it's a must-read to understand The Secret. Readers also mention it's profound and thought-provoking.

"...of wisdom and knowledge and smoothest voice of authority... he speaks the truth!" Read more

"Beautiful book. A nice add-on to The Secret. Highly recommend it. Was an easy and fast paced read...." Read more

"...Just makes sense to know or to stay refreshed on the strangest secret." Read more

"...I honestly think this is the ORIGINAL secret. It gets to the point with no fluff, and it makes so much more sense! I love this book!" Read more

14 customers mention "Power"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effective and powerful. They say it's a true believe system that works and provides the true definition of success. The book teaches how to tap into and use a higher power effectively.

"...of my e-mail reference a quote from this book about the true definition of success...." Read more

"...He is a God sent genius in the field! His works are incredible and all so true...." Read more

"...With such incredible power at our beck and call who are we serving to be less than we can be?..." Read more

"...This book tells you how to tab into and use this higher power." Read more

14 customers mention "Value for money"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's worth the price, an excellent purchase, and that the audio is available for free on YouTube.

"...by Mr Nightingale's wife, is the original message and is well worth the small price...." Read more

"...Not expensive and it should be gifted to a high school graduate to a retired person...." Read more

"Money well spent on this golden nugget... so simple, straight forward, I am so glad I read it. Take action today, peace!" Read more

"Really great book. Worth much more then price I paid." Read more

18 customers mention "Grammar"6 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the grammar of the book. Some find it a great transcription of the radio show, word for word, and appreciate the quality binding. Others mention issues with typos and other mistakes that detract from the book's quality.

"...was that the Kindle version contained a lot of spelling and grammar errors, to the point that I had to reread and try to make sense of quite a few..." Read more

"...Everyone wanted a copy, this was one of the first self help recordings. So much common sense. You become what you think about...." Read more

"Poorly transcribed transcript of the original speech - which you should acquire and listen to." Read more

"...little book are delightful gems buried under the trash heap of sloppy grammar, careless typos, and mountains of missing words and odd and incomplete..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
    Earl Nightengale’s THE STRANGEST SECRET is one of my favorite pieces of literature The reason is threefold. First, it is a quick and easy read. Second, although the principles shared in it are unconventional to the majority of society, this book’s ideas are super practical. Lastly, I say that the words on the pages are revolutionary and applied properly, will transform anyone’s life, just as it has done for me.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2014
    Earl Nightingale's recording, The Strangest Secret, is a classic! This book, offered by Mr Nightingale's wife, is the original message and is well worth the small price.

    Let's face it, the information is out there and easily obtained with a quick search but the reason you want to own this book is, in my opinion, two-fold. One is to hold the work that can actually be the inspiration to change your life. The second is to keep it in the forefront of your mind. Keep a copy on your desk, nightstand or other easily accessible location. The Strangest Secret should be reviewed on a regular basis. I have more than one copy and suggest you do the same...and buy several to give away!

    Here's my only complaint...and it's more of a preference than a complaint. The book is too big..currently 6"x9". I would much prefer the format be smaller...maybe 3"x4"...small enough to fit in a pocket. This way it could be carried around and referred to over and over. There are not many pages...about 40...so it wouldn't be that thick.
    34 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2018
    I have read this book at least 10 times and I read it again today (8th Jan 2017) this book is filled with nuggets here and there that totally hits it home.

    The very first paragraph is what I quote every single time I get an opportunity.

    Here is the excerpt: The late Nobel prize-winning Dr. Albert Schweitzer was once asked, "Doctor, what is wrong with men today?" The great doctor was silent a moment, and then he said, "Men simply do not think.

    This is SO TRUE.

    Look around you and you will not find many people that actually THINK.

    5% of the people think, ten percent of the people think they think, and the other 85% would rather watch what Kim Kardashian's are doing than think.

    Another great line that I always quote from this book is...

    The problem is that our mind comes as a standard equipment at birth. It's free. And things that are given to us for nothing, we place little value on. Things that we pay money for, we value.

    I will end this review by saying, your mind is your best friend and only friend that will come to your aide in need, so you better take good care of it. And it starts with thinking. Give yourself 5-10mins a day to think and ponder about your life and goals.
    259 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
    I've enjoyed this short book about success. Lots of nice, well-reasoned takeaways. This is one of the few books I started recommending before I finished reading. Yeah, it's that good.

    To be re-read.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2024
    Book summary: We become what we think about.

    I especially like his 30 day plan at the end:
    - write down your goal on a 3 x 5 card
    - look at it several times throughout the day
    - be peaceful about it
    - don’t try to do it yourself. There is a higher power.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025
    Good Read
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2023
    Earl Nightingale has achieved what Napoleon Hill William Wattle, Franklin, Emerson and Steve pressfield have also done. This is an exceptional book on finding the genius and creative self within you and understanding you have everything you need to succeed. I would highly recommend this along with other books mentioned on success.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2024
    Simple and to the point. But transformational if you apply the words to your life.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Ricardo Vega-Musre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2024
    Short and deep. I loved it and purchased copies for my daughters.
  • Vijayarathinam Sivasankaran
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
    Reviewed in India on September 1, 2024
    It's my favourite book
  • Shar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for success
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2022
    Everyone should read this book. Set your goals and get excited. If you follow what Earl Nightingale says your life will be changed. I have set this into motion and already started to see a difference. My life is starting to change in a good way. I have recommended this book to my friends who are interested in succeeding in their life.

    I’ve always wondered how the subconscious mind works this book has made it very clear. It’s a very short book but so powerful.
  • Cuauhtemoc Gallegos Gonzalez
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent recipe to change your life
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 7, 2019
    It will apply to people that is passing difficult times, following these no new wisdom knowledge will manifest in their lives with outstanding results
  • arquimedes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Advise is given
    Reviewed in Spain on August 12, 2019
    That book can inspire almost everyone, even though is quite sort.

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