"INFLOW OF NEW THOUGHTS CAN REMAKE YOU"

PEALE, Norman Vincent. The Power of Positive Thinking. New York: Prentice-Hall, (1952). Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $6000.

First edition, first printing of this classic self-help book, an early influence on the theological movement eventually known as the prosperity gospel.

Peale, a Protestant clergyman, was one of the first major American religious figures to combine psychiatry with religious ministry. His radio and television appearances, as well as his books, offered a faith-based approach to success that resonated with millions of readers, with Positive Thinking staying on the New York Times bestseller list for 186 weeks. When President Ronald Reagan awarded Peale the Medal of Freedom in 1984, he remarked that "with a deep understanding of human behavior and an appreciation for God's role in our lives, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale helped originate a philosophy of happiness. Through the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry and his many books, Dr. Peale became an advocate of the joy of life, helping millions find new meaning in their lives. Few Americans have contributed so much to the personal happiness of their fellow citizens."

Spine ends slightly rubbed; dust jacket with only the lightest rubbing to extremities. A near-fine copy of the scarce first printing.