The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace D. Wattles

(December 9) This little book (if indeed it counts as a book -- it takes only an hour or two to read) is the Victorian businessman’s version of The Secret and The Success Principles.

Like its successors, The Science of Getting Rich says that to be successful you must: “believe” you are acquiring wealth and possessions; live as if you have wealth already; cultivate a grateful attitude; ignore all other issues in life except getting and enjoying wealth and accomplishments.

I like this Victorian version because it is Victorian -- the energetic tone and passion for productivity that are the hallmarks of a late 19th century sensibility are perfect for this subject. Wattles isn’t trying to be mystical or proprietary about this bizarre theory; he’s just trying to simplify it for ease of use (as Victorians liked to do).

He lays out the principles -- a Way of Being, he calls it -- straightforwardly and objectively, not passing any judgements on it nor offering any wild speculations on why it exists. He’s simply convinced this system works and believes it’s everyone’s moral and civic duty to try it.

Alphonse Mucha, Moët et Chandon Crémant Impérial