The Secret

By Rhonda Byrne

Once known only by an elite who were unwilling to share their knowledge of the power, 'the secret' of obtaining anything you desire is now revealed by prominent physicists, authors and philosophers as being based in the universal Law of Attraction. And the good news is that anyone can access its power to bring themselves health, wealth and happiness.

Fragments of The Secret have been found in oral traditions, literature, religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. A number of the exceptional people who discovered its power went on to become regarded as the greatest human beings who ever lived. Among them: Plato, Leonardo, Galileo and Einstein. Now 'the secret' is being shared with the world. Beautiful in its simplicity, and mind-dazzling in its ability to really work, The Secret reveals the mystery of the hidden potential within us all. By unifying leading-edge scientific thought with ancient wisdom and spirituality, the riveting, practical knowledge will lead readers to a greater understanding of how they can be the masters of their own lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
• Release date: Jul 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9780731815296

Rhonda Byrne

Rhonda Byrne is the creator behind The Secret, a documentary film that swept the world in 2006, changing millions of lives and igniting a global movement. The following year Rhonda's book The Secret was released, which was translated into 50 languages and remains one of the longest-running bestsellers of this century. Her other bestselling titles include The Power, The Magic, and Hero. Rhonda was born in Australia and now lives in California.

Reviews for The Secret

[tonile4helena · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was really interesting. I feel like a bit of a weirdo for reading it, but it came highly recommended and I can understand why. I'm on the fence with the concept of the law of attraction, but the book does contain many good tips for positively changing your life. I have just picked up the sequel (released yesterday in Australia) called the Power, so we'll see how it compares.

[jhedlund_7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A little bit too focused on the material aspect of the Law of Attraction for my taste. I hope that most people picking up a book like this are looking to attract more than a new car and a good parking space. It would be a good introduction to the concept of the Law of Attraction for people without any previous exposure.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Firstly, I've read this sort of idea before. Positive belief will make the world rosy and pleasant and cause the universe to give you stuff and negative belief causes you to attract negative stuff, and I do believe that a positive mental attitude is a good thing and that being negative isn't always a good thing.But, I'm sorry, this could lead you to believe that you're responsible for all your own woes, and spiral you into a deeper fug than you already were in. Although it is an interesting concept, it also reinforces the idea that it's not random chance or just plain bad luck that makes you have accidents but your own mental attitude. That weight issues aren't down to eating too much but by believing that you're fat.Yes, for some people it's a great book, for some people it will help, for some people it could cause great things to happen to them but for others it could increase their depression or add to their feelings of self-worth. The book is full of US motivational speakers and their positive ideas. Maybe some people would benefit from sometimes reading the quotes. I'm also sure that there are people out there that have found new hope and faith in the world from this book, but this is not the first of it's kind (it's one of the thinner of it's kind) and it won't be the last.

[aznstarlette · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At the very basic level, this book did achieve one of its purposes for me, which was to inspire. I've always been a positive thinker, the eternal optimist, but this book also made me aware of something equally true for me: people do have a tendency to dwell on the negative and what they do NOT want in life - ie, I do NOT want debt; I do NOT want people to be disrespectful to me. I've never viewed this as negative thinking, but I suppose, in its own way, it is.That being said, this book is no masterpiece. Please save your hard-earned money on something more meaningful. By all means, read it, but borrow it from a friend, the library, or acquire it (legally!) without having to fork over money. The Secret is not so secret - think positively!! There, I've saved you the trouble. This book was written on an elementary school level, with plenty of short sentences, and !!!! unnecessary amounts of exclamation points. It was also quite repetitive, so much so that I eventually began skipping pages. I give it a fair rating because the book did connect with me on some level, though certainly nothing earth-shattering.

[quixotic2creator · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, other than there was alot of hype and buzz, and I must say it was a HUGE disappointment. Certainly the main principal/theme/philosophy being proposed is not a new one - it has existed for thousands of years, but the delivery stinks. The book is categorized as Mind-Body-Spirit but it comes across as campy and highly commercial. Although the book is easy to read as the ideas are presented in blocks and bites, there is little substance; it's a bit like someone telling a suicidal person to look on the bright side of life because the sun is shining. I think there are far better re/sources for this type of material.

[nabeelar_4 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book totally sucks. Everyone in my Neighborhood Book Club hated it, included the woman who felt duped into picking it out.However, if you want to know how a depressingly large population of people actually think, then this book will give you tremendous insight.There was a hilarious parody review of this book on Amazon.com. I highly recommend reading that review!

[stephen.tan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Clever title that entices curiosity and reading. Smart presentation that facilitates easy reading. Commercially expedient & excellent Old-age mental skills & powers, nothing new.

[paulstuffy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book helped me changed my whole outlook. I am on a new path and happy. You have to read it and watch the DVD to really understand it.

[ladyblossom · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If you wish to change your life read this little book, it is very inspiring and positive.

[jmcgarry2011 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good book as far as it goes. You do attract what you're thinking about, but you need action to get there.

[agatatera · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Gave up! Blehhh...

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A family member lent this book to me when I was going through a rough time.

It actually helped me. It is common sense, but seeing the words in writing made things clearer. You have the power to turn your life into what you want it to be as long as you believe you can do it.

If you feel down definitely read this book.

[fufuakaspeechless_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Positive thinking does work. However, blaming people for the bad things that happen to them is disgusting.

[sandydog1_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A pop cognitive behavior manual that describes unoriginal but important concepts: positive thinking, visualization, gratitude and self-talk can change people's behavior and lives. That's all nice and true and uncontroversial. The way these themes are conveyed is well, flaky. The author relies (too) heavily on physics and attraction analogies. I think the author actually believes electromagnetic radiation and metaphysics are related. It is an uplifting book, but I am always tempted to change my "brain frequency" to a more "negative channel" when I read all that attraction stuff.

[indrawarman_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this book show me about the frequencies we generate unconsiously, which then invite a like frequencies, persons, events, information to our next moment.

[pjmazumdar_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

If we think good thoughts, good things will happen to us. But this is not because of what she says. The external world will not rearrange itself for us. What will rearrange is our internal world.When we think strong powerful thoughts, we can change a lot of things, but it is within ourselves. We will change into stronger, more confident individuals and thus be better able to attain success, wealth, etc. We would also no doubt be more on time just by being more positive, but I don't know about find a parking place also, as the book claims!And that's really why this book doesn't work. Its claims are absurd. That the universe is paying attention to what we think and rearranging itself at every moment for us is a claim so preposterous that it attains a respectability simply by being so far out that many people will actually pause and ask whether it is true.And that's why the book works for so many people. Far out claims have the advantage that they can attract people. And most importantly, thinking positive thoughts will work for its readers, so in that aspect, the book deliver on what it promises. But it works, not because of its premises, but because of the power within ourselves.This book in fact devalues us as human beings. It ignores the essential message, that we can achieve so much when we believe in ourselves only because there is this tremendous energy within us. Thinking positive thoughts releases this power, and then we can achieve virtually whatever we put our minds on. We don't need the universe's help to achieve success, we are quite well equipped to help ourselves, thank you!! But no matter how positive our thoughts, we are still bound to miss the occasional parking space though...

[selwyncluster09 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Rhonda has pooled a lot of ideas from others, some from earlier centuries.There are very clear practical ideas for incorporating a more positive approach to life and therefore benefiting from the law of attraction.

[aeromaxtran-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Let there be abundance.
Oh it's already there.

[leena_duncan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wish I could give this book a higher rating as it did have a good message, but the ideas here are a collection of those found elsewhere throughout history. The author isn't presenting something new and bold. I have read lots of religious, spiritual and new age books and already had heard of the 'secret' presented here. I know the book was extremely popular, but the fact that the secret really wasn't a secret makes me less inclined to give it a high mark.

[kr_patterson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had to put this one in as one of my favorites. I read it a while back, but continue to listen to parts of it every day. I filter the content through my own faith and beliefs, but I think this "power of attraction", call it whatever you will, is a real thing.

I also wanted to add, though, that I believe the gospel contains the more complete and unadulterated version of this, and it comes down to faith, hope, charity, and gratitude. And the fact that God really does want our lives to be abundant, even though we will have real trials.

[willow1972 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is a guide for being a nicer sociopath. Rarely I have I seen such utter greed and desperation masked as 'spirituality'. This is a disgusting book that panders to the weak minded.

[rfaulk_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is about faith. The format of the book is not that of a novel. You sort of have to skim and find what you are looking for. I would suggest a better format. However, there are some very powerful passages in this book.

[dianalynn5287-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It certainly offers a new perspective on things. Reading through this book, I found myself relating to it and by the end, I loved it. I say give it a chance. It is definitely a different outlook, but with an open mind, you might discover some new qualities within yourself.

[nabs_2 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A waste of money, for seriously.

[jaie22 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully-produced book, certainly.

[jaykovach · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the concept. Perspective is a big deal and I believe in much of what Covey says and you get what you first create in the mind. If you ignore the pyramid-scheme-esque, purple-haired, old lady, televangelist feel of the whole thing it will have a beneficial effect on your thinking.

[jppoetryreader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My sister gave this to me with the caveat that it's a diluted form of the film (which I have yet to view). I liked the book even though it doesn't offer a lot of substance. I feel that the power of mental energy/focus hasn't been fully explored and so this is interesting to me. However, I also think that this illumination of it is too simplistic. It's not able to show people any sort of path through their complex thought process to arrive at something that's purely focused and positive. So it's lite, but food for thought none the less and it introduced me to others that have been interesting to read (none of whom seem to have THE ANSWER--except for themselves--but are acquainted with the "secret").

[jojoma_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Repetitious to the point of being brain numbing.Regurgitated material.

[helenaharper_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The 'secret' that this book is about is the Law of Attraction (LOA) and, if you know nothing about the LOA, then this book is a good starting point. It explains what the LOA is (you get what you focus on) and then goes on to illustrate how you can apply this 'secret' to achieve what you truly want with regard to money, relationships, your health and the world. The LOA is based on the energy vibrations we are emitting (and these are determined by the types of thoughts we have). Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting our energy onto higher planes and bringing more of what we want into our lives and when we feel love, we are emitting the highest vibration of all. What I liked about the book are the summaries at the end of each chapter and the stories that are told to illustrate the points that are being made. One of the most astounding is the story about Morris Goodman, 'The Miracle Man'. He was completely paralyzed after he crashed his aeroplane and could only blink his eyes. The doctors said he would remain like that for the rest of his life, but nine months later he walked out of the hospital on his own two feet. These are inspiring stories, but there is more to the LOA than is covered in this book. However, it is a good introduction to the whole topic and, if you have an open mind, it will most definitely broaden your horizons about what is possible and achievable in life.

[lmeza-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I hope what I read stays!