If you’ve heard the title, “The Art of Mental Pictures” or “The Magic of Believing”, by Claude M. Bristol, it’s not because it’s the latest bestselling novel, topping the charts in the New York Times. Positively reviewed by such stars as Phyllis Diller and Larry Glick, the book was published in 1948 and is still in print today as a successful self-help manual, read by millions. Readers have described it as “down-to- earth” and “a great classic.”
Based on a theory Bristol developed while serving in WWI, “The Magic of Believing” prompts readers to complete mental exercises in order to influence outside forces and be successful. An example of this would be for a man to quit his job to pursue his passion, believing that he will have clients who will make him successful, resulting in clients walking in the door and asking for services. The book’s overall goals include helping readers turn their thoughts into achievements, using the “law of suggestion” to be effective, using their imaginations to overcome problems, and harness the subconscious to turn dreams into reality. Despite its age, “The Magic of Believing” is rooted in a time-old tradition of mind over matter.
