Comments on: Twain’s Take on “Poor Richard” and “The Secret” (Opinion) http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/twain-take-on-poor-richard-and-the-secret-opinion/ life design matters | Journal & Club Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:30:14 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: moof06 http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/twain-take-on-poor-richard-and-the-secret-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-110 moof06 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:27:01 +0000 http://www.whakate.com/beta/?p=102#comment-110 I'm glad you enjoyed the connection between Franklin and Twain-- it is a very interesting one, I think. As for reconciling the book's badness with the variety of its reviews: It has reached such popularity that for better and for worse, it cannot be ignored. The reviews reflect the number of readers it has, but not the quality of its content. Which remains, as you so aptly put it, the digest of a workshop panel hosted by Nancy Reagan's astrologer and co. I’m glad you enjoyed the connection between Franklin and Twain– it is a very interesting one, I think.

As for reconciling the book’s badness with the variety of its reviews: It has reached such popularity that for better and for worse, it cannot be ignored. The reviews reflect the number of readers it has, but not the quality of its content.

Which remains, as you so aptly put it, the digest of a workshop panel hosted by Nancy Reagan’s astrologer and co.

]]> By: Michael Motta http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/twain-take-on-poor-richard-and-the-secret-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Michael Motta Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:39:17 +0000 http://www.whakate.com/beta/?p=102#comment-40 I enjoyed reading about Twain on Franklin, since I was unaware of this slice of American letters. As I was reading the rest though, I couldn't help but think, if "The Secret" is THAT bad, why are the likes of Salon.com and Newsweek.com reviewing it? Ah, it's because Oprah has recommended it, not to mention it's a bestseller. I haven't read "The Secret", but from what I gather, it sounds like an entire book on the concept of self-fulfilled prophecy. This is not an unworthy notion to explore, but I would bet one could find M.A. theses on the topic that are at least as adequate. Politically, it sounds like Babbitt, Ronald Reagan, and Horatio Alger on a workshop panel being hosted by Nancy Reagan's astrologer. Maybe that's why Salon.com calls it "snake oil". I enjoyed reading about Twain on Franklin, since I was unaware of this slice of American letters.

As I was reading the rest though, I couldn’t help but think, if “The Secret” is THAT bad, why are the likes of Salon.com and Newsweek.com reviewing it? Ah, it’s because Oprah has recommended it, not to mention it’s a bestseller.

I haven’t read “The Secret”, but from what I gather, it sounds like an entire book on the concept of self-fulfilled prophecy. This is not an unworthy notion to explore, but I would bet one could find M.A. theses on the topic that are at least as adequate.

Politically, it sounds like Babbitt, Ronald Reagan, and Horatio Alger on a workshop panel being hosted by Nancy Reagan’s astrologer. Maybe that’s why Salon.com calls it “snake oil”.

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