Spiritual/Business/Self Help

The 48 Laws Of Power, by Robert Greene


Auctioned by Bonhams for $8,500, June 2011
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19036/lot/262/


publ. Viking, 1998, a number of pages with passages underlined and annotated in various pens by Michael, providing an insight into his view of the world, with comments such as Make yourself respected, a God Demand Worship and No more talking silence is more powerful, and you create your own circumstances even in the manner in wich you are treated and looked upon, and deer are special because they hide if they walked the streets like dogs no one would care the moon comes every night so people don’t care to look to the heavens Haleys Comet,the fact it comes once in a lifetime makes it important





Amazon Description:


Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills three thousand years of the history of power in to forty-eight well explicated laws. As attention-grabbing in its design as it is in its content, this bold volume outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other great thinkers.

Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), the virtue of stealth (“Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions”), and many demand the total absence of mercy (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”), but like it or not, all have applications in real life.

Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, P. T. Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded–or been victimized by–power, these laws will fascinate any reader interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.

As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen





Suzi Nash, 1976:
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/06/28/news/doc4a46d3517529e107442464.txt


In later years, on her way to visit Jackson during one of his Philadelphia concert gigs, Suzi grabbed an old book from her parents’ shelf without noticing the title. She just wanted to give Jackson a gift and she remembered his fondness for antique tomes. As fate would have it, it was “As a Man Thinketh,” a 1902 volume by James Allen.

“He looked at me and almost kind of jumped back. He said, ‘What made you give me this? What made you pick this one?,’” said Suzi.

He told her it was his “favorite book in the world.” The title is based on Chapter 23, Verse 7 of the Bible’s Book of Proverbs: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.”


Amazon description:


A long-standing classic in the field of self-help, this book is a must read for anyone interested in bettering themselves. The human mind is more powerful than most people know and this book provides readers with a major key in teaching us how to use it properly. Thoughts are what truly control your life, and this book can well be considered a kind of “owner’s manual” for the mind. The teachings are simple but powerful. Chapters include Thought and Character, Effect of Thought on Circumstances, Effect of Thought on Health and the Body, Thought and Purpose, The Thought-Factor in Achievement, Visions and Ideals, and Serenity.

The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale





Frank Cascio, “My Friend Michael”:


The first book Michael had me read was The Power of Positive Thinking. I saw how the ideas in hat book connected to some of the things that Michael had been talking about. I was intrigued, and just like that the barrier between me and reading was broken.


Amazon description:


The phenomenal and inspiring bestseller by the father of positive thinking. THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING is a practical, direct-action application of spiritual techniques to overcome defeat and win confidence, success and joy. Norman Vincent Peale, the father of positive thinking and one of the most widely read inspirational writers of all time, shares his famous formula of faith and optimism which millions of people have taken as their own simple and effective philosophy of living. His gentle guidance helps to eliminate defeatist attitudes, to know the power you possess and to make the best of your life.

The Gift of Acabar, by Og Mandino


Michael’s signed copy from 1979 on auction
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6295489





Amazon description:


All Tulo had wanted was some light and warmth to sustain him and his tiny sister through the terrible storm. But the star which he caught in the folds of his red kite promised far from more than that. Here is the shining, joyful message meant not only for the boy but for all those who dream of changing their lives for the better.

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino





Listed as one of Michael’s favorite books presented to the Young Adult Services of the Chicago Public Library in 1979, source: “Michael Jackson, The Early Years”


Amazon description:

It is a tiny book and it is a treasure. First published in 1968, Og Mandino’s classic The Greatest Salesman in the World remains an invaluable guide towards a philosophy of salesmanship. Mandino has a clear, simple writing style that supports his purpose: to make the principles of sales known to a wide audience. A parable set in the time just prior to Christianity, The Greatest Salesman in the World weaves mythology with spirituality into a much-needed message of inspiration in this culture of self-promotion. Mandino believes that in order to be a good salesperson, you must believe in yourself and the work which you are doing. It is a simple but profound spiritual philosophy about how to succeed in the world’s marketplace, easily understood and easy to take to heart. –Jodie Buller –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Your Creative Power, by Alex Osborn





Review on ProfitAdvisors:
http://www.profitadvisors.com/creative.shtml

Your Creative Power is a classic exploration of the subject of creativity and generating ideas. It was originally released in 1948. The book is in the public domain. When you read the techniques and examples in the book, it is striking how they continue to be useful and relevant today. You could simply drop in the names of today’s businesses and tell very similar stories.

Alex Osborn became the executive vice president of BBDO, an advertising agency in 1939. In 1959, he founded the Creative Education Foundation, which was sustained by the royalties from his books. He also co-founded the Creative Education Foundation’s Creative Problem Solving Institute, the world’s longest-running international creativity conference.

According to Osborn, there are two types of thinking: judicial thinking and creative thinking. Judicial or logical thinking is a screening process, passing judgment on whether ideas are good or not. This type of thinking dominates the executive suites of most companies. Creative thinking is a free flow. It’s best used to generate ideas with no screening until after as many ideas as possible are generated.

An essential piece of the idea generation process is writing them down as you or a group thinks of them. Sometimes you can list hundreds of ideas, and finally the best one comes out.

Reach Out for a New Life, by Robert Harold Schuller


Found stored in the Vaccaro vault





Amazon review:


He brings a clear awareness of the Bible verse, as a man thinketh in his heart so is he, by writing, “Your self-concept is the core of your personality.” Another truth from the Bible of which we’re reminded is that God plans and guides the circumstances and events in our lives long before we become aware of what’s going on.

Hagakure: The Book Of The Samurai, by T. Yamamoto


Wikipedia Description:


Hagakure (Kyūjitai: 葉隱; Shinjitai: 葉隠; meaning Hidden by the Leaves or hidden leaves) is a practical and spiritual guide for a warrior, drawn from a collection of commentaries by the samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo, former retainer to Nabeshima Mitsushige, the third ruler of what is now the Saga prefecture in Japan. Tsuramoto Tashiro compiled these commentaries from his conversations with Tsunetomo from 1709 to 1716; however, it was not published until many years afterwards. Hagakure is also known as The Book of the Samurai, Analects of Nabeshima or Hagakure Analects.