You search for Napoleon Hill books and get a dozen covers that all say success. Which one do you read first? Most people start with Think and Grow Rich, then wonder what to read next. This guide covers the 5 best Napoleon Hill books in 2026, ranked by rating and review count, with who each one is for.
We haven't reviewed these as a literary critic would. We went through the Amazon listings and the review patterns. All five are under about , so this is a cheap shelf to build.
What to Look For in a Napoleon Hill Book
Official edition or not. Hill's books are old and many editions exist. Look for the Napoleon Hill Foundation label. It usually means a clean text with no missing chapters.
Where you are. If you want one book, start with Think and Grow Rich. If you've read it and want more, move to The Law of Success or Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude.
Reading style. Hill writes in short, plain chapters, and the older material reads like a lecture. Annotated editions add notes that help modern readers.
Format. Paperbacks are the cheapest. Deluxe and leather editions make better gifts. For more reading, see our books for entrepreneurs and law of attraction books picks.
The 5 Best Napoleon Hill Books in 2026
1. Think and Grow Rich (Official Napoleon Hill Foundation Edition)
Best for: first-time readers who want the classic.
Hill's best-known book, in the Foundation's edition of the original 1937 text. It has 4.8 stars from about 7,900 reviews, the most on this list, and costs around in paperback.
What makes it stand out: It's the book that started it all, written from Hill's study of successful people. The chapters are short, so you can read one a day.
Good to know: The language is dated, and some ideas feel old. If you want a gift, the Foundation also sells a leather-bound deluxe edition, which costs more.
2. Outwitting the Devil (Official Napoleon Hill Foundation Edition)
Best for: readers who want a more personal, story-driven Hill.
A conversation-style book about fear, habit and drifting through life, annotated by Sharon Lechter. It has 4.8 stars from about 5,500 reviews and costs around .
What makes it stand out: It was written in 1938 but kept private for decades. The annotated edition adds context and a foreword by Mark Victor Hansen.
Good to know: The format is a dialogue with the devil, which some readers find odd. It's more philosophy than step-by-step plan.
Hill's earlier and larger work, built around 15 lessons on success. It has 4.7 stars from about 4,400 reviews and costs around .
What makes it stand out: It covers more ground than Think and Grow Rich. It's a good next read once you finish the first one.
Good to know: It's long and dense, and this listing is a basic edition. Expect a slower read than the others.
4. Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude
Best for: readers who want a practical, upbeat guide.
Co-written by Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone, built around the idea of positive thinking and goals. It has 4.7 stars from about 4,300 reviews and costs around .
What makes it stand out: It's more focused on daily mindset and action than the older Hill books.
Good to know: It's the priciest paperback here. The cover image on the listing is small, so check the edition details.
A shorter Hill title on mind control and self-reliance, in a revised edition. It has 4.7 stars from about 1,700 reviews and costs around .
What makes it stand out: It's quick and focused, so it works as a weekend read.
Good to know: It has fewer reviews than the others, so the rating is less proven. Some readers say it repeats ideas from Think and Grow Rich.
How to Read Napoleon Hill Books in Order
- Start with Think and Grow Rich. It's the base for everything else.
- Read The Law of Success next for the full system.
- Pick up Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude for a practical mindset guide.
- Finish with Outwitting the Devil and How to Own Your Own Mind.
- Take notes and write down one goal per book, or the ideas fade fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Final Thoughts
If you only buy one, make it Think and Grow Rich. It's the most reviewed, the most quoted and a good starting point.
After that, The Law of Success is the pick for a deeper system, and Outwitting the Devil is the pick for a more personal read. Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude is the most practical, and How to Own Your Own Mind is the quick one.
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