The Secret of the Secret

July 2, 2007
Journalist Kelly (coauthor, Starring You!, Get Serious About Getting Married) takes a close look at the instant success of Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, the New Age inspirational/self-help title which, as of this title's pub date, has ruled nonfiction bestseller lists for some nine months. Though the "secret" of The Secret is the tried-and-true "law of attraction," an idea kicked around for centuries, Kelly demonstrates why it's captured the attention of today's culture, paying special attention to the scientific and historical claims made by Byrne and company and the marketing techniques used to fuel sales. Guiding readers first through the controversial process by which the DVD and book made it to market, she then looks at the history of an idea, "the power of positive thinking," and demonstrates "stunning" similarities between "metaphysical writers working today... and the New Thought writers" of the 19th century (including Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy). Kelly's straightforward writing style, inherent grasp of the content's subtleties and natural skepticism give readers a big-picture view of The Secret and its success. Readers who want to examine the real facts behind the phenomenon will not be disappointed.