// Book comparison
The Design of Everyday Things vs Think and Grow Rich
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
The Design of Everyday Things
by Don Norman
★ 4.9/5
Think and Grow Rich
by Napoleon Hill
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| The Design of Everyday Things | Think and Grow Rich | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 368 | 238 |
| Reading time | ~9.2 h | ~6.0 h |
| Published | 1988 | 1937 |
| Author | Don Norman | Napoleon Hill |
| Category | Marketing & Sales | Finance & Investment |
| Publisher | Basic Books | The Ralston Society |
Choose The Design of Everyday Things if…
- → You're interested in marketing & sales.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (1988).
Choose Think and Grow Rich if…
- → You're interested in finance & investment.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~6.0 hours).
Key takeaways — The Design of Everyday Things
- ✓ Prioritize Discoverability and Feedback, ensuring that every element of your product clearly signals its function and provides immediate confirmation of user actions.
- ✓ Align your product’s design with the User’s Mental Model, recognizing that people interact with technology based on past experiences and intuitive analogies.
- ✓ Utilize Constraints as a Strategic Shield, intentionally limiting user options to prevent catastrophic errors and to guide the customer toward the most efficient path of success.
Key takeaways — Think and Grow Rich
- ✓ Develop a Definite Chief Aim for your organization, ensuring that every strategic decision and resource allocation is aligned with a singular, compelling vision of success.
- ✓ Utilize the Master Mind Principle by surrounding yourself with a diverse group of experts and advisors, creating a collective intelligence that is greater than the sum of its parts.
- ✓ Cultivate Unwavering Persistence, recognizing that the ability to maintain effort through temporary defeats is the primary psychological trait that separates high-achievers from the rest.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with The Design of Everyday Things. If you specifically need finance & investment, Think and Grow Rich is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is The Design of Everyday Things or Think and Grow Rich better? +
The Design of Everyday Things has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. The Design of Everyday Things focuses on marketing & sales, while Think and Grow Rich focuses on finance & investment. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, The Design of Everyday Things or Think and Grow Rich? +
Think and Grow Rich is shorter (238 pages, ~6.0 hours) compared to The Design of Everyday Things (368 pages, ~9.2 hours).
Should I read The Design of Everyday Things or Think and Grow Rich first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with The Design of Everyday Things. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.