// Book comparison
Influence vs Think and Grow Rich
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Influence by Robert Cialdini and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
★ 4.9/5
Think and Grow Rich
by Napoleon Hill
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| Influence | Think and Grow Rich | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 320 | 238 |
| Reading time | ~8.0 h | ~6.0 h |
| Published | 1984 | 1937 |
| Author | Robert Cialdini | Napoleon Hill |
| Category | Personal Effectiveness | Finance & Investment |
| Publisher | William Morrow | The Ralston Society |
Choose Influence if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (1984).
Choose Think and Grow Rich if…
- → You're interested in finance & investment.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~6.0 hours).
Key takeaways — Influence
- ✓ Apply the Reciprocity Principle by providing value to your stakeholders first, creating a psychological obligation that significantly increases your future persuasive power.
- ✓ Leverage Social Proof by highlighting the endorsements of your existing customers and industry leaders to reduce perceived risk for new strategic partners.
- ✓ Utilize Commitment and Consistency by asking for small, initial agreements that lead your stakeholders to stay aligned with your larger organizational goals over time.
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 Influence. If you specifically need finance & investment, Think and Grow Rich is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Influence or Think and Grow Rich better? +
Influence has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Influence focuses on personal effectiveness, while Think and Grow Rich focuses on finance & investment. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Influence or Think and Grow Rich? +
Think and Grow Rich is shorter (238 pages, ~6.0 hours) compared to Influence (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read Influence or Think and Grow Rich first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Influence. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.