// Book comparison

The Body Keeps the Score vs Think and Grow Rich

Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

At a glance

The Body Keeps the Score Think and Grow Rich
Rating ★ 4.9/5 ★ 4.9/5
Pages 464 238
Reading time ~11.6 h ~6.0 h
Published 2014 1937
Author Bessel van der Kolk Napoleon Hill
Category Personal Effectiveness Finance & Investment
Publisher Viking The Ralston Society

Choose The Body Keeps the Score if…

  • You're interested in personal effectiveness.
  • You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
  • You want the more recent perspective (2014).

Choose Think and Grow Rich if…

  • You're interested in finance & investment.
  • You prefer a shorter read (~6.0 hours).

Key takeaways — The Body Keeps the Score

  • Acknowledge the Physiological Basis of Behavior, recognizing that your team's reactions to stress are often driven by deep-seated biological patterns rather than just professional logic.
  • Prioritize Psychological and Somatic Safety within your organization, as the human brain cannot engage in high-level strategic thinking when the body is in a state of perceived threat.
  • Implement Self-Regulation Techniques as a core leadership skill, utilizing mindfulness and body-awareness to maintain executive presence and clarity during high-stakes organizational crises.
Read full The Body Keeps the Score summary →

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.
Read full Think and Grow Rich summary →

The verdict

If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with The Body Keeps the Score. If you specifically need finance & investment, Think and Grow Rich is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.

❓ FAQ

Is The Body Keeps the Score or Think and Grow Rich better? +

The Body Keeps the Score has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. The Body Keeps the Score focuses on personal effectiveness, while Think and Grow Rich focuses on finance & investment. See the verdict below.

Which is shorter, The Body Keeps the Score or Think and Grow Rich? +

Think and Grow Rich is shorter (238 pages, ~6.0 hours) compared to The Body Keeps the Score (464 pages, ~11.6 hours).

Should I read The Body Keeps the Score or Think and Grow Rich first? +

If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with The Body Keeps the Score. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.