The Science of Getting Rich Book Review: Does It Stand the Test of Time?

I have seen The Science of Getting Rich on reading lists for a while, but what convinced me to prioritize it was listening to an interview with Jen Sincero (author of Badass Habits and You Are a Badass at Making Money. She mentioned that this was her number one book for changing her mindset about money. I admire her style, so I immediately bought the book.

A Note on the “Science”

One thing I wasn’t expecting was how anachronistic the writing would feel. The word “science” meant something slightly different in 1910 than it does today. Wallace D. Wattles lived during the Gilded Age of American industrialization. I am currently reading a biography on Rockefeller Sr., and at that time, “science” was often used to describe finding practical uses for new products (like gasoline).

In today’s society, we expect “science” to mean peer-reviewed studies and statistics. Wattles, however, uses thought experiments and critical thinking as his evidence. If you can get past that difference in terminology, there is a lot of value here.

The Core Philosophy

Despite its age, this book has stood the test of time because its themes are the foundation of almost every modern financial self-help book. Wattles offers a metaphysical framework for wealth, organized into a few key principles.

The Right to Be Rich

Wattles begins by asserting that every person has an inherent right to be rich. For him, wealth is not about greed; it is about potential. You need money to develop your mind (education), body (health), and soul (charity). Poverty restricts these dimensions, while riches enable them. If becoming rich is a spiritual obligation, then learning the “science” behind it is a duty, not a vice.

The “Certain Way”

The metaphysical backbone of the book is the concept of “Formless Substance“, an intelligent energy that fills the universe. He argues that we shape this substance with our thoughts. To do this correctly, we must think and act in a “Certain Way“:

• Create, Don’t Compete: The creative mind sees the world as abundant. The competitive mind believes in a fixed pie where one person’s gain is another’s loss. Wattles insists that the competitive mindset cuts you off from the source of riches.
• Align with “Increasing Life”: The universe tends toward growth. If you act in a way that increases life for yourself and others, you are moving with the current of reality.

Gratitude and Will

Wattles views gratitude as a practical tool to keep your mind connected to the source of wealth and prevent it from slipping into resentment. He also redefines willpower: it’s not for forcing others to do what you want, but for controlling your own thoughts to stay focused on your vision rather than dwelling on poverty or fear.

Efficient Action

This is the part many “Law of Attraction” books miss. Thought alone is not enough; it must be combined with efficient action.

• Do all you can, where you are: Don’t wait for perfect conditions.
• Avoid half-hearted effort: Success comes from doing every task as well as possible.
• Deliver “Use Value”: This is the ethical core of the book. You must give more in “use value” than you take in “cash value.” Every interaction should leave the other person feeling that they have gained something.

Final Verdict

The final chapter is essentially a checklist: form a definite vision, think with faith and gratitude, and act efficiently and ethically. He argues that anyone who follows this formula will see their reality shift.

I feel like the delivery is so dated that some modern readers might be put off. However, I think there are kernels of truth and wisdom here for anyone who wants to grow. It’s a fascinating look at the roots of modern personal development.Have you read The Science of Getting Rich? Do you think these principles still apply today? Let me know in the comments below!