Click on an author below to view the complete list of works available here for you to read. Only works of authors mentioned or quoted by Allen in his books or journals are available on this site.
Allen's third book published in 1903. He said "All earnest Truth-Seekers should read this book."
This book is for the spiritually-minded who seek to know their supreme duty in life, and who are exercised about the problem of evil, and the mental and social inequalities around them. It points such to the great Spiritual Realities within themselves, and reveals the way by which those Realities can be realized and known. It shows how and in what way the Kingdom of Heaven is sought and found; and how, when found, all the necessary material things are added, and bliss and peace are assured.
Allen's second book. He described it as "A book that will help you to help yourself" and "A pocket companion for thoughtful people." First published in 1902.
Man is the creator and shaper of his destiny by the thoughts which he thinks. He rises and falls in exact accordance with the character of the thoughts which he entertains. His environment is the result of what he has thought and done in the past, and his circumstances in the future are being shaped and built by his present desires, aspirations, thoughts and actions. He therefore who chooses and pursues a particular line of thought, consciously builds his own destiny. This the book makes clear.
*If you are new to Allen and his works, you probably want to start with this book.
Published in 1904. Allen described this as "A book for all. It aims to reveal the sublime principles which lie hidden in the common facts of daily life."
The book expounds those right states of mind and wise modes of action which, when adopted under trying circumstances, bring about results fruitful of blessedness. The principles put forth are applicable to the common circumstances of daily life, in which all are frequently involved, and upon the wrong or right use of which all our misery or happiness depends; and those who put these principles into practice will very rapidly prove for themselves that circumstances are subordinate to the human will, and as the potter molds the unsightly clay into shapes of beauty, so the spiritual potter (he who has acquired the right state of mind) brings out of “adverse conditions” results that are precious, beautiful, and blessed.
“A brightly written book is Mr. James Allen's new volume, entitled Byways of Blessedness. —Light
“Mr. Allen's latest book appeals to us as being his best. Particularly are the chapters on 'Forgiveness' and on 'Silentness' full of wise thought, calmly yet impressively uttered. It is a useful book for a quiet hour.” —The Christian Life
“A book which, with careful reading, Christians of all shades of creed will find beneficial, for it inspires to the pursuit of the loftiest ideals of holy, happy living. Moreover, the work is written in a terse, lucid, and forcible style, contains numerous clear-cut gems of rich thought, and is evidently the result of ripe experience and rare reflection. For these reasons, then, I heartily commend Byways of Blessedness. —Christian Million
Allen described this book as "The story of my soul" and said it should be the last book of his to be read. Published after his death in 1919. It contains three sections: "The Divine Companion", "The Divine Dialogue", and "The Divine Messages".
Allen's first book, published in 1901. Also called The Realization of Prosperity and Peace. Allen described this book as "A Book for all those who are in search of better conditions, wider freedom, and increased usefulness."
This book appeals to the reader from his own standpoint, and indicates the line of development along which each one should work in order to accomplish the greatest amount of lasting good. Enduring success in any direction is shown to be the result of inward adjustment and growth. Each may accelerate his own progress by silently, but effectively harmonizing his mental forces, the good effects of which will soon become manifest in improved circumstances, and wider opportunities.
A compilation of poems written by Allen and published in 1907. Includes a poem for his daughter on her tenth birthday. This is one of the more difficult books to read.
Published in 1903. Also titled Christ and Conduct. One of Allen's earliest works.
This is a book for the student of Religion, and for those lovers of truth who are in search of the fundamental principles on which all religions rest. It expounds spiritually in the light of moral conduct, and regards character as the test and measure of truth.
The Light of Reason, started in 1902, was a journal edited by Allen that included inspirational writings from Allen, readers of the journal, and other authors of the time. The journal had a large following and groups all around England met regularly to read and discuss its contents. Allen often went on "tours", travelling to each group to speak and meet with the members. The Allen's home was also open to visit by the readers of the journal (for a fee)
The objects of The Light of Reason was: To teach self-control, purity of heart, and the practice of righteousness, and to help men and women to overcome sin, to live the blameless life, and find thereby the way of perfect peace.
First published in 1841, this is Emerson's first series of essays. James Allen quoted Emerson often and his books were advertised in The Light of Reason.
First published in 1897. Henry Ford is said to have given away hundreds of copies of this book. A book that shares many of the same views as As a Man Thinketh. It will help you to be prosperous, overcome inner struggles, and live a happy and healthy life.
Allen reviewed this book, saying: "...he points the way, with the unique simplicity which is his most prominent characteristic as a writer, to conscious union with the Divine by a process of self-illumination. The teachings of Jesus are rather extensively dealt with, and receive at his hands a new interpretation and power, and one chapter consists almost entirely of quotations from that eminent ethical philosopher, Fichte. The following quotation will give the reader some idea of the general tone and purpose of the book:—"Redeemed from the bondage of the senses through which alone sin comes, and born into the heavenly state, into life eternal, is everyone who comes into the same relations with the Father, and hence into the same realization of his Oneness with the Father`s Life that Jesus came into."
"Some of our friends have declared that they prefer this work to "In Tune with the Infinite"; we, however, whilst considering it as an inferior work, from an ethical point of view, to "In Tune with the Infinite" cannot but regard it as a beautiful and valuable addition to the "New Literature," and a work worthy in all respects of the pen of Ralph Waldo Trine. For inspiring thought and simplicity of diction, it certainly, of all his works, ranks next to his masterpiece."
Allen's review of this book: "The author deals with the power of thought in the individual, but in a metaphysical rather than ethical manner. The entire book, in fact, is really the reiteration of a small portion of that vast accumulation of metaphysic which has come down to us from the remotest ages, chiefly through the medium of the Aryan literature."
Allen's review of the book: "ln this book, the writer shows, with much logical lucidity, that the belief that a really good person can be hypnotized and forced to do an evil deed against his will, is a delusion; that no one can receive and be influenced by the suggestion of another, unless there is within him the soil, so to speak, in which that suggestion can take root and flourish; that, in fact, self-suggestion is the great factor, not only in hypnotism, but in nearly all psychological phenomena."
Described by James Allen as "...a work of great originality and practical utility. In it he enunciates, and graphically illustrates by whole-page word-pictures, a system of "ideal suggestion” for the cure of disease and the eradication of inharmonious conditions, which, though grounded upon deep spiritual Truths, is simple and easily grasped. For those who are just beginning to awaken spiritually, it cannot fail to prove of great value in helping them to create spiritual suggestions in themselves by which to overcome downward tendencies. His method is widely distinguished from self-hypnotism, and is, in reality, the outward presentation of an inward process that is continually going on in the souls of those who aspire to wholeness of life, and the author points out that his word-pictures are merely "aids during the educational unfoldment of the concentrative faculty." He deals with the mental causation and cure of disease, but points out that "the overcoming of disease is not the chief and primary object in the aspiration to spiritual consciousness," but the attainment of divine Life."
Described by James Allen as "..one of the most useful of this prolific writer’s works. It is more simple than his former works, and is so far more valuable, there being a decided gain in the clearness of the expression. The book deals with a variety of phases of the Higher Thought in twenty-three short chapters, and an Appendix, entitled “Mental and Spiritual Gymnastic Exercises,” which consists of twelve “Suggestive Lessons,” which are really meditations on the Higher Life which can be applied by the reader. The book is a valuable addition to Spiritual literature, and will help to remove some of the haziness which surrounds the Higher Thought."
Described as: "...a work consisting of twenty-two spiritual essays on man in his relation to external nature, the universe, and his fellow-men. In his preface the author says: "All Truth which is above the plane of the intellect should be accepted, not upon external authority, but just in the measure that it receives the full sanction of the inner ‘Guide,’ or spiritual intuition of the individual. To aid in and point out the law of the development of this supernal faculty to his readers is the writer’s earnest desire and effort." There is a great beauty and charm about the essays, and we should like to quote freely from them had we the space. The following are the titles of a few of the essays:—"The Divinity of Nature," "Our Relations To Environment," "The Dynamics of Mind," "The Education of Thought," "The Subconscious Mind," "The Psychology of Crime."
Described by James Allen as "Broad charity, sane philosophy, and lofty yet practical idealism, are the most prominently marked features of this work. Of the 300 beautifully printed pages, every one of them is full of ripe thought, admirably expressed. Spiritual evolution, the cause and nature of disease, and the meaning of evil, are among some of the subjects treated, and so comprehensive is the work that it constitutes an ethical and philosophical library in itself."
Allen described this book as "...a treatise on the theory of immortality in the flesh. The author declares her unbelief in the necessity of any life other than that of the body, and regards the body as the man himself. As a result of this attitude of mind, she considers the death of the body to be a calamity, and has persuaded herself that she can defy natural decay by the power of her own personal will."
James Allen reviewed this book, saying: "This is a book for the student rather than the casual reader. It is a metaphysical and philosophical work of high value, yet at the same time has an eminently practical basis, and rarely goes beyond actual human experience into pure speculation. In the chapter on "The Meaning of Suffering," readers of The Light of Reason will find an able and profound explanation of our position in regard to the Law in its relation to suffering, and the chapters on "Adjustment to Life," and "Self-Help," are amongst some of the best expositions in new thought literature."
Allen reviewed this book, describing it as: This is a work of transcendentalism after the fashion of Emerson’s Essays. The diction is a model of chastity and elegance, and the loftiest spirituality characterizes the work. The author starts with no central idea, and adheres to none. The thirteen sections of the book are entirely separate from each other, the thoughts are discursive, the sentences short, pithy and axiomatic; all of which breathe forth a spirit of sweetness and serenity. Read the entire review HERE
Allen reviewed this book saying "In "The World Beautiful," she is inspiring to a remarkable degree, so much so that those people who are inclined to "get below the mark" would do well to keep it by them as a spiritual tonic. In this respect, the following brief quotation will be sufficient to show its value: — "Worry is a state of spiritual corrosion. A trouble either can be remedied, or it cannot. If it can be, then set about it; if it cannot be, dismiss it from consciousness, or bear it so bravely that it may become transfigured to a blessing." There is a sweetness and charm and strength about the whole book that renders it unique, and written by a woman, there are portions of it that are of great value to women; though, of course, not exclusively so. The extract which we reprint from this work on another page of this journal, will give our readers an idea of its nature.
James Allen reviewed this book saying "Fate and Free-will are discoursed upon with a masterly brevity, and his quotations, many of which are from remote sources, are happily and effectively introduced. The purpose of the book is to show men that it is possible to become absolutely master of all conditions."
*The above categories mostly contain full books that are available on this site. There are many great articles and poems by authors not listed above that can be found in James Allen's journal, The Light of Reason.
