In Foundation Stones to Happiness and Success, James Allen, considered a founding father of the self-help genre - offers his thoughts on "right principles," "sound methods," "true actions," "true speech," "equal-mindedness," and "good results." Allen's wisdom has a certain gravitas and is all the more inspiring given his challenging and inspiring life story. Born in England in 1864, Allen had to begin working at the age of fifteen after his father was murdered, while seeking work in America. Allen thus worked for nine-years as a factory knitter, then secretary.
