cover image The Millionaire's Secrets

The Millionaire's Secrets

Mark Fisher. Simon & Schuster, $18.95 (254pp) ISBN 978-0-684-80281-7

In this parable that reads like fiction, Fisher (The Instant Millionaire) introduces John Blake, a 32-year-old ad man bored with his work who meets a mysterious millionaire. The millionaire gives him formulas for financial success, including focusing on a single goal, prioritizing, avoiding distractions and having both faith and audacity. Underlying all this is an emphasis on the power of positive thinking (""Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better"") and a Panglossian spin (everything that happens is for the best). But those who hope to find the way to fiscal success may be put off when Fisher veers into metaphysics and has his omniscient capitalist turn out to be a believer in reincarnation--presumably suggesting that those who don't make it big in this life may have other opportunities in the future. Needless to say, hero Blake makes a mint in his field of choice and wins the girl of his dreams. (Apr.)