James Allen a British writer, was born in Leicester, England, in 1864. He was born into a working-class family, and was the elder of two brothers. His father, William, was a factory knitter, and his mother couldn’t read or write. Due to a negative turn in the textile trade of central England in 1879, his father travelled to America to find work and a new home for the family. However, soon after arriving in America, his father was killed. His father’s death was believed to have been caused by murder and robbery.

James who was left to face this tragedy at age 15, was force to leave school and find work to support himself and his family. James was employed as a factory knitter and a private secretary for a number of years until the early 1900s. James also worked as a journalist and a reporter, and later became a writer for The Herald of The Golden Age. His first book From Poverty to Power was published in 1901, and in 1902 he began publishing his own magazine,The Light of Reason, later called The Epoch. As a man thinketh, his third and most famous book was published in 1903, which is loosely based on the biblical passage of proverbs 23:7.

As a Man Thinketh is as the author states “suggestive rather than explanatory” to cause both men and women to discover “that they themselves are makers of themselves, by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage.” He goes on to explain that whatever is in the mind affects everything else. Negative and evil thoughts bring pain and pure thoughts brings joy. Nurturing either will eventually form the person/ the character.

It is one of the most popular self help books and is said to have motivated both readers and authors in the self help genre.