The Master Key System
Encyclopedia
The Master Key System is a personal development book by Charles F. Haanel
that was originally published as a correspondence course in 1912. Though originally a 24 week correspondence course, it was published in book form in 1916. It was first published as a book in 1916 by Psychology Publishing, St. Louis and The Master Key Institute, New York.
Along with "The Science of Getting Rich
", by Wallace D. Wattles, the Master Key System is the source of Rhonda Byrne's inspiration for the book and the film "The Secret" (2006).
Charles F. Haanel was an American author, millionaire, entrepreneur, and businessman who belonged to several Masonic
societies, the American Scientific League, The Author’s League of America, The American Society of Psychical Research, the St. Louis Humane Society, and the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce.
' inspiration and success behind Microsoft
, and that the book was banned by the Roman Catholic Church
. It states that Gates discovered the book as a student at Harvard. He was so inspired he dropped out and went on to found Microsoft. Several sources refer to this story, however there remains no verified reference that this is anything but a rumor.
Similarly, there are accounts that the book dropped out of sight partly as a result of being banned by the Church. This would presumably be the Roman Catholic Church. However, again there is no verifiable reference to this being the case. An ancillary rumor to the banned by the Church rumor, is that Haanel himself wanted to keep the information in the book esoteric, and accessible only to a few. However, this defies the facts, primarily that he advertised his correspondence course in the popular media of the time (i.e., periodical advertising), and developed and distributed promotional pamphlets.
, however several of his other books, currently being distributed, are still covered by copyright
law timeframe.
Charles F. Haanel
Charles Francis Haanel was a noted American New Thought author and a businessman. He is best known for his contributions to the New Thought Movement through his book The Master Key System....
that was originally published as a correspondence course in 1912. Though originally a 24 week correspondence course, it was published in book form in 1916. It was first published as a book in 1916 by Psychology Publishing, St. Louis and The Master Key Institute, New York.
Along with "The Science of Getting Rich
The Science of Getting Rich
The Science of Getting Rich is a book written by the New Thought Movement writer Wallace D. Wattles; it was published in 1910 by the Elizabeth Towne Company. The book is still in print after 100 years. It was a major inspiration for Rhonda Byrne's bestselling book and film The Secret...
", by Wallace D. Wattles, the Master Key System is the source of Rhonda Byrne's inspiration for the book and the film "The Secret" (2006).
Charles F. Haanel was an American author, millionaire, entrepreneur, and businessman who belonged to several Masonic
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
societies, the American Scientific League, The Author’s League of America, The American Society of Psychical Research, the St. Louis Humane Society, and the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce.
Rumors
The Master Key System has gained popularity in recent years, in no small part from its influence on the film The Secret, but also in part from a number of other rumors. The two most prominent are that it was the source of Bill GatesBill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
' inspiration and success behind Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, and that the book was banned by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. It states that Gates discovered the book as a student at Harvard. He was so inspired he dropped out and went on to found Microsoft. Several sources refer to this story, however there remains no verified reference that this is anything but a rumor.
Similarly, there are accounts that the book dropped out of sight partly as a result of being banned by the Church. This would presumably be the Roman Catholic Church. However, again there is no verifiable reference to this being the case. An ancillary rumor to the banned by the Church rumor, is that Haanel himself wanted to keep the information in the book esoteric, and accessible only to a few. However, this defies the facts, primarily that he advertised his correspondence course in the popular media of the time (i.e., periodical advertising), and developed and distributed promotional pamphlets.
Other books based on it
- Abundance and Prosperity - The Master Key System Decoded by Prof. C. W. Haanel Mentz ISBN 1-4257-1035-2
- The Master Key System in 24 Parts - Re-Edited by Anthony R. Michalski ISBN 0-9678514-0-8
- Master Key System (28 Part Complete Deluxe Edition) - Ishtar Publishing (July 2007) ISBN 978-0-9780535-8-1
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Other books by Haanel
Note, Master Key System and Mental Chemistry, being published prior to 1923, are considered to be in public domainPublic domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
, however several of his other books, currently being distributed, are still covered by copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
law timeframe.
- Mental Chemistry
- The New Psychology
- The Amazing Secrets of the Yogi
External links
- Charles F. Haanel, Self-Improvement-eBooks.com
- Master Key System, Master Key System Mp3 Audiobook