Most accounts of James Allen state that he is a literary mystery man. Some say this is due to the fact that he wished to live much as Tolstoy, yet in truth, we find that James Allen was a simple loving man who was born in Leicester, England on November 28, 1864. When he was fifteen, the family business failed and his father left for America to find work. In a tragic turn of events, his father was murdered before he could send for the family and subsequently, James left school and worked as a personal secretary for various executives of large English corporations until his volitional retirement in 1902. His literary career lasted only ten years until his death in 1912. "As A Man Thinketh" was his second book. In fact, it was only upon his wife Lily's insistence that he published the book.
Here is a list of his works with links to books already processed.
The above inspirational writings have influenced millions for good. Yet today he remains almost unknown...... None of his twenty-two books give a clue to his life other than to mention his place of residence - Ilfracombe, England. His name cannot be found in a major reference work. Not even the Library of Congress or the British Museum has much to say about him. |
