ABOUT

My aims are to:

• Identify and promulgate the characteristics of personal success;
• Raise the bar on self-development field through analysis of its concepts and literature; and
• Enable leaps forward in knowledge and wisdom by increasing the utility of existing information.

This website began as the companion to my first book 50 Self-Help Classics, presenting versions of commentaries that appear in the book. Since then, the site has expanded to include material adapted from subsequent titles in the 50 Classics series.

The 50 Classics concept is based on the idea that every subject or genre will contain at least 50 books that encapsulate its knowledge and wisdom. By creating a list of those landmark or representative titles, then providing commentaries that note the key points and assess the importance of each work, awareness of these key writings is spread to readers who may not otherwise have known of their existence.

50 Self-Help Classics was initially released only in Australia in 2001, then in the UK, US and rest of the world in 2003 by Nicholas Brealey Publishing. 50 Self-Help Classics has been translated into 15 languages. In 2004 it won the US Benjamin Franklin Award, and was a finalist in Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year awards.

My second book, 50 Success Classics (2004), covers the landmark works of motivation, prosperity and leadership. Rights have been sold in 13 languages. The third, 50 Spiritual Classics (2005) explores some of the famous writings and authors in personal awakening, and has been translated into 10 languages.

50 Psychology Classics was released in 2007 and has been translated into 12 languages

All works are available in audio format from Audible.com (see links on homepage), including the most recent titles in the series, 50 Prosperity Classics.

Here is an interview with the First Friday book synopsis club that looks at the 50 Classics series in some depth.

Biography

In the early 1990s, I was working as an adviser at the New South Wales Cabinet Office in Sydney, writing briefing papers for senior ministers. I took a year off to do further study in the UK, but put aside my political economy textbooks to read a growing pile of motivational and self-help literature. On returning to Australia, I spent some time in the Outback, where the idea came to me of writing about the classic books in the self-help literature.

Based in Oxford, UK, I now write full-time, run Butler-Bowdon.com, and do occasional speaking engagements.

I have a BA (Hons) degree in Politics and History from the University of Sydney, and a Masters degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics.

Any comments or questions relating to my work or to this website are welcomed. See the Contacts page.

Website history

The original site was created in 2001 using Frontpage.

In 2004 a web consultancy launched the site on a new platform.

The recent major revamp was undertaken by Frazer Kirkman, United Visions.

Sign my Guestbook.

Join me on Facebook and Twitter