Title : The Richest Man In Babylon
Author: George S. Clason
Year: 1926
Cost: Kshs 690 at Text Book Centre Sarit.
Are you fresh out of school and are looking to start earning an income?
Have you been earning money for a long time but wonder why you don’t have savings?
Did you read this book once, but haven’t read it in 2010?
Then you need to read this book.
A good number of people shy away from reading finance books because they feel they know all there is to know about personal finance, but the largest number do because most of the books in the market are too complicated and full of Jargon.
The Richest Man In Babylon isn’t full of jargon, and after reading it, you get the feeling that you knew very little about personal finance to start.
This book is based on a fable about a man called Arkad, the richest man in ancient Babylon, who teaches the people how he grew from abject poverty. His teachings can be summarised into the following headers:
- Seven cures for a lean purse
- The Five Laws of gold
- The Clay Tablets
Overall it’s a very interesting story to read, but even more amazing is that it demonstrates that certain principles don’t change over time. A book that was written in 1926 makes more sense than most of the more recent ‘How To Be Rich’ guides. I wasn’t suprised to find in there the 10% rule we spoke about a couple of months back.
Why should you re- read the book?
Because we forget. I read it about 4 years ago, and I was suprised when I read it yet again for our book club last month. I still had things to learn afresh (despite having a finance background).
The Richest Man In Babylon covers basic principles around earning, saving, investing, dealing with debt (both borrowing and lending), and takes it a step further and talks about purpose and planning.
To throw a question to you, from the book:
A bag heavy with gold or a clay tablet carved with words of wisdom; if thou hadst they choice, which wouldst thou choose?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a gonna find this book and “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and invest in them! Niko nyuma, yes, but I’m sure it will help!!!
I read this book ounce,so many years ago,just after leaving Uni.. I wonder where i threw my copy?,But with your recommendation,maybe i should look for it,read it again and see,what i did not see in it then.
@Joliea usijali, it’s never too late to start. For you, it’s still early actually.
@normzo you didn’t miss a thing I’m sure, but have you been following the laws? How are they working for you?
I read it sometime last year while still in school and found it to be both thought provoking and eye opening…the principles are timeless.Now that u’ve said it ill have to give it a 2nd peek this year
This one has been and will be on my must read list mpaka its read……….
Hi Manager,
That is one of the best instructive book written on the subject of personal finance.
If your purse is lean, or you have not taken care of your financials..thats the book to read.
It seemed to me that the common man who desperately needs such a book as the Richest Man in Babylon finds out just after the squander, there was such a book as this.
However, some will not find it intriguing as they are after the other end of the axis- fame, power, & honor.
I wonder why some people pursue Honor at a time when most men are dishonorable….
Reminds me of the writings of Machiavelli in The Prince….. Count me in in your next Book Club Discussion…
credit anybody very much for your behold,it’s largely useful inside me.
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Hallo,i hope you are well.Kindly mail me the soft copy of the book. Thanks.
Hi, I’m so interested in reading the book…kindly email me the soft. As for #Rookie been great reading your pieces usichoke kusaidia #wakenya in this area of finance, kudos.
Hi Festus and Moses, I apologise for taking so long to get back to you. I have uploaded a copy of the book on here. You may download it.
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