In what language should I read these self improvement books?

[Gurkour]

Hi there!

I want to purchase a list of self improvement books. But I am German. So my question is - do I purchase them in english or german?

Generally I think it is easy to read in English, all of the blogs/texts I read are in English. Another thing is that reading about these topics in my native language feels weird. Maybe because I am used to read these kind of texts in English.

My problem is that I am afraid that the books will  be too difficult to read (for me at this point). I would not want to touch 9 books of Platon or Descartes at the moment

 

Are these books very difficult to read (compared to Nerdfitness, I don't even think that the site is in English I just read it - same with "Level up your life book")? Have you read them as a not native English reader?

 

1. Rich Dad Poor Dad: http://amzn.to/1VLAklY

2. The 4-Hour Workweek: http://amzn.to/1Qn5DA5

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People: http://amzn.to/1VLAoCe

4. The 48 Laws of Power: http://amzn.to/1VLAoSK

5. The Way of the Superior Man: http://amzn.to/1Qn5EDZ

6. Man's Search for Meaning: http://amzn.to/1Qn5GM0

7. Mastery: http://amzn.to/1VLArOu

8. Mindfulness for Beginners: http://amzn.to/1VLAs4S

9. The Obstacle is the Way: http://amzn.to/1VLAslw

 

(The List comes from This Youtube Channel about self improvement & books, It is possible that it is an affiliate link so he will earn some money for purchasing them by this link)

 

My thoughts at the moment are; Purchase book number 3, 5 and 7 and see how it turns out. But if you think on of this books is very difficult, please let me know!

Thanks in advance

[Mike_d85]

I would recommend reading the books in the language they are written whenever possible.  Also, it is important that these books are written in different cultures.  Some of the information may not apply in whatever culture you live in and sometimes the messages get lost in translation.  For example "breaking bread" is a communal saying with religious meaning in western culture so deep it's literally part of christian ceremony.  An eastern translator may miss the meaning and wonder why an author talks about slicing bread or sharing food so much.

 

I've read #3 and loved it.  I read an original pressing instead of the updated version you found on amazon.  The book still made perfect sense and explained a great deal about my grandfather and his success as a salesman.  From talking with Dale Carnagie teachers I understand very little has changed in the text of the book.  A few things like recommending readers buy books that are no longer in print have been removed.

[Luds]

Hope you went ahead and gave them a try in English. Those texts tend to be held in a language intended to convey facts to a relatively broad audience, so you should be good; I expect you found that out by now.  

[Gurkour]

On 27.5.2016 at 11:03 AM, Luds said:

Hope you went ahead and gave them a try in English. Those texts tend to be held in a language intended to convey facts to a relatively broad audience, so you should be good; I expect you found that out by now.  

Thanks! Yes, I purchased them all in English and it was a good decision I was able to understand all of it, plus I learned "technical" language used in the books.

[Gurkour]

On 19.4.2016 at 7:27 PM, Mike_d85 said:

I would recommend reading the books in the language they are written whenever possible.  Also, it is important that these books are written in different cultures.  Some of the information may not apply in whatever culture you live in and sometimes the messages get lost in translation.  For example "breaking bread" is a communal saying with religious meaning in western culture so deep it's literally part of christian ceremony.  An eastern translator may miss the meaning and wonder why an author talks about slicing bread or sharing food so much.

 

I've read #3 and loved it.  I read an original pressing instead of the updated version you found on amazon.  The book still made perfect sense and explained a great deal about my grandfather and his success as a salesman.  From talking with Dale Carnagie teachers I understand very little has changed in the text of the book.  A few things like recommending readers buy books that are no longer in print have been removed.

Thanks for the answer! Yes, I gave English a try and it was a good decision

I purchased the original too, it was the only one that could be shipped to Germany for a low price.. Anyways, a lot of his tricks are really usefull! Even though the 30's slang was a bit confusing at some times I understood it