Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) was an American minister and author, best known for promoting the philosophy of positive thinking. For 52 years, from 1932 to 1984, he served as the minister of Marble Collegiate Church in New York, where his preaching combined Christian theology with concepts from practical psychology to help people achieve a fulfilling life. His most famous work is the international bestseller *The Power of Positive Thinking* (1952), which has sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages, profoundly influencing the self-help literature genre. An author of over 40 books, Peale also co-founded the inspirational magazine *Guideposts* with his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale. His influence on American culture was such that in 1984, President Ronald Reagan awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for his contributions to the nation's religious life and well-being.