I first met Og Mandino in February 1984 in New Orleans. As a brand new member of the National Speakers Association, I was attending my first meeting of the organization. I'd been speaking professionally for four years, so I'd built a certain level of confidence, but walking into that meeting room humbled me. I wasn't sure what to expect, and felt little comfort in knowing that the other attendees shared my kind of work. Was I good enough? Would I be accepted.

To bolster my social posture, I moved toward the refreshment table. Maybe I'd be more comfortable meeting other people if I had a familiar cup of coffee in my hands. Perhaps I'd look more poised . . . or something.

A tall lanky fellow was standing by the table, pouring a cup of coffee. Pale yellow sweater. Gray, thinking hair. He turned toward me as I approached, handed me the coffee with his left hand and stuck out his right hand for a handshake. "Hi, I'm Og Mandino."

I was blown away! His name was as familiar to me as the best known politicians, though much more revered. A best-selling author, his name and reputation commanded immediate respect and honor. What an experience to be welcomed by Og Mandino himself as the first person I met in the association. We relived that experience many times over the years as we gathered together with our colleagues in the speaking business.

Confession: I'd never read Og Mandino's books. Just didn't get around to it, though I'd heard they were good. There were always other things to read, other things to do. I did cherish my friendship with this gentle man and miss him now that he has passed away.

Finally, I got a copy of a volume that contains three of his powerful books: "The Greatest Salesman in the World," "The Greatest Secret in the World," and "The Greatest Miracle in the World." I wasn't sure what I'd be reading, but I decided to plow through the pages so that I'd have had the experience of actually reading his words. I was riveted. Captivated. Amazed. Moved.

The stories Og wove and the way he used words to express himself mesmerizing. The stories are beautiful and inspiring. He reached deep inside me somehow and rekindled some of my thoughts and motivations that have been dormant. It's hard to explain. This book will cause you to think, no . . . ponder. And it will change the way you look at yourself and your fellow Man.

I love to read books and write thoughtful reviews to help others decide if they want to read particular titles. One one hand, I feel that perhaps I should apologize for giving you more of a personal testimonial than a traditional book review. On the other hand, this sharing is probably the best expression to encourage you to spend some time with Og.

This review refers to the 2001 hardcover printing.

I found Og Mandino's great trilogy helped me to be positive and upbeat every day. Being a salesperson, there are days when everything seems to go wrong....I just get back to reading a chapter from Mandino. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling down and out.......I would put this down as one of the best books I have ever read....Recently whilst on a vacation I gifted it to a gentleman who is a teacher and promised that he would like to help students with the positive message in the book. I am just ordering another copy...I need it by my side!

Este libro es sencillamente otra obra maestra de Og Mandino, lo recibi como regalo y realmente me encanto. Desde principio a fin te transporta a la epoca despues de que murio Jesucristo y puedes sentir cada aspecto de su vida y su traicion. Lo recomiendo 100% y aunque tuve que dejarlo en mi pais, lo voy a comprar nuevamente para tenerlo en mi coleccion personal.

Og Mandino is one of the best writers that I have known, he is a great writer, and this book is one of the best books that he wrote.

Charlie Jones shows he is a master of cutting to the chase and teaching us the lessons of History that are found in the individuals that make it. Read it and see why Charlie is one of my heroes. Now, do yourself a favor and order it. While you are at it, buy a copy of "Life is Tremendous." It Is and the book is too.

i really liked this book, first my literature teacher sent it to me 'cause i had 2 read it but i didnt want to, but i did and i really liked the descriptions and the way to tell the story!

Es un libro que se puede definir en dos palabras: amor y valor, cuando uno se menosprecia nunca llega a ningún lado, en cambio cuando confiamos en nosotros mismos hacemos lo que nos proponemos y este libro es un ejemplo de ello.

Whatever you are doing right now, wherever you want to go in your life, this book is your vehicle. Just follow the scrolls and watch miracles happen in your life.

This book is absolutely and positively phenomenal. Mandino has truly outdone himself with this masterpiece. Read it at night before bed, one chapter a night as he recommends. Your subconscious mind will put the concept to work for you as you sleep. It will take you 52 nights to finish each "course." Read it in the order presented. Do not skip through or read ahead. One chapter per night X 52 and your life will be changed forever. Read it and share it with others you love. A wonderful tool to use if you are a mentor to someone else. FABULOUS BOOK !!

Writer, Og Mandino, did a very wonderful job on this book. A writer stuck in the everydayness of life was going about his day as normal, when trying to get into the gate at his office could not because it was stuck. That's when the ragpicker came in and helped the man out by holding the gate up for him, then disappeared. After a few days, the writer sees the old man again and thinks him. The old man asks him if he would like to go to his place and have a glass of wine. Hesitant at first, The writer joined the old man for a while. He got to the point where he would go by and have a glass with the old man everyday. They would talk about life and everything else. They even got into the topic of God. The Old ragpicker was trying to get the writter to become a ragpicker and help out other people as he had done for years. He asked him to read the God Memorandum, which he had written himself. Now that's all I'm going to tell you about this wonderful book, and if you enjoy books that deal with life. This is a great one for you. It will help to bring you closer to god and will boost your confidence. I hope you enjoy.

When I read this book , it takes me, more time to elaborate every single word of this great masterpiece of Mr. Og Mandino. I finished reading it, for almost one week and truly, the story really captured my heart and emotion...I'll advise everybody to bought this one and you'll really enjoy it, and it will strengthen your spiritual life !!!

If you don't know who you are or what you are about, you need to read this. It has changed my life physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally. I was a person who came from nothing and had nothing, and am now a true testament of what can happen if you truly believe in becoming a better person. You can't read this book, you have to experience and live it.

This is a must have for anyone on a spiritual journey! It will help you have faith in a Higher Power as you understand Him! The entire manuscript is wonderful but the God Memorandum contained within helped me when I was ready to walk away from this miraculous way of life over 10 years ago, one day at a time!

Are we spiritual beings having human experiences? Read the book. I would also recommend the book An Encounter With A Prophet which takes a little different track but is definitely inspirational

I personally found this material to be wonderfully done with passon. As for other statements on the narrator, I feel that is poor and *Unprofessional* -- that statement is actually from a local in Mr. Nash's town that wanted to make him look bad. Billy Nash is one of the few people in this world who care about the success and futures of other people. I would highly recommend any of his recordings!

This book, along with many of Mandino's books, will help anyone with low self-esteem, high dreams and expectations, or simple questions about the things that are going on in your life. My grandmother introduced me to Og Mandino with the book "Greatest Salesman in the World" and I read and reread that book. If you are looking for motivation, his books have lots of "advice" that could put you into gear, and go for the goal. Mr. Mandino is a genius. I would love to meet him one day. "The Choice" helped my brother to come to terms with lots of complications in his life. You come to realize that life is how you choose to make it. Other people cannot bring you happiness, you must choose to live a happy life, by your own means.

I've been a big fan of Og Mandino for more than a decade, and have read *everything* he wrote. Unfortunately, this book--his last before his death in Fall 1996--isn't quite up to snuff. A second sequel to his terrific GREATEST MIRACLE IN THE WORLD, this book's first half is really a story recap of MIRACLE and the first sequel, RETURN OF THE RAGPICKER. This material is then followed by the book's most valuable offering--reprints of some hard-to-find success literature, much of it more than a century old. But even then, a part of that is wasted on a reprinting of portions from James Allen's classic AS A MAN THINKETH, which you can find just about anywhere. Ah well... Mediocre Og is better than no Og at all, I suppose. It is sad that this book is his last hurrah--and a half-hearted one

This powerful little book is chock-full of great concepts and teachings that really have the ability to change your life for the better. Really one of the best inspirational books around!!!