Secrets for Success and Happiness

Rating:
Summary: Reflective journal of a life well-lived by Augustine Mandino
Review: Augustine Mandino is different. From personal failure he evolved into a lighthouse for the depressed and disenchanted. Did he know that his eager followers would be the poor, only? Get ready, Og, because of you, no matter what our financial statuses, you have helped us change the world! I discovered Og in 1996. "I've never heard of him," said a public school teacher at our local nationally-acclaimed school. I was educated locally also; my life has changed, thanks to Og, but it would have changed sooner had my school offered Mandino IA,IB&IC. I am currently reading five of Og's books concurrently because I believe I have already wasted too much time not getting to know the master of (true-life) story telling. One of these books is "Secrets for Success and Happiness." By reading Og's other books, I have experienced his mastery. While reading this new book, I know I have finally met the master creator of life's maps, personally. I thank God that og wrote this book. Without it, those who have never meet him personally can finally embrace -- if only in spirit -- one of God's spellbinding gift givers . . .

Rating:
Summary: Merely events of his daily life...
Review: I am a huge Og Mandino fan,but I did not find this book as great a writing as his others! I realize that this is an auto-biography, but I didn't think that it was written with the hope, joy, and courage so many of his other books seem to offer the reader. I was a little bored by the many insignificant details of his day-to-day activities. I assume this book's intention was to let the reader get to know Og Mandino on a more personal level, but as for myself- I have come to know Og on a more personal basis by reading his other books that have offered me principles with which could help me live a better life and that is what helped me to get to know him at a more intimate level.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and REAL!!
Review: I have so enjoyed listening to these tapes as I drive to school each week. Og's attention to the little things in life--the things that makes life worth living--are an example to us all. Money is NOT the ends and even not necessarily the means.

It is also interesting from a writer's point of view as Og gives a bit of the behind the scenes world of publishing and touring.

I highly recommend this book/tape set to anyone who wants to remember what we're here for.

Rating:
Summary: Just what I needed
Review: It was just before 11 Sep 2001, in fact Friday the 7th. It was also the beginning of the end for my job (they cut what was left of our benefits) and I was in the library looking for anything I could get in the 158s and there was this book on the shelf. I'd read Mandino's works for years, even sent him fan mail that he very graciously acknowledged (and I wish I still had eight years and as many moves later), but I'd never seen this book before.

So I checked it out - it was the lift I needed. I'd had no idea of his background, and I realized that at 28, my own lofty goals just might be attainable. It also gave me some insights into his writing process and the philosophy of life that permeates all his writing.

I'm giving it four stars because you have to already be a fan to really appreciate this book, and there is a good bit of overlap between it and some of his other later works (like Return of the Ragpicker). I am very glad he took the time to write it down while he was still with us - and didn't give up on it when his health problems started.

BTW, that job ended in February. In April I moved in with my parents, still looking for work. In July when I was down at the beach with them I found this book on sale so I picked it up. In November I did find a new permanent job and moved into a new apartment Christmas Eve. I'm still (1/29/2003) unpacking but as soon as I find this book again I'm going to scour it again. I could not have made it through the past seventeen months without it, and I have the rest of my life ahead of me.

Rating:
Summary: Just what I needed
Review: It was just before 11 Sep 2001, in fact Friday the 7th. It was also the beginning of the end for my job (they cut what was left of our benefits) and I was in the library looking for anything I could get in the 158s and there was this book on the shelf. I'd read Mandino's works for years, even sent him fan mail that he very graciously acknowledged (and I wish I still had eight years and as many moves later), but I'd never seen this book before.

So I checked it out - it was the lift I needed. I'd had no idea of his background, and I realized that at 28, my own lofty goals just might be attainable. It also gave me some insights into his writing process and the philosophy of life that permeates all his writing.

I'm giving it four stars because you have to already be a fan to really appreciate this book, and there is a good bit of overlap between it and some of his other later works (like Return of the Ragpicker). I am very glad he took the time to write it down while he was still with us - and didn't give up on it when his health problems started.

BTW, that job ended in February. In April I moved in with my parents, still looking for work. In July when I was down at the beach with them I found this book on sale so I picked it up. In November I did find a new permanent job and moved into a new apartment Christmas Eve. I'm still (1/29/2003) unpacking but as soon as I find this book again I'm going to scour it again. I could not have made it through the past seventeen months without it, and I have the rest of my life ahead of me.

Rating:
Summary: Og should be ashamed of himself
Review: This book is a huge disappointment. I have read other books by Mandino and anticipated getting various tips and "secrets" for life and success, but all the book contains is Og Mandino's diary, listing events and accolades that he received during the period that it was written. This is NOT a self-help book, it's just the diary of the author. The title is extremely deceptive, and I felt completely ripped off. Shame on you, Mr. Mandino, for deceving your readers.

Rating:
Summary: Far and away his worst book- don't bother
Review: Very slow, very boring and very, very self-congratulating. Probably hurt his arm patting himself on the back so much. I'm a huge Mandino fan but I couldn't get past this bit of braggadocio. Fortunately, I got the book as Christmas present(yes, I asked for it), so I don't feel as cheated as I would if I'd have bought it myself. How the author of such great books as The Christ Commission and The Greatest Salesman in the World can put out such garbage is beyond me. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK