Og Mandino
Encyclopedia
Augustine "Og" Mandino II (December 12, 1923 – September 3, 1996) was an American author. He wrote the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World
. His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. He was the president of Success Unlimited magazine until 1976 and is an inductee of the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame.
Mandino was once the editor of a high school paper and planned to attend the University of Missouri
's journalism school. But in the summer of 1940, before Mandino was able to enter college, his mother died suddenly from a massive heart attack. This happened while Mandino's mother was in the kitchen preparing his lunch. After the incident, Mandino decided to work in a paper factory until 1942. Afterwards, Mandino joined the United States Army Air Corps
where he became a military officer and a bombardier
. He flew for thirty bombing missions over Germany
on board a B-24 Liberator
during World War II
. It was also during this time that Mandino flew with fellow pilot and movie star, James Stewart
. Mandino kept a personalized 8 X 10 photograph of Stewart. This photograph hung on the wall of his home office where he wrote his books.
After his military duties, Mandino discovered that few companies were hiring former bomber pilots. As a result, he became an insurance salesman. Traveling on the road and sitting in bars at night, Mandino became an alcoholic. He was unable to keep a job. As a result, Mandino's wife, Miriam "Mimi" Stidstone, together with their only child, left him. One wintry November morning in Cleveland, Mandino almost tried to commit suicide
. But as he sorted through several books in a library, volumes of self-help
, success and motivation books captured Mandino's attention. He selected some titles, went to a table and began reading. Mandino followed his visit to the library with more visits to many other libraries around the United States. He read hundreds of books that dealt with success, a pastime that helped him alleviate his alcoholism. It was in a library in Concord
, New Hampshire
, where he found W. Clement Stone's
classic, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, a book that changed Mandino for the better.
Mandino eventually became a successful writer and speaker. His works were inspired by the Bible and influenced by Napoleon Hill
, W. Clement Stone
, and Emmet Fox
. He was inducted into the National Speakers Association
Speaker Hall of Fame.
which contains the "time-tested wisdom of the ancients distilled into ten simple scrolls" which, if followed for the prescribed ten months, will as Og says, "seep into my other mind, that mysterious source which never sleeps, which creates my dreams, and often makes me act in ways I do not comprehend. As the words of these scrolls are consumed by my mysterious mind I will begin to awake, each morning, with a vitality I have never known before. My vigor will increase, my enthusiasm will rise, my desire to meet the world will overcome every fear I once knew at sunrise, and I will be happier than I ever believed it possible to be in this world of strife and sorrow." (Scroll I)
The scrolls each have a principle designed to replace bad habits built up over a lifetime which "threatens to imprison my future" (Scroll I) with good habits developed through a ten month process of studying the scrolls. Each Scroll's principle is life altering. They are:
Mandino's main philosophical message is that every person on earth is a miracle and should choose to direct their life with confidence and congruent to the laws that govern abundance. He wrote in Scroll I, "I will not fail as the others, for in my hands I now hold the charts (the Ten Scrolls) which will guide me through perilous waters to shores which only yesterday seemed but a dream." Og was also a proponent of taking action now. In Scroll IX, the phrase I will act now is written 18 times. He recognized that all successful people take on their own lives by "charting" or consciously choosing both the desired destination and the path to reach it. Mandino's philosophical messages have Christian undertones. They are encouragements to build good habits, to live according to the laws that govern abundance and to find a vigor and joy in life as we learn to stand at the helm of our ship charting its course into the safety of the harbor instead of just waiting for someone else to bring it in.
Mandino's hometown was Natick, Massachusetts
. He was the oldest of four children.
, self-knowledge, and self-inspirational books ever written:
The Greatest Salesman in the World
The Greatest Salesman in the World was first published in 1968, and re-issued in 1983 by Bantam. The 128-page book is a guide to a philosophy of salesmanship, and success, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life of abundance. A hardcover edition was published by Buccaneer...
. His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. He was the president of Success Unlimited magazine until 1976 and is an inductee of the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame.
Biography
Mandino was born December 12, 1923. According to the 1930 U.S. Census, he was named after his paternal grandfather.Mandino was once the editor of a high school paper and planned to attend the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
's journalism school. But in the summer of 1940, before Mandino was able to enter college, his mother died suddenly from a massive heart attack. This happened while Mandino's mother was in the kitchen preparing his lunch. After the incident, Mandino decided to work in a paper factory until 1942. Afterwards, Mandino joined the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
where he became a military officer and a bombardier
Bombardier (air force)
A bombardier , in the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force, or a bomb aimer, in the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces, was the crewman of a bomber responsible for assisting the navigator in guiding the plane to a bombing target and releasing the aircraft's bomb...
. He flew for thirty bombing missions over Germany
Strategic bombing during World War II
Strategic bombing during World War II is a term which refers to all aerial bombardment of a strategic nature between 1939 and 1945 involving any nations engaged in World War II...
on board a B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was also during this time that Mandino flew with fellow pilot and movie star, James Stewart
James Stewart (actor)
James Maitland Stewart was an American film and stage actor, known for his distinctive voice and his everyman persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime...
. Mandino kept a personalized 8 X 10 photograph of Stewart. This photograph hung on the wall of his home office where he wrote his books.
After his military duties, Mandino discovered that few companies were hiring former bomber pilots. As a result, he became an insurance salesman. Traveling on the road and sitting in bars at night, Mandino became an alcoholic. He was unable to keep a job. As a result, Mandino's wife, Miriam "Mimi" Stidstone, together with their only child, left him. One wintry November morning in Cleveland, Mandino almost tried to commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. But as he sorted through several books in a library, volumes of self-help
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
, success and motivation books captured Mandino's attention. He selected some titles, went to a table and began reading. Mandino followed his visit to the library with more visits to many other libraries around the United States. He read hundreds of books that dealt with success, a pastime that helped him alleviate his alcoholism. It was in a library in Concord
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, where he found W. Clement Stone's
W. Clement Stone
William Clement Stone was a businessman, philanthropist and New Thought self-help book author.-Early life and work:...
classic, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, a book that changed Mandino for the better.
Mandino eventually became a successful writer and speaker. His works were inspired by the Bible and influenced by Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. He is widely considered to be one of the great writers on success...
, W. Clement Stone
W. Clement Stone
William Clement Stone was a businessman, philanthropist and New Thought self-help book author.-Early life and work:...
, and Emmet Fox
Emmet Fox
Emmet Fox was a New Thought spiritual leader of the early 20th century, famous for his large Divine Science church services held in New York City during the Great Depression.- Biography :...
. He was inducted into the National Speakers Association
National Speakers Association
The National Speakers Association is a professional speakers' organization that supports the pursuit of Public Speaking as a business. NSA is the oldest and largest of 11 international associations comprising the Global Speakers Federation.- Founder :...
Speaker Hall of Fame.
Philosophy
Mandino wrote The Greatest Salesman in the WorldThe Greatest Salesman in the World
The Greatest Salesman in the World was first published in 1968, and re-issued in 1983 by Bantam. The 128-page book is a guide to a philosophy of salesmanship, and success, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life of abundance. A hardcover edition was published by Buccaneer...
which contains the "time-tested wisdom of the ancients distilled into ten simple scrolls" which, if followed for the prescribed ten months, will as Og says, "seep into my other mind, that mysterious source which never sleeps, which creates my dreams, and often makes me act in ways I do not comprehend. As the words of these scrolls are consumed by my mysterious mind I will begin to awake, each morning, with a vitality I have never known before. My vigor will increase, my enthusiasm will rise, my desire to meet the world will overcome every fear I once knew at sunrise, and I will be happier than I ever believed it possible to be in this world of strife and sorrow." (Scroll I)
The scrolls each have a principle designed to replace bad habits built up over a lifetime which "threatens to imprison my future" (Scroll I) with good habits developed through a ten month process of studying the scrolls. Each Scroll's principle is life altering. They are:
- Scroll I - Today I begin a new life.
- Scroll II - I will greet this day with love in my heart.
- Scroll III - I will persist until I succeed.
- Scroll IV - I am nature's greatest miracle.
- Scroll V - I will live this day as if it is my last.
- Scroll VI - Today I will be master of my emotions.
- Scroll VII - I will laugh at the world (Keep perspective)
- Scroll VIII - Today I will multiply my value a hundredfold.
- Scroll IX - I will act now, I will act now, I will act now.
- Scroll X - I will pray for guidance.
Mandino's main philosophical message is that every person on earth is a miracle and should choose to direct their life with confidence and congruent to the laws that govern abundance. He wrote in Scroll I, "I will not fail as the others, for in my hands I now hold the charts (the Ten Scrolls) which will guide me through perilous waters to shores which only yesterday seemed but a dream." Og was also a proponent of taking action now. In Scroll IX, the phrase I will act now is written 18 times. He recognized that all successful people take on their own lives by "charting" or consciously choosing both the desired destination and the path to reach it. Mandino's philosophical messages have Christian undertones. They are encouragements to build good habits, to live according to the laws that govern abundance and to find a vigor and joy in life as we learn to stand at the helm of our ship charting its course into the safety of the harbor instead of just waiting for someone else to bring it in.
Profile
Mandino was married to his second wife Bette on December 9, 1957. He wrote a total of 19 books, 16 of which are still in print , the first being The Greatest Salesman in the World. He retired at the age of 52.Mandino's hometown was Natick, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He was the oldest of four children.
Favorite books
The following books are what Mandino believed to be the twelve greatest self-helpSelf-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
, self-knowledge, and self-inspirational books ever written:
- The Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinThe Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinThe Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 to 1790; however, Franklin himself appears to have called the work his Memoirs...
, by Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinDr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat... - Think and Grow RichThink and Grow RichThink and Grow Rich is a motivational personal development and self-help book written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by a suggestion from Scottish-American businessman Andrew Carnegie...
, by Napoleon HillNapoleon HillNapoleon Hill was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. He is widely considered to be one of the great writers on success... - Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, by W. Clement StoneW. Clement StoneWilliam Clement Stone was a businessman, philanthropist and New Thought self-help book author.-Early life and work:...
and Napoleon HillNapoleon HillNapoleon Hill was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. He is widely considered to be one of the great writers on success... - The Power of Faith, by Louis Binstock
- Your Greatest Power, by J. Martin Kohe
- Wake Up and Live, by Dorothea Brande
- I Dare You, by William Danforth
- Acres of Diamonds, by Russell H. ConwellRussell ConwellRussell Herman Conwell was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Pastor of The Baptist Temple, and for his inspirational lecture Acres of Diamonds...
- The Ability to Love, by Dr. Allan Fromme
- How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success In Selling, by Frank BettgerFrank BettgerFranklin Lyle Bettger was a salesman and self-help author. He was the father of longtime actor Lyle Bettger. He played Major League baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1910 under the name Frank Betcher. He was demoted from playing time. Very disappointed, he went to the manager and asked...
- The Magic Power of Emotional Appeal, by Roy Garn
- As a Man ThinkethAs a Man ThinkethAs a Man Thinketh is a literary essay of James Allen, published in 1902.- Basis of the book :The title is influenced by a verse in the Bible from the Book of Proverbs chapter 23 verse 7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”...
, by James E. AllenJames Allen (author)James Allen was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best known work, As a Man Thinketh, has been mass produced since its publication in 1903... - The Holy Bible
Books written by Mandino
- U.S.A. in a Nutshell
- Cycles
- The Greatest Salesman in the WorldThe Greatest Salesman in the WorldThe Greatest Salesman in the World was first published in 1968, and re-issued in 1983 by Bantam. The 128-page book is a guide to a philosophy of salesmanship, and success, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life of abundance. A hardcover edition was published by Buccaneer...
- The Greatest Secret In The World
- The Greatest Miracle In The World
- The Gift Of Acabar (with Buddy Kaye)
- The ChoiceThe Choice-Books:* The Choice , a 1952 short science fiction story by Wayland Young, 2nd Baron Kennet* The Choice , a novel by Nicholas Sparks* The Choice , a novel by Og Mandino...
- The Christ Commission
- Mission: Success!
- The God Memorandum
- The Greatest Salesman In The World Part II: The End Of The Story
- The Ten Ancient Scrolls For Success: From The Greatest Salesman In The World
- He Is Tough
- University of Success (Compilation from other works)
- A Better Way To Live
- The Return Of The Ragpicker
- The Twelfth Angel
- Spellbinder's Gift
- The Greatest Mystery In The World
- Secrets For Success And Happiness
- The Greatest Success In The World