The Return of the Ragpicker [Mass Market Paperback]

Og Mandino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993

In the sequel to The Greatest Miracle in the World, the inspirational self-help author offers a set of principles designed to point readers toward a more promising and prosperous future. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the first of his bestsellers, The Greatest Miracle in the World (1975), Mandino wrote about the mystic and inspiring figure of Simon Potter the Ragpicker, who rescued drunks and others from life's dumping grounds with the help of a credo he called God's Memorandum. Here he reappears, bringing a new set of principles--basically the Golden Rule plus added strictures against destroying the earth, humanity's only home. Fans of the author's earlier self-help guides will find all they seek here, and will presumably overlook the elaborately melodramatic close and contrived narrative device. Others may balk at Simon's lengthy recitation of Mandino's numerous achievements: million-plus book sales, awards, crowded lectures, guest spots on national TV, etc. All impressive and true, but focused on the author instead of the message.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Mandino has written 14 very successful books about achieving success and happiness. His fans are numerous and loyal. If you did not know this already, his latest work will practically scream it at you. Those who finish this pretentious, book-length resume, fleshed out by a meager plot, will know all about Mandino's many awards, his talented children, and the cassette versions of his books. The simplistic and incidental use of God and religion, and the gross misuse of the Hebrew work Mizpah (Genesis, 31:49) is distressing. The last ten pages are interesting and contain some good advice--for readers who have never read the Bible, taken a class in psychology, or listened to their mothers. These few pages are good, but do not justify the book's purchase.
- Kenneth M. Locke, Sellersville, Pa.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055329993X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553299939
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.4 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Meditation

More About the Author

Og Mandino is the most widely read inspirational and self help author in the world. Former president of Success Unlimited magazine, Mandino was the first recipient of the Napoleon Hill Gold Medal for literary achievement. Og Mandino was a member of the International Speakers Hall of Fame and honored with the Masters of Influence by the National Speakers Association. Og Mandino died in 1996 but his books continue to inspire countless thousands all over the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Og, what happened?, June 10, 2004

By 

"fgllc" (MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Return of the Ragpicker (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved the original 'ragpicker' book by Og Mandino -- The Greatest Miracle in the World.' This sequel was written about 10 or 15 years later and something happened to Mr. Mandino in that time! He seemed more interested in telling you about all of his accomplishments, all of his material possessions, etc. than the inspirational message in the original book. Further, he replaced much of the God-based inspiration with politically correct platforms.

Just bizarre to me how an author could change that much. I read a couple other reviews from disappointed readers and ignored them. Now I wish I would have believed them.

I still love the older Og Mandino books, however, especially the Trilogy, but this one isn't worth the waste of time or money, or worth the disappointment in this author that I've looked up to....read at your own risk.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A book full of Og Mandino being full of himself., November 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Return of the Ragpicker (Mass Market Paperback)

I have had a hard time not throwing this book away. It is a shameful way to plug your own accomplishments ... using the "notion" that you are having a special relationship with a messenger from God. Simon Potter was merely an avenue for Og Mandino to let the world know he shared company (in the palace)with Imelda Marcos. Of course, Simon Potter witnessed Mr. Og's kind gestures when paying for the "armed guard's" meals as they were protecting such an important man as Og Mandidno. This book is a conversation Og Mandino has with his own self. A book full of Og Mandino being full of himself.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, June 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Return of the Ragpicker (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was extremely hard to read and appeared to be a bragging platform for the author. The majority of the book is full of the author proclaiming his success through his own words and the words of this mentor. I almost threw the book out the window when reading the passage, "Mister Og...Certainly you are no longer motivated by the need for money. I smiled thinking to myself that he already knew so much about me it was a good probability that he also had a good idea of my net worth." Use your time more wisely and find something more worthwhile to read.