Customer Reviews

Spellbinder's Gift

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...and what a 'GIFT' it is!

I have read several motivational/inspirational books that take you on a rollercoaster ride and this is one of them.

OG is a master at weaving you like a homemade basket. He skillfully places words and moments in specific places so you feel like you are gently being carried in and out of a world that is so real. You find at the end...that it is REAL!

I am presently reading Mr. Mandino's 'The Greatest Salesman in the World'. I so-called read it many times before, but this time, i am paying attention and doing exactly what the book says. I am up to the 7th scroll and I won't be finished with the scrolls until the beginning of 2005. You have to start somewhere! I will keep you posted on my progress and pray that you are progressing as well from all books that propel the human spirit to soar.

'Spellbinder's Gift' will definitely keep you SPELLBOUND.

The late Mr Mandino has really "motivated" me with this amazing book. I thought his "The Choice" was great, but must put this above it. It was part of the motivation in building my business and really did what was intended. I feel sure Mr Mandino and "Mr Donne" have become fast "friends"

No other book presents such a great example of an almost true to life story which concerns only three players, a popular, classic motivational speaker (Bart Manning), a "new-age" motivational speaker (Patrick Donne), and Bart's wife...contains secret ways to live your life to the fullest, one of it came out years ago...from Jesus. The presentation is very much far from the standard ways, you'll be surprised by the way the author did it.

From the beginning to the end "Spellbinder's Gift leaves you at the end of your seat! With everything that happens in the book leaves you wondering what is going to happen next and who is doing it. Even at the end leaves you wondering, matter-in-fact the end leaves you with goose bumps. This book is a must have as an Inspirational book and a teaching book. I believe this is one of Og greatest book ever!

This book is a typical Og Mandino book. It is a real page turner. It is very difficult to put it down. You just want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

If you have not read any Og Mandino books before, then I suggest you start with The Greatest Salesman in the World. I personally like that best of all I have read.

After you have read a few of his books, you come to expect the unusual twist that all his books contain. Even though you have a good idea of what is coming, it is still spellbinding.

The book is well written and draws you into the book. The story is great but the lessons for living wrapped within the story are even more important.

You will be moved, inspired and enlightened. You can always count on Mandino to deliver a great story with some real lessons for better living.

I believe that all of Og Mandino's books are excellent. Something in each one to touch, teach, learn. Wonderful writer. great story teller. Inspirational & motivational. Highly recommend all of his books.

I have read everyone of Og Mandinos Books and all I can say is that he writes with brilliance, clarity, enthusiasm, and spirit. You can never go wrong with any of his books. He points out the path to success and motivates the spirit within to achieve all that we as human beings are capable. He helped me to tap into my innate genuis and create a life of prosperity and creativity. If you havent raed his books, start now and your journey of the spirit will begin. He was a born writer and even after his passing continues to have a great influence on many people old and young. He truly lived a purposeful and divine life. Go buy all his books and enjoy the growth and enlightenment. After that Buy my Book " Your daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present". Enjoy and rememeber you are capable of great things in your life.

I love Og Mandino and this is typical Og style. Good feel good book, predictable.

A friend recently loaned me a copy of Og Mandino's book, "The Spellbinder's Gift." I read it in one three hour sitting last night. Here is the basic story. Bart is a retired talent agent who formerly represented "Motivational Speakers" who spoke at conventions and events across the US and Canada. After just over a year of retirement, he is listless and events lead him to "unretire" (sic). He and his wife attend a speakers convention of an association he helped to establish 35 years previous. While there, an old acquaintance helps him to look for new talent to represent. After a few disappointments Bart, Mary, and Jay find the person, Bart feels is a "spellbinder" (one who can hold an audience spellbound). They think they miss their opportunity to sign him and go home disappointed.

A few days go by and Pat Donne - the speaker Bart wants to represent - contacts him asking Bart to be his agent. Some mysterious events similar to the ones that lead Bart to reopen for business lead Pat back to Bart.

Pat is a phenomenal speaker and soon he has six appointments a month for 2 years at $20,000 per appointment. Pat also does occasional charity events for free. There are suspicions that Pat is more than a talented speaker (there are occasions that hint that he has a gift to heal people).

Pat learns that people only remember about 10% of what they hear at lectures and since he feels strongly about his message he begins a project that he thinks will help them retain more of his message. That project is a small book that attendees to his lectures will receive free of charge. A book that they can read in less than five minutes each morning. This becomes the "Spellbinder's Gift." Mandino treats us to the full text of this book in his last few pages.

Before I share the highlights of Pat's little treatise please indulge me a few lines of concern. Mandino's parable of the Spellbinder reads like non-fiction, but in reality is fiction. Mandino's story hints at miraculous leading by God as well as miraculous healings. There is also an underlying message that "all gods are the same" therefore all religions and branches of those religions (whether Christian, polytheistic, or ancestral worship in form) are all paths to a better life here and possible eternal life. Some may also find the PG-13 language the characters use (even the heroes of the story) to be offensive. This language is prevalent in the early pages of the book, but less so toward the end. These concerns do not take away from the message Mandino's characters and parable wish to teach. What follows is the main thrust of that message of a how to have a better life along with my take on them:

1. Separate yourself from the crowd. Refuse to let what others think about you influence what you say and do. Biblically that would be living "in the world, but not being of the world."

2. Seal yourself in a "day-tight" compartment. In other words live one day at a time. Combining the words of Paul and Jesus, "Forgetting what is behind, I press on," "do not be anxious for tomorrow."

3. Go the extra mile at every opportunity. Jesus said that first.

4. Look for the seed of good in every adversity. Although I do not believe there is a God purposed reason for everything, I do believe we can grow from events in our life -- even the tough ones.

5. Never neglect the little things. When you take care of the little details in your life, you will succeed.

6. Never hide behind busy work. This seems to be the issue of the priest and Levite in the Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan. They missed a good opportunity by claiming to be busy with other good things.

7. Live this day without letting anyone rain on your parade. Don't let judgmental people and attitudes ruin your happiness. The writer of Hebrews quotes, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

I found this book to be very inspirationa