The Twelfth Angel [Hardcover]

Og Mandino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 1993

After John Harding's wife and only child die in a car accident, he finds solace in coaching a tenacious young Little Leaguer dying of a brain tumor. By the author of The Greatest Salesman in the World. 150,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This foray into fiction by the bestselling inspirational and self-help author ( The Greatest Salesman in the World ) is a slim, formulaic tearjerker. The story is one of grief, courage and emotional rejuvenation. In his early 40s, John Harding returns to his New Hampshire hometown as president of a large and powerful computer firm located in nearby Concord. His life seems nearly perfect until his wife and son are killed in an auto accident. Paralyzed with grief, Harding sinks into near-suicidal depression. Then a childhood friend who has been recuperating from bypass surgery convinces him to coach their old Little League team--the Angels. In this capacity Harding meets Timothy Noble, the 12th and last player to make the team. Timothy, who recites self-affirmations and carries around a "never-give-up" attitude, provides the ultimate inspiration for Harding. But from there on out the cliches pile up until what we get is a two-dimensional Little League version of the Lou Gehrig story. Even Mandino's devoted following may be disappointed. Doubleday Book and Music Clubs, Crossings Book Club and Literary Guild selection.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The heartbroken head of a multizillion-dollar corporation finds peace of mind, thanks to the world-class spunk of a gutsy-but-doomed, freckle-faced, Little Leaguer. Supersuccessful businessman John Harding's return to the New Hampshire village of his childhood was to have been the triumph of a lifetime. At the helm of his ultraunbelievably successful software company, Millennium Unlimited, John and his wife Sally and their cute little bicycle-riding, baseball-playing son Rick were welcomed back to Boland with a brass band and all the best wishes of the straight-shooting townsfolk. But then an old Ford pickup blew a tire and crashed into the Hardings' station wagon, sending Sally and little Rick to live with the angels. Alone in his big house, the house that Sally had furnished in full, totally authentic Martha Stewart, John, living on peanut butter and crackers, crazed by grief, actually considers that most un-Rotarian and downbeat way out--suicide. Then, after some straight talk from the cheap but incredibly hard-working and crusty old housekeeper and after a visit from his old childhood buddy Bill, John takes those first steps back to the upbeat world--steps that take him also to management of a Little League team where he meets the cutest, spunkiest little kid in the world: Timothy Noble. Scrappy little Tim can't hit and he can't field, but he's got a heart as big as, well, a supersuccessful software corporation. John teaches Tim to hit, but Tim teaches John lessons a zillion trillion times more Important before he begins to display Distressing Symptoms. Another positive-thinking parable from the master of autosuggested business and personal success. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett; 1st edition (April 13, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449906892
• ISBN-13: 978-0449906897
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,608,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars Not Enough For Such A Life Changing Story As This, February 25, 2004

By 

"baxterbutt8873" (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twelfth Angel (Paperback)

The Twelfth Angel, by Og Mandigo, is truly an inspiring and heartfelt story. This story left such an unforgettable impact on me that I know I'm likely to ponder it for years. Everyone should absolutely read this book, especially those in need of inspiration and hope. This book leaves you with tears, with hope you never knew you had, and with the wanting to never give up.

I don't want to give away too much, but this book is about a young, diligent, succesful, loving man who moves back to his small hometown of Boland, NH, with his wife Sally and their young boy Rick. When tradegy strikes, John has to struggle to cope. His life is shattered and he ultimately looks to suicide as an answer. Fortunately, his old friend, Bill helps him out of the gutter, which is where his life now lies, by asking him to help coach the boys little league. Uncertain, John finally accepts.

The day of tryouts John notices a boy who is smaller than any of the other kids, whose baseball hat and clothes look about two sizes too big on him. This little boy isn't very good at baseball, but he kept on trying, the whole time with determination and a big smile on his face. Although some of the older and better kids laughed and smirked at his constant mistakes and misses, this little boy was never put down and never stopped. And to John's surprise, this boy was amazingly the splitting image of his boy Rick! At first John had even thought he could have been Rick. This little boy, Timothy Noble, was by far the worst player of all the kids who tried out, and who had managed, almost as if by destiny, to end up on John's baseball team, receiving a jersey with number twelve on it.

Early on in the baseball season, John noticed that there was something very genuine and original about Timothy. What John and Timothy both don't know, is that their relationship will become very close, as they both need each other more than they can imagine.

I absolutely loved this heartfelt story. I even had tears gushing down my cheeks as I neared the end of the book. I think that this book is truly inspiring and comforting. I loved how caring and concerned John was of Timothy, and I especially loved little Timothy Noble and how happy he was. I was truly touched by this story and will always cherish everything I learned from this book. The lesson I think that Mandigo was in a way trying to get across is that you must be positive and have at least a good-maybe even a great-outlook on life, no matter what comes your way. If you are positive, you have a positive feedback, making your life richer everyday and in many different ways.

I really enjoyed Og Mandigo's writing style, as he was very, very vivid with his descriptions. I definitely plan to read more of his books in the future, and I would recommend this book to anyone who can read!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Mandino's Best!!!!!, November 9, 2000

By 

Judith E. Pavluvcik (Dreaming of the beach in Hawaii, but living in the reality of the desert in Arizona!!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Twelfth Angel (Paperback)

I absolutely adore Og Mandino and he is my all time favorite author. I have just about all of his books and have read numerous books more than once. I cannot begin to describe the hope and inspiration he has provided to me in my times of despair. The world is a much better place because of the love, power, and strength of Og Mandino's literary jewels.

The Twelfth Angel is a powerful testament to courage, faith, hope and most importantly, love. I have carried that quote from Winston Churchill around with me for years, "Never, never, never, never, never give up!". Og is able to take the reader to heights I have never before felt with another author. I can now understand readers writing to him with their testimonies of wanting to end their life and after reading a Mandino story, they were infused with such hope and the courage to go on. This story will do that for you as well.

I am sure that we all have felt and experienced soul wrenched despair and thinking the only solution was suicide. John Harding, the main character, experiences these very thoughts and feelings and angels appear in his life in the form of some very special people, including a very special little boy named Tim. I really believe that it is little Timmy who gives John the will to live again and John helps to give back to Timmy, as he embraces life once again.

This is story which will make you cry and yet have you soaring on hope and love. As I said in the beginning, I absolutely love Og Mandino and have nothing but the highest praise for each and every one of his books. I re-read them often and share them with friends. I guarantee that you too, will fall in love with this incredible author - an angel himself.

Please give this book to your children to read - it will have an impact on them - guaranteed. This is the kind of book that will stay in your heart for days.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Passion For Life Discovered!, January 3, 2001

By 

Heather L. Brown (Cahokia, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twelfth Angel (Paperback)

This is one of the most heart warming books that I have ever read. A friend suggested the book to me at a point in my life when challenges and disappointments were simply overwhelming. I felt dispair just as John Harding did. I shared that same emptiness in my heart and within my soul... I questioned the reason to live or at least how my life could be of any value when everything seemed so bad!?! This book was exactly what I needed to read so that I could find "the true meaning of life". This book was my first stepping stone to really change my life- I continue to read other inspirational/motivational books, etc. I would like to thank this very special man for entering my life. I really needed that same enthusiam for life that he holds in his heart and through his actions. His optimisim motivated me enough to discover things about myself and for that I am eternally grateful. I thank you, Matt. You are indeed a true friend.