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The Spellbinder's Gift
The miraculous story of a loving couple, their never-to-be-forgotten friend, a little girl, and a very special teddy bear . . .
Retired from his long, successful career as an agent to many of the most famous and dynamic motivational speakers in the world, Bart Manning was happily enjoying his newfound freedom with his lovely wife, Mary. So why, one morning, did he find himself headed back to the little office that he had never given up? He didn't know. But as he sat at his dusty desk, he decided to go back into business. If God had sent him there, Bart told himself, he would wait for His plan to unfold.
Then, at a crowded convention, he found his answer in the person of a handsome young man named Patrick Donne, whose deep, commanding voice spoke words of profound wisdom that electrified the audience. With the thrill of discovery, Bart recognized Donne's short speech as the best inspirational talk he had ever heard. Bart was soon caught up in the extraordinary realm that was Patrick's ordinary world, where even tragedy and sorrow became transforming experiences and remarkable things happened. . . .
Retired from his long, successful career as an agent to many of the most famous and dynamic motivational speakers in the world, Bart Manning was happily enjoying his newfound freedom with his lovely wife, Mary. So why, one morning, did he find himself headed back to the little office that he had never given up? He didn't know. But as he sat at his dusty desk, he decided to go back into business. If God had sent him there, Bart told himself, he would wait for His plan to unfold.
Then, at a crowded convention, he found his answer in the person of a handsome young man named Patrick Donne, whose deep, commanding voice spoke words of profound wisdom that electrified the audience. With the thrill of discovery, Bart recognized Donne's short speech as the best inspirational talk he had ever heard. Bart was soon caught up in the extraordinary realm that was Patrick's ordinary world, where even tragedy and sorrow became transforming experiences and remarkable things happened. . . .
209 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 1994
28 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Og Mandino
265 books902 followersAugustine "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 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'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 many companies were not hiring many 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, 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. His works were inspired by the Bible and influenced by Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone, and Emmet Fox.
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'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 many companies were not hiring many 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, 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. His works were inspired by the Bible and influenced by Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone, and Emmet Fox.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 5, 2021
Og is such a captivating author. Such an enjoyable read.
March 21, 2021
Just re-read this in January! I have a dream of being a professional public speaker. I have almost every one of OG Mandino's books in my personal development collection.
January 5, 2019
"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do...let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
Another good short read my Mandino. This one follows a young public speaker working his way to the top of the national rankings, after living as a rancher in Montana.
It deals with success, tragedy, and circumstance. As well as the career of a retired hard worker who only stays retired for a year, then jumps back in. Can't keep the driven people down in lazy days and slow afternoons.
"There's an old saying that tells us we are rich only through what we give and poor only through what we keep."
Another good short read my Mandino. This one follows a young public speaker working his way to the top of the national rankings, after living as a rancher in Montana.
It deals with success, tragedy, and circumstance. As well as the career of a retired hard worker who only stays retired for a year, then jumps back in. Can't keep the driven people down in lazy days and slow afternoons.
"There's an old saying that tells us we are rich only through what we give and poor only through what we keep."
July 21, 2025
I originally read most of Og Mandino's books in the early to mid nineties. They touched my ❤️ heart and lifted my soul. I have recently begun rereading them, as well as reading those of his books that I missed the first time around. If anything, I find them more endearing now than I did then. This title, like all the rest, is a Beautiful, uplifting story. If you need or want that now, buy it and read it.
October 27, 2022
One of my husband's favorite books and one that was given to him by his parents when he won a speech competition in high school, this book holds a lot of sentimental value to him. Reading it, it was a sweet story that is inspiring.
November 8, 2017
No he leído un libro de Og Mandino que no me provea con una nueva enseñanza y esta no ha sido la excepción, me ha encantado.
December 2, 2018
Most of us are able to remember only ten percent of what we hear, ten minutes after we hear it.
April 16, 2020
Of Mandino did it again.
A very touching and inspirational book. I loved it, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to be lifted up.
A very touching and inspirational book. I loved it, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to be lifted up.
July 4, 2020
Muy predecible, la historia es vana y superflua para las reglas q da al final, nada comparado con sus otras obras.
September 28, 2023
This book was definitely spellbinding!!!!Love it!!!
February 28, 2025
Success principles in a story that locked me in!
January 20, 2020
Inspirational story excellently written! You can't go wrong reading anything by this author! This is my first experience and won't be my last! Reminds me of the Joshua series by Joseph F. Girzone mixed with a dose of Nicholas Sparks' sad ending.
February 11, 2014
Having read many of Mandino's spiritually motivational books when i was in sales, I was delighted to happen across this novel at an estate sale. Reminiscent of the Joshua books, it is about an agent for motivational speakers who happens upon a speaker with gifts far beyond public speaking. During one of the speaker's speeches, I was impressed with the following: "I am certain that only a few of you realize we have a "kill switch" [i.e. referring to the ability to shut down all functions of a car upon exiting as a block against theft]. It gets pushed whenever someone puts us down or harshly criticizes our best efforts or makes fun of us...ridicule, scorn, slights, insults....they all hurt and often their toll is so great that the little confidence we had managed to build up disappears until we finally stop trying to do better.....Just don' let it happen to you anymore. Don't push any more kill switches when you are with your kids and never, never let anyone push yours....Never again give anyone permission to rain on your parade." A great little book with a thought provoking ending.
October 5, 2016
I enjoyed the book but felt like it was rushed. I liked the story but it was a little predictable. The whole book was worth reading just to read his speech on page 70. He gave some great advice in the speech.
Some of the quotes I liked:
Continue to persist until you succeed
Learn to master your life by living each day in a day-tight compartment with iron doors shut on past yesterdays.
Yesterday's failures and pains and hearbreaks are far too heavy a load for any of us to carry into the dawn of a new day. Leave them behind, all of them, and just walk away.
Go the Extra Mile
Never cut corners and neglect the little things. The Statue of Liberty is a perfect example. Even though there were no planes flying overhead in 1986, every lock of hair is in perfect place.
Some of the quotes I liked:
Continue to persist until you succeed
Learn to master your life by living each day in a day-tight compartment with iron doors shut on past yesterdays.
Yesterday's failures and pains and hearbreaks are far too heavy a load for any of us to carry into the dawn of a new day. Leave them behind, all of them, and just walk away.
Go the Extra Mile
Never cut corners and neglect the little things. The Statue of Liberty is a perfect example. Even though there were no planes flying overhead in 1986, every lock of hair is in perfect place.
July 8, 2013
This book is a parable. It's not the most sophisticated writing style in the world, but the message is invaluable. The parable is a little forced. A booking agent for motivational speakers is looking for a new speaker to represent. It's a vehicle for offering the reader a motivational speech, when he finds the spellbinding speaker he is looking for. But I found what was within that speech to be words to live by. I have printed that section of the book for myself to read, re-read and give to others. Those few pages contain some nuggets that really hit home with me ... so much so that I had a lump in my throat as I read them. The message is amazing.
May 1, 2012
I only gave this one star because this was really a self help book disguised as a piece of fiction. There were too many references to God and too many supposedly inspirational tips on how to live your life better. The ending was pretty unbelievable too. It was an easy read but I kept waiting for the something more profound or better to happen within the story and it never did. Disappointing to say the least.
April 6, 2016
I first read this in Feb. of 2003 & wrote "Inspirational speaker Patrick Donne & his '7 Secrets to a Better Life'." Re-read this March & must add: Mandino is a wonderful writer ~ his words flow effortlessly & his imagery is so clear & easy-to-digest......very enjoyable; love the inspirational references & the overall uplifting tone.
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June 21, 2012
Reading this book reminded me why I enjoyed Mandino;s Twalfth Angel so much, and will probably inspire me to get more of his books to read. Would that we all could meet Pat and brought to consciousness in how to face life to make it better for those around us as well as ourselves!!
December 7, 2012
I really liked this one. I read a lot and this was really rewarding for me.
I would highly recommend any of Og's books!
I loved how they put each day into a capsule. This idea changed my life and I've never looked at a single day the same again. This is a must read for anyone.
I would highly recommend any of Og's books!
I loved how they put each day into a capsule. This idea changed my life and I've never looked at a single day the same again. This is a must read for anyone.
April 30, 2013
I read The Spellbinder's Gift on the plane to and from Denver this weekend. It's not Og Mandino's best I'd say. Easy to read, kept my interest, but no more than three stars for this book. Og has many other titles I've read better than this one.
October 12, 2014
Condensa mucha sabiduría para una mejor vida, una más feliz. Se lee muy rápido. El final es bastante predecible pero el mensaje es fuerte y motivador. Contiene interesantes referencias históricas y literarias. Lo disfruté.
November 19, 2017
A motivational speech wrapped up in a book, but this one is more story than 'preachy'. And that is essentially the premise of the work: living a life of testimony which speaks louder than words. A couple of surprises make this an enrapturing and quick read.
January 24, 2017
For me it was a dragging read, just based on the fact that it was about a guy who represented speakers. I'm glad I read through to the end this second time round. There are hidden gems of wisdom throughout. but the ending. Well, I won't spoil it. But this is why I gave it a 4/5
January 31, 2008
Good message. A bit cheesy.
October 5, 2008
What a positive book! I've only read Og Mandino's children's books. It's a quick read, and totally worth it.
Read
October 25, 2008couldn't put it down
November 7, 2008
A quick, captivating, inspiring read. Made me consider the power of the spoken word and especially how that can influence others.
Want to read
September 8, 2017I would read this book if I can find it in my HUGE PILE of EVERYTHING in my room.
Read
December 10, 2008BC Hostess:Susan
November 11, 2009
Good story. Gives great insight into the world of inspirational speakers. References to the life of Christ.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews