Augustine “Og” Mandino II was born in Natick, Massachusetts on December 12, 1923. Today, Og Mandino is the most widely read inspirational and self-help author in the world today.
Og Mandino was an American author. He wrote the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World. Og Mandino’s sixteen books of inspiration, love, and wisdom have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide in twenty-five different languages, second only to the Bible.
Mandino was once the editor of his high school paper and planned to attend the University of Missouri ‘s journalism school. Unfortunately for him, in the summer of 1940, before he entered college, his mother died from a massive heart attack. He decided to work in a paper factory until 1942. Afterward, he joined the United States Army Air Corps where he became a military officer and a bombardier .
After his military duties, Mandino became an insurance salesman.
One wintry November morning in Cleveland at 35 years old, Og who was a wandering derelict–a hopeless alcoholic who had just spent a long night of drinking took the gun he had bought recently from a pawnshop for $3.00. He thought this might be the way to end all of his problems but he couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger. He describes his early life as never being more than a few paces ahead of bill collectors.
He wandered aimlessly for awhile before he ended up in a library. But as he sorted through several books in a library, volumes of self-help, success and motivation books captured Mandino’s attention. He soon became an ardent reader. As he read, he became hooked to reading and that alleviated his love for the bottle.
There he decided to transform himself and managed to completely change his life. Og credits books, both modern and classic, with rescuing him.
Within 10 years using the principles he had learned from reading, Mandino got motivated to be became a successful writer and speaker. His works were inspired by the Bible and influenced by Napoleon Hill , W. Clement Stone, and Emmet Fox.
Og then became the executive editor of Success Unlimited Magazine and the published author of his first best seller, The Greatest Salesman in the World.
As he learned more skills and attitudes that helped him succeed, Og was anxious to share them with the world. This led to more books, lectures, and speaking engagements. At his death at 72, he was among the most sought-after speakers in the world.
He was the first recipient of the Napoleon Hill Gold Medal for literary achievement and has been called “The Greatest Writer in the World.”
From being able to change his own life he has gone on to help many others. As thousands of people from all walks of life have openly credited Og Mandino for turning their lives around through his words.
He died on September 3, 1996.Even in death, he still lives on.
Madamsabi's Blog 