The Greatest Salesman In The World (Tamil Edition) by Og Mandino Despite its slightly mundane title, The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino is a wonderful book about success and achievement, and the power of positive thinking. First published in the year 1968, the book is almost philosophical in its approach, and the clear and compelling style of Mandino’s writing forces the reader to contemplate his teachings and reflect on them. The book starts as a parable about a young man named Hafid, who lives in Biblical Jerusalem. A very wealthy and successful trader takes him into his fold, mentoring him in his work. As the trader lies on his deathbed, he tells Hafid the secret to his enviable success – the principles written in the ‘ten scrolls’, given to him by another rich man upon his death. Each of the scrolls has a ‘mantra’ written on it. The mantras or instructions written in the scrolls are essential towards forming life-changing habits necessary for success. The term ‘success’ is very relative here, as Mandino not only teaches his readers about financial gains, but also about how to have a positive outlook towards life, and to live each day with purpose, love, and compassion.