The story
revolves around a man named Hafid, an old merchant who built the biggest trade
empire in the Mediterranean, and his loyal bookmaker Erasmus. Seemingly out of
nowhere, Hafid one day orders Erasmus to dispose of his entire treasury and the
properties he lent to partners. Most of the money to be gifted to the poor of
Damascus. Erasmus, who always puts the need of others before his own, is
shocked by the old man's decision and worries for him, but ultimately yields to
his master's wish. After the deed is done, Hafid invites his loyal servant into
a locked chamber which for many years was the object of speculation among the
townsfolk. Only Hafid's late wife and he himself knew of its secrets. Upon
entry, Erasmus is surprised to find out that the chamber is completely empty,
save for a chest filled with ten ancient, dusty scrolls. According to Hafid,
these contain the secret on how to become the titular 'Greatest Salesman in the
World'.
Over the
course of the next few chapters we meet a young Hafid who in a cold winter
night solicits his adoptive father Pathros, himself back then a merchant of
great renown, to pursue in his trade. Reluctant at first, Pathros grants Hafid
the chance at becoming his student after he learns that the young boy's true
motivation is not to amass wealth, but the love of the beautiful Lisha, whose
rich father Calneh would never approve of her marrying a camel boy. Entrusted
by Pathros with a fine garment, Hafid's baptism of fire is in the poor town of
Bethlehem, which all traders avoid—except for Pathros. If he was able to sell
hundreds of these robes to the populace of poor Bethlehem, so too should Hafid
be with a single one. Facing defeat after a few days, the almost resigned boy
vows to try one last time next morning. As he wanders back to the cavern where
his camel is tied, he finds it to be occupied by a poor couple and their new-born
child. Instead of trying to sell the fine robe the next day, he gifts it to
them out of compassion. Left with a thankful kiss on the cheek, Hafid witnesses
the brightest star he has ever seen shining above the cavern. Upon his untimely
return, Pathros assures the sobbing young boy that he did him no wrong. On the
contrary, he seems downright enthused Hafid is followed by this bright and
beautiful star. It's a sign Pathros has been waiting for many years. With
passing health, he inaugurates Hafid in the secret of the ancient scrolls and
tells him the story how he came to be their owner. And it is thus later the old
Hafid who in turn is waiting for a sign to pass on the knowledge within the
scrolls. It happens to be a certain rugged stranger by the name of Paul of
Tarsus who visits the old man's estate. And with him he brings the sign that it
is he who should be their next recipient—the blood-stained garment of the
crucified Jesus. With tearful eyes Hafid recognises it from the night in the
cavern. It is a heartfelt narrative and Mandino tells it fervently.
The story
itself: superb. Growing up in the Catholic faith, I still have some remaining
fondness for the tales inside the Bible. But my main gripe is with the other
half of the book. As we learn circa in its middle, each and every one of the
ten scrolls needs to be repeatedly read over a period of thirty days—thrice
daily no less!—before one may proceed to the next scroll. That's ten months of
devotion to 51 pages. Why these mandates make a great salesman, we never find
out. But they sound truthful and lofty enough and are painted with such poetic
metaphors, that I guess we can only resort to taking them on faith. Quickly was
I reminded of news broadcasts showing Islamic schools in the Middle-East, whose
pupils' single textbook was the noble Qur'an. The goal of course being the
absolute internalisation of the holy text.
In the end,
it is nobody but the author himself who is 'The Greatest Salesman in the
World'. Would one stick to reading his scrolls for the prescribed ten months,
even the sceptic may turn a believer if this book became his daily companion.
And judging from the almost universal praise 'The Greatest Salesman in the
World' receives over the internet, Mandino obviously succeeded in this regard.
I, on the other hand, was left with a bitter taste in my mouth. Lured into the
author's scheme through master wordsmithery, the second half of the book is
just pages upon pages of opaque motivational speeches masquerading as high
prose. Admittedly sharing some truths, but remaining devoid of almost any
facts. Through this indoctrination Mandino makes you, the well-intentioned and
inquisitive apprentice, a slave to his religious text—by means of mindless
repetition.
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