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.

ANNOTATION

From the bestselling author of The Greatest Salesman In the World comes this inspirational bestseller. Broken by the death of his wife and son, John Harding finds a special gift in managing his old Little League team and finds himself especially drawn to one little boy who resembles his late son. "One of the most touching books I have ever read."--Norman Vincent Peale.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"A very special story about life and love and courage."
MERLIN OLSEN, SPORTSCASTER
John Harding had a high-powered career, a loving wife, and a beautiful son. He's lost it all and has returned to his home town of Boland, New Hampshire, teetering on the brink of suicide. But an old friend asks John to manage his old Little League team, the Angels. Reluctantly, he agrees, and meets a hopeless player who bears a striking resemblance to his dead son—and through their extroardinary relationship, John finds the wisdom in living that he thought had slipped beyond his grasp forever....
AN ALTERNATE SELECTION OF THE LITERARY GUILD

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly