In this allegorical novel, an old man tells a
boy, “God has prepared a path for everyone
to follow. You just have to read the omens
that he left for you.” In the introduction of
The Alchemist, the author, Paulo Coelho,
tells us, “Like the shepherd boy, we all
need to be aware of our personal calling.”
How does this nonfiction book about a boy
traveling through the Sahara Desert relate
to a nonfiction book about living pterosaurs
in North America? It’s in a mistake made
on Wikipedia: a reference to the worldwide
sales of The Alchemist.
Before Januaruy 17, 2012, the Wikipedia
page on The Alchemist said, “It has sold
more than 65 million copies in more than
150 countries.” On that day, Jonathan
Whitcomb, a volunteer Wikipedia editor
and author of the nonfiction book Live
Pterosaurs in America, noticed that figure
on book sales of The Alchemist. He had just
finished reading the book, delighting in its
message and delivery, but the “65 million”
reminded him of two things.
The back cover of the English paperback
that Whitcomb had just read referred to the
number of copies sold of all the books by
Paulo Coelho, not just The Alchemist. It
was “more than 65 million copies in 150
countries.” It looked like too much for a
coincidence, so he searched the author’s
personal web site and found, on the page
for The Alchemist, “twenty-one million
copies worldwide.” Whitcomb then made
corrections on the Wikipedia page.
But he had seen “65 million” long before
he had encountered The Alchemist. That
number had been used, for years, to ridicule
Whitcomb’s concept of modern living
pterosaurs, for standard Western models of
biology proclaim all species of dinosaurs
and pterosaurs extinct by sixty-five million
years ago. The nonfiction author, however,
maintains that the assumption of universal
extinction is a mistaken overblown dogma,
for eyewitnesses from around the world tell
a different story.
Learn for yourself about the amazing
encounters in the United States. Read
the third edition of the nonfiction
book Live Pterosaurs in America, and
become one of those who understand
the truth about pterosaur “extinction:”
Some species are still living.
Copyright 2012 Jonathan David Whitcomb
The Alchemist
The Alchemist
Live Pterosaurs in America
and how it relates to the nonfiction
book Live Pterosaurs in America
Amazon Reviews of The Alchemist
Editorial Review (in part)
“The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple
truths and places it in a highly unique situation. . . .
Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an
Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a
distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off:
leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.”
One of the Most Powerful Books Ever Written (5 Stars)
“Do not approach this story with the idea that Paulo
Coelho is a master of prose. His simple style may turn off
those more acquainted with bombastic, grandiose, or
aggrandizing diction. Coelho's style can best be described
as biblical. I personally love the simplistic, bold, and terse
nature of the writing. If you cannot develop a taste for this
style, at least understand the audience he was writing for.
This book is, after all, has been translated into a huge
number of languages worldwide. No doubt, a lot of
Coelho's idiosyncrasies are lost in translation. Still, even
after multiple reads it still manages to reach a level of
near sublimity.”
A Peek into Your Own Backyard (4 Stars)
“A little treasure...I can't believe this book had escaped
my eyes all these years. Very simple in style and form,
The Alchemist hammers home the power of patience,
persistence, and positive thinking. It is a bit over-
whelming and preachy at times . . . It was heartwarming
to see the character evolve from a simple shepherd to a
wise young man that boldly risked his life to not only
follow his dreams, but also conquer his inner demons.
Thank you, Paulo Coelho. . . .”
Empowering and Enchanting (5 Stars)
“I recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a
dream and has doubted whether or not they should follow
it. Easy book to read, and it easily draws you in to this
fable like world. So many lines in this story that I
highlighted and want to remember. I definitely am going
to read another Pablo Coelho Book.”
Spirituality for the “light” reader (3 Stars)
“I can't count the times I have come across this book
(usually in airport book shops . . .) sensing that it was just
too sentimental for my tastes. Well, my hunches were
right, but to be fair, this could be a meaningful read for
people who are not usually drawn to fiction or spiritual
reading. And if you are looking for something uplifting,
you will get that here, but it's cliche throughout--which is
ok for a younger crowd--say, 14-15 year-olds, but there
are adults who are inspired by the simple message here!
Fine, but my taste tends to go deeper.”
(From Kellene Okonkwo: 5 Stars)
“I read the reviews regarding the Alchemist and I was
shocked when I read the negative reviews. I myself read
the book for the third time yesterday and was once again
lifted up. Yes it is a feel good book but so what. Should I
read something that depresses me and makes me
remember the evils of the world? Yes it is very simple so
everyone at every age can grasp the important lessons in
life this book has to offer.”
Thought-Provoking (5 Stars)
“This is a difficult review to write. From the perspective
of historical fiction this book is not so much. It's a tale. A
thought-provoking tale. The tale taps into the seeker of
truth in all of us. I enjoyed contemplating the lessons in
this book far more than I enjoyed the simplistic writing
style, which was overly and blatantly simplistic . . .”
Where an apparent ropen may have
landed in a wildlife sanctuary in
Southern California around Irvine.