So even though he was now middle-aged, Paulo Coelho started on a new career as a
novelist. His first two books went nowhere, but his third book, The Alchemist, made
world history. It has sold more than sixty million copies (one of the bestselling books
ever written), and holds the world record for being translated into more languages -
seventy-one - than any other book by a living author.
Since then, Coelho has written more than two dozen books, sharing his unique world
view with readers everywhere. He has also been a pioneer of sharing his work for free -
his publisher once caught him pirating his own books online. His greatest life lesson, he
says, has been to never surrender your dreams or give up on making them come true.
“The secret to life,” according to Coelho, “is to fall down seven times, but to get back up
eight times.”
Paulo Coelho is also an outspoken activist for peace and social justice. He is a Messenger
of Peace for the UN, an Ambassador to the European Union for Intercultural Dialogue,
and a member of many other organizations that advocate for peace.
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