An essential companion to the inspirational classic The Alchemist, filled with timeless stories of reflection and rediscovery.

From one of the greatest writers of our age comes a collection of stories and parables unlocking the mysteries of the human condition. Gathered from Paulo Coelho’s daily column of the same name, Maktub, meaning “it is written,” invites seekers on a journey of faith, self-reflection, and transformation. As Paulo Coelho explains, ‘Maktub is not a book of advice—but an exchange of experiences.’

Each story offers an illuminated path to see life and the lives of our fellow people around the world in new ways, allowing us to tap into universal truths about our collective and individual humanity. As Coelho writes, ‘a man who seeks only the light, while shirking his responsibilities, will never find illumination. And one who keep his eyes fixed upon the sun . . . ends up blind.’ In these wise tales akin to Zen koans and other mysteries of the universe, there are talking snakes, old women climbing mountains, disciples querying their masters, Buddha in dialogue, mysterious hermits, and many saints.

Following the path of his previous internationally bestselling works, this thoughtful collection of short, inspirational pieces, introduced in a foreword by the author and illustrated with black-and-white line art throughout, will engage seekers of all ages and backgrounds.

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book – a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life’s path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock. One day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanised by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. The people he meets along the way, the things he sees and the wisdom he learns are life-changing.

With Paulo Coelho’s visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, The Alchemist is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives.

Esta extraordinaria colección de parábolas e historias continúa el camino del El Alquimista para guiar a sus lectores hacia la reflexión y el autoconocimiento. Dice Paulo Coehlo: «Maktub no es un libro de consejos, sino un intercambio de experiencias». De uno de los autores más leídos de nuestra era, llega este imperdible clásico contemporáneo. Maktub --que en árabe significa «está escrito»-- surge de la colaboración de Paulo Coelho con el imporante periódico brasilero Folha de S. Paulo, donde por un año publicó una columna diaria con el mismo nombre. Cada una de estas historias, inspiradas por las tradiciones, el folclor y la sabiduría de distintas culturas de todo el mundo, invita a los lectores a emprender un viaje de fe, autorreflexión y transformación. Un camino que nos enseñará a ver el mundo de otras maneras y a conectarnos con nuestra propia humanidad, colectiva e individual. «Todos los caminos van al mismo lugar. Pero escoge el tuyo, y ve hasta el final. No intentes recorrer todos los caminos» --de Maktub. Esta lectura sencilla, amena e inspiradora captará el interés de lectores de todas las edades e intereses, ya sea que busquen una continuación para El Alquimista o quieran adentrarse por primera vez en el maravilloso mundo de uno de los narradores más queridos de nuestro tiempo. ---- "Maktub is not a book of advice - but an exchange of experiences." --Paulo Coelho From one of the greatest writers of our age comes a collection of stories and parables unlocking the mysteries human condition. Gathered from Paulo Coelho's daily column of the same name, Maktub, meaning "it is written," invites seekers on a journey of faith, self-reflection, and transformation. Each story offers an illuminated path to see life and the lives of our fellow people around the world in new ways--to tap into universal truths about our collective and individual humanity. "A man who seeks only the light, while shirking his responsibilities, will never find illumination. And one who keep his eyes fixed upon the sun... ends up blind." - From The Maktub Paulo Coelho is one of the most beloved storytellers of our time and these short, inspirational pieces will engage seekers of all ages and backgrounds.

This text is a magical fable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, following your dreams. The book tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of travelling the world in search of a worldly treasure as fabulous as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers, and from there into the Egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him. With a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, the author hopes that The Alchemist has the power to inspire nations and change people's lives.

A compelling tale that delivers a powerful brew of magic and insight, 'The Pilgrimage' recounts the amazing trials of Paulo Coelho and his mysterious mentor, Petrus, as they journey across Spain in search of a miraculous sword – on a legendary road travelled by pilgrims of San Tiago since the Middle Ages.

Paulo’s visionary blend of mysticism, magical realism and folklore makes this an adventure story with a difference.

A Magical Tale About Forgiving Our Past and Believing in Our Future

The enchanting, true story of The Valkyries begins in Rio de Janeiro when author Paulo Coelho gives his mysterious master, J., the only manuscript for his book The Alchemist. Haunted by a devastating curse, Coelho confesses to J., "I've seen my dreams fall apart just when I seemed about to achieve them." In response, J. gives Coelho a daunting task: He must find and speak with his guardian angel. "The curse can be broken," he replies, "if you complete the task."

Rising to the challenge, Paulo and his wife, Cristina, drop everything, pack their bags, and take off on a forty day adventure into the starkly beautiful and sometimes dangerous Mojave Desert--where they encounter more than they bargained for. A masterful blend of the exotic locales, dramatic adventure, and magical storytelling for which Coelho's fictional works are renowned, this true-life account is at once a modern-day adventure and a metaphysical odyssey.

Toe Mata Hari in Parys aangekom het, was sy platsak. Kort daarna is sy gevier as die elegantste vrou in die stad. As ’n danseres het sy gehore geskok en verruk, as ’n vertroueling en courtisane het sy die rykste en magtigste mans van haar era betower. Maar paranoia as gevolg van die oorlog het Frankryk verteer, en Mata Hari se leefstyl het haar onder verdenking geplaas. In 1917 is sy gearresteer in haar hotelkamer aan die Champs-Elysees en van spioenasie aangekla. Die Spioen is die onvergeetlike verhaal van ’n vrou wat dit gewaag het om die konvensies van haar tyd uit te daag en die prys daarvoor betaal het, soos vertel in Mata Hari se stem in haar finale brief.

Veronika het alles wat sy kan begeer – sy is jonk en mooi, met oorgenoeg aantreklike kêrels, ’n vaste werk, ’n liefdevolle familie. Nogtans is Veronika ongelukkig, en een winteroggend besluit sy om ’n oordosis slaappille te drink, maar word dan ’n ruk later in die plaaslike hospitaal wakker. Daar vind sy uit dat hoewel sy lewe, haar hart onherstelbaar beskadig is en dat sy slegs ’n paar dae oor het om te lewe … Die verhaal volg haar deur hierdie intense tyd terwyl sy al haar idees oor die lewe begin bevraagteken. Sy besef spoedig dat elke sekonde van ons bestaan ’n keuse tussen lewe en dood is. Dis ’n roerende en besielende lied aan die lewe, wat ons daaraan herinner dat elke oomblik in ons lewe spesiaal en kosbaar is.

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

A special deluxe edition of the extraordinary and beloved international bestseller.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book – a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life’s path and, above all, follow your dreams. The Alchemist has become a modern classic.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock. One day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanised by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. The people he meets along the way, the things he sees and the wisdom he learns are life-changing.

With Paulo Coelho’s visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, The Alchemist is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives.

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever. Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book – a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life’s path and, above all, follow your dreams. Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock. One day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanised by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. The people he meets along the way, the things he sees and the wisdom he learns are life-changing. With Paulo Coelho’s visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, The Alchemist is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives.

A novel from internationally acclaimed author Paulo Coelho – a dramatic story of love, life and death that shows us all why every second of our existence is a choice we all make between living and dying. Veronika has everything she could wish for. She is young and pretty, has plenty of boyfriends, a steady job, a loving family. Yet she is not happy; something is lacking in her life, and one morning she decides to die. She takes an overdose of sleeping pills, only to wake up some time later in the local hospital. There she is told that her heart is damaged and she has only a few days to live. The story follows Veronika through these intense days as to her surprise she finds herself experiencing feelings she has never really felt before. Against all odds she finds herself falling in love and even wanting to live again…

Another incredible novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author of The Alchemist. Centuries before, on the eve of the invasion of Accra, the citizens gathered. A man stood before them and invited the people share their fears that he might offer hope and comfort. His extraordinary insights on courage, solitude, loyalty and loss were transcribed and passed on. A timeless and powerful exploration of personal growth, everyday wisdom and joy.

In The Winner Stands Alone, Paulo Coelho has returned to the important themes of Eleven Minutes and The Zahir: Love and Obsession. He offers a suspenseful novel about the fascinating worlds of fortune and celebrity, where the commitment to luxury and success at any cost often prevents one from hearing what the heart actually desires.

Coelho takes us to the Cannes Film Festival, where the so-called Superclass gathers----those who have made it in the dreammaker's world of fashion and cinema. Some of them have even reached the very top and are afraid to lose their lofty positions. Money, power, and fame are at stake----things for which most people are prepared to do anything to keep.

At this modern vanity fair we meet Igor, a Russian millionaire; Middle Eastern fashion czar Hamid; American actress Gabriela, eager to land a lead role; ambitious criminal detective Savoy, hoping to resolve the case of his life; and Jasmine, a woman on the brink of a successful modeling career.

Who will succeed in identifying his or her own personal dream among the many prefabricated ones----and succeed in making it come true?

Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

The spellbinding novel from one of the world's best-loved authors, Paulo Coelho, recounting the story of Brida, and her pursuit of wisdom. This is the story of Brida, a young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. She has long been interested in various aspects of magic, and has taken courses in astrology, tarot, and numerology, but is searching for something more. Her search leads her to people of great wisdom, who begin to teach her about the world. Her teachers sense that Brida has a gift, but cannot tell what that is. Meanwhile, Brida pursues her course ever deeper into the mysteries of life, seeking to answer questions about who she is. She meets a wise man who dwells in a forest and teaches her about overcoming her fears and trusting in the goodness of the world and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the music of the world and how to pray to the moon. She seeks her destiny, as she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to become a witch. This enthralling novel incorporates themes fans of Paulo will love. It is a tale of love, passion, mystery and spirituality.

Pilar is an independent and practical young woman who is feeling bored and frustrated by the daily grind of her university life. Looking for a deeper meaning to her existence, she happens to meet an old childhood friend, now a handsome, mesmerizing spiritual teacher – and a rumoured miracle worker. As he leads her on a magical journey through the Fench Pyrenees, Pilar begins to realize that this chance encounter is going to transform her life forever.

With Paulo’s trademark blend of mysticism, magical realism and folklore, Pilar’s story is a poignant and deeply inspiring tale

From one of the world's best loved storytellers, Paulo Coelho, comes a riveting novel tracing the mysterious life and disappearance of Athena dubbed 'the Witch of Portobello'. This is the story of Athena, or Sherine, to give her the name she was baptised with. Her life is pieced together through a series of recorded interviews with those people who knew her well or hardly at all - parents, colleagues, teachers, friends, acquaintances, her ex-husband. The novel unravels Athena's mysterious beginnings, via an orphanage in Romania, to a childhood in Beirut. When war breaks out, her adoptive family move with her to London, where a dramatic turn of events occurs... Athena, who has been dubbed 'the Witch of Portobello' for her seeming powers of prophecy, disappears dramatically, leaving those who knew her to solve the mystery of her life and abrupt departure. Like The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy and sacrifice.

It begins with a glimpse or a passing thought. It ends in obsession. One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified – and increasingly fascinated – by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed, or simply bored with their marriage? The unrest she causes is as strong as the attraction she exerts. His search for her – and for the truth of his own life – takes him from France to Spain, Croatia and, eventually, the bleakly beautiful landscape of Central Asia. More than that, it takes him from the safety of his world to a totally unknown path, searching for a new understanding of the nature of love and the power of destiny. With ‘The Zahir’, Paulo Coelho demonstrates his powerful and captivating storytelling.

In 'The Fifth Mountain' Paulo Coelho takes us back to the 9th century, to the turbulent Middle East, where the prophet Elijah is struggling to keep his faith alive amidst a world of constant war, tyrannical royalty and pagan worship.

Evoking all the drama and intrigue of the colourful, chaotic world of the Old Testament, Paulo Coehlo turns the trials of Elijah into an intensly moving and inspiring story – one that powerfully brings out the universal themes of how faith and love can ultimately triumph over suffering.

“His books have had a life-enhancing effect on millions of people.”
THE TIMES

This book offers a timely and comprehensive snapshot of research and developments in the field of control engineering. Covering a wide range of theoretical and practical issues, the contributions describes a number of different control approaches, such adaptive control, fuzzy and neuro-fuzzy control, remote and robust control systems, real time an fault tolerant control, among others. Sensors and actuators, measurement systems, renewable energy systems, aerospace systems as well as industrial control and automation, are also comprehensively covered. Based on the proceedings of the 14th APCA International Conference on Automatic Control and Soft Computing, held on July 1-3, 2020, in Braganca, Portugal, the book offers a timely and thoroughly survey of the latest research in the field of control, and a source of inspiration for researchers and professionals worldwide.

An essential companion to the inspirational classic The Alchemist, filled with timeless stories of reflection and rediscovery. From one of the greatest writers of our age comes a collection of stories and parables unlocking the mysteries of the human condition. Gathered from Paulo Coelho's daily column of the same name, Maktub, meaning "it is written," invites seekers on a journey of faith, self-reflection, and transformation. As Paulo Coelho explains, "Maktub is not a book of advice--but an exchange of experiences." Each story offers an illuminated path to see life and the lives of our fellow people around the world in new ways, allowing us to tap into universal truths about our collective and individual humanity. As Coelho writes, "a man who seeks only the light, while shirking his responsibilities, will never find illumination. And one who keep his eyes fixed upon the sun . . . ends up blind." In these wise tales akin to Zen koans and other mysteries of the universe, there are talking snakes, old women climbing mountains, disciples querying their masters, Buddha in dialogue, mysterious hermits, and many saints. Following the path of his previous internationally bestselling works, this thoughtful collection of short, inspirational pieces, introduced in a foreword by the author and illustrated with black-and-white line art throughout, will engage seekers of all ages and backgrounds.

A collection of insightful philosophical thoughts and stories, in which Paulo Coehlo offers inspiring answers to profound questions to delight spiritual seekers everywhere. It has proved to be a perfect gift-book in the few countries in which it has been published so far. This will be the first English translation.

This book is a jewel for all of us who look for meaning in our daily lives as we struggle along the spiritual path. Within each of us is a Warrior of Light. Each of us capable of listening to the silence of the heart, of accepting failure without letting it get us down and of holding onto hope even in the face of weariness and depression. Values like love for all things, discipline, friendship and learning to listen to our own hearts are the arms with which this warrior confronts the battles we face in the name of personal growth and in the defence of the light. On every page there is an inspirational thought, which can be read as part of Paulo Coelho's whole philosophy or used form the basis of a daily meditation. The Manual of the Warrior of Light is a handbook that shows human beings how to live as spiritual beings in the material world.

This book presents, in an integrated form, both the analysis and synthesis of three different types of hidden Markov models. Unlike other books on the subject, it is generic and does not focus on a specific theme, e.g. speech processing. Moreover, it presents the translation of hidden Markov models' concepts from the domain of formal mathematics into computer codes using MATLAB (R). The unique feature of this book is that the theoretical concepts are first presented using an intuition-based approach followed by the description of the fundamental algorithms behind hidden Markov models using MATLAB (R). This approach, by means of analysis followed by synthesis, is suitable for those who want to study the subject using a more empirical approach. Key Selling Points: Presents a broad range of concepts related to Hidden Markov Models (HMM), from simple problems to advanced theory Covers the analysis of both continuous and discrete Markov chains Discusses the translation of HMM concepts from the realm of formal mathematics into computer code Offers many examples to supplement mathematical notation when explaining new concepts