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The Twelve
The Twelve is an extraordinary and unforgettable novel about a most unusual man. As a child, Max lives in a world of colors and numbers, not speaking until the age of six. As an adult, Max ventures on a journey of destiny to discover the secret behind the ancient Mayan prophecy about the �end of time,” foretold to occur on December 21, 2012.When he is fifteen years old, Ma...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Vanguard Press
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رواية طويلة غير مقنعة جدا تتنقل بين ثمان عواصم عالمية يراها الكاتب ممثلة لأفراد شعوب العالم كافة. يتمثل إنقاذ العالم في ثلاث عشرة شخص منهم الثلث تقريبا من الأمريكتين. (الحمد لله أن الثلاث عشرة شخصا لم يكونوا كلهم أمريكان. العرب لا يمثلهم أحد فهم ليسوا مهمين على ما يبدو لإنقاذ العالم وليست لديهم مقدسات، وتركي واحد يجمع بين ديانتين يفي بالغرض، والعجيب أن بين الثلاث عشرة يوجد يهودي من القدس). أحداث الكتاب سريعة جدا بدون سبب ظاهر. ومن الممكن إغفال بعض الشخصيات أو صفاتها دون أن تؤثر في مجرى أحداث الق...more
(1) What is the title and author of the book that you are reviewing?
The Twelve by William Gladstone
(2) For reasons other than entertainment, what do you believe was the author’s purpose in writing? Why did they write this book?
To show us we need to change our ways because were destroying ourselves
(3) Who is the author’s intended audience in reading? Why did they choose this group?
Maybe religious people that want to know more about 12,21,2012
(4) What is the narrator’s point of view? Who is telli...more
The Twelve by William Gladstone
(2) For reasons other than entertainment, what do you believe was the author’s purpose in writing? Why did they write this book?
To show us we need to change our ways because were destroying ourselves
(3) Who is the author’s intended audience in reading? Why did they choose this group?
Maybe religious people that want to know more about 12,21,2012
(4) What is the narrator’s point of view? Who is telli...more
Even if you aren’t into the spiritual aspect of Gladstone’s book “The Twelve” you will still enjoy joining his Max Doff on his personal journey. You cannot help but appreciate the way Gladstone describes each new level of Max’s enlightenment the way he does; like you are in a room with a light switch that has a dimmer. Each new discovery brightens the room little by little until by the time Max has located each one of his twelve co-horts, the room is as bright as the sun. The only fault I found...more
I enjoyed this book, although I wasn't expecting to. I found it very hard to put it down. I wasn't too crazy about the ending, but then I again I did not have high expectations for it, so it didn't alter my opinion on the rest of the book. For me, the pleasure I got from this book was reading about Max's life. It's a nice change of pace when a book can center around the good things that happen to a character. Not that Max did not have his share of some bad moments, but verything always seemed to...more
You have to accept this book as a work of fiction, with not too much incorporation of reality, not because it is past December 21st 2012 and the events at the end have yet to come to being, but because it's more enjoyable if you sit back and don't criticize. If you highlight every aspect of this book that is unbelievable or seems untrue, then you'll have a lot of yellow and no pleasure by the end. This book isn't about perfection, it's about being laid back, about doing what you feel is right in...more
Max, this "special human being" has a long journey, including locating twelve people he has never met, and bringing them together, which is supposedly supposed to prevent 2012 from happening. To the Mayans, this is the end of their calendar, also known as the end of the world.
This book was overall interesting. I enjoyed reading about Max's death, his early childhood, and his dream. I also enjoyed the detailed explanation of the Mayan prophecies. However, the book took a very long time to devel...more
This book was overall interesting. I enjoyed reading about Max's death, his early childhood, and his dream. I also enjoyed the detailed explanation of the Mayan prophecies. However, the book took a very long time to devel...more
What an incredible book!! At the core, the everyday struggle between the rebellious Louis and the go with the flow Max describes the struggle with evil and how the same evil always makes its way back into the everyday picture.
I have known two males just like Louis, one of Ricks' older brothers, and the other my brother, so I empathized with Max from the beginning. Max kind of reminds me of myself...just going with the flow and not trying to fight the bad stuff...just letting it happen. Letting...more
I have known two males just like Louis, one of Ricks' older brothers, and the other my brother, so I empathized with Max from the beginning. Max kind of reminds me of myself...just going with the flow and not trying to fight the bad stuff...just letting it happen. Letting...more
Great book.
The Twelve by William Gladstone is the journey of Max Doff, an unusual young man who thinks in numbers and colors rather than words until he starts speaking at the age of six with remarkable insights into the nature of reality. At the age of fifteen max has a near death experience in which the names of twelve magical people are revealed but max forgets the names upon regaining consciousness. Max’s life unfolds with international adventures as a documentary film maker with remarkable c...more
The Twelve by William Gladstone is the journey of Max Doff, an unusual young man who thinks in numbers and colors rather than words until he starts speaking at the age of six with remarkable insights into the nature of reality. At the age of fifteen max has a near death experience in which the names of twelve magical people are revealed but max forgets the names upon regaining consciousness. Max’s life unfolds with international adventures as a documentary film maker with remarkable c...more
I've always been fascinated with the concepts of the Mayan calendar and the 2012 end date. I'm certain that's what drew me to this book. It's a work of fiction, but has many informative aspects about different cultures, sacred sites, and the 2012 mythos. However, I found it all a bit rushed and coincidental as far as plot progression and character interactions. It only took me a couple hours to read. If you're looking for a book that's quick, generally informative, and filled with hope for the d...more
The Twelve is a parable reminiscent of The Celestine Prophecy. Aside from my wondering how the Mayans managed to come up with an end-of-time date that turned out to be a nifty number in the Julian calendar, I enjoyed this. I'm not at all objective because Bill Gladstone has been a friend and colleague of mine for about 30 years. Here's affirming that the book will generate a lot of thoughtful buzz.
I forced my way through this book. Which is very unusual for me. It was just to many unnecessary details. Max was a wonderful character, but I did not need to know about every detail about every paper he wrote in college, job and all of it's duties. Most of the other characters other than the twelve I did not need to know about. I would not recommend this book. In the end we got world peace, that scientist can not answer how. I'm upset with myself for pushing my way through, and with the author...more
Where to begin? At first let me say that I'm easily fascinated by apocalyptic theories and the whole Mayan calendar one is even more of a hot topic with this being the year of its prophecy. So I think I had too high of a hope for this book. The premise was good, but i think the execution well, sucked! I know, not the best description so let me elaborate without spoiling anything.
The characters for one thing, are so generic and boring I could have cared less what happened to them by the end. Max...more
The characters for one thing, are so generic and boring I could have cared less what happened to them by the end. Max...more
I tried. New age is not my thing and I knew I was in trouble when the blurbs on the book were from Eckhart Tolle and the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" guy, but a friend of mine really loved it and gave it to me to read. She liked that it made her think about the way we're all connected and responsible for each other, etc. Fine sentiments--might be interesting to read about in the context of 2012, though I have little to no interest in the Mayan calendar and how we're all going to die or whatever....more
This is a story about Max. He is the perfect child. His mother and father love him. He has an older brother that is his complete opposite.
The first third of this book I was reminded of a portion of a movie I'd seen recently. This movie started with an effect, and then retraced the causes that led up to it. It was cute, but short and to the point. The first third of this book made me think of it, but then it started getting old..because it continued way past the cute stage and into the annoying...more
The first third of this book I was reminded of a portion of a movie I'd seen recently. This movie started with an effect, and then retraced the causes that led up to it. It was cute, but short and to the point. The first third of this book made me think of it, but then it started getting old..because it continued way past the cute stage and into the annoying...more
This is an interesting doomsday read. As a believer in the existence of a God or Creator or some sort of spiritual power that has nothing to do with religion as far as I can personally tell I found this to be an enlightened and all inclusive way of dealing with faith, miracles, and the interconnectiveness of us all. I also don't believe in conincidences, but I do believe in free will. This book dealt excellently with both. It was a bit dry at times, but it is a good thinker. Read it before 2012!
A novel that says it’s about 2012 and hope. Since all I had seen so far about 2012 was mass destruction and end of time books I was intrigued. Unfortunately I think it fell flat on its face. Development bounced around and took a long time to get there then when it did I felt like ok so who cares. I never really got pulled in, I wanted to read the and only to see what Gladstone’s theory of the end of the Mayan calendar might mean but when I got there I wasn’t all that impressed.
This book was a complete surprise. I thought that it was the sequel to The Passage and it wasn't. However, it was a end times type of book and ended up being enjoyable in a very
"suspend your belief" kind of way.
The story line is linked to the 12/21/2012 backstory which is a genre that I enjoy reading about. This one was no way like any of the other Mayan stories, but it still was enjoyable. I am not sure if this was meant as a YM kind of book, but there was real simplicity in the writing.
"suspend your belief" kind of way.
The story line is linked to the 12/21/2012 backstory which is a genre that I enjoy reading about. This one was no way like any of the other Mayan stories, but it still was enjoyable. I am not sure if this was meant as a YM kind of book, but there was real simplicity in the writing.
An interesting story about the end of the Mayan calendar. This was a debut novel. Everytime I thought that I would stop reading it, the author would renew my interest in seeing where he was going with the story line. All in all a good debut novel even though I had problems with the female to male ratio of the twelve and a few other points which I will not talk about as I don't want to give away the whole plot and thus spoil it for others.
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If this is any indication of what we have to look forward to in books with the Mayan calendar end of time 12.21.12 we can only hope the end of time comes sooner.This is not a book worth reading. Maudlin is an apt description of this book. Every religion, and new age idea is jumbled up in this books treatement of the end of an age and the realignment of earth and humanity. Don't waste your time reading.
I realize this is a novel, but I chose to place it in a different 'bookshelf'...it is refreshing to read something which deals with the "2012" hype in a more civilized manner. I am weary of all the doom and gloom and end of days rubbish being thrust at us.
This book has many levels, at first read, a good story. The second time around, much more comes to light.
This book has many levels, at first read, a good story. The second time around, much more comes to light.
This is a very interesting book. It proposes the idea that instead of disaster and destruction occurring at the end of the Mayan calendar on 21 Dec 2012, there will be a shift on the earth that will generate peace and harmony.
It tells of the life journey of a boy named Max. There are lots of interesting ideas to consider in this story.
It tells of the life journey of a boy named Max. There are lots of interesting ideas to consider in this story.
In the tradition of The Celestine Prophecy, this novel will capture the imagination of a generation, as one man journeys to understand the age-old Mayan prophecy about the end of time.
Listen to The Twelve on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Twelve on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
This book is a delight - filled with the perfect mix of adventure, entertainment, and timely messages of transformation. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down until I got to the very last page. I loved this story about the hero Max, who came alive in this book to show us the unique crossroads we and our planet face.
I thought the concept and the storyline were unique and interesting, but I did not like this author's writing style. I would be drawn in and be really involved in the story and then the scene would end and break the mood. It was really disappointing as the story telling, I felt, was lacking.
The book was a fast read & didn't have a lot of depth & character development but I did like the discussion of many of the spiritual places around the world as a reference for more research on my part. I also liked the more uplifting interpretation of Dec 21, 2012 & the end of the Mayan calendar.
This book was okay - it started off really well, and the story of max, his birth, and childhood drew me in.... then the story lost all of its steam during his college years and the years after that - it became boring and was all over the place really. I wanted more of the Twelve and about the 12, and his theories....
I wound up skimming through mostly because I lost interest, but was glad I finished the story, as I like the ending.
I wound up skimming through mostly because I lost interest, but was glad I finished the story, as I like the ending.
May 16, 2012
Eduardo Abreu
added it
I feel like being on a freeway softly paved. From the first line, William Gladstone tells you what a wonderful world we live in. Hopefully, the date December 21, 2012 is just a few months ahead then we can check how true are its predictions...
Talk about a letdown, this is it. After an interesting start this novel plods through a less than satisfactory journey to the dismal end of supposedly saving humanity from destruction by materialism and into utopia. 2 of 10 stars
I was intrigued by the premise and continued reading hoping it would get better but it didn't. It wasn't Celestine Prophesy bad but the story just didn't gel for me. As interesting as some elements were, it just wasn't enough to work.
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May 02, 2013 06:32am
May 02, 2013 06:37am