The Twelve

I've been sent a complimentary copy of the new book, "The Twelve" by William Gladstone to review. Haven't read it yet, but here's the promotional info:

THE TWELVE
A Novel
By William Gladstone
Publisher: Vanguard Press
a member of the Perseus Books Group
Publication date: September 2009
Price: $19.95/hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-59315-556-8

“I have never enjoyed a novel more than THE TWELVE. [William Gladstone’s] theme and message of hope and inspiration is exactly what Jack Canfield and I worked so hard to achieve with our Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.” -Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series

DECEMBER 21, 2012 – TOTAL DESTRUCTION OR A NEW BEGINNING?

Just What Did The Mayans Predict?

William Gladstone’s Compelling New Novel, The Twelve, Takes Readers On A Fantastic Journey To December 21, 2012

Max Doff is a most unusual person. Not speaking until age six, his world is filled with numbers and colors. At fifteen, he has a near death experience during which he sees twelve names – yet he can’t remember them when he awakes. Eight years later, while on location in Peru for a film production company, Max meets Maria Magdelena Ramirez. It then comes to him in a flash – Maria’s name was one of the twelve he saw in his near death vision.

Maria Magdelena Ramirez. Brama Nepal Mahars. Rinpoche Gyuatma Chiba. Juan Gonzalo Acosta. Melody Jones. Running Bear. All names Max envisioned. All people he is destined to meet. But what do they have in common? What are they expected to accomplish together?

THE TWELVE is the story of Max’s journey – from birth through December 21, 2012, the date that Mayan prophecy predicts the world will end. Readers are drawn deep into Max’s life – childhood triumphs; expulsion from Yale; first loves and a broken marriage; as well as careers in publishing and film production, the latter involving travel to the far reaches of the globe. It’s also the search for The Twelve, as Max strives to understand his childhood vision and uncover why he is supposed to unite twelve very different people. Ultimately, it comes down to one date, one location, and one mission, as the fate of humanity rests in the balance.

In this extraordinary and unforgettable novel, William Gladstone, a successful businessman educated at Yale and Harvard, draws on many of his own life experiences to create this dramatic story. “Much of what happens to Max happened to me,” he explains. “I was born on the same day and had a near death experience when I was fifteen. Max’s career and travels mirror my own life,” he continues. “THE TWELVE has been written to entertain, educate, intrigue, and perhaps even enlighten those who question the meaning of the Mayan calendar and the importance of 2012 . . . It is a journey that links the mysterious legends of The Twelve from ancient Egyptian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, American Indian, Christian, Celtic, and aboriginal cultures to speculation about what will occur in 2012.”

After reading THE TWELVE, people will wonder what they can do to transform the world and shift earth’s destiny as 2012 draws near. As noted author and philosopher Ervin Laszlo says, “We live in critical times – the future of all of humankind hangs in the balance. THE TWELVE calls attention to this mind-boggling situation in a way that’s more effective than any scientific or political treatise. The reader becomes part of The Twelve and so part of the solution – a unique concept and a unique feat. A must-read!”

About The Author
William Gladstone has worked with some of the most respected and influential authors of our time, including Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, and Barbara Marx Hubbard. As a pioneer in the publishing industry, Gladstone contributed to the creation of the first print-on-demand book publishing company. Throughout his career, he has also worked with prominent visionaries, including Tom Anderson, founder of MySpace; Peter Norton, founder of Norton Computing; and Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system.

Gladstone has served on the boards of public and private companies. He was the founding president of the Alumni Association for School Year Abroad, based in Andover, Massachusetts. Gladstone attended Yale College and earned a graduate degree in cultural anthropology from Harvard University. He resides in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.