Paulo Coelho is an international phenomenon. He has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide and is the most translated living author. He has won 115 international prizes and awards and in 2007 was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. In searching for his own place in the world, he discovered answers for the challenges that everyone faces and, in writing THE ALCHEMIST, he succeeded in the ambition he'd nurtured since he was an adolescent: to become a writer, who is read and respected throughout the world. Paulo Coelho believes that within ourselves we all have the necessary strength to find our own destiny and his writing has helped millions to fulfil their own 'personal legend'.