rumbledethumps's review
4.0
Though I share neither Colson's faith nor his politics, this is a really great example of a personal redemptive memoir. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the genre.
kaylalindo's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book was so much better than I imagined. Charles Colson’s story of redemption is one that shows just a glimpse of God’s greater plan and power. Colson is so inspiring and an incredible example of how Jesus displays love for His people. I loved every part of it and would totally read it again.
hayley_cummings's review
4.0
So, I read this book a while back. I started it and got about 80 pages in before I DNFed it. I decided to try it again about a year later. I mostly decided not to continue reading this in the first place because it was quite long and a bit confusing. However, I eventually finished it and am very glad I did.
This book was, while long, absolutely necessary. It tells the story of Charles Colson and his conversion from dirty politician caught up in Watergate to a changed Christian man dedicating his life to spread God’s word to prisoners. This book was so interesting to read because we get to see a man’s journey in his career as a politician, the inner workings of the Nixon administration and the Watergate scandal, and the experiences of prisoners all from Colson’s perspective.
There is a lot of legal stuff and trials and if you don’t like that, than this book might not be for you. I enjoyed it, but was confused at times, I’ll admit it. Anyway, that element of it was really interesting to me and I really enjoyed reading it.
Also, we get to see Colson’s emotional journey as he becomes a Christian and turns to God. As a Christian, I loved reading about his conversion and it truly made me happy.
Colson is also an incredible narrator and everything just flowed so well and easy. He is a phenomenal writer and the characters just felt so real, as if they were sitting in the room with me. I haven’t read much nonfiction, but I hope it is all like this book.
I think this is such a necessary read for not just Christians, but everybody. If you enjoy politics/law or would just like to read an inspiring, moving story about a man’s honest transformation than this is for you. If it starts off slow, I promise it gets better!
This book was, while long, absolutely necessary. It tells the story of Charles Colson and his conversion from dirty politician caught up in Watergate to a changed Christian man dedicating his life to spread God’s word to prisoners. This book was so interesting to read because we get to see a man’s journey in his career as a politician, the inner workings of the Nixon administration and the Watergate scandal, and the experiences of prisoners all from Colson’s perspective.
There is a lot of legal stuff and trials and if you don’t like that, than this book might not be for you. I enjoyed it, but was confused at times, I’ll admit it. Anyway, that element of it was really interesting to me and I really enjoyed reading it.
Also, we get to see Colson’s emotional journey as he becomes a Christian and turns to God. As a Christian, I loved reading about his conversion and it truly made me happy.
Colson is also an incredible narrator and everything just flowed so well and easy. He is a phenomenal writer and the characters just felt so real, as if they were sitting in the room with me. I haven’t read much nonfiction, but I hope it is all like this book.
I think this is such a necessary read for not just Christians, but everybody. If you enjoy politics/law or would just like to read an inspiring, moving story about a man’s honest transformation than this is for you. If it starts off slow, I promise it gets better!
powellen's review
5.0
Wow. I'm blown away by Colson's story - which, as he points out, is just a fragment of God's redemptive story. To see behind the scenes historically into the Watergate scandal, but more to glimpse into the heart of Colson makes Born Again into a uniquely powerful testimony. It was strange to realize how relatable such a great man's struggles were, beautiful to see how God used the darkest times in his life to reveal His boundless love and faithfulness. I'm amazed. This is a very, very good book. I can't do it justice with my little thoughts and opinions, but if you're looking for a resounding reminder of God's sovereignty and grace, this is certainly a book I'd suggest picking up.
Highly recommended.
"What motivated me [to write] was that my disgrace was not the end of the story—or even the main part of the story. The real story was that Christ had reached down to me, even in my disgrace and shame, and revealed Himself as the One who forgives and makes new. Born Again is the story of a broken man transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ—who continues to transform me every passing day."
Amen.
Highly recommended.
"What motivated me [to write] was that my disgrace was not the end of the story—or even the main part of the story. The real story was that Christ had reached down to me, even in my disgrace and shame, and revealed Himself as the One who forgives and makes new. Born Again is the story of a broken man transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ—who continues to transform me every passing day."
Amen.
kayaj's review
5.0
Once I got through all the political mishmash, this was an AMAZING story of one man’s coming to Christianity, and how so many other’s lives were changed through Watergate and what followed.
Sometimes, we lose the thrill! The wonder! The shock that God sent his son to die for us. Sometimes, we don’t stop to think about how he’s working in our life, in everyone’s life. Sometimes, we tend to rely on ourselves for “just that one small thing” when in reality, it’s Jesus we should be going to every single time.
Charles Coulson’s story is one of hatred turning to love, pride turning to selflessness. It’s the story of a newborn Christian, and it’s one that has transformed endless lives, to which I can only say: Praise the Lord!
Sometimes, we lose the thrill! The wonder! The shock that God sent his son to die for us. Sometimes, we don’t stop to think about how he’s working in our life, in everyone’s life. Sometimes, we tend to rely on ourselves for “just that one small thing” when in reality, it’s Jesus we should be going to every single time.
Charles Coulson’s story is one of hatred turning to love, pride turning to selflessness. It’s the story of a newborn Christian, and it’s one that has transformed endless lives, to which I can only say: Praise the Lord!