An expanded edition of this classic book on grief and loss---with a new preface and epilogueLoss came suddenly for Jerry Sittser. In an instant, a ...
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reviews
Apr 22, 2009
Kristin
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This is a great soul care book.
Although his tragic story is about losing his wife, child and mother in a car accident and being left to raise three children alone, his focus is not on his story but on "What meaning can be gained from suffering, and how can we grow through suffering?" The things he learned can be applied to more than just loss due to death of a loved one. I found him to be very insightful and applicable.
Here are some quotes that have stood ou More...
Although his tragic story is about losing his wife, child and mother in a car accident and being left to raise three children alone, his focus is not on his story but on "What meaning can be gained from suffering, and how can we grow through suffering?" The things he learned can be applied to more than just loss due to death of a loved one. I found him to be very insightful and applicable.
Here are some quotes that have stood ou More...
Dec 21, 2011
Shaun
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Having lost our son Jason this past fall in a tragic and puzzling auto accident, we have been overwhelmed with love and concern for our family. We've had close friends and family support us and want to be closer, we've had neighbors who we don't even know bring over food and condolences, my faith and understanding of God's plan for us here on Earth has been strengthened. I still miss Jason tremendously and I always will, but the book "A Grace Disguised" has been an amazing book which h
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Jan 25, 2010
Jan
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Sittser has written a book about the tragic loss of his wife, mother and young daughter in a car accident. His story written 3 years after the accident recounts his great pain, yet within his pain he finds God's grace. I have read other books on loss and grief in my training as a Stephen Minister, but his book reveals the depth of his reflections through his journey as a single father of three young children and the darkness that threatened to enfold him. As he said, in the darkness he found
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Nov 05, 2011
Andrew
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I was given this book to read over ago after my son died. A friend in my church loaned it to me, and for the longest time I wasn't able to read it. It's not that I didn't want to: I recognized quickly how I healed and learned through reading books about grief and hearing stories of how others have mourned. But reading about grief is exhausting: not only do you begin to wear and experience the grief of the author, you also are forced to revisit the grief that you carry. And so reading about grief
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Oct 24, 2010
Paul
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Gerald Sittser's book is among the best I have ever read for those who are struggling with a great loss in life. He speaks from terrible experience. He lost his wife, mother and a daughter in a single automobile accident. From is own experience of the pain and suffering that follows he draws out a meaningful perspective applicable to the universal experience of human suffering. Without diminishing the pain and evil that suffering inflicts and represents, Sittser helps us make sense of suffering
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Dec 31, 2011
John
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Jerry Sittser lost his mother, his wife and one of his children in a traffic accident in which the other driver was drunk and crossed the center line, slamming into the vehicle Sittser was driving. He was left to raise his three surviving children alone.
This book was written three years later. I like that Sittser doesn't pretend that everything is all right now. While writing this, he was still experiencing great pain and grappling with unanswerable questions. He does see, though, that God More...
This book was written three years later. I like that Sittser doesn't pretend that everything is all right now. While writing this, he was still experiencing great pain and grappling with unanswerable questions. He does see, though, that God More...
Dec 20, 2007
Josh
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This was a book given to me by a friend at exactly the right time as I was going through the grieving process of some gigantic losses in my life. It definitely helped with viewing the losses in a different way and truly taking the steps to get past them. His tone and content is realistic and is firmly and faithfully planted in solid truths. It's not preachy, it does not condescend (none of this, "Well just buck up and think positive" nonsense), and can be beneficial for anyone going
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Jan 13, 2011
Sally
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I've read many books on grief in the past seven months. This one is one that every person who questions the unexpected, unexplained loss of a loved one must read. I especially recommend this for reading if someone has experienced tragedy associated with the unexpected loss. I found the book to be comforting, honest, helpful and reassuring. I understood in ways I wish I never had to know why the tragic loss of a loved one does in so many ways turn out to be a grace disguised.
Feb 25, 2010
Phyllis
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A challenging, enlightening, and refreshing view of coming to new life through the trial of loss, as told by the author from his own personal tragic story. The author is professor of religion at Whitworth College, and he holds a Masters degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and a PhD from the University of Chicago.
Aug 04, 2011
Susan
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This is the most honest book about grief that I have ever seen. Jerry Sittser lost his wife, daughter and mother in a car accident and talks about his grief and going into the darkness to see the light. Definitely a read for everyone as we all experience times of grief in our lives.
Jun 05, 2011
Mary
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This book has been a HUGE part of my healing process after a divorce that I wanted nothing to do with. I keep going back to it time and time again when I need gentle reminders from God. I have also given this book to a few friends who have experienced loss.
An amazing touching book.
An amazing touching book.
Dec 05, 2009
Shawnna
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A good book to get someone who is going through a loss. Max Depree wrote: "With profound insight into tragedy and forgiveness, grief and grace, justice and mercy, Jerry Sittser leads us through the darkness of loss and pain and into the light of grace"
Aug 05, 2011
Michelle
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Exceptional observations and insight on a most difficult topic. Authentic and affirming at deepest soul level. He writes from his own soul's anguish and experience, yet touches on the universals repeatedly. I expect to return to this book often myself and to share it with many others.
(This is not a "how to"/ self help book, but more like a soul-searching conversation with a very good friend.)
(This is not a "how to"/ self help book, but more like a soul-searching conversation with a very good friend.)
Apr 04, 2011
Stephanie
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I was assigned this for a psychology class I'm taking. I was not excited to read it, but it ended up being really good. I recommend it to anyone who is, or who has, experienced loss of any kind and may be struggling with it.
Sep 04, 2011
Cory
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Very moving book, and while this man suffered a great tragedy in his life, this wasn't the main focus of the book. Learned a lot from this man, and have passed it on several times.
Jul 27, 2011
Ashley
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Loved this book so much, it helped me through the really difficult period of losing my best friend.
Love you Flavia, & miss you everyday.
Love you Flavia, & miss you everyday.
Oct 06, 2008
Jonathan
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Profound and personal. For anyone who has lost their identity, lost love, lost someone close, or had a friend suffer any of these losses--and isn't that part of our common humanity? Sittser's insights are right, prescient, and convicting. I am compelled to share this and have two people in mind; one is a Christ-follower and the other is not. I have to admit it is with a bit of superstition that I read the last few pages and finish this book (I have about 2 pages left) because then I feel I will
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Jan 29, 2011
Melissa
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I keep a copy of this book on hand just to hand out to someone in a grieving stage in life. Phenomenal, honest, and absolutely no easy, glib answers.
Dec 17, 2009
Von
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The author doesn't use pat cliches to try to explain suffering, which I appreciated. His thinking on the subject is complex and comforting.
Jan 31, 2009
Amy
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Another great book on grief. He is very raw in describing the experience of losing his wife and kids.
May 03, 2009
Sarah
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Didn't quite finish it, but when my best friend died in a car crash, this book was a lifeline.
Mar 20, 2009
Sarah
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A definite must read for anyone who has gone through loss, or knows someone who has.
Feb 25, 2009
Mindy
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beautiful book. too profound for my inadequate words. I loved it and will probably read it again in a year or so...
Jan 26, 2011
Kelsey
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A very powerful book about the process of loss and how pain that seems so unredeemable can be redeemed by the grace of God. I gained a lot of insight and wisdom from the experience of the author. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced any kind of loss/grief or knows someone else who is going through such a thing.
Nov 05, 2011
Marmie
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This is one of those wonderful, yet rare books that help us in our grieving. While most of us do not suffer the loss of three family members in one tragic event, we all will face the loss of loved ones. There are many helpful books about grief, but this one touches the soul with deep understanding and truth. It accomplishes that through the honest pain of the author. It is the book that will merit another reading at a later time. It is timeless and priceless.
Feb 01, 2012
Melissa Jill
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SUCH a good book for people who are dealing with loss. Which is all of us at one point or another, right?
The author is someone you WANT to listen to if you're suffering, because he's writing from a place of very deep, personal loss having lost his wife, daughter and mother when their car was hit by a drunk driver.
I thought of various friends as well as myself during different points while reading this book. It was very well-written and poignant. I would recommend it to More...
The author is someone you WANT to listen to if you're suffering, because he's writing from a place of very deep, personal loss having lost his wife, daughter and mother when their car was hit by a drunk driver.
I thought of various friends as well as myself during different points while reading this book. It was very well-written and poignant. I would recommend it to More...
