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Island of Saints: A Story of the One Principle That Frees the Human Spirit
by
Andy Andrews
While digging up a withering wax myrtle tree beside his waterfront home on the Gulf coast, author Andy Andrews unearths a rusted metal container filled with Nazi artifacts and begins an intriguing investigation that unlocks an unspoken past that took place in his backyard . . . literally . . .
. . . In the summer of 1942, as the country gears up for a full-scale commitment
...moreHardcover, 224 pages
Published
May 31st 2005
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
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This book has me intrigued even today after having read it a few years ago. This is a historical fiction book but it was also written as a "motivational" story. THe author Andy Andrews writes this story as it really happened but then tries to say that it really is fiction to protect the people in the story. It is a story that addresses the Uboats that would sit out in the Gulf of Mexico just off the panhandle of florida. It tells the love story of one of the soldiers that is washed...more
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Have you ever read a book that you've never heard of, by an author you're only slightly familiar with, only to find out that it is a classic? Island of Saints is that book for me. I've had a colleague telling me to read Andy Andrew's The Traveler's Gift, but I haven't got around to it yet. However, I found this title in our bargain section, and after reading the back copy decided to pick it up.
The story begins with the author cutting down a wax myrtle tree in the front yard of his isl...more
The story begins with the author cutting down a wax myrtle tree in the front yard of his isl...more
My husband and I read this on a road trip in 2 sittings and it was FANTASTIC! If you haven't read any of Andy Andrews books, I highly recommend them. This book is about Andy and his wife finding WWII German Marine artifacts buried in his yard and to satisfy his curiosity he begins digging into the story behind them by interviewing local residents. What he finds out is a story about love and forgiveness that will bring tears to your eyes. There are some plot twists and turns I'll save for you ...more
"Helen was stunned–literally and figuratively–and truly frightened of this man. As she staggered from the car..." Aside from several such dreadful sentences, Andy Andrews writes well enough. The setting of the story, the Alabama coast during WWII, and the main characters including a German (but non-Nazi) submarine officer, a no-nonsense (readers, are not-so-subtly directed to hope he gets what he deserves) Nazi bad guy, and an "attractive" young American widow seem fresh.
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Andy Andrews is a wonderful story teller!!! I found in his characters a way for me to learn to forgive things I should long ago forgiven. I had not thought of myself as one who held grudges but I could see that I was holding onto things that would make my life easier if I would only forgive.
Also, since I love history or stories based on history this was the perfect book for me. My husband and I have been visiting Gulf Shores since 1993 and have grown to love the area. Finding out abou...more
Also, since I love history or stories based on history this was the perfect book for me. My husband and I have been visiting Gulf Shores since 1993 and have grown to love the area. Finding out abou...more
I loved this book as the characters are all well developed and the story line moves right along. While this book is historical fiction, it is also a love story and a book about family and an adventure and even a self-help book on forgiveness!
The basic story revolves around some Nazi artifacts found from World War II that were buried and found in an old rusted vegetable can in the author's back yard. To whom did these artifacts once belong? How did they get buried in his backyard? Aft...more
The basic story revolves around some Nazi artifacts found from World War II that were buried and found in an old rusted vegetable can in the author's back yard. To whom did these artifacts once belong? How did they get buried in his backyard? Aft...more
Andrews tells the story from an interesting perspective--he puts himself in the story and writes as though he is uncovering the story. The novel begins as author Andy Andrews digs up a rusted metal container with Nazi artifacts in his yard which is along the Gulf of Mexico. As he investigates, he learns of the German subs that sank many American ships along the coast of the U.S. He also learns about the artifacts and the story behind them.
This is also the story of forgiveness which some pe...more
This is also the story of forgiveness which some pe...more
Andy Andrews tells fables for adults....a clever story, based in factual history, with an enormous moral. I saw this author speak on the Dave Ramsey Show and I was instantly hooked. This author was once homeless and wondered into a public library and started reading biographies. From those biographies he learned life lessons and culled them down into 7 basic principles that seem to make brilliant people tick...and guess what, you can learn them/do them too. All of his books seem to revolve a...more
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down! I was reluctant to read it just because I wasn't in a "war book" kind of mood, but that was secondary to the story. This book is a perfect example of why I love historical fictions - I learned new things about WWII and it's involvement so close to home. The author is a great story teller and I would definitely read more of his books. I'd also recommend this book to anyone!
"Never judge a book by its cover" is really what sums up this book. The story takes place during a time of war, when the German Nazi army is not only envading countries, but eavesdropping in US territory. Yet, one woman, is compassionate enough to look beyond what she sees on the outside in order to really find out what another person is made of. It's a story of love, hope, and the human spirit.
I got sucked into this book almost immediately. Andy Andrews just has a way with writing. He took me on a ride that was worth it. I really liked the time period piece. Most people would have found something like this in their yard and either tossed it away or put it in a box without looking for the story. Thanks for making it a book Andy.
I had bought this awhile ago and picked it up yesterday- read it over the course of the day- I kept wishing I had a highlighter in my hand to highlite some great ideas and thoughts. It is a beautiful book on forgiveness (and it's about history which i love) with a little romance and villany tossed in
A friend lent me this book, and once I got into the first couple of chapters, I had a hard time putting it down! There were numerous twists in the plot that left me guessing about what would happen next. The historical elements were intriguing, and I’m still not sure whether it was a true story or not…
This piece of historical fiction tells a story from the perspective of an inquiring man who digs up an often neglected piece of WWII history. While searching for clues, the man encounters the source of the mystery and the principle that frees the human spirit. A bit of the author's preaching adds an unsubtle dimension of spirituality to the book. Andrews speaks truth through his characters.
My dad recommended this book to me. Aside from some (historically accurate?) cheeseball action near the end, and some slight maudlin tendancies, the book was pretty good. An easy-to-read, not very deep, but good story; will leave you feelin good.
Though a bit obvious on the "principle" part of the story, I really enjoyed the plot line. Being familiar with the location, it's a part of history about which I've often wondered. For an enjoyable, easy read, I'd recommend this book.
Listening to on CD. It's the first book in a while that I've thoroughly enjoyed. It has some good laugh out loud moments, and yet the author does sadness so well too. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Then I'm going back for more from Mr. Andrews.
I could not put this book down once I had started it! I learned some historical events about World War II that I was unaware of before and it was so interesting to follow the life of a German sailor.
Good story if a bit preachy. I've been working through this one for several weeks of a busy semester and I'm glad I read it - I especially appreciated the history of how World War II affected the Gulf Coast.
This a wonderful story. It has a well delivered message and a history lesson. The setting will be fascinating, to anyone who has vacationed on the wonderful beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
This was an interesting story with some moralizing. It is a true story but until the end I wasn't sure how the author could know much of what he wrote. The story involves German U Boats in the Gulf of Mexico during WWII and how their presence affects the local people.
I loved this book and it was very informative about the German subs that arrived in the Gulf of Mexico and how they sunk numerous U.S. ships.
Really enjoyable read and yet also demonstrated how powerful forgiveness can be. I am still not sure if it is fiction or if it really happened
Andy writes much like Og Mandino. By telling stories, oftentimes using historical figures, he has a message to deliver.
This is a well written book based on a true story told to the author. Something happened in WWii of which I was unaware. There is mystery and intrigue.
This WW2 story, set on the Gulf of Mexico coastline, has a good message about forgiveness.
As I read it and as amazing as the story seemed, I realized it was a true story.
Interesting history + good story + important moral about the power of forgiveness
Another great book from Andy Andrews.
(I own this book and two more by him)
(I own this book and two more by him)
Absolutely loved this book. A great story with lessons on forgiveness.
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~Hailed by a New York Times writer as a "modern-day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America."
~Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents
~Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!
New York Times Bestselling Author of
~The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift
Source:
http://www.andyandrews.com/ ...more
More about Andy Andrews...
~Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents
~Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!
New York Times Bestselling Author of
~The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift
Source:
http://www.andyandrews.com/ ...more
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