Customer Reviews

Heaven Without Her: A Desperate Daughter's Search for the Heart of Her Mother's Faith

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I believe this memoir mirrors the experience of so many women who are left spiritually empty-handed at the end of the day. And it will resonate especially with anyone who, in grieving, has wondered about the realities of heaven. The author grants us an intimate and poignant view of her own loss and spiritual struggle. Then, with the tenacity of a best-selling crime-solver, she sorts through and compiles evidence for faith in Christ that ultimately cannot be dismissed. This book is a must read for the discriminating seeker.

I'm sure that Ms. Foth-Regner wrote this remarkable memoir in the hope of opening the eyes of other bright young sons and daughters from among her own baby-boomer generation - especially for those who may consider themselves far too intelligent and "sophisticated" to buy into the simple, unquestioning, sweet (but clueless) Faith of their Fathers (and mothers).

This she has done brilliantly - for those inclined to listen, of their own accord.

But as the rapidly-aging mother of such young sophisticates, I'd also like to recommend it highly to my own, older generation, especially if you find yourself echoing her mother's plaintive cry - "If I could give you only one thing in this life, my dearest young atheist, it would be the kind of faith in the Lord which has sustained me through all these years!"

Well, here in this book, is a wonderful start. Read it yourself, as I did, to understand the kinds of questions that have, for so long, justified disbelief in those whose goal that is. Discover answers that we may not have needed ourselves (although it couldn't hurt) - but that can create such chasms of misunderstanding between generations. Then give a copy to your own dear young unbeliever, and ask that she read it too (if only for your sake - because you would so like to discuss it with her). Astound her with how well you can now understand her point of view, and speak her language. And maybe - just maybe - she'll also become open to doing the same for you.

I haven't found a better way to open this potentially life-changing conversation - not confrontationally, but in the honest hope of mutual learning.

And I can't think of a more valuable (or challenging) gift to give to your graduate, or your Birthday Girl (or Boy) ... as they say, in advance of need.

I came very close to tossing this book away. With so many books coming my way these days, I need to move assess them quickly, determining which are worth a closer look and which are not. I cannot read them all. In this case, I saw the cover, I saw the title, I skimmed the back and thought "not likely." But then I noticed that the author had included a little note inside. There she drew my attention to a couple of the endorsements that she felt would be meaningful to me--namely, Nancy Pearcey and Mark Buchanan, both authors whose works I am fond of. As I looked further I saw that it is also endorsed by Ray Comfort. Based on all of this I decided I would read it. And I'm glad I did.

Heaven Without Her is a memoir. It is the life story of Kitty Foth-Regner, who, until the year 2000, was living exactly the life she wanted for herself as an ardent feminist. She owned her own business, and a rather successful one at that, had a live-in boyfriend whom she loved, and owned a house with a beautiful garden. It was all she had ever wanted. But when she learned that her mother had a terminal illness and as she watched her mother succumb to death, her heart was stirred with questions of eternity. Was there something to her mother's Christian faith, or was that faith really nothing more than wistful delusions?

Kitty set out to determine what was true. Her searching took her through most of the world's major religions (and a few more). She saw quickly how each of them failed to offer good answers and true comfort. All but one, that is. As she explored Christianity through the guidance of sound pastors and theologians, she found a faith that offered answers to the toughest questions. She found a God who loved her as He had loved her mother before.

In this book, Foth-Regner documents hear search. In a fun and narrative style, she describes how the Bible answered all of her questions and how her heart was first convicted, then convinced, and finally renewed. The unthinkable happened--she became a Christian, and this despite so many years of feminism and agnosticism. Her old passions and desires fell away and were replaced with new ones; holy ones.

Heaven Without Her is a valuable read and I think an important one. i consider it an important apologetic work. Sure it presents truths that have been written in other books over and over again, but rarely have they been written in so readable a style. The innovation here is not so much the content as the style and its readily accessible format. This is an ideal book to give to a person who may have questions about the Christian faith. For that person who seems to be seeking or searching, this is a book that can provide answers and can show how God has worked in the life of another of His children. Despite my initial apprehension, having read the book I now highly recommend it.

I happened upon this book not quite sure what to expect since I'd never heard of the author. As soon as I started the book I couldn't put it down. Kitty's style of writing has such a flair to it and I was able to put myself right there beside of her during the entire book. And the story itself is tremendous. It is such a testimony the love between a mother and daughter as well as the love of our Lord. Buy this book! It is definitely one that you'll want to read over again.

After reading this book I felt Kitty was a close friend who had just shared with me the most spectacular gift a friend could give. Kitty's pursuit of God leads her to obeying the Lord's most important command - To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul AND mind. Kitty speaks from her heart while never neglecting the intellectual side of following God. I highly recommend this book for people who a) want to solidify their witness - who are new Christians or those who have been given the gift of faith but never investigated the "why I believe what I believe" side of things and b) those who have a need for God and genuinely want to find out if He is real and, if so, who He really is.

I've never bought up a ton of copies of books to give to friends and family before I came across this book....but this one has impacted me so much I've given out 8 in the course of just the last few weeks! Thanks Kitty for sharing the truth with the world in a way that speaks directly to many who are searching and hurting as you were.

I also LOVED the bibliography Kitty writes at the end of Heaven Without Her - it is full of other great books seekers or young Christians would find incredibly helpful to their pursuit of God.

P.S. I'm saddened when I see that Amazon says that many people buy The Shack when they buy this book....Heaven Without Her is based on Biblical truth while The Shack alludes to the Bible some but also spews a whole lot of heresy. If you're looking for a book about the God of the Bible, please read Heaven Without Her and don't confuse yourself with the mixed messages Paul Young sends in The Shack.

The author has a gift for getting close to your heart. When I saw Mark Buchanan's review in the front of the book, I knew I wanted to read it. Started it Sat. morning and finished it that day. Could not put the book down. It is a tearjerker, but in a good way. Kitty, thanks for letting us get to know your mom, your dad, you, Dave, and Thumper. This is a touching, warm book and I thank you for writing it and the comfort it gave me. I lost both of my parents in less than 2 years. God bless you much.

This book is an excellent tool for witnessing. The author has presented the gospel in its entirety and dashed nearly every misconception of how to get to Heaven. It is easy to read so there may be a good chance that your beloved unbeliever would actually finish it.

Kitty Foth-Regner has shown the same miracles I know are possible. While she began as a skeptical atheist, as I also once was, she has truly told the story of her being born again. I rejoice in reading of someone else finding their way to God and Jesus. Although I was a believer before opening this book, it has only added to my faith. She did quite a lot of research to back up why the Bible is the word of God. If you need to be pursuaded still, that God is real, the Bible is His Word, and miracles happen, please read it. I can only hope that it gives each reader the "extra" push (if they need it) to become a believer in Christianity.

A libertarian, a feminist, and an agnostic, Kitty Foth-Regner gave no thought to questions of life after death or the Christian gospel - until her mother became terminally ill. Her mother was a woman of faith and this crises provided the catalyst and motivation Kitty needed to awaken to such issues as heaven, the assertions and promises of Biblical scripture, and more. A journey of spiritual awakening, Kitty's personal story is recorded in engaging detail in "Heaven Without Her: A Desperate Daughter's Search for the Heart of Her Mother's Faith". Inspired and inspiring, "Heaven Without Her" is highly recommended reading, especially for anyone who must confront similar challenges within the context of their own lives or the lives of loved ones.

This is a book that will change your life. solid facts lead to the true knowlege of God, and the reality of Jesus.