Joni: An Unforgettable Story [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Joni Eareckson Tada (Author), Billy Graham (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: July 31, 2001

The award-winning story of a young woman who triumphed over devastating odds to touch countless lives the world over with the healing message of Christ. Includes photos and illustrations by Joni. In a split second on a hot July afternoon, a diving accident transformed the life of Joni Eareckson Tada forever. She went from being an active young woman to facing every day in a wheelchair. In this unforgettable autobiography, Joni reveals each step of her struggle to accept her disability and discover the meaning of her life. The hard-earned truths she discovers and the special ways God reveals his love are testimonies to faith's triumph over hardship and suffering. The new 25th Anniversary edition of this award-winning story--which has more than 3,000,000 copies in print in over 40 languages--will introduce a new generation of readers to the incredible greatness of God's power and mercy at work in those who fully give their hearts and lives to him. Joni has written an afterword in which she describes the events that have occurred in her life since the book's publication in 1976, including her marriage to Ken Tada and the expansion of her worldwide ministry to families affected by disability. Joni is now available for the first time in an unabridged audio version read by the author.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

4-8-- Autobiographies of three people who have conquered adversity, all devout Christians who give credit for their success to God. Carson was thought of as "stupid" as a child, until it was determined that poor eyesight was the cause of his academic problems. He became chief pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dravecky's career as a major league baseball player was cut short by a tumor on his pitching arm; he made a brief comeback before the arm had to be amputated. Eareckson was an active teenager when a diving accident left her a quadriplegic. She regained the use of her arms in a long, agonizing process; she has become well known for her art, which she paints with a brush in her mouth. These books, abridged from adult works, have the vocabulary and concepts typical of high-interest, low-vocabulary stories. There are long, technical descriptions in Ben Carson ; both it and Dave Dravecky omit important facts (Carson's mother is dropped from the story once he becomes a medical student; Dravecky doesn't mention how he plans to support his family). The illustrations add little as facial features appear blurred and indistinct. This is unfortunate as the pictures show a lot of action and are numerous and well placed. --Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A story that has encouraged and inspired millions of readers, now available in a special softcover anniversary edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 25th Anniversary edition (July 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310240018
• ISBN-13: 978-0310240013
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Devotionals

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a book you'll never put down - ever June 15, 2006

By Shelley Gammon TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This is one of those few stories that never leave you. Even after you have read the book, closed it and put it on the shelf, the story remains and you can't get it out of your head. A bright, energetic, full-of-life girl goes diving into the shallow water - an act that will forever change her life and ultimately change the lives of millions of others.

Suddenly, this athletic, independent young girl is trapped in a body that will not move. Paralyzed from the shoulders down, she finds herself no longer independent, but fully dependent on the care of others for the simplest of tasks. Things we take for granted like wiping away tears, blowing your own nose or brushing your hair - now on someone else's time table, not your own.

Understandably, this turn of events shakes her faith as she shakes her mental fists at God for dashing all her hopes and dreams for the future. Failed romances, rocky friendships, family heartaches - Joni holds nothing back in this insightful view into her world.

Through her emotional and spiritual failings, the author shares her growth and understanding of God's plan for her life and the lives of others. Using her mouth to draw and paint, the author became an established artist long before people realized that the artist whose work they were admiring was completely paralyzed and unable to use her hands. This revelation thrust her into celebrity where she has been able to make more of an impact on the lives of others than she would have ever been able to have accomplished prior to her injury.

Through her charity, Joni & Friends, the author has provided for wheelchairs for the disabled around the world and opened the doors of opportunity to wheelchair bound people everywhere.

I've seen the author on Larry King a few times and always wondered, "how does that woman keep smiling and keep such an upbeat attitude?" It is hard to imagine a worse fate than what she has endured since her accident, yet after reading her personal account of her life since that fateful summer in 1967, the reader understands exactly why she smiles and truly has joy in her life. I picked up this book thinking it would be 'interesting' and nothing more - I was delightfully surprised to find this to be a page-turner I could not put down. Even though I've finished reading this autobiography, I doubt I will ever truly put this book down. This is a story that sticks with you long after you've closed the back cover.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT AN AMAZING WOMAN! May 3, 2004

By Julie-Anne Dentici

Format:Paperback

I WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO THIS BOOK AS A YOUNG CHILD. JONI HAS TRULY BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME. I AM NOW A 22 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO HAS LIVED WITH CEREBRAL PALSY SINCE BIRTH. LIKE JONI, I TOO AM A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN AND I TRULY CANNOT IMAGINE (MY) LIFE WITHOUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN IT. IN THIS MEMOIR, ONE TRULY SEES THE STRUGGLES, THE HEARTBREAKS, AND THE JOYS AND TRIUMPHS THAT THE LORD BRINGS THIS YOUNG LADY THROUGH. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE-IN A CHAIR OR NOT, AND I TOO CAN SAY THAT I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE IN A CHAIR WITH THE LORD, THAN ON MY FEET WITHOUT HIM.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars an honest confession October 26, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I read this book a few months a go. I haven't read many of christian writer's story about their lives, but some that i have read never really touched me the way Joni did. I was impressed and blessed from her honesty in pouring out her thoughts and feelings, even the bad ones. It did not discourage me, but instead it made me realise that we need to deal with ourselves to be able to see the real us and to be able to see what God wants to do in our lives.