A Journey to Hell and Back [Paperback]

Charlotte Russell Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2003

A Journey To Hell and Back is a gripping saga of a young woman's journey from adolescence to adulthood at an accelerated pace. This book is an exploration of a troubled teen's journey into the underworld to emerge as an independent, confident, and self-assured woman. Pitfalls, tragedy, and trials that lure a young honor student into the mean streets of Atlanta and finally, New York mark the story. Her journey to hell led her through a fiery furnace that burned 70 % of her body with 2nd and 3rd degree burns, and an over three months hospital stay where God provided personal consolation and healing. After God miraculously saved her from a life in the streets heaped with sin, her zeal for God resulted in her making additional mistakes, including renewing the abusive relationship that had almost cost her life. The story is a modern day version of Dante's Inferno. Each layer of Hell corresponds with a new low in the protagonist's life. Finally, from within the very bowels of Hell, she cries out to the Lord for salvation. This spiritual epiphany becomes a turning point in her life, thrusting her forward from Hell. The tremendous suffering and miraculous ending of this book will offer hope and comfort for anyone suffering from loneliness, heartache, or disappointment. It provides a realistic and human perspective on many social topics such as teenage rebellion and pregnancy, domestic violence, divorce, AIDS, substance abuse, prostitution, and the legal system. It is a necessity for anyone who has been a part or will work with any of these populations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Local author receives rave reviews on first book. -- Columbus Times February 25, 2002

Strongly written, powerful account of a life hard to believe, at intervals sad, at time peaks encouraging and overall worth-living. --The Columbus Times, February, 2002

From the Publisher

This is the heart-wrenching personal saga of a born-again child of God. She has gone through the fire and lived to tell about it. Her personal odyssey to hell and back should serve to help many caught up in the same life-style to find the way out. Her glowing faith in Jesus Christ became the answer for Charlotte. It is the answer for the rest of us, too. I commend her for writing this passionate book. It took great courage to become so vul-nerable and transparent. I recommend it to you and to those whom you might know in "hell" right now.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Reaching Beyond, Inc.; 2 Revised edition (May 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974189308
• ISBN-13: 978-0974189307
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,590,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Charlotte Russell Johnson is the founder of Reaching Beyond Ministries, Inc. and Reaching Beyond the Breaks Ministries. She is a writer, motivational speaker, and Christian evangelist. Her books are impacting lives for the kingdom of God. She has had an active prison ministry for numerous years. She has worked with numerous non-profit agencies. Dr. Johnson served as the New Connections to Work Coordinator at Columbus Technical College when the school began a collaborative partnership with other state agencies to change the face of welfare. Later, she served as the Community Resource Development Coordinator for Region VIII with the Department of Family and Children Services. Her efforts led to a former welfare recipient being selected as the woman of the year by several local radio stations. Additionally, Dr. Johnson was selected citizen of the month by The Columbus Times Newspaper and Columbus Bank and Trust Company. Her work has encompassed helping inmates, victims of AIDS, teenage mothers, welfare recipients, and substance abusers. She was instrumental in establishing Teens Empowerment Awareness with ReSolutions, Inc. (TEARS) based in Phenix City, Alabama. Dr. Johnson has a B.S. in Health Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University where she graduated Phi Kappa Phi and magna cum laude. She was one of the first recipients of the Kennon and Parker Academic Scholarship from Columbus State University. Additionally, she received several honors' awards. She received her Master's Degree from Troy State University in Community Psychology in Counseling. She has a Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Counseling. She attended Beacon University, Southern Christian University, and Andersonville Seminary. However, she states her GED remains her proudest degree. Dr. Johnson is committed to impacting the world for the Kingdom of Christ and is involved in full time ministry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "If there is a way in, then there is a way out", April 1, 2002

By 

James L McTyre Jr (Columbus, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Journey to Hell and Back (Paperback)

Charlotte Russell Johnson shared her story in a way that was simultaneously provocative and reaffirming! She carried her readers on a well-orchestrated journey with many interweaves of truisms that concern this earthly existence. It is difficult to imagine a person's ability to come away from "A Journey to Hell and Back" without asking the existential question - "What is the meaning of Life?" Surely, Ms. Johnson caused this reader to reexamine the question, and to reckon with the power of the human will to survive. However, Ms. Johnson moved a step beyond survival. She has PREVAILED!! She prevailed beyond her overwhelming yearn for acceptance that this reader sensed throughout her story.
Charlotte Russell Johnson's story is like a nightmare. It reminds this reader of a child's sudden awakening from a nightmare, and the child finds that his mother is there, saying all those appropriate things, like "it is going to be okay, I am here, hold my hand". And when Ms. Johnson awoke from her nightmare, she found God there, and realized that He was there all the time. He was reassuring to her that she would be okay and that she is His child, and thereby, meeting the greatest acceptance of all. Yes, Charlotte Johnson has been to hell. However, more importantly, she came back. Just as the great Shirley Caesar frequently says, "if there is a way in, then there is a way out." If you are not sure, just think about Calvary.

Best Wishes Charlotte,
James

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explosive and powerful testimony, July 31, 2002

By 

Doreen Smalls (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Journey to Hell and Back (Paperback)

This book takes you thru the life of a woman who has truly been to hell and back and has survived to tell the story. She is very explicit that it was only the power of God that saved her and continues to sustain her. If you think have been thru hell, read this book because it is a survivor's kit to salvation!!!!!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, June 26, 2002

By 

Bess Moon "moonbean1" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Journey to Hell and Back (Paperback)

This book was a refreshing change from the books that our book club normally reads. I have always viewed myself as a good mother, but have reconsidered this role after reading this book. This book has taught me what unconditional love means. I am now practicing these principles with my children. Any mother who believes she has reached the end of her rope with her child needs to read this book. You will come away with the ability to hold on until the change comes. The mother in this book held on during days that were dark and appeared hopeless. Charlotte may have been to hell and back but it seems her mother went at least 7 times on her shoulders.