The Other Side of Suffering: The Father of JonBenet Ramsey Tells the Story of His Journey from Grief to Grace [Kindle Edition]

John Ramsey (Author), Marie Chapian (Contributor)

Book Description

The untold story of how John Ramsey survived unspeakable tragedy and learned to hope again.

Like the biblical Job, John Ramsey had it all-wealthy, social position, a loving family. And like Job, Ramsey was destined for great affliction, as many of the most precious things in his life were cruelly taken from him.

First came the death of his eldest daughter in a car accident in 1992. Then, four years later, his beloved six-year-old, JonBenét, was murdered; Ramsey was the one who discovered her body, concealed in the basement of his family's home. The case drew international media attention, and-compounding Ramsey's woe-suspicion unfairly focused on Ramsey and his wife, Patsy. Although they were ultimately cleared of any connection with the crime, Ramsey's sorrows did not end. In 2006, Patsy died, at 49, of ovarian cancer.

In this remarkable book, Ramsey reveals how he was sustained by faith during the long period of spiritual darkness, and he offers hope and encouragement to others who suffer tragedy and injustice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Part memoir, part murder mystery and part diatribe, this book targets socially conservative Christians, but much of its content will undoubtedly engender sympathy in a broader audience. . . .As we read their account of the hellishness of their lives since their daughter's murder, we realize that nothing about this situation has ever been fair and simply mourn that they had occasion to write this book at all." (Publishers Weekly on The Death of Innocence 2001)

Review

"Part memoir, part murder mystery and part diatribe, this book targets socially conservative Christians, but much of its content will undoubtedly engender sympathy in a broader audience. . . .As we read their account of the hellishness of their lives since their daughter's murder, we realize that nothing about this situation has ever been fair and simply mourn that they had occasion to write this book at all." (Publishers Weekly on The Death of Innocence 2001)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 396 KB
• Print Length: 273 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0892963859
• Publisher: FaithWords; 1 edition (March 14, 2012)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004QX07F0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,285 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 103 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story Never Before Told March 12, 2012

By Tom Dye

Format:Hardcover

On Christmas night 1996, six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was violently murdered in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado, home while the rest of her family slept upstairs in their beds. Her father, John Ramsey, was placed under an umbrella of suspicion as being her killer. Her mother, Patsy Ramsey, who was battling ovarian cancer at the time, was publicly placed under that same umbrella. The Other Side of Suffering is John Ramsey's story of the tremendous suffering and heartache he has endured in his life. But this is not just the story of a singular horrific event, and it is not the story you've heard over and over from the news media. It is, in a story never before told, John Ramsey's personal journey of suffering, courage, and faith.

Extremely well written and filled with emotion, this book contains many sad and incredible stories told to illustrate John Ramsey's journey through suffering and faith. Although I initially approached reading this book with skepticism, I soon found myself reading through tear-filled blurry eyes. By the time I had finished reading, I had openly wept several times throughout the book.

This book was written as an encouragement to those who might otherwise abandon their faith in God in times of crisis and tragedy. The author elucidates the fact that life is not always fair, life is not always easy, but God is always good.

"People ask me how long it takes to get over the loss of a child. My response is, you never get over it." ~John Ramsey

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Convincing June 21, 2012

By Whatsername

Format:Kindle Edition

Unlike some reviewers, I am not among those who have ardently followed the details of this case over the years. However, I have always thought that something didn't ring true about the whole tale, and I could certainly see why the authorities considered the Ramseys suspect. This book did nothing to dispel that impression and in fact reinforced my doubts about their story.

Mr. Ramsey has inarguably suffered painful losses, and I believe he has relied heavily on faith to survive. Apparently this book was written with the purpose of sharing how his spiritual growth has sustained him and how the losses have inspired him to persevere. I believe he mostly succeeded with that message; however I felt it also came across as every bit as much an attempt to justify his and his wife's actions, as well as an effort to convince us that they were victims of a vast conspiracy against them. He often sounds petulant and sarcastic, never missing an opportunity to take the authorities to task for having a preconceived agenda. And he is absolutely merciless with the media - even accusing them of enhancing the photos of JonBenet in her pageant regalia to make her look more made up than she actually was. (Still, no amount of photographic manipulation would change the fact that an innocent six-year-old child was dressed up with bleached blonde hair and full stage makeup, then put on public display in a beauty competition.) On the other hand when referring to himself or his wife, he tends to portray their actions as above reproach and always justifiable - never missing an opportunity to use the excuse of being a grieving parent to gloss over any perceived unusual behavior on their part.

Whether or not any of my observations are accurate, my point is that there is so much of that type of innuendo that it made me doubt the sincerity of his intentions in publishing this particular book. Sort of a general impression of "thou protests too much." Overall, while I appreciate Mr. Ramsey's need to share his journey of faith, it left me not with a feeling of closure, but rather, still wondering if the full story will ever really be known.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not recommended, read Kolar's book instead August 24, 2012

By M Naylor

Format:Hardcover

Sorry, but there should be aa statute of limitations on public relations campaigns and obfuscation.

I work in the legal field and have read the transcripts of the Ramsey case. This case has not had closure, and the American public deserves the truth. Today's tv media promoting Ramsey's book really has been unsavory, and I recommend anyone truly interested in the facts of this case, reads the new release written by James Kolar: "Foreign faction: Who really kidnapped JonBenet Ramsey".

After reading the evidence, and knowing that MANY records mysteriously disappeared very early in this case, there can be only a one conclusion. This latest ghost-written book by Ramsey's defense team is nothing but image control. If the reader is interested in facts of this disturbing case, please read James Kolar's new book. He tells the truth, and has no reason fabricate an image, or to lie to the public.