Vanya [Paperback]

Myrna Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1996

A Classic That's Inspired Millions!Out of the dark shadows of Soviet atheism rose a fearless young man whose boldness for Christ would make him a testimony to millions of believers around the world. This is the true story of Ivan (Vanya) Moiseyev, a soldier in the Soviet Red Army who was ruthlessly persecuted and incarcerated for his faith. Through two years of trial and torture, he never denied his Savior, and he never hesitated to share the gospel with anyone who would listen. You'll be inspired to live for Christ in your own world as never before after you experience the gripping story of a believer named Vanya.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Myrna Grant was born in Hamilton,Ontario and retains her Canadian citizenship although makes her home in Wheaton, Illinois. She holds the Ph.D from Northwestern University in Evanston and taught in the graduate Communication department of Wheaton College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Charisma House; 2nd edition (July 12, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884190099
• ISBN-13: 978-0884190097
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Religious

More About the Author

Myrna Grant was born in Hamilton,Ontario and retains her Canadian citizenship although makes her home in Wheaton, Illinois. She holds the Ph.D from Northwestern University in Evanston and taught in the graduate Communication department of Wheaton College for 23 years. Her best-selling book, Vanya, was published in 1974 and has remained in print for 36 years (and counting) in English and several foreign translations.She has traveled and lectured widely and continues to write and teach. She is an avid reader and is active in her local Episcopal church.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serving God and country in the Soviet Army, July 19, 2005

By 

D. Buck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vanya (Paperback)

Vanya was a young man drafted into the Soviet Army in 1970. He had been a believer for only two years, but during that time he had internalized the Scriptures, even though he didn't even own a Bible. His first priority upon arriving in the Ukraine for Basic Training was to find a private place to pray each morning. Thus before he had been in the Army for a week he was already in trouble for his religion.
This book chronicles, using the God's-eye view approach to telling the story, the relentless persecution that followed, culminating in his heroic death by torture for refusing to recant. Fearless before the might of the Evil Empire, Vanya was the stone upon which many stumbled and were broken, but only became more hardened to all efforts to conform him to the Soviet Ideal. Though plagued by doubts, Vanya found his faith miraculously strengthed in his darkest hours, and left behind a trail of new believers and demoralized interrogators wherever he was taken.

His death accomplished what his life couldn't: the Soviet Army admitted defeat and never again applied its utmost force to a believer in hopes of turning him from the faith.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful!, September 16, 2003

By 

L. Williams (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vanya (Paperback)

This is a book about God's faithfulness to His own in spite of suffering, persecution and death. It is about one man's relationship with the Living God, to whom he had abandonded himself totally. It's a book about what is truly important and worth clinging to when there is absolutely no other hope. I read the story of Ivan Moisyev years ago with tears, awe and humility and the memory of Ivan's story of faith, suffering and, ultimately, martyrdom for the cause of Christ still haunts me. It left behind on my soul the burning questions, "If I were faced with such terrible persecution how would I respond? Would I remain faithful to Christ to the point of death? Could I really love and forgive those who might so terribly persecute me?". All these years later I'm left with the challenge to be willing to surrender everything, including my life to God in Christ.[...]

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Precious Christian Example, March 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vanya (Paperback)

Vanya's life is a plain, though powerful, example of the soul who seeks Jesus' will and no more on this earth. And is a great demonstration of what Jesus can do with the believer who loves Him more than himself or any thing in this world.