Unlikely Ways Home: Real-Life Spiritual Detours

by Edward L. Beck

Book Overview

Edward L. Beck's first book, God Underneath , was hailed as "a graceful and gracious work of self-revelation and spiritual wisdom" by the Los Angeles Times , and a review in the Dallas Morning News... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038550859X
• ISBN13: 9780385508599
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Image
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Mary Schmidt should getter better educated!

Mary Cate Schmidt should educate herself better before she goes slamming people like Edward Beck, who has sacrificed alot in his life in order to help others. Maybe she should read his first book, God Underneath, which talks about his own personal struggles including almost losing his mother to a brain tumor. Priests have families, love and issues just like everybody else in this world. Just because they choose a life of service to try to help other people doesn't mean they aren't fully aware, even more so, of the tragedies and injustices of this world. Compassionate people like Edward Beck feel pain just as deeply as anyone. We all have our troubles, some more than others. Anyway, since when does suffering equate to being a better writer and/or a better person...PUH-LEEZ!

Unlikely Ways Home

Father Edward L. Beck, a gifted, compassionate priest of the Passionist community reveals twelve fascinating true-life stories of remarkable individuals. These people through "unlikely" circumstances somehow find their way to God and develop deep spiritual connections. Each chapter brings the reader into a life's faithful journey to share the trials, tribulations and challenges that eventually lead to a profound relationship with God. Father Edward is a very talented writer. Regardless of your own personal circumstances, whether you consider yourself "religious" or not, this book is a must-read. You may be surprised how closely related your own life's experience is to some of the extraordinary people you will meet thorughout the chapters of Unlikely Ways Home. It's as entertaining as it is inspirational. Congratulations to Father Edward L. Beck on this awesome book!

True stories of faith and hope....

"Unlikely Ways Home" is a wonderful book filled with stories of faith and hope found in the lives of ordinary people. In these stories, Fr. Edward Beck describes the challenges they endured, each different in their own way, and the underlying grace that helped them to reconnect with themselves, with others and with God. It would be difficult not to feel empathy or some kind of connection with those whose stories are being told. Their thoughts and feelings will linger with you. Fr. Edward has an incredible sense of insight and his style of writing is thoroughly interesting and engaging. The stories flow very well, helping the reader become drawn into each story. As you read, you begin to believe that if we perservere through the struggles in life - as these people have - and find strength in God with thought and prayer, we will be alright. This book is an excellent reminder that ultimately we are all the same - good or bad, we all have our own stories. Hopefully Fr. Edward will continue to write and enlighten us with his thoughts and honest approach, whatever the subject may be.

Inspirational stories of everyday people

Father Beck's newest book is an inspirational look into the lives of everyday people. Each story is filled with varied emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, and disillusionment. However, one thing is evident, regardless of the circumstances surrounding them and the struggles they face, the people in these stories survive. Their faith is a source of encouragement to the reader. The human element is heart warming, something we can embrace in today's frenetic world. I am sure that you will be able to find someone or something to identify with in at least one of these motivating stories. One message is clear - God is always with us.

ordinary people, extraordinary lives

"Unlikely Ways Home "is what is missing in today's Reality T.V. For those who want to read about the things that "real" life is about this book is a must.I couldn't stop reading. Each story is so well developed. Edward Beck is a master storyteller who takes us inside the lives of his family, friends and acquaintances. I cried,laughed and prayed for and with these people. I felt that I knew them and their journey mattered to me. I travelled with them through their struggles and triumphs and rejoiced in their ability to see God in it all. Edward Beck shows us the many faces of evil. From a pedophile priest, to an alcoholic parent, to a deadly disease, to a german Nazi and todays Islamic fundamentalists. He shows us the pain they cause and the scars they leave behind, but there is a way out. Forgiveness, which he states can be renewing and life- giving and faith in God. These stories resonate forgiveness, faith and acceptance and I saw how liberating that can be. The people in the stories may have travelled different paths and taken some spiritual detours but when healing occurs through the grace of God they are all lead home