Charles W. Colson

by Jonathan Aitken

He was Nixon’s hatchet man. A jailed felon. And now, one of the most significant Christian leaders of our time. Here is his life story.

Charles Colson has become one of the most revered leaders of our time. His ministry outreach, Prison Fellowship, has swelled to 40,000 volunteers working in 100 countries. His Angel Tree Christmas program provides presents to more than half a million children of prison inmates every year. His daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint, airs daily on more than 1,000 radio outlets across the country. And his twenty books have sold more than five million copies in the U.S.

But God had to work some mighty miracles to bring this unusual servant to this prominent place of service. After all, Colson was known as President Nixon’s “hatchet man.” His involvement in the Watergate conspiracy led him to prison–and then to a life-changing encounter with God.

Now, noted author Jonathan Aitken has written the first biography that compellingly presents a first-rate understanding of the political, historical, and spiritual journeys of Charles W. Colson… a life redeemed.

Genres: Biography, History, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Justice

448 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2005

About the author

Jonathan William Patrick Aitken is a former Conservative Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom for 24 years, and a former British government Cabinet minister. He was convicted of perjury in 1999 and received an 18-month prison sentence, of which he served seven months.

Reviews

[Gene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life of Chuck Colson is a very inspiring one. He of course was convicted of illegal acts in the Watergate episode of the Nixon administration. But before his sentencing, he came to faith in Jesus Christ that transformed him and gave him the strength to face his imprisonment. He came out of that trial with a calling from God to provide the hope of Christ to inmates in America and around the world. He also became a force for changing the Evangelical church's engagement with the culture and cooperation with Roman Catholics.

I had read his autobiography Born Again in high school, and had a teacher comment cynically that this was not an authentic change of heart, but a ploy to change his perception by the public. But the life he lived for Christ until he died in 2012 proved that he had a genuine conversion and that he never did shrink back from his trust in Jesus, even when it was costly to him.

This book provides a good overview of Colson's life. I was a bit disappointed. I think it could have benefited from stronger editing. I saw a handful of grammatical or other errors, and it felt that the chapters were not pieced together well sometimes. There were cliches that made me cringe a little bit, too. But if one wishes to be inspired by a man who made a strong comeback (by God's grace) after being guilty of some awful mistakes, this would be book that fulfills that role.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Jonathan Aitken fan. I love his writing style. I had previously read Chuck Colson’s book Born Again, but Aitken’s book gave me so much more information. It was completely enjoyable and very informing. Highly recommend!

[Michael Locklear]

On loan to Sandra Parrott (5.3.2023)

[Andrew Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Colson is one of my heroes. How one life can change, and thereby changing the lives of millions.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading. I was aware of the Watergate story and of Charles Colson's leadership of Prison Fellowship. But reading this book gave me a lot of the history of both that I wasn't aware of.

It did show the change in his life and the good that he has done without making him out to be a saint without flaw.

And it is good to read the story of a life that has been redeemed.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love you, boss!

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life of the subject was very interesting. The book itself was average. If you're looking for the basic story of Chuck Colson's life, this one will give it to you.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It held my attention from beginning to end.

[Derrick Swinarsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but a very slow read for me...