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Grace like a River: An Autobiography
This book details Christopher Parkening's rise to fame as one of the world's preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar—and everything it cost him to get there. In spite of his enormous success, he discovered that without true meaning and purpose, all his worldly accomplishments were empty and unsatisfying. Grace Like a River is the story of a young man, filled with determination and drive, who was willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve the highest level of excellence. It is also the story of how God pursued Christopher Parkening in order to give him eternal hope.
Special limited-time CD of guitar selections by Mr. Parkening included in book.
Special limited-time CD of guitar selections by Mr. Parkening included in book.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 31, 2021
An inspiring autobiography that really encouraged me to pursue excellence.
There's quite a bit on fly-fishing, which I've never had any particular interest in, but I still found those parts enjoyable.
I also really appreciate the "reflections" section in the back.
Overall, this was an easy read, with a couple parts that made me laugh out loud, and I would recommend to anyone who wants to further their appreciation of classical guitar or fly-fishing.
There's quite a bit on fly-fishing, which I've never had any particular interest in, but I still found those parts enjoyable.
I also really appreciate the "reflections" section in the back.
Overall, this was an easy read, with a couple parts that made me laugh out loud, and I would recommend to anyone who wants to further their appreciation of classical guitar or fly-fishing.
February 8, 2022
I have a mixed cassette of Christopher Parkening recordings buried in the basement. He's a great classical guitar player that I haven't given much thought to - until now.
As soon as I got into this book I dug out my old tape and gave it a listen: He's even better than I assumed, especially when you crank his recordings really loud and pretend you are in a concert hall. So it was great to hear him discuss his many concerts and recording adventures. Who ever thought being a classical guitarist could be so cool.
I was thrilled that Christopher became friends with John MacArthur. There's no better Bible teacher on this planet. It's a relief to learn that someone has become a serious Christian with a desire for the truth and not just another liberal Jesus celebrity who rejects scripture and sprinkles some Jesus dust on their debauched lifestyle.
So once again there's another Christian musician I can't wait to make music with in Heaven for eternity.
This book didn't mention what Christopher thought of rock music or other guitar players like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Steve Morse. I'll ask him that when I meet him. :D
As soon as I got into this book I dug out my old tape and gave it a listen: He's even better than I assumed, especially when you crank his recordings really loud and pretend you are in a concert hall. So it was great to hear him discuss his many concerts and recording adventures. Who ever thought being a classical guitarist could be so cool.
I was thrilled that Christopher became friends with John MacArthur. There's no better Bible teacher on this planet. It's a relief to learn that someone has become a serious Christian with a desire for the truth and not just another liberal Jesus celebrity who rejects scripture and sprinkles some Jesus dust on their debauched lifestyle.
So once again there's another Christian musician I can't wait to make music with in Heaven for eternity.
This book didn't mention what Christopher thought of rock music or other guitar players like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Steve Morse. I'll ask him that when I meet him. :D
January 5, 2019
I encountered the recordings of Christopher Parkening back when I was 19 or so, and always thought he was probably the best classical guitarist around (I preferred him to Segovia, who I was lucky enough to hear in concert). I owned all his Angel recordings on vinyl, and replaced them with CDs when those became available. In the 90s, I took up playing classical guitar and actually had a chance to attend a Parkening master class, as an auditor. My write-up has been floating around the internet for over 20 years now (https://www.indra.com/~jkenyon/parken...). Anyway...I'm a fan.
This was an enjoyable quick read on the arc(s) of Parkening's career. I would have preferred more of the music/musician content. I read and enjoyed this for the guitar aspect, less so for the fishing (I'm a vegetarian, and even put off by the idea of catch and release) and the very devout Christianity (if I'm anything, I'm probably a secular Buddhist). But I'm happy that Parkening found what he needed to bring meaning to his life, and wish him well.
This was an enjoyable quick read on the arc(s) of Parkening's career. I would have preferred more of the music/musician content. I read and enjoyed this for the guitar aspect, less so for the fishing (I'm a vegetarian, and even put off by the idea of catch and release) and the very devout Christianity (if I'm anything, I'm probably a secular Buddhist). But I'm happy that Parkening found what he needed to bring meaning to his life, and wish him well.
January 4, 2020
I enjoyed the story. What was difficult to process was the father/son relationship. Although the father was dictatorial and harsh at times, Christopher seemed to relish the relationship. He went back time and again for his father's advice and assistance and seemed to bear no resentment. I wonder how Christopher parents his son.
His music is glorious. The story made me decide to add a few more of his works to my collection.
His music is glorious. The story made me decide to add a few more of his works to my collection.
August 30, 2020
It was a well-written autobiography of a highly accomplished musician. Many lessons or thoughts came to mind: the high price of excellence, the emptiness of worldly success, the grace of God, the costs of following Christ, and more. Much here that is good.
July 23, 2019
I knew I would like this one.
September 15, 2023
Generally a good read, though the last 40 pages fell flat. And is it really necessary to identify more than 100 people by name in the acknowledgments?
September 24, 2024
In this autobiography, world-renowned classical guitarist Christopher Parkening recounts his story of rising to success, realizing it wasn't what he thought it would be, and then coming to Christ. I'm not familiar with classical music, so the specifics of that genre were foreign to me, but it was interesting to read about. The way Christopher wove together stories about his music with tales from his fly-fishing expeditions was interesting as well. The book was more emotionally disengaged than I would have preferred, however.
Reading the path of someone who has achieved mastery in his field was probably the most interesting part of the book.
Reading the path of someone who has achieved mastery in his field was probably the most interesting part of the book.
February 26, 2022
Extremely informative for the amateur classical guitarist. Pakening started young (11) but put in relatively short hours, 1.5 hours in the morning and another 1.5 hours after school. He had wonderful instruction (Romero family, Andre Segovia), connections (mother’s cousin was big shot at Capitol records and married to Ginger Rogers), came from the necessary upper class back ground and got in on the ground floor of the classical guitar taking root in America.
He was a burn out retiree at 30. His descriptions of being nineteen years old and out on the road touring by himself, a lonely sensitive kid, are genuinely sad. He tells a story of being shaken down in New York by grifters-he was from Brentwood and no match for street toughs. Somehow not finding fulfillment in his prodigious talent, (heaven knows it must be a trial being one of the greatest classical guitarists in the world) he found Jesus and is now seemingly at peace. His description of Segovia at 94 puttering around his studio above his apartment in Madrid is really wonderful. And he does a good job getting across the amount of hard work, and the emotional difficulty, of playing at that level. Segovia put in five hours a day to the end of his life. Chris mentions a fellow student in the dorm room next to him playing ten hours a day but, it seemed to Chris at the time, not really getting any better. The “monotony” of it helped the young Parkening, America’s own virtuoso, fall asleep. Such a strange world we live in. Thank you Maestro Parkening for what you did for the instrument for some beautiful music.
He was a burn out retiree at 30. His descriptions of being nineteen years old and out on the road touring by himself, a lonely sensitive kid, are genuinely sad. He tells a story of being shaken down in New York by grifters-he was from Brentwood and no match for street toughs. Somehow not finding fulfillment in his prodigious talent, (heaven knows it must be a trial being one of the greatest classical guitarists in the world) he found Jesus and is now seemingly at peace. His description of Segovia at 94 puttering around his studio above his apartment in Madrid is really wonderful. And he does a good job getting across the amount of hard work, and the emotional difficulty, of playing at that level. Segovia put in five hours a day to the end of his life. Chris mentions a fellow student in the dorm room next to him playing ten hours a day but, it seemed to Chris at the time, not really getting any better. The “monotony” of it helped the young Parkening, America’s own virtuoso, fall asleep. Such a strange world we live in. Thank you Maestro Parkening for what you did for the instrument for some beautiful music.
June 16, 2013
A charming autobiography of Chris Parkening. His father was a strict taskmaster and abusive. Never the less, Parkening, like other virtuoso guitarists fell in love with the recordings of Andres Segovia and pursued that amazing sound with all of his heart. Even when is teacher for several years told his parents to stop listening to Segovia, he continued and achieved excellence as well as became a favorite player of the man himself.
Parkening is also very open about his journey of faith and this too is inspiring. The main thing is that through rediscovering Christianity, Parkening rediscovered the purpose in making music and resumed a public music career. Thank God for that!
But this is not all. Parkening also went on to achieve mastery and greatness in fly fishing and he also shares this love throughout the book.
Parkening is also very open about his journey of faith and this too is inspiring. The main thing is that through rediscovering Christianity, Parkening rediscovered the purpose in making music and resumed a public music career. Thank God for that!
But this is not all. Parkening also went on to achieve mastery and greatness in fly fishing and he also shares this love throughout the book.
May 31, 2014
Parkening's autobiography is interested as it shows the factors that lead him to become one of the best classical guitarists of his generation.
His father was a major force, involved in his study plans and always driving him forward.
His work with Segovia over the years gives insight into Segovia's ideals regarding technique and interpretation.
Chapters on the guitar are interspersed with chapters on fly fishing.
In his early thirties, Parkening became heavily religious. Most of his achievements in the first half of the book are due to his own efforts, but in the second half they are due to God's intervention.
His father was a major force, involved in his study plans and always driving him forward.
His work with Segovia over the years gives insight into Segovia's ideals regarding technique and interpretation.
Chapters on the guitar are interspersed with chapters on fly fishing.
In his early thirties, Parkening became heavily religious. Most of his achievements in the first half of the book are due to his own efforts, but in the second half they are due to God's intervention.
April 30, 2012
I would give this a 2.5 star rating....some where between it was ok and I liked it.
There is some interesting background info on what it's like to be a touring and recording musician. I found the tone to be somewhat negative though.
His stories about fly fishing are more enjoyable to read.
BTW - guitarist Liona Boyd also has a book out about her life.
I've only read through sections but it is much more positive than Parkening's book and full of interesting info of behind the scenes activity of recording and touring (especially from a woman's viewpoint).
There is some interesting background info on what it's like to be a touring and recording musician. I found the tone to be somewhat negative though.
His stories about fly fishing are more enjoyable to read.
BTW - guitarist Liona Boyd also has a book out about her life.
I've only read through sections but it is much more positive than Parkening's book and full of interesting info of behind the scenes activity of recording and touring (especially from a woman's viewpoint).
October 31, 2012
I liked this more than I thought I would. You can forgive slightly cheesy writing when it's someone's autobiography and they're not a writer. This book supports my theory that you can't be truly great at something without it consuming your life to the exclusion of all else. He did find God though and a lot of what he says about being a Christian rings true. Except for doing everything to glorify God. God doesn't need us to glorify Him--He already is glorified. He needs us to be instruments in His hands to do His work.
Surprisingly enjoyable read.
Surprisingly enjoyable read.
July 18, 2008
I love this man! His guitar touch is unique! There's nothing more intense that his interpretation of classic guitar masterpieces. His biography is an example of devotion and determination, along with deep faith in God. If you have never listen to anything played by Christopher Parkening immediately surf you-tube and listen to it! Thank you Christopher for the gift of your talent!
September 15, 2014
A great insight into what it's like to be a pro guitar player, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially Parkening's anecdotes about the many famous people he met throughout his career. The second half talks a lot more about his religion and reliance on God, but no matter your personal beliefs it's interesting to see how his own helped him shape his career.
March 7, 2012
Poor Christopher has serious issues - horrified by what his father put him through to make him into a professional musician of world renown. Does it really take this level of effort, and frankly abuse, to make it to the upper echelons of artistic endeavor? Liked the fly fishing chapters.
August 24, 2014
Although Mr. Parkening's writing style is direct with little embellishment, I admire his dedication to his craft. This is his story of his rise as a world famous classical guitar artist, his search for peace and his love for his Saviour.
July 22, 2015
This book is about a young man who’s willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve the highest level of excellence. And also, it’s a story of how God pursued him in order to give him true meaning and purpose that turned his enormous success into full and deeply satisfying accomplishment.
November 1, 2007
Loving this book. Christopher Parkening has a wonderful ability to spin a tale about his life as a classical guitarist and fly fisherman. It is entertaining and thought provoking.
August 6, 2008
Included a CD of his music. Recommended for fans only.
March 25, 2013
not great, not bad.....just kind of interesting.
November 7, 2013
Mr. Parkening has an incredible life! Very inspirational! Sincere, simplistic, straightforward, and fascinating. God has truly placed his hand on this renowned musician's life!
Read
December 30, 2016Easy read also very nice story.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews