Deathbed Conversions: Finding Faith at the Finish Line

by Karen Edmisten

In the stories of famous people like John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Dutch Shultz, Patricia Neal, Oscar Wilde, and more -- we come to learn that a deathbed conversion is not a loophole, or an unfair advantage. It is the mercy of God at work.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Biography

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Author of After Miscarriage, Companion Book of Catholic Days, Deathbed Conversions, You Can Share the Faith: Reaching Out One Person at a Time, Through the Year With Mary, and The Rosary.

Reviews

[Kenneth Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book examines the lives of several famous people who felt called to believe in a Higher Power during their lives but continued "living their lives." I found it sad in parts, mainly because of the problems they had created for themselves. If you like stories about the "Hound of Heaven," this book is for you.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slender volume is a quick and easy read which may surprise you with the sheer variety and individuality of the converts. Buffalo Bill rubs shoulders with Wallace Stevens, who scoots over for John Wayne and Gary Cooper. Communist journalist hell-raisers, witty society elite, hardened gangsters, and kings on the run all have one thing in common: in the end they turned to the Catholic Church when they were at the end of their life.

I liked the way that author Karen Edmisten used various stories to point out commonalities between situations. Sometimes all the potential convert needed was one prompting question from a trusted friend. Often conversions are so last minute and private that they are doubted by the world because the internal path was kept so private. (This was something I could relate to as in my own conversion I didn't even tell my husband I was debating questions with God. He was stunned.)

I especially liked the point made in the forward that often life-long Catholics feel as if the deathbed convert cheated by slipping in the door at the last minute. From observing my father who turned to God mere weeks before his death, I can say that what is left is the regret for a wasted life which could have been so much fuller of love and purpose. Looking forward there is a joy and peace that we should not begrudge any soul. God loves them to the end and we should at least try to have His vision in mind.

Edmisten also points out how important friends are in general, sometimes making a big difference simply by being true friends until the end. Time and again, we see the path to conversion can be something that is incomprehensible to anyone but the person who is struggling with the question. This point struck me in particular and she says it quite well here.

The Lord does not always come to us in recognizable or traditionally "religious" ways. Sometimes the first glimpse many of us see of Jesus Christ is unadorned, all-encompassing love.

It's a little too easy for us Catholics to want to retreat from the world, to hang out with only Catholic friends, with people who understand us and share our values. Make no mistake--there is great merit in finding and nurturing that kind of support. It is not only helpful, but crucial to cultivate a Catholic culture in our lives, and, more expansively, in our world. At the same time, we are called to be in the world but not of it, and sometimes that means the greatest work of mercy we can perform is to befriend the girl sitting next to us in drama class, or to remain loyal to a wife who has turned our world upside down.

(From the Introduction)

Deathbed Conversions is both entertaining and thought provoking to read. Definitely recommended.

Note, this was a review copy, as if that'd have made any difference to my opinion if I didn't like it (which publishers and authors know to their sorrow.) Nope. This is my opinion. I stand by it.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book of various deathbed conversions. I often pray for those living or dead that they will finally cling to Christ. So often my prayers are answered in a very positive way that I know that all persons are present to Him at once, past, present and future. Therefore seeing some of these whom I’ve prayed for so long ago presented in this small book causes me joy. I understand that this is not a great literary art work, and that it does not have huge depth. But I learned long ago that there are times when depth is overrated. I also understand there will be those who have a “so what”. point of view. But me? I rejoice to know these souls have embraced Him, finally.

[Ciara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, very easy to read and also gives some great information about the background of each of the people mentioned in the book

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, a convert herself to the Catholic faith, was called to tell the stories of some well-known historical people and their last minute conversions. Well-told and inspiring.

[Christian Engler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Edmisten’s Deathbed Conversions: Finding Faith at the Finish Line was one of the most beautiful and unique books on conversions that I’ve come across. By detailing the faith struggles and dynamics (or lack thereof) of eminent figures in cinema (John Wayne, Patricia Neal, Gary Cooper), literature (Oscar Wilde and Wallace Stevens), journalism (Heywood Broun), art (Kenneth Clark and Aubrey Beardsley), crime (Arthur Flegenheimer aka Dutch Schultz), royalty ( King Charles II), showmanship (William Frederick Cody aka Buffalo Bill), medicine (Alexis Carrel) and science (John von Neumann), Edmisten, gives a tight and cohesive summary of how all the famous figures she profiled were, not searching for God exactly, but were-by varying degrees-inwardly empty and substituting God with other things, things that could not quell the unexplainable deep-seated hunger that they had (despite their success) which was not being met by worldly offerings, unless one had faith. Their hardness of heart and indifference to faith made them cold. Actions speak louder than words. And some of their actions were real doozies (read about Patricia Neal). Read also the case of Dr. Alexis Carrel who witnessed not one but two certified miracles at Lourdes and who STILL could not bring himself to belief! They could not ground themselves in any specific doctrine of faith-never mind the Catholic faith-unless it was a personal philosophy or work ethic or love interest of their own making and choosing. To that point, read about Wallace Stevens and the beauty through poetry; for him poetry was an example of uncontaminated graspable transcendence which did not reflect in any way, shape, manner or form of the theological God. And yet, it did, much to his initial intellectual chagrin; these people simply couldn’t take the leery plunge into the belief of God. Despite being atheistic (which was almost all of them with perhaps the exception of John Wayne who seemed more agnostic), each person profiled in Deathbed Conversions, was, primarily, a good person and a good soul. But, it was the latter aspect of ‘soul' which they were dubious about. By accepting faith, one does not lose intellect or reason, one does not become silly putty in the hands of a grand human manipulator (although that has happened). But that seemed (to me at least) an underlying and unspoken concern, for there have indeed been hypocritical charlatans of the cloth of all religious denominations who have been only too eager to feed off the vulnerability and gullibility of the innocent. However, to have faith, one must always question and have reason and intellect. Look at the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary in Luke 1:32- 38. She doesn’t hesitate to question: Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' But in her humility, she takes the answer at face value whereas Edmisten’s profiled folks struggle at and against the glaring truth. If for no other reason to accept faith, I did like the mentioning of Pascal’s Wager whereby it would be wise to live as if there is a God, because if there is not, one hasn’t lost anything. But if God exists, one has gained Heaven and skirted hell, as mentioned in the case of John von Neumann on page 94. This was a wonderful read, so different from the usual plate offerings of holy people. I could relate to the people in Edmisten’s book. I was rooting for them, wanting them to have this gift of faith, despite their reservations and struggles. In the end, suffering illness and close to death, they did, ultimately accept faith, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (in all stages of life): Psalm 111:10. Better late than never. I’m sure God lovingly rejoiced with them and for them when they opened themselves to truth, warmly embracing his prodigal children. A wonderful read!

[Elkaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read for me, reading it on the train in one go. Loved it, rasied the many questions I throught myself overtime. But, how many deathbed conversions happen today, when faith isn't has strong as today. Anyway, this novel says there is hope for anyone, we just need to pray for them.

But, really loved this book, just wish it was a little longer, and more people in it!

[Dahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching collection of stories of individuals who found the Catholic Faith on their death bed after lives which ranged from downright evil to just 'on-the-edge'. The stories are shorter than usual in books like this, hence the one lost star, but otherwise a very uplifting and touching read.

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biographically interesting, mostly because of the insight it gave me about some famous people I grew up hearing about.

[Jane Lebak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was in the guest room where I stayed, so I went through it at night before bed. It's pretty much as it says: each chapter is a mini biography of a famous and influential figure, followed by the details of the person's conversion at the end of life. There isn't much overall discussion of the themes or the reasons why you might see deathbed conversions across populations or why psychologically or spiritually it makes sense to see these. Very few are actually "deathbed-deathbed" conversions, taking place in the final months rather than the final hour, but overall the author does a decent job of tracing the seeds of faith in the subject's life and how they finally bore fruit at the end.

[Brianna Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I learned a lot about some converts I was unaware of, including Wallace Stevens and Patricia Neal. May be inspiring to some, but I read it mostly as interesting trivia.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories

This book is a quick read. It gives accounts of deathbed conversions of some famous people. It is an encouragement for all Christians to live as witnesses to Christ not only for their own sake, but as an encouragement for non-believers.

[Crystal Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good explanation for why we shouldn't be angry the prodigal son is saved, as well as the good and faithful son. You will be inspired by these celebrity, true stories. Enjoyed the book very much - good read.

[Edward Barrette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Enjoyed Deathbed Conversions. Nice to know people that you admire deep down had faith in God & The Catholic Church.

[Lisa Elam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about other people’s faith and what brings them to said faith. This book did not disappoint!