Fanny Crosby: An Autobiography

by Fanny J. Crosby, Grapevine Press

"Fanny An Autobiography" unfolds the remarkable life story of the beloved hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. Despite being blind from infancy, Fanny's unwavering faith in God and her profound musical talent paved the way for a life filled with inspirational hymns that continue to resonate with believers worldwide. In this autobiography, Fanny Crosby shares her captivating journey of trusting God's plan, experiencing His redemption, and being a powerful witness of God's grace. Her music ministry has touched countless hearts, and her legacy of faith continues to inspire generations. "Fanny An Autobiography" is a testament to the transformative power of God's love and the impact one life can make when surrendered to His divine purpose.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Music, Autobiography, Christian Non Fiction

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1906

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://kiribeth.blogspot.com/2014/05/...

On the whole, I've not read very many biographies, and no autobiographies, so picking up this book was a new experience for me. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. As a kid, one tends to suffer the delusions that books based on famous people are chock-full of boring facts and names. Fanny Crosby's autobiography, however, was nothing of the sort. The story of her life, although tragic at times, was interesting to learn about. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and each chapter is sprinkled with fun anecdotes. Did you know that she hated math, stood before Congress on two occasions, worked with D.L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey, and had President Grover Cleveland copy out her poems when he was only seventeen?

Personally, Fanny's story was a blessing to see, especially as many people remember her only as the blind hymn-writer. But she was so much more than that. When asked about her condition, she replied that she wasn't bitter about being blind. Instead, she accepted it with love, and she wouldn't trade places with anyone. Never once did she berate what happened to her, but rather thanked God that the first face she would ever see was His, and His alone. In that light, I appreciate her testimony even more, and it makes me think twice now when reading over some of her hymns and poems.


When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand.
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hands.
~ "I Shall Know Him" by Fanny Crosby (1891)

[Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her own words Fanny's story is interesting. I loved and enjoyed reading it. You would almost imagine to go with her blind and know how difficult life would be, yet she lived 94 years. A blessed woman and a blessing to the christian world. I would say a must read for every christian singing "Blessed assurance" to know life of the woman who wrote it.
Its amazing to read her saying, "Mother, if I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die; the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour."

[Daniel Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the beginning of the book was enjoyable, as it helped you to understand a little, but it must be like to be blind. It was also great to see her wonderful poetry that she wrote, and worship of our Savior!

The last part of the book was pretty boring as it listed one poem after another. Although some of them were well worded, it was too much.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of this book.
Then the narrative really fell away, and the last part of the book sort of became a list of all the people she'd ever known or worked with, and it was a little tedious to read through.

Favorite quotes:
At the age of eight or nine, Fanny (blind since infancy) wrote:

Oh, what a happy soul I am,
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don't!
To weep and sigh because I'm blind
I cannot nor I won't.

***

~smile~ Pretty amazing for a little girl to write.

And then this one, later in life:

"Darkness may indeed throw a shadow over the outer vision;
but there is no cloud, however dark,
that can keep the sunlight of hope from the trustful soul."

[Melba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book, but I have enjoyed books written by others about Fanny Crosby a lot better. I just like the way other books flow better, and this one was a bit hard to read for me - it didn't hold my attention as well.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book popped up in my Hoopla feed and looked intriguing as it referenced one of my favorite Christian hymn authors from the past. An amazing story of this blind saint that composed thousands of hymns along with many more poems, etc. Some of my favorite hymns including Redeemed, Praise Him, Tell Me the Story of Jesus, This is My story, and my all-time favorite to play Blessed Assurance just to name a few. She includes a snippet of one of these hymns before each of the chapters. Also included are countless renditions or poetry and songs that she wrote that trail the story of her life and the meetings and conversations with many people including presidents over the years. She includes a chapter regarding how some of the hymns came about along with an entire chapter of Autobiographical Poems.

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fanny Crosby is known for countless classic hymns such as "Blessed Assurance," "In the Cross," "Draw Me Nearer," "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," "Jesus is Tenderly Calling," "To God Be the Glory," "Rescue the Perishing," and approximately 8,000 others. In these pages, the life of the famed hymnist comes alive, as told in her own words.

I found Crosby to be witty, and at times, mischievous and fun. She had a passion for writing and for people. With her positive outlook on life, she was able to overcome blindness and made a significant impact not only upon her immediate circle but upon the history of the church. I enjoyed her accounts of how she developed some of her best-known songs and I am glad that she saw fit to include many of her poems in this book as well.

[Hannah Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an old style of writing, which makes perfect sense. I would’ve loved to know more about her writing and creative process, as she was able to produce SO MUCH WORK. She covered it a little bit, but as someone who loves that style of writing, I would’ve really have loved to read into that. She wrote crazy amounts of hymns and the stories of how they touched many lives was very sweet and probably so encouraging to her as she heard more and more of how the Lord used her writings in hymns. I thought it was silly how she wrote so many, she couldn’t even remember all the ones that were hers. Overall, a good read about a faithful Saint.

[Tirzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in churches that sang many of Fanny Crosby's hymns, so reading the stories behind some of them was highly interesting. It was also interesting to hear in Crosby's own words the tragic reason of her blindness and how she did not let it impede her from pursuing an education. This edition said the book was "gently edited" from the original autobiography published in 1906. I hope it was just grammatical errors and not content that was edited; in any case, her prose was just as lovely as her poetry. I skimmed the tributes and some of the poems she inlcluded at the end of the book, but they were all nicely written.

[Kaylynn Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book, I did find the first half more captivating than the latter. By the end, I found myself less interested in the topics presented (mainly the somewhat tedious history of each hymn or poem). I think perhaps if I were more acquainted with all of Crosby’s work, this would have been more interesting. Nonetheless, it was an appreciated read and I enjoyed her mouse poem in the end.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a wonderful woman. She wrote about many many people she met and how she met them and who she wrote poems for and for when. So it got a little confusing and I couldn’t keep it all straight. She wrote about some of the hymns she wrote also. Nothing was said about her husband or that their marriage kind of ended until the time of his death. They lived apart for many years .

[Alandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful firsthand account of Ms. Crosby's life! I had no idea she was such a joker, and I laughed out loud several times in this book, mostly at her accounts of her early life in school. 4 stars instead of 5 because I was so excited to read more about her love story with her husband, and she literally only wrote one paragraph about him in the entire book! I don't know if they had a dreadful relationship or if they just preferred to keep it private.
Excellent read regardless.

[Chris Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest sight in all the world is Jesus. She could see Him, and out of her heart poured poems of joy, love and peace.

[Mel Jaeger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed to be honest. My mother-in-law read as I was getting rid of book and she didn't enjoy it either. I found her a bit self centred... sad she didn't have a good marriage..

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fascinating story about Fanny Crosby told by herself when she was 83. She discussed historical events throughout her life as well as the impact her songs had on those around her.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great autobiography! As would be expected, much of the book are poems and hymns she included. Very interesting life at an interesting time in America’s history.

[Jodi Uplinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I enjoyed the parts about her life, but I'm not a big fan of poetry and there was a lot of that.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty dry. Lots of name dropping, poetry both hers and friends of hers.

[Jon Fugler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated getting into the life of someone who has had such a great impact on the Church. She was nothing like I expected her to be. She was real, fun, a mover and shaker. And had such great depth spiritually. And what a sense of humor. I think you will be surprised as you dig into this book. It did slow in the last 25 per cent as she went through hymn by hymn and told a little about each. I was more interested in hearing about her and her circle of friends. Fanny Crosby had a profound impact on some of the most noted people of the day.

[Barry Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blessed Assurance, Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It, I Am Thine, O, Lord.
The autobiography of one of the most gifted hymn writers
in Christendom.
Though she likely left out details and accounts (likely out of
humility and modesty), this is a great book.
Inspiring and entertaining.
She was a godly woman with a great sense of humor, and could be a cut up also :-)

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire this woman who wrote so many amazing hymns that touch people's lives still today. But the book was not written very well, didn't follow a timeline and jumped all over the place, was hard to follow, and I felt was just filled with a lot of name dropping of all the famous people she knew.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this women and her story...

[Brianna Stedman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why, oh why, did I read this book? One word: School. Must I say more?

[Lark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why, oh why, did I read this book? One word: School. Must I say more?

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much about famous people she met and poems, lyrics she wrote. I am more interested in her real life and walk with Christ.

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about a lovely blind lady who wrote some very famous hymns.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so hard to conceive that Fanny wrote hundreds and hundreds of poems. She did practice diligently, but how did she have the inspiration?

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice look into Fanny Crosby's life and works.

[Janet Durham]

Good history of an amazing woman.

[Amy Talbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about a remarkable woman whose hymns have blessed my heart.