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Grace So Amazing: A True Story of God's Grace in the Midst of Life-Shattering Tragedy
An inspirational, true story by Dawn Smith Jordan, a student at Columbia College in South Carolina, whose dreams and plans of sharing college life with her sister were shattered when Shari was kidnapped and brutally murdered. Told in a Reader's Digest article in 1989, Grace So Amazing was also made into a CBS-TV movie, Nightmare in Columbia County.
221 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 16, 2013
I love stories like this. I was just finishing third grade (May 1985) when this happened and I am on the west coast and even though it was national news, I didn't know about it (probably because my mom shielded me from much of the horrors of the world, which is wise). First time I heard about this case was on a documentary several years ago, and it is one of the stories that stuck with me. Just a little aside, but Shari (the victim) was a beautiful girl and I don't think that the actress on that documentary did her any justice. It didn't look at all like her.
I love how Shari, the victim, faces death with courage, and how this family is gracious, yet still very much human, even in the face of extreme cruelty. It is a book about a wonderful family that triumphs over tragedy.
There are two other books about this case ("Murder in the Midlands", and "The Rose of Shari"), but I like this account best. The other two focus more on the horrors, whereas this one focuses more on the spiritual side, and victory. I found the other two a bit too redundant, especially the rambling gibberish of the killer, as he plays games and taunts the family, and acts out in court. I found the court parts of it to be a real snore, the way they dragged it out...but this account just briefly mentions the court part and moves on to the aftermath.
It is a book that will stick with you long after you read the last page!
I love how Shari, the victim, faces death with courage, and how this family is gracious, yet still very much human, even in the face of extreme cruelty. It is a book about a wonderful family that triumphs over tragedy.
There are two other books about this case ("Murder in the Midlands", and "The Rose of Shari"), but I like this account best. The other two focus more on the horrors, whereas this one focuses more on the spiritual side, and victory. I found the other two a bit too redundant, especially the rambling gibberish of the killer, as he plays games and taunts the family, and acts out in court. I found the court parts of it to be a real snore, the way they dragged it out...but this account just briefly mentions the court part and moves on to the aftermath.
It is a book that will stick with you long after you read the last page!
February 5, 2016
If you are battling with forgiveness this is a must read! I feel so honored to have met Dawn Smith Jordan during a women's conference in NC. Her testimony of forgiveness toward the man who took her precious sister's life is inspirational. This book details the personal struggles and triumphs Dawn and her family endured through this case which was also featured in a movie "Nightmare in Columbia County," "The Dawn Smith Story," "Forensic Files," "On the Case with Paula Zahn," and "FBI Files." Looking forward to reading the follow-up book "Thus Far...a Book about Life, Love, Loss and the Lesson Learned Along the Way."
February 20, 2010
Meet the author. Amazing true story book.
March 30, 2016
Very inspirational!
February 5, 2023
A real example of how God makes all things beautiful in His time. May God bless this amazing woman and her family.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews