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Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody: 12 Stories of Real People Who Discovered The Life-Changing Power of Grace
Forgiveness will unleash a power in your life that is underrated and often ignored.
It is underrated mainly because it is underused. We fail to capture the power of forgiveness because we are afraid of it, because we have grown comfortable in our familiar wounds, or because we are sinfully stubborn. But the power is there waiting for us.
The lesson is Give forgiveness and you will unleash a flood of grace on yourself and on those around you. When you clench your fists and grit your teeth in anger toward someone, you have no room in your heart for God to place His hand in yours. Replace your clenched fist with an open hand and watch as God fills your soul to overflowing.
This little book, and the twelve real-life stories in it, will help you capture the power of forgiveness in your life. Because everybody needs to forgive somebody.
It is underrated mainly because it is underused. We fail to capture the power of forgiveness because we are afraid of it, because we have grown comfortable in our familiar wounds, or because we are sinfully stubborn. But the power is there waiting for us.
The lesson is Give forgiveness and you will unleash a flood of grace on yourself and on those around you. When you clench your fists and grit your teeth in anger toward someone, you have no room in your heart for God to place His hand in yours. Replace your clenched fist with an open hand and watch as God fills your soul to overflowing.
This little book, and the twelve real-life stories in it, will help you capture the power of forgiveness in your life. Because everybody needs to forgive somebody.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
67 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Allen R. Hunt
17 books33 followersDr. Allen Hunt and his team are pursuing a vision to build a nationwide talk radio show on mainstream stations to create a place where real life and faith come together. The Allen Hunt Show focuses not on what's right and left but on what's right and wrong. Allen has been named to Talkers Magazine's prestigious list of the 100 heavy hitters in talk radio, receiving a ranking unprecedented for a newcomer in the industry.
Hunt stepped aside July 1, 2007 from his role as Senior Minister at Mount Pisgah, a United Methodist congregation serving more than 15,000 persons each week through its ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia.
On January 6, 2008, on the Feast of the Epiphany, Allen converted to Catholicism. This transition represented the culmination of a 15 year journey in which God began leading Allen home to the Church.
Allen and his wife, Anita, live in Atlanta, Georgia, and have two daughters, SarahAnn and Griffin Elizabeth.
Hunt stepped aside July 1, 2007 from his role as Senior Minister at Mount Pisgah, a United Methodist congregation serving more than 15,000 persons each week through its ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia.
On January 6, 2008, on the Feast of the Epiphany, Allen converted to Catholicism. This transition represented the culmination of a 15 year journey in which God began leading Allen home to the Church.
Allen and his wife, Anita, live in Atlanta, Georgia, and have two daughters, SarahAnn and Griffin Elizabeth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
March 3, 2023
I am very drawn to books on forgiveness. And the title was compelling. Plus, it was free; a giveaway at a local parish.
There are some excellent stories in here. One I knew, the incredible story of St. Pope John Paul II’s reaching out to the man who shot him.
Another was about the well-known author, Corrie ten Boom who lost most of her immediate family during World War II after having helped almost 800 Jewish people escape the Nazis in Holland by providing a hiding place for them until they could escape to freedom. Her story is particularly moving.
There are two other stories which are worth reading. The first involves a woman in South Africa under Nelson Mandela when he was trying to reunite the country by allowing whites who had committed atrocities against blacks to apologize for their crimes before the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) and the surviving family. If the white policeman or army officer confessed his crime and fully acknowledged his guilt, he could not be tried and punished for the crime. According to Mandela, the TRC was not about justice so much as it was about healing the nation.
At one hearing, an officer, van de Broek, admitted to shooting an 18 year old boy and then burning his body, turning it until it was completely burned up so as to destroy the evidence. Eight years later, he admitted, he returned forcing the wife to watch while he tied the boy’s father to the woodpile, poured gasoline over him and set him on fire.
When the wife and mother of these two victims was asked what she wanted from Officer van de Broek in return, she said she would like him to come to her house, scoop up the ashes of her husband for a proper burial. Then she said that since he taken her family away from her and she had so much love to give, she would like him to come visit her twice a month so she could be a mother to him. She wanted Mr. van Broek to know that God has forgiven him and she has too and she would like to embrace him so he would know her forgiveness is real. Some in the courtroom started singing “Amazing Grace” but the officer didn’t hear it because he had fainted.
The last story I won’t relate in such detail, but it is every bit as moving. It concerns the fathers of Julie Welch, victim of the 1995 Murrah Building, Oklahoma City bombing, and Timothy McVeigh, perpetrator of the bombing. Two fathers who could easily have been sworn enemies, find something much deeper in forgiveness.
The remaining examples are a mixed bag. I personally didn't find most of them especially inspiring, but maybe I have read too much on this subject or they suffer by comparison.
That’s the positive on Mr. Allen’s book. On the down side, the language used by the centurion in the prologue is modern slang. If you can’t even make an attempt to have historic characters speak and think in something roughly resembling language from their own era, then at least make them sound neutral, as if they could come from any time and place. Please no 21st century colloquialisms, slang or other identifying informal language for ancients and medievals. The soldier who won Jesus’ robe was ‘styling’ and we were supposed to ‘check it out’. The same thing in a later chapter on St. Peter. I had to skip those sections.
There are questions for discussion and ‘Real Life Helps’ at the end of each chapter.
Overall, the subject is amazing, the material ranges from great to okay and the writing is fair. A fast read.
February 2023: When I saw the title of the book, I thought of someone who is struggling with forgiveness, so I picked this free copy up more for them than myself but did a quick read even so. When I went to review it, I discovered this prior review. My reaction to it now is much as it was a couple of years ago. Solid information which suffers from the presentation.
There are some excellent stories in here. One I knew, the incredible story of St. Pope John Paul II’s reaching out to the man who shot him.
Another was about the well-known author, Corrie ten Boom who lost most of her immediate family during World War II after having helped almost 800 Jewish people escape the Nazis in Holland by providing a hiding place for them until they could escape to freedom. Her story is particularly moving.
There are two other stories which are worth reading. The first involves a woman in South Africa under Nelson Mandela when he was trying to reunite the country by allowing whites who had committed atrocities against blacks to apologize for their crimes before the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) and the surviving family. If the white policeman or army officer confessed his crime and fully acknowledged his guilt, he could not be tried and punished for the crime. According to Mandela, the TRC was not about justice so much as it was about healing the nation.
At one hearing, an officer, van de Broek, admitted to shooting an 18 year old boy and then burning his body, turning it until it was completely burned up so as to destroy the evidence. Eight years later, he admitted, he returned forcing the wife to watch while he tied the boy’s father to the woodpile, poured gasoline over him and set him on fire.
When the wife and mother of these two victims was asked what she wanted from Officer van de Broek in return, she said she would like him to come to her house, scoop up the ashes of her husband for a proper burial. Then she said that since he taken her family away from her and she had so much love to give, she would like him to come visit her twice a month so she could be a mother to him. She wanted Mr. van Broek to know that God has forgiven him and she has too and she would like to embrace him so he would know her forgiveness is real. Some in the courtroom started singing “Amazing Grace” but the officer didn’t hear it because he had fainted.
The last story I won’t relate in such detail, but it is every bit as moving. It concerns the fathers of Julie Welch, victim of the 1995 Murrah Building, Oklahoma City bombing, and Timothy McVeigh, perpetrator of the bombing. Two fathers who could easily have been sworn enemies, find something much deeper in forgiveness.
The remaining examples are a mixed bag. I personally didn't find most of them especially inspiring, but maybe I have read too much on this subject or they suffer by comparison.
That’s the positive on Mr. Allen’s book. On the down side, the language used by the centurion in the prologue is modern slang. If you can’t even make an attempt to have historic characters speak and think in something roughly resembling language from their own era, then at least make them sound neutral, as if they could come from any time and place. Please no 21st century colloquialisms, slang or other identifying informal language for ancients and medievals. The soldier who won Jesus’ robe was ‘styling’ and we were supposed to ‘check it out’. The same thing in a later chapter on St. Peter. I had to skip those sections.
There are questions for discussion and ‘Real Life Helps’ at the end of each chapter.
Overall, the subject is amazing, the material ranges from great to okay and the writing is fair. A fast read.
February 2023: When I saw the title of the book, I thought of someone who is struggling with forgiveness, so I picked this free copy up more for them than myself but did a quick read even so. When I went to review it, I discovered this prior review. My reaction to it now is much as it was a couple of years ago. Solid information which suffers from the presentation.
January 16, 2014
I thought I didn't necessarily need to read this book because I didn't have any big wrongs I needed to forgive. However I now think everyone needs to read this book. The chapters are short and simple (most are excellent, a few are just eh), and the reflection questions are meaningful. Some of the stories are so powerful I cried reading them. This book made me realize that we all have forgiveness issues, and showed the steps towards becoming a forgiving person. I also appreciated the direct examples of how important forgiveness was to Jesus' mission here on earth. Great read!!
September 2, 2020
Everybody needs to forgive somebody and this book offers twelve examples of people who forgave someone under extraordinary circumstances. At the end of the book there is a guide which would be ideal if a Bible study group wanted to use this book as source material for some meaningful discussion sessions.
November 7, 2015
Rote yet rite on.
One thing I have learned—both from this book and elsewhere—is that in order to ask for forgiveness, one must first forgive oneself. That can be the hardest part, as sometimes the injured party is eager for reconciliation and yet the injurer continues to castigate themselves out of that self-humilitating perversion of the ego known as pride.
This may not be the book that allows your heart to love freely once more, but it will ease the brakes if you let it.
One thing I have learned—both from this book and elsewhere—is that in order to ask for forgiveness, one must first forgive oneself. That can be the hardest part, as sometimes the injured party is eager for reconciliation and yet the injurer continues to castigate themselves out of that self-humilitating perversion of the ego known as pride.
This may not be the book that allows your heart to love freely once more, but it will ease the brakes if you let it.
April 9, 2022
‘When we forgive, we touch the heart of God,’ Allen Hunt’s last word in his book filled with testimonies to forgiveness, in the stages, namely
Part 1: receiving forgiveness
Part 2: deciding to forgive
Part 3: sharing forgiveness
At the end of each testimony in each of the three parts of the book are questions for a a person to reflect on. Though I read this book years ago, it was good to reflect again (especially during the season of Lent) on the meaning of forgiveness and what it could (and sometimes does) look like in my own life.
Part 1: receiving forgiveness
Part 2: deciding to forgive
Part 3: sharing forgiveness
At the end of each testimony in each of the three parts of the book are questions for a a person to reflect on. Though I read this book years ago, it was good to reflect again (especially during the season of Lent) on the meaning of forgiveness and what it could (and sometimes does) look like in my own life.
June 18, 2024
It can be tremendously difficult to forgive others. This book has some great examples of very exceptional people who forgave like Jesus does.
July 26, 2024
Was a nice and easy read of forgiveness and I did like the short stories but I found it almost repetitive because it kept repeating the title, everybody needs to forgive somebody…over and over again. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand that’s the point of the book and I would love to dive deep and use this as a book study group one day, or as a personal retreat since it has discussion questions and personal reflection questions. Overall it’s was ok.
August 23, 2017
These true stories were absolutely fantastic. Not only does this book go over why forgiveness is so important and how it links us to God, but also it inspired me to employ forgiveness in my life everyday. This was definitely a life changing book. The way I look at situations will definitely change now!
May 1, 2017
A good read for self reflection.
December 30, 2012
Quick read. Some good points and questions after each story.
January 25, 2015
It's good for what it is. It's thought provoking but not particularly deep. Very easy read, I read it in a morning.
May 20, 2015
I got this book for free a couple of Easters ago. It fine for what it is. Digestible stories of "people" forgiving.
July 3, 2022
“La paciencia lo logra todo”
Sta. Teresa de Ávila
Sta. Teresa de Ávila
March 28, 2019
I give this book 3 stars out of 5, I liked the book and I think that it did help me to see the importance of forgiving something, which is leaving something that the person did to you in the past and giving them a second chance. I think that something that helped me be more engaged and to like the book was that it had exercises that made you keep on thinking what you did that wasn’t so good and what you can do to improve that.
This book relates to my hero's journey because it shows how not forgiving someone can leave you a void inside and prevent you from reaching full peace and happiness. This book changed me as a reader because it showed me that it is not important how fast you read but how well you understand what is going on. Sometimes I had to stop reading to write something down (since the book had exercises).
I would recommend this book to someone who is angry with another person, feels like he/she will never be able to forgive that person and doesn’t know what to do about it. Here are 3 quotes about the book, “no great journey ever started with anything less than a decision to begin”. “the law of the harvest is simple: If you want more of something in your life, share it generously with others”. “forgiving is not forgetting. They are two very different things”.
This book relates to my hero's journey because it shows how not forgiving someone can leave you a void inside and prevent you from reaching full peace and happiness. This book changed me as a reader because it showed me that it is not important how fast you read but how well you understand what is going on. Sometimes I had to stop reading to write something down (since the book had exercises).
I would recommend this book to someone who is angry with another person, feels like he/she will never be able to forgive that person and doesn’t know what to do about it. Here are 3 quotes about the book, “no great journey ever started with anything less than a decision to begin”. “the law of the harvest is simple: If you want more of something in your life, share it generously with others”. “forgiving is not forgetting. They are two very different things”.
March 14, 2017
My dad (!) and my mom both read this book. It was given to them through their church as a part of Lent. It's a very fast read, about a very real issue: forgiveness.
How do you forgive people who have wronged you? Should you forgive them? Should you, yourself be forgiven for the mistakes you have made? Should you forgive yourself? Pretty profound question. The author uses the examples of people from real live (like Corrie ten Boom, Pope John Paul II, and others) and people from the Bible to offer examples of the power of forgiveness to make things better. I was reminded a little bit of the book The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, which took a more nuanced approach to the idea of forgiveness, and was a bit more harsh, I think, in its conclusions.
Forgiveness seems as though it is a psychologically healthy attitude to have toward others, but--this is my opinion--it needs to be paired with justice. In other words, I can find it in my heart to forgive someone who has wronged me so long as there is some kind of restitution for the wronging. It needs to be a two way street, or it's too easy (I keep thinking of Bonhoeffer's 'cheap grace' analogy). And, forgiveness depends very much on the nature of the wrong. If someone hurts my feelings in a moment of pique or thoughtlessness, that's one thing. If someone causes me incredible distress due to a serious, serious wrong, that's quite another.
I have to say, I am adept at apologizing for my errors (years of practice, my friends, years of practice). I have found it best to address mistakes head on, to admit wrongdoing, and to move forward with the intention of not making the same mistakes again. I hope that people forgive me for the errors I've made, and I hope that I can be forgiving as well.
A good book. Made me think.
How do you forgive people who have wronged you? Should you forgive them? Should you, yourself be forgiven for the mistakes you have made? Should you forgive yourself? Pretty profound question. The author uses the examples of people from real live (like Corrie ten Boom, Pope John Paul II, and others) and people from the Bible to offer examples of the power of forgiveness to make things better. I was reminded a little bit of the book The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, which took a more nuanced approach to the idea of forgiveness, and was a bit more harsh, I think, in its conclusions.
Forgiveness seems as though it is a psychologically healthy attitude to have toward others, but--this is my opinion--it needs to be paired with justice. In other words, I can find it in my heart to forgive someone who has wronged me so long as there is some kind of restitution for the wronging. It needs to be a two way street, or it's too easy (I keep thinking of Bonhoeffer's 'cheap grace' analogy). And, forgiveness depends very much on the nature of the wrong. If someone hurts my feelings in a moment of pique or thoughtlessness, that's one thing. If someone causes me incredible distress due to a serious, serious wrong, that's quite another.
I have to say, I am adept at apologizing for my errors (years of practice, my friends, years of practice). I have found it best to address mistakes head on, to admit wrongdoing, and to move forward with the intention of not making the same mistakes again. I hope that people forgive me for the errors I've made, and I hope that I can be forgiving as well.
A good book. Made me think.
January 6, 2023
This was a quick read, I could have finished in a day, but wanted to spread the stories out to thoroughly enjoy them.
Forgiveness, such an easy word to read and such a difficult one to comprehend and give. The stories in this book are so touching and relatable.
I really enjoyed the last chapter the most. The last paragraph … “The lesson is simple: Give forgiveness and you will unleash a flood of grace from heaven. …Best of all, you will also discover that you are touching the very heart of God.”
This book should be on everyone’s reading list. We all have at least one person that we need to forgive.
Forgiveness, such an easy word to read and such a difficult one to comprehend and give. The stories in this book are so touching and relatable.
I really enjoyed the last chapter the most. The last paragraph … “The lesson is simple: Give forgiveness and you will unleash a flood of grace from heaven. …Best of all, you will also discover that you are touching the very heart of God.”
This book should be on everyone’s reading list. We all have at least one person that we need to forgive.
December 27, 2024
This can be done as a group or solo book study. There are reflection questions in each chapter and at the back. I loved the stories that were used to captivate the message for that chapter. So many beautiful examples of forgiveness that made mine feel so trivial. Forgiving is the hardest thing God asks of me. This book gave me prospective on the power of forgiveness and reminders for how God gives us the strength. Through him all things are possible. Wonderfully written book. Everyone needs forgiving.
May 28, 2019
It's not really a "self-help" book, so much as it is a book of short stories collected to teach a life lesson. It was a good read, and I enjoyed it although it wasn't what I thought it would be. This book would be great for a therapy session or small group. But if you are looking for a book that is going to give you step by step instructions on how to forgive then this isn't the book you are looking for...
November 13, 2022
i’ll convince you to read this book using one quote and one quote only…
“We grow comfortable in the prison cell of our own wounds, mis-takes, or failures. But a key unlocks a closed door and opens a new way. As the key turns the catch or bolt to unlock, it prepares the way to a new path.”
this was such a short and easy read. nothing life changing, but had some good thoughts in it.
the main message is exactly what the title says, everybody needs to forgive somebody. simple as that!
“We grow comfortable in the prison cell of our own wounds, mis-takes, or failures. But a key unlocks a closed door and opens a new way. As the key turns the catch or bolt to unlock, it prepares the way to a new path.”
this was such a short and easy read. nothing life changing, but had some good thoughts in it.
the main message is exactly what the title says, everybody needs to forgive somebody. simple as that!
May 20, 2024
Another great book by Allen Hunt. Thank you! I definitely want to do this as a group read at our church. I think a smaller more intimate group would benefit from this book. How many of us have people we need to forgive, so that we can let go of that knot in the bowels of our souls. To let go, and live our lives to the fullest. This is what God wants and needs us to do. We need to forgive others, so God can forgive us of our wrongdoings.
March 16, 2025
Overall, 3.5 stars. I rounded down because it was a little repetitive in places. There were a few stories I really liked - specifically the stories about Bud, Thomas, and Corrie. It is not an earth shattering or life changing book, but it has a good message. I was hoping the last chapter would pull it all together, but I didn't feel like The Closing Word chapter added anything new or inspirational.
It was an okay book to read during Lent, especially since it was free.
It was an okay book to read during Lent, especially since it was free.
July 2, 2017
This was a really good that came to me at the perfect time. The end of chapter questions were thought-provoking to the point that the book took longer to read as I journaled along the way and really tried to apply the individual lessons. Not as easy as it sounds. I believe I'm a better person because of this book!
September 20, 2017
This is a great little inspirational book. You read about twelve individuals who forgave those who harmed them. It also comes with a group discussion study guide. What I learned from it is that if these people can forgive, then so can I. The world is a better place when we forgive others and ourselves.
October 18, 2017
It was OK. There were good stories, but I read this alone. It probably would have been better in a group. He referenced a forgiveness journal a couple of times, but nothing after that. Didn't feel really moved by the book. My aunt on the other hand was in a Bible study with it and she LOVED it.
December 11, 2017
It's true...everybody needs to forgive somebody. My book included a study guide and questions for group discussion. While I read this alone, the questions added a lot to this book for me. Each story also has "real life help" suggestions at the end of each chapter. I would highly recommend this book.
February 27, 2018
If I could give 3 1/2 Stars I would. The message is very clear throughout the book and the stories are interesting. I would have liked the stories to have gone a bit deeper into the process of how the person either forgave or accepted forgiveness as sometimes, it felt a bit fluffy. Overall, I enjoyed it. It is a good book to read during Lent.
December 3, 2022
Everybody needs to forgive somebody. Great book, the message was clear and through each story, it stayed the focus. I’m not Catholic, but as a Christian I could relate and understood most references.
The stories were short and simple. If you’re looking for a quick read, this is it.
“Vengeance breeds violence and hate, forgiveness produces healing and a path forward.”
The stories were short and simple. If you’re looking for a quick read, this is it.
“Vengeance breeds violence and hate, forgiveness produces healing and a path forward.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2023
I began reading this book to learn about forgiveness. I found myself learning a lot more about myself in the process. There were examples of people who, in their lives, required to forgive or be forgiven that reminded me of similar circumstances within my own life and how I mishandled them. So this book, for me, had a double learning experience.
January 25, 2023
Love this book I love the little stories and this made me think more about my Catholic faith and made me realize a whole different perspective of how amazing forgiveness is and when I read this I was finally able to let go some anger from things that some people have done*cough* *cough* my little brother
January 29, 2017
I got all pissed off when someone gave this book to me. "What is THIS supposed to mean?!" Turns out it was very timely and provided important reminders and perspective to keep with me. Glad I read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews