Angel Blue: A Song of Redemption

by Forrest Lang

A homeless foster kid finds redemption in Iraq.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2022

Reviews

[Nancy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir read like an unpredictable roller coaster. Through the authors retelling of his abuse, addiction, and trauma, and also love, joy and redemption we see that healing does not travel in a straight line. There were times I felt utmost grief and compassion for Forrest and at others I felt annoyance and frustration. His is not a neat and pretty tale, but it is honest and transparent. The biggest takeaways for me are: never give up, and the deeper the pain we’ve had the deeper the joy we’ll experience.

[Talia Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bluntness of Lang’s writing style works when he’s talking about his childhood and the abuse he went through but when that style continues onto the military and his healing journey I find it annoying. I think he wrote this book to prove something to himself and less for other people to enjoy. The way the chapters suddenly end is a little confusing at times. However, Lang has clearly lived a very interesting life and so I don’t regret reading it.

[Deborah Hagler Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter begins with the most shocking and traumatizing incident in the author's life. This is saying a lot, considering Forrest's childhood abuses - physical, emotional and sexual - and its resulting repercussions. How many of us would emerge from such treatment emotionally healthy and intact? Raw and engaging, Forrest Lang takes us with him as he endeavors to survive. If the reader has suffered the types of treatment as described in this book, they will empathize and perhaps re-live some of their own abuses. This pertains especially to sexual violation, which reaches a core of intimacy that shatters ones' self-esteem and feeling of safety that nothing else can. The victim - survivor - feels somehow at fault, even though they didn't wish for this treatment, and want it to stop. They wonder what they did to cause their parent to treat them this way? Forrest has to trust parents who are unstable, and thus, untrustworthy. A foster mother who at first seemed like a good fit wound up destroying his sense of safety with years of sexual and emotional abuse. Forrest's road to healing and redemption is often a rocky one, with many side roads (I will let the reader discover these). In the end, he finds ways to triumph over years of mistreatment and trauma with the help of many supportive persons, as well as activities that engaged his confidence, creativity, and most especially, healing. As one who suffered years of rape, beatings and other traumas throughout my own childhood, it was comforting to know that we are not alone, and that though not easy, we can survive and thrive. This is a good read, one worth checking out.

[SoCalFrankUSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the real deal…It’s an incredible read, once you pick up, you will most likely finish it in in one setting…
Mr Lang is a very talented writer, possibly an inherited trait from a close blood relative (I’ll say no more on that, as it might be considered a spoiler alert)
His writing technique is such, that it draws the reader in, as if you were sitting next to a good friend telling his story.
Lang’s book takes you on a tell-all journey through his life as a child growing up, to present day…
If you think life has thrown so hard obstacles in your path, think again…
Life didn’t throw obstacles at Lang, it rained them down on him with hurricane force…but instead of giving up, he learned to channel through them, learning from them, and using them to self propel himself to his current day success, and better yet, his being at peace with himself and others who have caused him great harm in the past…
Lang now uses his extensive knowledge of trauma, and working through it to help others dealing with their own demons…
Everyone who reads this book will surely come away with a greater understanding of human/mind resilience, and how with a “never give up” attitude, even your most darkest times can be overcome…
Kudos Mr Lang, I’m sure it took a lot of courage to write this book, and it’s going to help a plethora of people…
Highly Recommend!

[Casey Cameron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Described as a man that finds redemption in Iraq, very little of the book is about his time in Iraq and he doesn’t find redemption there. Feel a bit duped by being mislead about what the book was described as. Yes, this guy had many bad things happen to him but it seems like classic victim hood mentality. This bloke makes poor choice after poor choice but seems to justify his behaviour based on the past. So frustrating listening to him start to come good but then repeatedly decides to go partying with his drop kick friends then wonder why his life isn’t improving.

[KAREN DONOVAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed to read this.Thank you

I am older, really feeling like my life of bad choices has left me incapable of change.Its too late for me, etc.This brave man's raw story has sparked a flame in me that maybe it's not so, maybe I need to reclaim myself and my strength that brought me through the terrors of my life that have let me believe like Forrest did.Im grateful sir that you shared your wisdom and gave me tools and hope.Thank you.

[Susan Godshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, inspiring

While the writing seems a bit rough and doesn't flow sometimes. You can feel his emotions due to this. It's raw and potent. I find strength in it as his circumstances were far worse than mine. So I have no excuse not to work it out. Anyone in a me tal quandary or addiction should read this and see themselves. And a path to freedom.

[Mary Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

I laughed and I cried (A LOT). It’s beautiful and heartbreaking. I’m so glad that I read it. There aren’t enough words in any language to describe how this book touch my soul.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very well written, the author was so vulnerable and honest which made the book even more powerful and inspiring. I highly recommend “Angel Blue” to everybody. It is a ‘must read’ kind of book! 5 out of 5.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

so very honest.. enough to make you look deep into yourself.

Great book with emotions running extremely high and then crashing. Is it all about the “voices” in our head and the choices we make depending upon what we hear and when?

[Dannyris Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If redemption were a person

If redemption were a person, it would be Forrest Lang. He has endured and overcome what many could not even imagine.

[Teenie Hooven · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I could not relate to, opened my eyes, and what I could relate to, didn't make me feel so alone.

[Julie Heitzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this

Thank you for sharing your heart Forrest. I could feel every word of your story. I will think about this book for a very long time.

[Jaimie Corvetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mindlessly scrolling through social media and came across Forrest Lang's shorts about his life. When I realized he wrote a book, I knew I had to read it. Resilient is a word I'd use to describe Forrest. He had many opportunities to throw in the towel but he persevered and never stopped working on himself. What an inspiration. Very well written.