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In the Arms of Angels: True Stories of Heavenly Guardians

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I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way.
Exodus 23:20 NRSV When Joan Wester Anderson wrote Where Angels Walk , millions of readers were captivated by her inspiring collection of true stories of angelic intervention. The book remained on the New York Times Best-Seller List for over a year. In the Arms of Angels is Anderson’s newest collection of mysterious and heart-stirring stories of heavenly guardians. From the harrowing account of a World Trade Center survivor to a miraculous rescue during the first Gulf War, these powerful stories invite us to take another look at the “coincidences” in our lives—to open our eyes to the angels who walk beside us. “In times of uncertainty, we long to be reminded that, as Joan Wester Anderson writes, ‘We are not alone.’”
—Rev. Timothy Jones, author, The Art of Prayer , Workday Prayers , and Celebration of Angels  “ In the Arms of An gels is a true gem, a book to be treasured.”
—Jessie Frees, radio host, WMTR/WWTR New Jersey

280 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2004

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About the author

Joan Wester Anderson

58 books28 followers
See also: Joan Anderson

Author and lecturer Joan Wester Anderson was born in Evanston, Illinois. She began her writing career in 1973 with a series of family humor articles for local newspapers and Catholic publications, and was a monthly columnist for two national magazines during the 1980s. She has published more than one thousand articles and short stories in a variety of publications, including Woman’s Day, Modern Bride, Virtue, Reader’s Digest, and the New York Times Syndicate.

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5 stars
104 (44%)
4 stars
73 (31%)
3 stars
40 (17%)
2 stars
10 (4%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
888 reviews130 followers
November 15, 2017
Whether one believes in angels or not, it is nice to read about things that turned out good.
Profile Image for Maria.
189 reviews14 followers
October 31, 2017
OMG. One Of The Best Books I Have Ever Read. And I Really Do Believe Their Are Angels Among Us. Sent Down To Us From Somewhere Above. I Highly Recommend This Book. 🍁🍁🍁
Profile Image for Margaret Sorrells.
4 reviews14 followers
May 13, 2017
Angels are Real!!!!

My mother believed in them and I do too. Read these inspirational stories about angels and how they help those who need help from them.
Profile Image for Berni Phillips.
627 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2018
Sappy, inspirational feel-good stories. It was my mother's. I'm going to pass this along to my sister. If you want a mood picker-upper, this might be good.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,162 reviews
May 6, 2019
Loved reading about angels in peoples lives. Not sure what I think even though I do believe in angels but the stories were inspiring. I don't believe angels have wings.
Profile Image for Tebel Shaw.
121 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2025
The stories are entertaining enough, some are a little suspect, and the overall theology is deeply flawed.
Profile Image for María Greene F.
1,153 reviews242 followers
May 26, 2016
A mí me encantan estos temas... cuando lo que no vemos se manifiesta en lo que sí vemos, y aún mejor... ¡cuando eso que no vemos tiene conciencia y sentido, y pretende cuidarnos! Y el universo significa algo, y Dios, y todo lo demás... nosotros mismos en medio de ello.

Este libro supone recolectar historias reales de milagros, y la mayoría son bastante interesantes. A veces menos entretenidas que otras historias que uno oye, pero creo que en este caso es mejor porque le suma credibilidad: no es necesario condimentar lo sucedido, porque la presencia angelical (de los ángeles que interceden por estos milagros) es suficientemente gloriosa e importante de por sí.

SIN EMBARGO, a mí no me gustó taanto porque hay demasiada presencia angelical. Nada contra los ángeles, pero siempre he tenido sentimientos encontrados con eso de que tiene que haber alguien que interceda entre Dios y nosotros, ¿por qué? ¿Por qué no podemos hablar con él directamente? Y a esto sin mencionar - aunque lo mencionaré - mi duda primaria que es: ¿Por qué tales ángeles permitieron que sucediera el peligro en primer lugar? Siempre he tenido problemas con esa parte. "Pepito tuvo un accidente de auto, perdió una pierna, pero estamos felices porque milagrosamente sobrevivió". ¿Milagrosamente? ¿No habría sido más milagroso que no tuviera el accidente?

Ya, pero por otro lado se supone que las cosas pasan por algo, para que el espíritu se desafíe y crezca y tiene sentido, entonces bien, pero... no sé, me molesta tanto pero TANTO agradecimiento por las fuerzas invisibles que se supone que se desvelan por nosotros. ¿No es acaso su trabajo? ¿Quién nos metió en la Tierra en primer lugar? Si uno lo mira con mucha objetividad, somos como esa pobre persona a quien mandaron a cruzar un bosque peligroso, del que NO saldrá vivo (= la vida), y que está agradecido porque de vez en cuando alguien le manda un pan duro, como en los Juegos del Hambre.

Ya, jajaja. Exagero. Un poco. No era mi intención convertir todo esto en una crítica religiosa, pero creo que ahí estuvo el problema para mí en este libro: es demasiado religioso, a nivel cristiano. (Casi) todos los ángeles son específicos y tienen nombres. Quizá la Divinidad se presenta de manera en que tales cristianos la puedan entender, entonces escoge los avatares de esos ángeles que ya son conocidos y queridos. En tal caso es un lindo toque y tiene mucho amor también... pero, cuando leí los relatos, me sentí un poco intimidada con tanto nombre y rango ¿Qué pasaba si yo no conocía a esos ángeles y/o santos en particular? ¿Me salvaban también?

Tres estrellas porque igual me gustó, y además me pareció valioso, aunque admito que no lo leí entero. Las historias, como comenté, no eran tan originales y se repetían un poco a sí mismas. A veces, más que contar milagros, sentí como si estuviera en una clase de catequesis... y lo entiendo, porque la gracia era justamente el aspecto angelical, pero... una vez leí una selección de milagros MUCHO más interesante, MUCHO mejor, al que le di gustosamente cinco estrellas, y creo que fue porque el Dios usó todas las variantes posibles para comunicarse con las personas, no solo ángeles, sino que también animales, parientes que sabían sin saber, etcétera. Usó TODO LO QUE TENÍA A SU ALCANCE.

Ese sí que era un divinidad todoterreno, que no me sugirió (tal vez sin querer) (además, los libros los escriben las personas, no los ángeles) que necesitaba una religión especial, o un pase VIP para ser ayudado.

El año pasado, cuando mi papá tuvo ese infarto (del que ya se recuperó), TODOS en mi casa leyeron este libro y TODOS lo amaron. Así que quizá la belicosa soy yo, jajaja. Y sea puro rollo mío.
58 reviews
October 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! Joan Wester Anderson told stories of the trumpeter that had been seen during 9/11 when the towers went down, a soldier in the Korean War who was saved by an angel because of his guidance, which led to saving the lives of everyone in his unit. Another stories was a woman being saved even though she had been told she had cancer and less then six months to live- and was completely cured by God. I really enjoyed this story because I loved hearing about how these people had been saved by angels, or guided to change their ways in order to stay alive. One of my favourite stories was of a man who was in a store when it was robbed. Even though no one was standing near him when he was waiting for the blacksmith to repair his daughter's shoes, someone shoved him off the seat he was in. Moments later, gunshots had erupted and hit the place right where he had been. If someone- his angel- hadn't pushed the man, he would have been killed! The book was absolutely amazing and I loved it. The stories that were told were very moving and powerful.
Profile Image for Debra Slonek.
382 reviews76 followers
July 20, 2016
The author has collected many accounts of angelic influences and encounters, and has shared them using beautifully written words. Reading this book has been faith building, comforting and challenging.

My faith was built up as I was reminded that angels are all around us as they intercede on our behalf and prompt us to help others through good works and prayers.

I was comforted as I was reminded that we are not alone, especially during sad and dangerous times.

I was challenged to look for and listen to angelic prompts that encourage me to reach out to others...to share hugs, words and blessings.

A lovely book! Read it and be blessed.
Profile Image for Monica Aho.
54 reviews
August 31, 2008
What an excellent, beautiful book! My mother in law leant it to me, with the caveat "but I definitely want it back!" I don't blame her. True stories, written simply, of everyday people's encounters with the divine. I highly recommend it! Quick and easy to read, totally engrossing,it will inspire you!
Profile Image for Eva-Marie Nevarez.
1,701 reviews135 followers
January 27, 2010
This isn't for me - not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this. I think I believe in angels but this is too religious for me. I wanted people's stories without the overkill on religon. Maybe that can't be done but.....
I gave it a two because I doubt it's a bad book and I don't want to give it a one for that reason.
1 review
January 31, 2017
hi ! all of my freinds !i have not read it but its name is very beautuful y prety.
please help me ! how i can read a book in this group and contact my friends ,and conversate.?is it possible to read the books intruduceds?
i wish see you !
be in mercyfull hadns of god !!!
Profile Image for Tina.
286 reviews10 followers
June 11, 2008
I LOVE THIS BOOK! Such a beautiful collection....read it, I know you'll love it too!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
72 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2012
I have always believed in angels; both the seen and those only felt. The incidents in this book are amazing. I could almost feel the brush of angel wings as I read this book.
Profile Image for Anna.
3,522 reviews194 followers
March 20, 2016
Każdy człowiek na pewnym etapie życia może spotkać anioła, który popchnie nas w odpowiednim kierunku.
14 reviews
February 19, 2016
Oh my gosh these were the most wonderful fascinating stories of encounters with angels. My heart soared while reading this.
17 reviews
July 25, 2016
Inspiring stories about assistance received in ways that are difficult to explain from an earthly point of view.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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