Undaunted: One Man's Real-Life Journey from Unspeakable Memories to Unbelievable Grace

WOW..WOW!! This book is a personal memoir(also a movie) of Josh McDowell, who is a Christian apologist and evangelist who is now in his 70's. He has written many books and is known for his work with Campus Crusade for Christ. It is a story of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. I never knew his story/testimony of his life and it sure impacted me. He grew up, with his siblings, on a farm with an alcoholic and abusive father. He watched his father and mother quarrel and would stand up to his father when he was abusive to his mother. He wished his father would die so his mother wouldn't have to endure anymore pain. His mother was morbidly obese and they hired a helper, named Wayne, who sexually molested Josh for years. When he told his mother, she wouldn't believe him. Because of his suffering, Josh was an agnostic.Fast forward to college where he met a group of Christians, who challenged Josh to prove that Jesus and the resurrection was false. Josh hated God so much, he was willing to do anything to prove Jesus never rose from the dead and Christianity was just another religion. Josh saved up the money and headed to Europe, where he could research original documents and speak to scholars. He traveled to England, Glasgow, Geneva, and Germany in his research to find evidence to disprove this. One scholar he spent much time with was Alan Cobb, a barrister/lawyer. I loved the way Cobb presented evidence to Josh in a legal way. Josh's intention was to go to Law school so he understood how the evidence was presented. As he researched, he began to discover that it was true and his life began to transform. It was amazing how God led Josh to seminary right before he was to start Law school at UCLA.Oh the power of forgiveness and the peace that comes with it once you let go. I don't think you can get through Chapter 18 without crying!! This story is one you won't want to put down and will totally inspire you. I highly recommend it and this is one I will read again.

I found this book very interesting. I really never knew anything of Josh McDowell's life and I guess just assumed he had always been a Christian who lived the "good life". Boy, was I wrong. His early years were very tough and his quest for the truth was long and arduous. Thankfully he kept pressing on and the things he experienced and learned along the way helped mold him into the person he is today who can help people because he understands where they're coming from. He's been there, done that, so to speak. Other than thinking the ending was a bit abrupt, it was a moving read which I would recommend.

From the very beginning until the end I was rivited to this book. From a life of deprivation, abuse and degredation, he survived and overcame his obstacles to become the man he is today. There was only one way for him to survive - forgiveness. Are you troubled with unforgiveness in your heart? If so, this would be a great book for you. If Josh MacDowell could forgive those who abused him, so can you. The secret is not in him, but in the One he came to know. I warn you! You won't want to be this book down. So take and set aside some time and let this book get a hold of you like it did me. You'll be enriched by it.

This book is a well written autobiography of a man who overcame a great deal of adversity in his life, including sexual abuse. It is presented in a down to earth, honest way that is easy for anyone with similar experiences to identify with. Most readers will be able to relate to at least part of his experiences, if only in a far less significant way. Josh demonstrates how God sought him out and provided a way out for him, against all odds. God had a plan for his life that he never dreamed of. The road to success was not easy but he persevered with God's help. This book is in itself, a lesson in forgiveness, but Josh shows us that it's not always easy to forget.

I have heard of Josh McDowell and his book More than a Carpenter since I was a child. Yet I never knew all the trials he went through as a child and all the ways God revealed Himself to Josh as a young man. What a case this makes for forgiving others - seeing the results in his life was amazing. I loved this story - it gave me goosebumps at times to see how God provided miraculously for Josh McDowell in so many different ways! I was bummed he didn't go further into his life - more info about his wife and the writing of his book More than a Carpenter - but still this was a fabulous book.

My book club chose this book for February -- and what a great choice! I started it last night thinking I'd read a couple of chapters, and I ended up reading the whole book. I have never read anything else by Josh McDowell, but I certainly will now. The story was beautiful, the writing excellent, the personality and character of the author are so engaging. Highly recommend for everyone.

I have not read any other books by Josh D. McDowell, but I had heard of him and was so delighted to read his story of how he came to faith in Christ. The first part of the book was so very difficult to read - I felt such anger for the terrible things he endured even from his family. But to see how God changed his life - to read his journey to faith and healing - it was wonderful! I kept thinking of people that I could recommend this book to - people who could be drawn to personal faith in Christ through Josh's testimony. Thank you Josh for sharing your journey so openly.

Josh McDowell's personal testimony is exceptionally beautiful, giving readers a vivid picture of God's redemptive power and deep love. What God has done in Mr. McDowell's (and also this author's life), He is more than willing and able to do in ANYONE'S life...if only they are willing to investigate it for themselves with an open mind as Jos did. At times, his story made me laugh and at other times the tears fell with empathy, and at still other times I felt myself cheering for him. The book is well-written, as all of Josh's books are; but this book is especially personal and powerful. Thank you Mr. McDowell, for sharing your story with the world.

I've known Josh McDowell's name for years and dipped into 'Evidence that Demands a Verdict" some years ago, so, I thought I would read his own story as I knew nothing about him and his past: a harrowing early life that could make you weep and then as a young adult in life, where he tried to get his own life together and overcome his past by his own efforts. Of course the best part of the book is where he undertakes a serious challenge to prove these 'too nice' (my words) Christians that their faith is bogus and built on fairy tales or calculated inventions of men and the effect his discoveries has on him.I found I learned a lot about the origin of the New Testament from Mr McDowell, which has been a thrilling revelation to me - and the miraculous answer to his prayer to God near the end of the book is breathtaking! I've already recommended this book to one friend and bought a paperback copy for another. This book will be a permanent resident on my bookshelf.

This book is evidence of how GoD can change our circumstances for His good and Glory,no matter what has happened. I have learnt in life GoD is with us before, during and after.Josh's story shows GoDs amazing power at work for healing and restoration. He knowsthe plans He has for us, plans to prosper.

The book was to glossy. I find it difficult that the memories were so vivid, unless the person kept a detailed diary. Word for word conversations would be difficult to remember. I got the book for the sexual abuse aspect which appears to have been minor for the writer. For most this dominates their life's for years. It had qualities that were important such as hope and the importance of our spiritual grounding. Overall, I am disappointed.

Fantastic book, I couldn't put it down, every one it's a must read you start it and then when you have to do something you can't wait to get back to it.

This is a well written, fast paced book of the life story of Josh McDowell. Opening chapters may not be suitable for younger readers - parental supervision.