A Heart for Freedom

The Remarkable Journey of a Young Dissident, Her Daring Escape, and Her Quest to Free China's Daughters

By: Chai Ling

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The dramatic and fascinating story of Chai Ling, commander-in-chief of the student protesters at Tiananmen Square and witness to the massacre of thousands of Chinese civilians. Risking imprisonment and possible death for her leadership role in the student democracy movement, she was on the run in China for 10 months while being hunted by the authorities. She eventually escaped to the U.S., completed her education at Princeton and Harvard, found true love, and became a highly successful entrepreneur.

But her desperate quest for freedom, purpose, and peace - which she had sought in turn through academic achievement, romantic love, political activism, and career success - was never satisfied until she had an unexpected encounter with a formerly forbidden faith. Her newfound passion for God led to her life's greatest mission: fighting for the lives and rights of young girls in China.

©2011 eChristian, Inc. (P)2011 eChristian, Inc.

A Very Inspiring Story of God's Grace!!!

This is the incredible true story of how God brought the main female student leader of the Tiananmen Square protests to true freedom in Christ! It is slow-moving in places, but very rewarding to those who hear it through to the end!

Finally Chai Ling's Side

If you could sum up A Heart for Freedom in three words, what would they be?

Survivor Account Revealed

What did you like best about this story?

I had never been taught about this massacre in school, and it bothered me when I found out about it only a few years ago. I am in my 30s and was alive during the Tiananmen Square Massacre, though quite young at the time. Regardless, I feel like it is something I should have been taught about in school.

Chai Ling is now a Christian living in the US working for All Girls Allowed, trying to save the girls throughout Asian nations that are looked down upon, sold into sexual slavery, and more. I had been aware of her organization before I found out about her survival from the massacre!

A few yeras ago I saw the documentary that Chai Ling mentioned in this book. I actually found her brilliant in that documentary and I did not look down at her or read things in the way that she says many had from it about her. She made me cery curious to want to research the massacre more.

It was later that I realized that the founder of All Girls Allowed and the student leader from the protests and such were one in the same!! I think that is what I liked best about the story. It is great to piece things together like that and see the connection.

She was very honest in her story and told things from her past that were obviously very difficult, especially the relationships she had during her college years. It was great getting to learn about her her family as well..

Which character – as performed by Karen White – was your favorite?

Chai Ling of course, since it was her story!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I definitely wanted to hear more and more after closing the app on my phone. I listened to it while quilting and soetimes would prolong my quilting just to hear more!

Any additional comments?

If you are not a CHristin, I think some of this may be difficult to listen to, but have an understanding of the person that she once was and the person she has become. It is definitely great to see that she still has a great passion and is still an amazing speaker!!!

Wonderful, tragic tale

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This book was compelling and tragic, full of hope and despair. Others have indicated the narrator's breathing habits, but you really don't notice them much; Ling's story is so compelling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Heart for Freedom?

The massacre, the escape.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes, when Ling found love and faith.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book immensely, with the exception of Ling's propensity toward waxing spiritual towards the end. While it is part of her journey, it seemed to come from nowhere and dragged on (describing the sacred spaces, etc.) The narrator's Chinese pronunciation may or may not have been accurate; it is hard to tell, but she did make many names sound the same. This is, however, on the whole, a welcome addition to anyone interested in modern Chinese history.

Excellent, Inspiring.

If you could sum up A Heart for Freedom in three words, what would they be?

Inspirational, Educational, and at times Heartrenching..... A must read for anyone

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Heart for Freedom?

So many parts of this I remember. I love the courage, the honesty, and the will to live displayed by Chai Ling, and the other students. There are moments that are truly sad, however the love of Jesus overshadows and conquers those moments in Chai Lings life. Truly remarkable story... a must read.

What about Karen White’s performance did you like?

She made you feel like you were right in the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both, and inspired me to move past my own fears.

Motives-agency-bod

The story is fascinating and Chai Ling is clearly an amazing, brilliant talented and remarkably decent person.
I can see why people sometimes question her motives though, because her own description of her motivations make her seem like she totally lacks agency which cannot be true. Clearly, she was involved in the democracy movement because of her own passion for the cause-not simply to support her husband.
It makes me wonder if she may not have borderline personality disorder - a puzzle that makes the book even more interesting to listen to

Shocked in every chapter!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely--this book not only gave a historical context of China in times of uprise, but it gave me a new insight of the oppressive pressures that the Chinese people experienced.

Great insight into the Tiananmen Square tragedy

An insightful and intimate story of one woman’s heroic effort to make things better in China and the brutal crackdown by the Communist regime of the student protests at Tiananmen Square.
The authors personal journey to Christianity is a little less interesting, but touching, especially the statistics and perspectives about the Chinese abortion machine.
The style of writing is a bit less sophisticated than I would have expected from the academic background of the author.
Overall a good book, well worth the time spent listening.

Best Account of the Student Movement

It’s a shame that Philip Cunningham and other journalists misrepresented the author and her role. It was enlightening to rise and fall on this intimate roller coaster of a person who survived the Beijing Massacre and the ultimate journey that led her to the United States. If only there was an addendum to bring us up to date to 2020. The narrator was excellent, pronunciation was top notch.

Great storytelling

I really enjoyed A Heart For Freedom by Chai Ling. I was deeply moved by the detailed stories about 天安门 on 6/4/1989. I am from Shanghai, but have lived in the US since 1985. I wish I was in Beijing and I would have joined the students movement.

Bravo to Chai Ling’s bravery and the ability to share her life and journey with the world. I would love to meet her.

Ching Juhl, Chinese /American
Filmmaker/video journalist
from NYC