• A Life of Unlearning

  • One Man's Journey to Find the Truth
  • By: Anthony Venn-Brown
  • Narrated by: David Tredinnick
  • Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (116 ratings)

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A Life of Unlearning  By  cover art

A Life of Unlearning

By: Anthony Venn-Brown
Narrated by: David Tredinnick
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Publisher's summary

This is a story about living your truth, embracing who you are and living the life you were meant to live. Whether you're gay or straight, a Christian or a non believer, you'll find relevance in Anthony's tale.

On the surface, Anthony Venn-Brown was a happily married father of two and an evangelist preacher for the Assemblies of God Church; but he was living a lie. Tired of feeling torn and fragmented, he confessed and came out, and the results of that confession took him on a lonely journey that made him who he is today.

©2004 Anthony Venn-Brown (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

What listeners say about A Life of Unlearning

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring

The summary “This is a story about living your truth, embracing who you are and living the life you were meant to live”, prompted me to want to read this book.

I was not disappointed. Once I started listening to it I could not put it down.

Anthony comes across as telling his story in a very open and honest manner. His courage and determination to live a life of authenticity and integrity are truly inspiring.

As a gay man and father I have felt some of the same struggles in my own life and reading about Anthony’s journey has given me inspiration to stay the course and continue to strive to live my life in the way it was intended.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Careful what you wish for

Would you try another book from Anthony Venn-Brown and/or David Tredinnick?

Yes.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Underlying themes important to me were: 1. Real selfless caring behaviours were demonstrated by the AIDS Support groups because they were with the sufferers. 2. Forgiveness is needed by all but it is costly to those who have been hurt. 3. Trashing one's marriage, family and community isn't a great job reference.

What does David Tredinnick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Be prepared for an Aussie accent. The narrator makes the book.

What character would you cut from A Life of Unlearning?

I've heard it said in several films lately, "Leave God out of this." The title is a non sequitur: the author should have instead titled it, "Be careful what you wish for: One Man's Journey to Find the Truth"

Any additional comments?

This is a good example of how in the telling of a story, the principles being argued get justified. Just because we desire something doesn't make it the right choice. The message I get from Venn-Brown is that desires trump promises, which ironically fly in the face of his demand for honesty from others. I can't help but want to read a book from the perspective of the wife he abandoned.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazingly Honest

I have been a Christian most of my life and have struggled with being Gay all my life. This book was so honest and heart breakingly real. I really identified with his struggle and I think everyone should listen to or read this memoir.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A GREAT STORY OF ACCEPTANCE

A LIFE OF UNLEARNING is a must read for any person who has ever had to overcome struggles in his or her life. Anthony Venn-Brown became a hero to me. I can't say much more. I cried...I laughed...and I understood the true meanng of "unlearning". Tony, if you are reading this review, I consider you a genius. You brought to reality the story of my life.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ!!!!

Anthony Venn-Brown is my new fave author after finishing his audiobook. The greatest thing is that, i added him on my facbook page and he's so nice to acccept my friend's request.... Such an honor!!!

Sadly, this is the only book I could search from the web he wrote...

Is there anybody who knows his other books just in case he has?

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

an honest, gutsy and very personal autobiography

Hats of to Anthony for doing this book and there is much to be commended in this story. Overall I appreciate the book but I didn't finish it. I felt a little bit like I was listening to a speech and found it hard to connect with it.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very educational and very honest.

Any additional comments?

Is Christianity more valid than mythology? Didn’t the Bible start as an oral tradition? Ignoring these and many other questions is what we westerners tend to do; we still conform to superstition and traditions as if there were facts. The author dares to show us unapologetically how he preached these beliefs vehemently and without regard to the havoc that they play in many people’s lives and, in this case, in his own life. The intimate look into the internal drama of trying to get rid of his homosexuality using any means available, natural or supernatural, even going thru an exorcism and reparative therapy without any success. The detail and the depth of the narration surprised me as the author doesn’t intend to be liked or if he does, did not achieve it, until the very end.
I finally ended up grateful to him for having written the book, it took guts to be this honest.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a read!

Whew! Where do I begin?! I'll start out by saying that I consider myself a fairly conservative evangelical Christian (especially when it comes to the topic of homosexuality) who experiences homosexual desires on a daily basis. I downloaded this book yesterday and I almost have it finished. There's so much I want to say. Tony does have a divine gift for communication. I listened to the first few chapters and regretted buying it. I listened more and was glad I did. I found myself transfixed by this story and identify with SOOOO MUCH!!! I found myself quite entertained by the fact that this book has the unprecendented trait of meandering between a book containing so much Christian truth and, then without warning, downright gay erotica. The details of Tony's sexual encounters throughout his life were downright arousing and yet I somehow feel like a better Christian after reading nearly all of the book (I have about two more hours to go.) I feel for Tony. I was angered by how he was treated by the assemblies of God and totally can identify with the spiritual abuse he has suffered. However, I am perplexed at how he could arrive at the conclusion he has. Maybe I'm not though...I know from personal experience what spiritual abuse can do to someone's Christian walk. If those people do not repent, they will be severely judged for what they've done. On the other hand, it seems very obvious to me, that Tony has made some very tragic mistakes (mistakes I've made myself [and quite recently at that]) and has paid and is paying a dear price for them...Oh Tony, how long to hug you for about 5 minutes

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This exceptional story needs to be heard!

I was fortunate to be given this book by coincidence or synchronicity by an exceptional man for no other reasons than his kindness and needing to spread the information.
I grew up in the same era as Anthony but was quite unaware of anyone that was openly gay.
I was extremely naive to say the least. Anthony's book opened me to what really was going on at that time.
After talking to my wonderful elderly aunt I learnt that her gentle soul of a son killed himself because he was gay.
I believe that my beautiful brother did the same for the same reason.
I highly recommend this heart wrenching and enlightening book to help all who read it have a better understanding of those who are battling with the way they, a family member or friends homosexuality.
I believe that it has the ability to help heal many a wound and give us all better understanding & acceptance of homosexuality in our world.
Thank you Anthony for your bravery!💗

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An interesting tale, of one man's struggle...

Interesting how one man's life, can be even remotely simular to those dealing with some of the same things. I'd recommend this book to everyone who's unsure how to become themself. In fact I have told several people to get it. Cheers!

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