The Gift of Forgiveness

Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable

By: Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Narrated by: Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

An instant New York Times best seller!

"[The Gift of Forgiveness] will spark conversations across families, across friendships, at workplaces, everywhere." (Maria Shriver)

A fresh, inspiring book on learning how to forgive, with firsthand stories from those who have learned to let go of resentment and find peace

"When we learn to embrace forgiveness, it opens us up to healing, hope, and a new world of possibility." (Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt)

Written with grace and understanding and based on more than 20 in-depth interviews and stories as well as personal reflections from Schwarzenegger Pratt herself, The Gift of Forgiveness is about one of the most difficult challenges in life - learning to forgive. Here, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shows us what we can learn from those who have struggled with forgiveness, some still struggling, and others who have been able to forgive what might seem truly unforgivable. The book features experiences from those well-known and unknown, including Elizabeth Smart, who learned to forgive her captors; Sue Klebold, whose son, Dylan, was one of the Columbine shooters, learning empathy and how to forgive herself; Chris Williams, who forgave the drunken teenager who killed his wife and child; and of course Schwarzenegger Pratt's own challenges and path to forgiveness in her own life. All provide different journeys to forgiveness and the process - sometimes slow and thorny, sometimes almost instantaneous - by which they learned to forgive and let go.

The Gift of Forgiveness is a perfect blend of personal insights, powerful quotations, and hard-won wisdom for those seeking a way to live with greater acceptance, grace, and peace.

A Pamela Dorman Books/Viking Life title

©2020 Katherine Schwarzenegger (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An inspirational book on learning how to forgive." (USA Today)

"Affecting.... Those looking for help with letting go and moving on will love [The Gift of Forgiveness]." (Publishers Weekly)

"Here's a sure conclusion from reading Pratt's book: The world would be a far better place if we practiced more of what the people Pratt profiles have discovered." (Associated Press)

A must read

God bless you Katherine for creating this beautiful healing tool to your readers. I started listening to this right after having to deal with either staying in misery or moving forward to a better 2nd chance of life after going through cancer and bankruptcy and losing my lively hood. This book helped me find peace and love in my heart.

loved it, great read, fast read, heart warming

I loved it, great read, fast read, heart warming, honest and touching stories. Forgiveness is truly for one's self..not the one who is forgiven

This is an excellent book. It has an essential message for today.

The Gift of Forgiveness, By Katherine Schwarzenegger addresses forgiveness at the root. We must forgive horizontally-mankind to mankind. Then, we can better understand and receive forgivenesses vertically-God to man. The author helps the reader to lift a “weight or yoke” to receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. Katherine Schwarzenegger has a unique gift to reach all aspects of society: Rich and Poor; All Ethnicities-Remember, There is only race that God created among mankind; Even if you do not classify yourself with any particular faith, Katherine Schwarzenegger presents each scenario of forgiveness in a way that does not “force” anything on you. Get ready for an absolute “treasure”. You will definitely find yourself a “changed person”. Thank you so much this timely subject.

Amazing!!!

loved it! super amazing and encouraging stories on forgiveness. The narrator did an excellent job of helping to understand the story better. This book makes me reflect on my past life thinking about whether I have to forgive someone or ask for someone's forgiveness and it also left me with questions. Thanking the author for this great book. ❤

Eye opener

This book is an eye opener, first to the evil out in the real world, and second it makes you realize your hurts are so insignificant compared to those in the book and many more untold stories. I don’t intend to underestimate or minuscule anyone’s hursts including my own. Thank you Katherine for your precious time to interview and put the thought in to words. Bless you and may God give us the reliance and courage to forgive- I have gladly passed it forward- Alicia

Could have been great

Could have been great if the liberal political opinions were left out. Otherwise a good book.

New Perspective

I really enjoyed this book because of the resilience and strength that was beautifully described. The honesty and struggle was also outlined in each persons account, which was more realistic and did not seem unattainable. It was very hopeful to know that despite the situation, one could overcome and bring themselves peace by working toward forgiveness in their own timelines.

a must read!!

truly incredible!! I learned so much from this book and I recommend to anyone and everyone!!

everyone would benefit from listening

it's a beautiful telling of empathy and compassion from so many perspectives. this book accentuates the need for all mankind to cultivate the spirit of forgiveness to help us grow into better, more productive human beings

Excellent, Healing!

True to life stories that are inspirational and very helpful in their different perspectives. thank you all for sharing such personal insights and I'm very happy for the growth that you received from forgiving. thank you for your example.