Beautiful Nate

A Memoir of a Family's Love, a Life Lost, and Heaven's Promises

By: Dennis Mansfield

Narrated by: Dennis Mansfield

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

Even when you follow all the rules, life can go very wrong.... Dennis Mansfield and his wife, Susan, planned for and expected every parent's dream, but instead lived every parent's nightmare. This haunting memoir tells the story of a father who diligently followed all the parenting rules that he learned from conservative Christian "experts" - yet life with his son Nate went terribly wrong when the young man died at 27 of drug-related causes. It wasn't that the principles Dennis followed were faulty; it was that the promised guarantee turned out to be void.

The author, a national leader in the pro-family movement of the 1990s, reveals what did and did not work while raising a child within the evangelical framework. But rather than losing his faith and abandoning the God he'd trusted, Dennis eventually found new joy and purpose - with a more compassionate and realistic view of the roles parents play and the rules they follow. As you listen to this sobering yet refreshing account, you will find direction for your own parenting style and encouragement after life's disappointments.

©2013 Howard Books (P)2013 Oasis Audio

Excellent. Honest. Beautiful story.

Love the authors honesty about what they did good and bad as parents. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. Such an encouraging story to all people! Even if you aren’t a parent.

Must read for all parents!

This book is appropriate for all family's. Life is not easy and figuring out how to raise children with Christ centered in the home is hard. Fear must not lead, and it is not of Christ. I have done this for so long. This book was eye opening. Yes, we are not raising children, but adults. It is hard to face the very thing we fear the most happening, but god is with us. This is evident in the book. A must read!

Good story but lacked depth

Overall, I enjoyed this book and think the story is compelling and needs to be told. I enjoyed having the author read the book because he could put his own emotions into it. I really wish the author would have put more details into what it was like having a drug addicted son. What were the early signs? What did it do to the rest of the family? What exactly went on? I feel like this was glossed over and the book would have had much more impact if the cold hard facts were laid out for the reader. It was almost as if the author really wanted to tell the story but was embarassed by the details. I still would recommend the book because this is such an important topic and the story is good.