A Heart For Freedom by Chai Ling
Release Date: October 4, 2011
There was never any intention in my heart
For anyone to make the ultimate sacrifice.
We all wanted to live – and to live in freedom.
Chai Ling
On June 4, 1989, the world watched in horror as thousands of peaceful student demonstrators and their supporters were brutally massacred by their government in Beijing, China. For many, the striking image of a lone man bravely warding off an oncoming stream of army tanks will remain forever seared in their minds.
What events led to the military crackdown against its citizens near Tiananmen Square? How do those events continue to impact the survivors, China, and the rest of the world today?
Finding someone qualified to answer these questions has been practically impossible – until now.
A Heart For Freedom is the gripping tale of the woman at the center of it all – Chai Ling, leader of the student democracy movement. As Ling shares her story – from her humble beginnings as a naïve country girl from a small Chinese fishing village to her transformation into one of China’s brightest students with a coveted spot at Peking University– we gain our first glimpse into a world that most Westerners find difficult to comprehend. The backdrop that Ling paints is at times fascinating and at times shocking, but it’s key to understanding the catastrophic events that lead up to that fateful day.
With great clarity, Ling describes the personal pressures and the political climate that destine her to become a freedom fighter – something she never set out to do. She reveals how circumstances spiral out of control and she is forced to leave the homeland she loves as a fugitive on China’s Most Wanted list. Ultimately, her journey brings her to America, where she discovers that even in the world’s foremost democracy, freedom – especially from one’s past – can be a difficult dream to achieve.
Reading about Ling’s role in the student democracy movement is fascinating – but what I liked most about this book is that A Heart For Freedom is much more than a first-hand recount of historical events. It’s also a highly personal and inspirational tale of how God can use evil for good (Romans 8:28) – and how He can use the most devastating events of our lives to turn our hearts to Him.
Today, Ling – a two-time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee – has a new mission. Her goal is to bring God’s love to China as she fights for the rights and lives of women and children through her organization, All Girls Allowed.
I found Ling’s story compelling and moving. Once I started reading A Heart For Freedom, I could not put the book down.
If you are inspired by people who demonstrate courage and heroism when faced with great evil – if you would be encouraged by a personal account of how God heals and redeems in the midst of great loss – or if you could use inspiration, strength and encouragement to help you through your current struggles – read this book.
You won’t be disappointed.
Overall Rating
Five Out Of Five Stars
More Great Resources
For more inspirational books, visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Tyndahle House Publishers for review purposes. I did not receive any form of monetary compensation for this review, and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I recently read The Help and I am looking for a new book to read. Thanks for posting this review. I will have to check this one out.
I always wondered why and how that horrible day happened! So putting this on my to read list.
Thanks or the info.
Megan
hi im making a quick visit from the Alexa hop. I hope you take time to visit mine too. Thanks in advance
http://momdaughterstyle.blogspot.com/
My Mom just picked this up for me, cannot wait to read it!
Visiting from the Alexa Hop 🙂
If you get a chance, visit me at We Have It All
This sounds amazing. What a wonderful post! Consider A Heart for Freedom on my TBR list!
Thanks for sharing your reading with NOBH!
Stefanie
This book has now been added to my to-be-read list! I am glad you posted your review on this book – brought it front and centre!
Your writing certainly kept me hooked as I read your post – great job on this review.
Not sure who wrote this review, but thank you – whoever you are!!
Patricia
This has to be one of the most awesomely written reviews I’ve ever read! How long did it take you to develop your style?
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thank you so much – I really put a lot of heart into my reviews so your feedback really means a lot!
I’ve been writing all of my life, so really, I work on developing and honing my style each and every time I put words to paper (so to speak!)
Hi! Stopping by to check on you and to let you know I did not know until today I had not signed up for your newsletter so I did that today. I really need to start those myself. It is a little scary though. Any suggestions and do I just follow the instructions on Feedburner? Any help would be appreciated? Talk to ya sooner.
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Hi, I’m your newest follower and would love it if you could follow me back 🙂
Rebecca
http://www.ifonlylifecouldbethatsimple.blogspot.com
What an interesting topic! I’m adding this book to my must read list. Thanks for the review.
Very well written! :o)
Following you from the Monster Blog Hop through Twitter and GFC. I did not see your Facebook linky.
Have a great night!
Julie
Stlavonlady The Best Beauty Tips, Tricks and Savings
This sounds like a really good book. I love history and autobiographicals and I think this one would be right up my alley. Thanks for sharing! I’m giving you a stumble and would love a stumble back when you have a chance. Thanks! Tina
http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com/2011/09/classics-4-kids-pinocchio-review.html
Stumbled you post, my post is http://www.mamaluvsbooks.com/2011/09/ways-to-improve-reading-skills.html
This looks fantastic! Thanks for the review.
Here from HHH.
TAG! You’re it!! Hi, I’m a new follower from Follow Me Back Blog Hop. It would be great if you stopped by for a visit and followed me back. Have a great week. http://mavesfaves.blogspot.com/
I was looking for something interesting to read, and that book might just be a good find. I gave you a stumble, please stumble back: laptop with built-in kitchen 😉
Sounds like an interesting read
Stopping by from the Alexa Stop Hop Drop. Thanks for visiting!
Greta
How Was Your Day
Stopping by from the Alexa Blog Hop! Would love it if you stopped by my page – http://moneysavingmindy.blogspot.com. Thanks!
Mindy 🙂
My own daughter was born in 1989. This sounds like a book I need to read, and pass along to her. Thank you for sharing this review.
(visiting from Thoughtful Thursday Hop)
Intriguing review of what sounds like an inspiring story. Makes me feel even more blessed to lie in a country that supports our basic freedoms.
Sarah @ made in usa challenge
This books sounds amazing. I’m going to download it as soon as I am done with my current read. Thanks!
Hi from the Alexa hop. Following you via GFC. Hope you visit back.
Thanks.
I love true stories….of people who show courage, determination, resiliance…thanks. I’m in need of a good read.
I was just discussing another book that centers around China and democracy yesterday with a woman at my daughter’s dance class. I’ll have to make a note and share this with her next week!
I’m stopping by from STT (late, as usual!). If you want to stumble back, my post is here .
Have a great weekend!
Jamie @ http://www.mamamommymom.com
I can’t wait to read it. Randy Alcorn’s novel on China is excellent, too, and one of my favorites. “Safely Home.” You make it easy to choose my next book.
Wow, it truly is amazing how God can use evil to create good. What a great story. Sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte
It sounds like a very powerful book Ramona.
Thank you for participating in last week’s Wednesday Window @ Frugality Is Free. I hope you’ll stop by to link up your favorite blog post this week as well.
What a riveting book review of a critical time in China. Your descriptions left me with vivid images of what took place there. Keep writing and thank you for sharing this review with us. God bless, Bobbi
Wow what a fabulous book – IT was such a shocking story and the pictures, to a free world, seemed otherworldly. Thanks for sharing your book review. Shah .X
Your book review is compelling, thanks for sharing this story. I wish Chai Ling enormous success with her work and dreams going forward. Visiting from Katherine’s hop.
Thanks for the review – this is a book I’m certain I would love.
Twitter: mamastreasures
says:
Ramona! Thank you so much for sharing this book with me and all of your other readers. And thank you for visiting my blog, mamas*little*treasures. I must order this book today! My daughters need to know the country of their birth, and I trust that we can instill in them a love and respect for their heritage, but at some point they must also realize what their lives might have been like had they remained in a Chinese orphanage. I would love to connect with you and tell you about our girls ;o)
Our Annie just had her 9th birthday, and she has mild Cerebral Palsy, so she struggles some with balance, speech, and processing information in general. But she is a beautiful, loving, tender-hearted precious little girl, and she is making incredible progress with all of the support and therapy she is receiving through our school. Your comment on my blog meant a lot to me to know that my readers really care about our journey with adoption and the lives of our beautiful daughters. I will come back for a visit often, but first I must order that book! I so appreciate you telling me about it, because I had not heard of it. I will also do a post on my blog, may I link back here to your review? Thanks again, hope we can connect again soon, Nina @ mamas*little*treasures
Twitter: mamastreasures
says:
Hi – me again! I would like to contact Tyndale House for future book review possibilities for our community site at Ruby for Women (would love to have you join us where you can see our monthly online Christian women ezine!) . . . . can you help me figure out who to contact or how to sign up for their book review program? Come on over and see me here, too: http://www.rubyforwomen.ning.com
PS Would also love to have you share some of your book reviews with our community and perhaps in an upcoming issue of our ezine? Let me know what you think! Nina
This books sounds really amazing!
I will look out fro this book a thought provoking ‘H’
Thanks. This one sounds like a must read, for sure.
=)
This book goes right to the top of the bucket list!
Dear friend,
Sounds like a GREAT book. The beauty of freedom…beautiful words.
You really find some amazing books. This sounds incredible.
I have a long list to reserve at the library now thanks to you!
And…
Many thanks to you!