NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A hauntingly beautiful account of a family fractured by war . . . filled with vivid and heartbreaking details.”—The New York Times Book Review SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • “Full of wonderful treasures offered by a unique and spirited father . . . written with serene grace: part memoir, part love story, all heart.”—James McBride, author of The Color of Water In 2005, Dana Canedy’s fiancé, First Sergeant Charles Monroe King, began to write what would become a two-hundred-page journal for his son in case he did not make it home from the war in Iraq. He was killed by a roadside bomb on October 14, 2006. His son, Jordan, was seven months old. Inspired by his example, Dana was determined to preserve his memory for their son. A Journal for Jordan is a mother’s fiercely honest letter to her child about the parent he lost before he could even speak. It is also a father’s advice and prayers for the son he will never know. A father figure to the soldiers under his command, Charles moved naturally into writing to his son. In neat block letters, he counseled him on everything from how to withstand disappointment and deal with adversaries to how to behfrave on a date. And he also wrote of recovering a young soldier’s body, piece by piece, from a tank—and the importance of honoring that young man’s life. He finished the journal two months before his death while home on a two-week leave, so intoxicated with love for his infant son that he barely slept. This is also the story of Dana and Charles together—two seemingly mismatched souls who loved each other deeply and lost each other too soon. A Journal for Jordan is a tender introduction, a loving good-bye, a reporter’s inquiry into her soldier’s life, and a heartrending reminder of the human cost of war.
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"What a heartbreakingly honest and thought provoking memoir in honor of Canedy's late fiance. A Journal for Jordan tells the story of a love that came to be, a father you'd never get to know and a family that wouldn't ever be quite whole again. Canedy is a New York Times editor whose fiance was a first sergant and was over on his last tour of duty in Iraq when his convoy was blown up with an IED and he was killed. She had his son Jordan, whom he only got to meet for two weeks when on leave. Prior to his son's birth, First Sergant King wrote a journal for his son, explaining how to be a man and teaching him invaluable lessons that he will forever cherish in place of the man he will never be able to hug again. Canedy is brave enough to share her story and excerpts of King's Journal to Jordan in this story that will make you appreciate your loved one's and think twice before you take anything, including your freedom and presence of family/friends, for granted again."
— Katie (4 out of 5 stars)
" This is an amazing love story. You know the tragic ending from the outset, which makes reading about the incredible love that the author shared with Master Sargeant Charles King before he was killed in Iraq all the more heart-wrenching. Ultimately, though, I was buoyed by Dana Canedy's amazing courage and by the knowledge that she has a beautiful baby boy to remind her of the love that she and Charles experienced for 10 unforgettable years. As an editor for the NY Times, Canedy definitely knows how to write. Despite the heaviness of the story, I found the book hard to put down and I read right through every page of notes and acknowledgements because I didn't want the book to end. "
— Claire, 2/20/2014" This came highly recommended, and I would agree with that. These wars are wreaking such havoc in so many lives. The author shows why one should grab wonderful opportunities in the toughest of times. "
— Ellie, 2/17/2014" It may be a few years before Jordan will want to read about his mothers more intimate recollections. "
— Shana, 2/10/2014" This was an ok book. Took a bit to keep going in it. It really makes you think about what the men and women who defend our country sacrifice to do that job well and ensure our safety. My heart breaks for all the children who will grow up without mothers or fathers. I am glad the mother and author of this book did not put the whole journal that Jordan's dad wrote for him into the book. That would have just taken away from the fact it was something from father to son. This was a book by a mother telling her son about his father. "
— Sammi, 2/10/2014" The tragedy behind this story is so terrible on so many levels. I mourned the loss of this man as I read. I also felt he deserved to be mourned for, by all of us, he earned it. As a representation of the ongoing repercussions of September 11, it is a reminder that the body count did not stop on that day. So many soldiers have been lost, so many families left behind shattered. There is a sadness when reading this knowing it has played out so many times. This was written so personally and with such candor, it is Dana's journal also and I thank her for sharing it. "
— Denise, 1/28/2014" I did not cry until the end. It gave me a look at life as a military wife. And let me tell you I had no idea if the father is not present at the time of birth his name can not be on the birth certificate. So what happens to all these mothers who give birth when a father is deployed??? "
— Tami, 1/6/2014" This was an amazing book. It was a real tear jerker. "
— Allison, 1/2/2014" A book that truly makes one appreciate the sacrifices soldiers and their families make for our country. "
— Angela, 12/27/2013" life is tenuous. everyone has similar fears and problems and victories. still in many ways a unique story. "
— Dinakar, 12/13/2013" I really liked this book although I'm not quite sure why. Knowing the ending should have been reason enough for me to dislike this book :) I think what I liked best was her writing style. Maybe it was so much like my own? "
— Cindy, 9/17/2013" One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. "
— Sheridan, 6/9/2013" I really enjoyed this book. It was written by an widow whose fiance was killed in Irag. It is a journal for their son you was seven months old when his father died. Get the tissues ready! "
— Alissa, 5/16/2013" This was a memoir of a wonderful, remarkable, kind hearted man.....may he rest in peace! "
— Teresa, 4/24/2013" Beautiful and Poignant story of a father's journal to his son before he died in Iraq. Very touching. "
— Sandra, 12/31/2012" I enjoyed the true story and about father and son, but I struggled with the dysfunctional relationship of the parents. Worth the read to learn about how the war and military service affect families. "
— Lindsay, 10/11/2012" I thought the introduction and last two or three chapters of this book were touching and heartbreaking. In between was solid, but slow going and did not hold anything for me. Having lost a family friend in Iraq, I'd hoped for more from this book. "
— Mgrother, 8/19/2011" A tear jerker about a woman's jouney through joy and grief, loving a soldier who was sent to Iraq and was killed. They had a child together who was a joy to all. His father wrote advice for life in a journal for him. A true story. Very nice. "
— Jeralyn, 3/10/2011" Sweet and sad story of love, loss, and new life. "
— Alicia, 12/5/2010" I am glad I read this book! I liked it, but it was hard to read knowing the outcome. "
— Valerie, 8/16/2010" I read this book in 2 days, such a beautiful heartbreaking story. A must read. "
— Gabriela, 8/6/2010" one of the best books i have ever read! you will need a whole box of kleenex when you read this. "
— Cariann, 5/18/2010" Man wrote a journal for his newborn son while he was stationed in Iraq - in case he didn't make it home. Husband died when baby was six months old. Wife took the journal and wrote this book. Just started it but it is very sweet. <br/>Read the last few chapters with a box of kleenex! "
— Theresa, 5/7/2010" Keep your Kleenex nearby. Read this on Jim's kindle. "
— Jim, 4/1/2010" I only gave this 3 stars because I would have liked to have seen more from the dad to his son. She included more stories about her and her husbands past and then meeting. I can understand though, if she wanted to keep most of the journal entries private for her son. "
— Jill, 3/12/2010" A tear jerker about a woman's jouney through joy and grief, loving a soldier who was sent to Iraq and was killed. They had a child together who was a joy to all. His father wrote advice for life in a journal for him. A true story. Very nice. "
— Jeralyn, 1/7/2010" A book that truly makes one appreciate the sacrifices soldiers and their families make for our country. "
— Angela, 12/10/2009" I loved this book. I think it would be a great idea for all soldiers to keep a journal for their families. "
— Steph, 12/1/2009" I think every mom should read this book. It made me so thankful to have a good man in my life and here for my son to grow up with. We shouldn't take such men for granted. This story almost made me cry in a couple places, which says a lot because I don't cry easily. "
— Lauren, 11/20/2009" I thought the introduction and last two or three chapters of this book were touching and heartbreaking. In between was solid, but slow going and did not hold anything for me. Having lost a family friend in Iraq, I'd hoped for more from this book. "
— Mgrother, 11/20/2009" Everyone that has or knows a soldier fighting now or ever or even for someone that has lost someone should read this book. <br/> <br/>It was very easy to read. I read it in one sitting. "
— Amber, 11/4/2009" prepare to cry. but so worth the tears. beautiful. i loved it. and not just cause my name is jordan. "
— Jordan, 11/2/2009Dana Canedy is a senior editor at the New York Times, where she has been a journalist for twelve years. In 2001, she was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for “How Race Is Lived in America,” a series on race relations in the United States. Raised near Fort Knox, she lives in New York City with her son, Jordan.
Bahni Turpin, winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several prestigious Audie Awards for her narrations, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. Publishers Weekly magazine named her Narrator of the Year for 2016. She is an ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles. She has guest starred in many television series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, What about Brian, and The Comeback. Film credits include Brokedown Palace, Crossroads, and Daughters of the Dust. She is also a member of the recording cast of The Help, which won numerous awards.
Mirron Willis—actor of film, stage, and television—is the winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2012 and a finalist for the Audie in 2015, as well as the winner of four AudioFile Earphones Awards for his audiobook recordings. He has worked extensively in film and television and on stage with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and the Ensemble Theatre, among others. He has recorded some 150 audiobooks, including the Smokey Dalton series by Kris Nelscott and My Song by Harry Belafonte. He resides and records audiobooks on his family’s historic ranch in East Texas.