A Journal for Jordan (Abridged): A Story of Love and Honor Audiobook, by Dana Canedy Play Audiobook Sample

A Journal for Jordan (Abridged): A Story of Love and Honor Audiobook

A Journal for Jordan (Abridged): A Story of Love and Honor Audiobook, by Dana Canedy Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Dana Canedy Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 2008 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739358610

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

79

Longest Chapter Length:

05:14 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

33 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

03:59 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Dana Canedy: > View All...

Publisher Description

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   “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 behave on a date. And he also wrote, from his tent, 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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"Beautifully written and very inspirational. My fiance was in the same company and thought of First Srg. King as a father and a guardian angel. He shared some of his funny memories he had with him and he was an amazing man. My fiance wouldnt read the book. He said he was there he didnt need to read it. I read it behind his back to see kind of what he went through and to try to understand. She makes you love this man. Hes truly amazing and the definition of a hero. You feel like his family too. By the end of the book i couldnt function. I cried.... a lot ..and I gave my fiance a long hug. She is an amazingly strong women. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

— Lindsie (5 out of 5 stars)

A Journal for Jordan Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.86486486486486 out of 53.86486486486486 out of 53.86486486486486 out of 53.86486486486486 out of 53.86486486486486 out of 5 (3.86)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 15
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " What a great lasting memory for a son to have of his father. Heartfelt and sweet throughout. I liked this book. "

    — Stephanie, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " As soon as I read the description of the book I was drawn in. Canedy did a wonderful job of the telling enough of the story from everyone's point of view and put excerpts from the journal in at just the right time. I like that it was not just the journal, but rather her telling the story of their lives. The voice in her writing is perfect. I could feel the sorrow and the happiness she went through and was unable to put it down until I finished the last word. "

    — Elise, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book! I actually put it down for about 6 months because I didn't want to read the final chapters knowing how sad they would be, I'm so glad I finally did! Canedy did a great job honoring him but I was still able to read without stopping to wipe my eyes every paragraph (just about every third :)). A very good read. "

    — Clare, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " What a beautiful family they made spending what little time they had together and what a tragedy that Charles is no longer alive. The ravages of war are heartbreaking. Such a touching memoir of a couple that firmly believed in honor, respect and love. I'm glad that I got to know a little bit about the people who were and are Charles, Dana and Jordan through the pages of this book. "

    — Ashley, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A book that truly makes one appreciate the sacrifices soldiers and their families make for our country. "

    — Angela, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Dana Caneday writes to her son Jordan about the father he lost to war before he could speak. It tells of their courtship and hardships they faced. Then America'a war on terrorism was declared and First Sergent King was deployed. While there, he wrote a journal for his son telling of his experiences and how to grow up to be a gentleman just in case he never made it home to tell Jordan these things himself. Definitely a tear-jerker. "

    — Shannon, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was an amazing book. It was a real tear jerker. "

    — Allison, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I swore I wouldn't cry, but I did. This is a very good story about a very brave man. "

    — Macy, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Beautiful and Poignant story of a father's journal to his son before he died in Iraq. Very touching. "

    — Sandra, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Keep your Kleenex nearby. Read this on Jim's kindle. "

    — Jim, 12/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very moving and captivating story. "

    — Christine, 10/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I am glad I read this book! I liked it, but it was hard to read knowing the outcome. "

    — Valerie, 7/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It may be a few years before Jordan will want to read about his mothers more intimate recollections. "

    — Shana, 4/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A heart-wrenching account of a man and a woman's journey and the tragic end. A tear jerker. I highly recommend, but caution anyone who has military family. It may be too difficult to read. It is honest, painful, joyful, and most of all . . . real. I am glad I read this book. "

    — Jen, 12/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " OMG, I just finished this book at lunch and was straight up crying in the conference room. Truly a beautiful love story. It made me want to be a better person, a better girlfriend, a better Christian, a better everything. Wow. Wonderfully well-written. "

    — Vix, 6/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of the best books i have ever read! you will need a whole box of kleenex when you read this. "

    — Cariann, 4/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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, 3/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " bawled my eyes out reading this, it was so good and heart breaking though. "

    — Deirdre, 2/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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, 10/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Bring several boxes of tissues. Very touching and very good. "

    — Barb, 8/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Sweet and sad story of love, loss, and new life. "

    — Alicia, 1/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I am glad I read this book! I liked it, but it was hard to read knowing the outcome. "

    — Valerie, 8/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I read this book in 2 days, such a beautiful heartbreaking story. A must read. "

    — Gabriela, 8/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. Read the last few chapters with a box of kleenex! "

    — Theresa, 5/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Keep your Kleenex nearby. Read this on Jim's kindle. "

    — Jim, 4/1/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A book that truly makes one appreciate the sacrifices soldiers and their families make for our country. "

    — Angela, 12/10/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Everyone that has or knows a soldier fighting now or ever or even for someone that has lost someone should read this book. It was very easy to read. I read it in one sitting. "

    — Amber, 11/4/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " prepare to cry. but so worth the tears. beautiful. i loved it. and not just cause my name is jordan. "

    — Jordan, 11/2/2009

About Dana Canedy

Dana 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.