“God loves us as we are, not as we should be.” ( )

Written just a few years before he died, these memoirs describe some of the author's early life, his longing for affection and his descent into alcoholism. Yet he writes without self-pity, showing real, flawed individuals in his life, and constantly acknowledging his own failings.

The writing is excellent, the story moving, and the overwhelming feeling was of how this man's life was so enriched by the unfailing grace of God. Despite all his many faults, Brennan Manning was clearly a tremendous influence for good through his writing, his public teaching, and also his close friendships and work as a Catholic priest.

Powerful, moving and a fitting tribute to this incredible man.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/03/all-is-grace-by-brennan-manning.htm... ( )

I have several friends I greatly respect who have long adored Manning. That’s never been me. But this was a great read, his last book, I believe. ( )

Brennan leaves you pondering. Can grace cover ongoing failure and can God use mightily such a broken vessel? Short and painful narration of Brennan's life, lowlighting his failure rather than highlighting his success. Succeeds in being a poignant reflection on his life and what God is able to do by His grace. ( )

"As a writer I live in daily awareness of how much easier it is to edit a book than edit a life. When I write about what I believe and how I should live, it sounds neat and orderly. When I try to live it out, all hell breaks loose. Reading Brennan's memoir, I see something of a reverse pattern. By focusing on the flaws, he leaves out many of the triumphs. I keep wanting him to tell the stories tha...t would put him in a good light, and there are many. Choosing full disclosure in a narrative that might burnish his reputation, Brennan presents himself as the apostle Paul once did, as a clay jar, a disposable container made of baked dirt. A poem by Leonard Cohen says it well: "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Phillip Yancy ~ Introduction to All Is Grace, the autobiography of Brennan Manning.

I wouldn't give this to someone instead of The Ragamuffin Gospel.


If felt authentic. Real person with real struggles from a tough background overwhelmed by the wonderfulness of grace. I couldn't stop reading it once I started and finished it in a few hours. ( )