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Where the River Bends

by Michael T. McRay
Hardcover |English |1498284663 | 9781498284660

Where the River Bends

by Michael T. McRay
Hardcover |English |1498284663 | 9781498284660
Overview

Myriad works discuss forgiveness, but few address it in the prison context. For most people, prisoners exist ""out of sight and out of mind."" Their stories are often reduced to a few short lines in news articles at the time of arrest or conviction. But what happened before in the lives of the convicted? What has happened after? How have people in prison dealt with the harm they have caused and the harm they have suffered? What does forgiveness mean to them? What can we outsiders learn about the nature of forgiveness and prison from individuals who have both dealt and endured some of life's most painful experiences? Expanding on his MPhil dissertation Echoes from Exile (with Distinction) from Trinity College Dublin, Michael McRay's important new book brings the perspectives and stories of fourteen Tennessee prisoners into public awareness. Weaving these narratives into a survey of forgiveness literature, McRay offers a map of the forgiveness topography. At once storytelling, academic, activism, and cartography, McRay's book is as necessary as it is accessible. There is a whole demographic we have essentially ignored when it comes to conversations on forgiveness. What would we learn if we listened? ""[T]his book is important. . . . We cannot encounter these pages and remain unaffected. But what will happen to us if we listen to those we tend to ignore? This book is one way to find out. I encourage us all to listen."" --Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, from the foreword ""Where the River Bends ... offers depth of insight and perspective that is rare yet essential if we are going to move to higher ground."" --Michelle Alexander, author of the best-selling The New Jim Crow ""Michael McRay shares the stories that should make the headlines, but usually don't. . . . [He] proves that our wounds have the power to hold us hostage to the past or to compel us to build a future where grace gets the last word. . . . Don't just read this book--let it move you to become an agent of mercy in a merciless world."" --Shane Clairborne, activist, abolitionist, and author of Executing Grace and the best-selling Irresistible Revolution ""Michael McRay has written an extraordinary book. It tells the grand narrative of how justice, forgiveness from God, seeking and receiving forgiveness from others, and struggling with forgiving the self come together like a turbulent river. The origin of this particular river is in McRay's understanding of forgiveness, and McRay draws most heavily upon the superb theology and psychology of theologian Miroslav Volf, and peacemakers John Paul Lederach and Desmond Tutu. Then, fourteen prisoners' personal stories form 'tributaries' that arise from the turbulent river. Those stories recount crimes, address justice, and describe self-recrimination. It is forgiveness that often bends the flow of narrative into the grand narrative that forgiveness of self and others changes lives. This book could actually change your life."" --Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Author of Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past ""This book stands tall among the tomes on forgiveness. McRay takes us deep into the souls of prisoners, who explain the hard work of releasing rage. Their stories make it clear: the recipe for forgiveness is not simple or easy. Yet the gritty work of letting go opens the door to freedom, even behind bars. Caution: reading these heart-wrenching stories may change your life."" --Donald B. Kraybill, coauthor Amish Grace Michael T. McRay (MPhil, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast) is a writer, advocate, adjunct professor, and storyteller. He served as a volunteer prison chaplain before being banned by the warden for organizing, is the cofounder of No Exceptions Prison Collective, and is founder and cohost of Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling. He is the author of Letters from ""Apartheid Street"" (2013).
ISBN: 1498284663
ISBN13: 9781498284660
Author: Michael T. McRay
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2015-12-09
Language: English
PageCount: 218
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.63 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 16.8 ounces

Myriad works discuss forgiveness, but few address it in the prison context. For most people, prisoners exist ""out of sight and out of mind."" Their stories are often reduced to a few short lines in news articles at the time of arrest or conviction. But what happened before in the lives of the convicted? What has happened after? How have people in prison dealt with the harm they have caused and the harm they have suffered? What does forgiveness mean to them? What can we outsiders learn about the nature of forgiveness and prison from individuals who have both dealt and endured some of life's most painful experiences? Expanding on his MPhil dissertation Echoes from Exile (with Distinction) from Trinity College Dublin, Michael McRay's important new book brings the perspectives and stories of fourteen Tennessee prisoners into public awareness. Weaving these narratives into a survey of forgiveness literature, McRay offers a map of the forgiveness topography. At once storytelling, academic, activism, and cartography, McRay's book is as necessary as it is accessible. There is a whole demographic we have essentially ignored when it comes to conversations on forgiveness. What would we learn if we listened? ""[T]his book is important. . . . We cannot encounter these pages and remain unaffected. But what will happen to us if we listen to those we tend to ignore? This book is one way to find out. I encourage us all to listen."" --Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, from the foreword ""Where the River Bends ... offers depth of insight and perspective that is rare yet essential if we are going to move to higher ground."" --Michelle Alexander, author of the best-selling The New Jim Crow ""Michael McRay shares the stories that should make the headlines, but usually don't. . . . [He] proves that our wounds have the power to hold us hostage to the past or to compel us to build a future where grace gets the last word. . . . Don't just read this book--let it move you to become an agent of mercy in a merciless world."" --Shane Clairborne, activist, abolitionist, and author of Executing Grace and the best-selling Irresistible Revolution ""Michael McRay has written an extraordinary book. It tells the grand narrative of how justice, forgiveness from God, seeking and receiving forgiveness from others, and struggling with forgiving the self come together like a turbulent river. The origin of this particular river is in McRay's understanding of forgiveness, and McRay draws most heavily upon the superb theology and psychology of theologian Miroslav Volf, and peacemakers John Paul Lederach and Desmond Tutu. Then, fourteen prisoners' personal stories form 'tributaries' that arise from the turbulent river. Those stories recount crimes, address justice, and describe self-recrimination. It is forgiveness that often bends the flow of narrative into the grand narrative that forgiveness of self and others changes lives. This book could actually change your life."" --Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Author of Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past ""This book stands tall among the tomes on forgiveness. McRay takes us deep into the souls of prisoners, who explain the hard work of releasing rage. Their stories make it clear: the recipe for forgiveness is not simple or easy. Yet the gritty work of letting go opens the door to freedom, even behind bars. Caution: reading these heart-wrenching stories may change your life."" --Donald B. Kraybill, coauthor Amish Grace Michael T. McRay (MPhil, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast) is a writer, advocate, adjunct professor, and storyteller. He served as a volunteer prison chaplain before being banned by the warden for organizing, is the cofounder of No Exceptions Prison Collective, and is founder and cohost of Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling. He is the author of Letters from ""Apartheid Street"" (2013).

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


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We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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Overview

Myriad works discuss forgiveness, but few address it in the prison context. For most people, prisoners exist ""out of sight and out of mind."" Their stories are often reduced to a few short lines in news articles at the time of arrest or conviction. But what happened before in the lives of the convicted? What has happened after? How have people in prison dealt with the harm they have caused and the harm they have suffered? What does forgiveness mean to them? What can we outsiders learn about the nature of forgiveness and prison from individuals who have both dealt and endured some of life's most painful experiences? Expanding on his MPhil dissertation Echoes from Exile (with Distinction) from Trinity College Dublin, Michael McRay's important new book brings the perspectives and stories of fourteen Tennessee prisoners into public awareness. Weaving these narratives into a survey of forgiveness literature, McRay offers a map of the forgiveness topography. At once storytelling, academic, activism, and cartography, McRay's book is as necessary as it is accessible. There is a whole demographic we have essentially ignored when it comes to conversations on forgiveness. What would we learn if we listened? ""[T]his book is important. . . . We cannot encounter these pages and remain unaffected. But what will happen to us if we listen to those we tend to ignore? This book is one way to find out. I encourage us all to listen."" --Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, from the foreword ""Where the River Bends ... offers depth of insight and perspective that is rare yet essential if we are going to move to higher ground."" --Michelle Alexander, author of the best-selling The New Jim Crow ""Michael McRay shares the stories that should make the headlines, but usually don't. . . . [He] proves that our wounds have the power to hold us hostage to the past or to compel us to build a future where grace gets the last word. . . . Don't just read this book--let it move you to become an agent of mercy in a merciless world."" --Shane Clairborne, activist, abolitionist, and author of Executing Grace and the best-selling Irresistible Revolution ""Michael McRay has written an extraordinary book. It tells the grand narrative of how justice, forgiveness from God, seeking and receiving forgiveness from others, and struggling with forgiving the self come together like a turbulent river. The origin of this particular river is in McRay's understanding of forgiveness, and McRay draws most heavily upon the superb theology and psychology of theologian Miroslav Volf, and peacemakers John Paul Lederach and Desmond Tutu. Then, fourteen prisoners' personal stories form 'tributaries' that arise from the turbulent river. Those stories recount crimes, address justice, and describe self-recrimination. It is forgiveness that often bends the flow of narrative into the grand narrative that forgiveness of self and others changes lives. This book could actually change your life."" --Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Author of Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past ""This book stands tall among the tomes on forgiveness. McRay takes us deep into the souls of prisoners, who explain the hard work of releasing rage. Their stories make it clear: the recipe for forgiveness is not simple or easy. Yet the gritty work of letting go opens the door to freedom, even behind bars. Caution: reading these heart-wrenching stories may change your life."" --Donald B. Kraybill, coauthor Amish Grace Michael T. McRay (MPhil, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast) is a writer, advocate, adjunct professor, and storyteller. He served as a volunteer prison chaplain before being banned by the warden for organizing, is the cofounder of No Exceptions Prison Collective, and is founder and cohost of Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling. He is the author of Letters from ""Apartheid Street"" (2013).
ISBN: 1498284663
ISBN13: 9781498284660
Author: Michael T. McRay
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2015-12-09
Language: English
PageCount: 218
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.63 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 16.8 ounces

Myriad works discuss forgiveness, but few address it in the prison context. For most people, prisoners exist ""out of sight and out of mind."" Their stories are often reduced to a few short lines in news articles at the time of arrest or conviction. But what happened before in the lives of the convicted? What has happened after? How have people in prison dealt with the harm they have caused and the harm they have suffered? What does forgiveness mean to them? What can we outsiders learn about the nature of forgiveness and prison from individuals who have both dealt and endured some of life's most painful experiences? Expanding on his MPhil dissertation Echoes from Exile (with Distinction) from Trinity College Dublin, Michael McRay's important new book brings the perspectives and stories of fourteen Tennessee prisoners into public awareness. Weaving these narratives into a survey of forgiveness literature, McRay offers a map of the forgiveness topography. At once storytelling, academic, activism, and cartography, McRay's book is as necessary as it is accessible. There is a whole demographic we have essentially ignored when it comes to conversations on forgiveness. What would we learn if we listened? ""[T]his book is important. . . . We cannot encounter these pages and remain unaffected. But what will happen to us if we listen to those we tend to ignore? This book is one way to find out. I encourage us all to listen."" --Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, from the foreword ""Where the River Bends ... offers depth of insight and perspective that is rare yet essential if we are going to move to higher ground."" --Michelle Alexander, author of the best-selling The New Jim Crow ""Michael McRay shares the stories that should make the headlines, but usually don't. . . . [He] proves that our wounds have the power to hold us hostage to the past or to compel us to build a future where grace gets the last word. . . . Don't just read this book--let it move you to become an agent of mercy in a merciless world."" --Shane Clairborne, activist, abolitionist, and author of Executing Grace and the best-selling Irresistible Revolution ""Michael McRay has written an extraordinary book. It tells the grand narrative of how justice, forgiveness from God, seeking and receiving forgiveness from others, and struggling with forgiving the self come together like a turbulent river. The origin of this particular river is in McRay's understanding of forgiveness, and McRay draws most heavily upon the superb theology and psychology of theologian Miroslav Volf, and peacemakers John Paul Lederach and Desmond Tutu. Then, fourteen prisoners' personal stories form 'tributaries' that arise from the turbulent river. Those stories recount crimes, address justice, and describe self-recrimination. It is forgiveness that often bends the flow of narrative into the grand narrative that forgiveness of self and others changes lives. This book could actually change your life."" --Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Author of Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past ""This book stands tall among the tomes on forgiveness. McRay takes us deep into the souls of prisoners, who explain the hard work of releasing rage. Their stories make it clear: the recipe for forgiveness is not simple or easy. Yet the gritty work of letting go opens the door to freedom, even behind bars. Caution: reading these heart-wrenching stories may change your life."" --Donald B. Kraybill, coauthor Amish Grace Michael T. McRay (MPhil, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Trinity College Dublin at Belfast) is a writer, advocate, adjunct professor, and storyteller. He served as a volunteer prison chaplain before being banned by the warden for organizing, is the cofounder of No Exceptions Prison Collective, and is founder and cohost of Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling. He is the author of Letters from ""Apartheid Street"" (2013).

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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