Murder by Family: The Incredible True Story of a Son's Treachery and a Father's Forgiveness | 
 enlarge | Author: Kent Whitaker
Publisher: Howard Books
Category: Book
List Price: $22.99
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Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 13168
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.6 x 1
ISBN: 1416578137
Dewey Decimal Number: 248.86092
EAN: 9781416578130
ASIN: 1416578137
Publication Date: September 23, 2008
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Condition: BRAND NEW AND IN PERFECT CONDITION!!! crisp, clean text / tight spine / clean cover / ENJOY!
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Product Description
This is the tragic story of Kent Whitaker's heart-wrenching journey toward forgiveness and faith after the brutal murder of his wife and one of his sons. Straight from the headlines comes an incredible true story of a son's treachery. For the first time, readers are offered inside access to the emotional drama that went on behind the scenes. At the core is the remarkable healing power of forgiveness, demonstrated by Kent Whitaker, which shows how the survivors of such atrocious events can still forgive those who have permanently damaged their lives. One evening, the Whitaker family returned home after dinner, celebrating a son's impending graduation from college. On opening the front door, they faced a gunman lying in wait. The gunman opened fire, instantly killing the younger sonand Kent's wife, leaving Kent and his older son lying wounded until police and ambulances arrived. While recovering in the hospital, Kent resolved in his heart to forgive whoever was responsible for the deaths of his wife and son. Over the next few weeks, it was discovered that the whole murder plot had been orchestrated by the surviving son -- whom Kent had unknowingly forgiven. After a trial that resulted in a death sentence for his son, Kent emerged from this harrowing ordeal to share their astonishing journey toward forgiveness and redemption.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
I recommend this book November 19, 2008
I found this book fascinating. I had watched this story on "48 Hours" and on "Oprah" and was interested in the forgiveness this father had for the son that murdered the rest of the family. I must say that while I find his forgiveness amazing, I am not convinced of his son's repentance but, then again, I don't have to be. I felt bad for the father, but do think the son got what he deserved especially since the murder was his third attempt to kill his family. If his friend had been a better shot, the father wouldn't be here to tell his story either. I was also appalled that the son didn't seem to have any problem finding morally corrupt people to help him. I think they all should have gotten the death penalty, although the son was the worst since it was his family that he should have wanted to protect--it was the ultimate betrayal. I hope the father finds peace in this life and I think he will if he hasn't already thanks to his deep faith. I was happy to hear the treatment that the son receives in prison--I think that's what all prisons should be like. I don't feel bad for the son at all. I think he had to be a sociopath to do this. I don't buy the "poor me, I didn't like myself but now I am better" defense at all. My sympathies go the victims not the murderer.
 Cry, the Beloved Country November 16, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Murder By Family, published by Howard Books, the north star of unpublished fundamentalists everywhere, tells the story of Bart Whitaker, currently languishing on Death Row in Texas, as told through the eyes of the father he failed to successfully murder. The book takes some stomach to get through, both for the rather unsavoury subject matter, but especially for the sanctimonious writing style of its author. What is unmistakable from the outset is that Kent Whitaker is a man for whom religious dogma has so comprehensively eclipsed common sense, that he believes any and all actions by mankind, no matter how perverse or extraneous, may be ascribed to the grand plan of some higher power. Oh dear!
From this it is compelling to conclude that the far, far more interesting story would be that as told by Bart. One can't help but wonder at the consequences of growing up in so stultifying an atmosphere as that represented by the sort of fundamentalist Christian gibberish so perfectly exemplified by the head of this Texan family of dogmatic zealots.
Time and time again, the reader has his nose tediously rubbed into Mr. Whitaker's interpretation of the Bible, and it becomes appallingly clear that he sees himself in the role of a latter-day King David, apropos the errant son Absalom. Only when young Bart is judicially murdered by the State of Texas for his wickedness, an outcome that seems increasingly likely, will Kent be able to "weep the bitter tears" he writes of so admiringly, and draw "closure", that most hollow of American outcomes, from a grisly crime of unknown motivation.
For its intended market, Murder By Family examines, albeit shallowly, the fact of forgiveness despite, or rather because of, an act of dreadful filial treachery. It is, in truth, a very poorly written book indeed, lacking is soul, depth and meaning. Rather like life used to be in the Whitaker household, one wonders.
 Who are these people? October 25, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have just finished the book and yet have absolutely no idea who these people are. What was their family life like? Why did Bart carry enough hate to murder his mother and brother? I still know so little about the wife and mother? Bart's brother Kevin.
Left me in awe October 16, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This novel by Kent Whittaker is a quick read, partly because you cannot put it down. In the beginning, I wanted to find out HOW this could have happened. In the end, though the book is filled with Christian love and forgiveness on the part of Kent, I wanted more from the story. I wanted to know more about Bart, Kent's son who was the mastermind behind the murders of his mom and brother - and attempted murder of Kent.
I do not, in any way, mean to question Kent Whittaker - God knows he has suffered enough- but as a parent (and high school teacher) I was wanting to know WHY Kent and his wife didn't take Bart seriously on the first attmept at taking thier lives.
Still, the book is chilling. I still catch myself thinking of those young men who were involved in the first (and second) attemtps....knowing that they are still roaming the streets. So scary!
 Only by God's Grace October 15, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
It feels intrusive to write a "review" of what Kent Whitaker has gone through. In "Murder by Family" Kent shares his journey and his experience living through the murder of his wife and son as planned by his other son. The book is uniquely Kent's. No one else can pretend to know or understand the horror he's lived with. The fact that Kent can not only forgive his son, but write about the journey is incredible. Anyone who is interested in the how-to of forgiveness and mercy will be engrossed by this story. Readers who enjoy true crime, thrillers, and stories about family dynamics will love "Murder by Family."
It feels glib to recommend such a book, to reduce it to "readable" or "well written" or even "compelling." It is all those things and much more. It's a peek into the heart of a grieving husband and father who determined that he would live out his faith in the face of the worst circumstances imaginable. It's a glimpse of the prodigal's father, of King David mourning Absalom. It will leave you humbled and in awe.
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