No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy, 10th Anniversary Edition

The best conversion story I've read since reading Thomas Merton's "The Seven Storey Mountain" a quarter of a century ago. Comparisons to the conversion of Augustine are valid. Father Calloway has the humility to go into his sins, his life of sex, drugs, rock and roll, and crime. His acting out, his sorrows seemed to proceed from having three different fathers early on in the wake of his Mom's two divorces. As St. Augustine famously wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you", so Father devastates the emptiness of much of what the world has to offer in a couple of key passages:"It dawned on me that since I was nine or 10 years old, I had put a lot of different things on my tongue looking for happiness. I had drunk a lot of different liquids looking for that eternal high, something that was 'more', something that would satisfy me forever. ... I had experienced every sensual satisfaction one could possibly have with a woman, I'd heard every kind of music, done every kind of drug, and at times I'd even had money. But in the end, it all seemed worthless. I always seemed to be back at nothing. Life sucked for me and I didn't want to go on with the charade any longer. ... Here was the answer. God! ... (He) invited me to partake of His very self, the food that brings eternal life and the drink that sustains. ... [T]he Eucharist sustains us; it's the bread of the holy. ... I knew the Church was like a hospital for ill people like me. Jesus was the doctor and the medication. And it is all free!" (PP. 172,151)Born in 1972, Father is about 7 years younger than me. This book might be excellent to give to someone in their 40s or 50s, maybe a little older, maybe a little younger, whose conversion you are praying for, because of all the interesting cultural references Father makes. Some of these include:The Grateful Dead (PP. 113-119,124,158,177), Led Zeppelin (40,86,157), Bon Jovi (23,92), AC/DC (158), Tears For Fears (71), Pink Floyd (114), "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" (157), "E.T." (62), "Starsky & Hutch" (57), "The Shining" (148), "The Wizard Of Oz" (165), the video game "Frogger" (24), the Philadelphia 76ers (115), NASCAR (119), and many, many more.Father has talent as a writer. Like a movie that starts with a chase and then flashes back, "No Turning Back" starts with a young Donald Calloway being chased through Japan by the authorities. The book is not boring. The early action hooks you in before Father starts to slow things down a bit by writing about the roots of his problems.

INCREDIBLE STORY!!! I simply couldn't put this book down. If you're a parent with a wayward child, you MUST read Father Calloway's inspiring and amazing autobiography. If you're a teen struggling with sin, this book can truly turn your life around. If you're a Catholic simply wanting an un-put-down-able story, look no further. This is a beautiful and memorable tribute to the Blessed Virgin's motherly love and God's unfailing mercy and grace. One of the best books I've ever read.

Like Father Calloway, I am both a priest and a convert. My conversion story was nowhere nearly as dramatic as his, though. I am also not a member of a religious institute, but belong to the diocesan clergy. I thank him for telling his story. The Church needs the witness of converts. As difficult as conversion can sometimes be, never underestimate the miracles of divine grace working in the soul. It's been my privilege as a priest to see this in the lives of not only my brothers in the seminary, but in the lives of the lay people in the parish. I think this book will be a real inspiration to anyone whose children have drifted away from the Faith or anyone whose children are getting involved in dangerous situations. Never underestimate the power of divine grace at work in the soul. Never underestimate the power of God to do amazing things in people's lives. Sometimes, it may take a miracle. Ask for miracles.

The violence is described as if being told by a witness. On the sexual content, it is implied. There is no actual act. This book is amazing. To see the radical tranformation of one who was so messed up to someone who is so is on track grateful is inspiring. Father Calloway writes as if he is talking to a good friend. Father Calloway is very candid about his past life and how it affected those around him. This could be a life changing experience to anyone who has gone down the wrong road and feels that they cannot be saved. They can!I enjoyed it so much, that I went ahead and bought Father Calloway's 2nd book, Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon. This book should be made into a movie.

The first half of the book the author seems to revel in the memories of his wild days without having any remorse for the enormous damage he left in his wake. Then he has absolutely no humility or gratitude for the gift that was given to him which was his conversion and miraculous healing. Then in the last part of the book, which I found so offensive I had to stop reading, he seems to be appealing to modern-day Jansenists for support. He writes like he is the authority on God; that he has the full and complete truth on God. He writes that God will only love you if you are perfect and obey all the rules. His wild days should have made him humble and embracing of weak and broken souls but instead he is extremely arrogant, narcissistic, pompous and sports a holier than thou attitude. What a waste!

It would be easy to despair of forgiveness if we are steeped in what we see as a sinful life. This book gives us all the confidence that God never abandons us. He is always there looking out for us like the father in the parable of the prodigal son. Having met Fr. Calloway on two occasions in Paisley, Scotland, I can confirm that he is a well adjusted man and considering his past life we can only praise God for his work, love and mercy. We also thank Fr. Calloway for accepting that love and mercy and sharing it with the world.

A really engaging and easy read. Very powerful too - I learned more about Our Lady's love for us. I also learned more about surfing than will ever be useful to me. Nevertheless, a highly recommended book which progresses at quite a clip.

Such an amazing story of conversion, reading this has given me a renewed spirit, nobody is beyond the arm of God's mercy

Good read

Excellent book Well eitten and holds your attention from start to finish!