Unbroken: A Memoir

by Tracy Elliott

Book Overview

All the furniture in the house got wrecked except this one old wooden china cabinet in my grandmother's kitchen, which somehow remained standing despite all odds. One night, in the midst of a prayer, I glanced over at it and thought, If this cabinet could talk... What madness it had seen. The Lord spoke to me then. "You're both here, and you both survived, and just like this cabinet, you remain unbroken."

Tracy Elliott led a rough life. This...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401605281
• ISBN13: 9781401605285
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Unbroken because of God

The amazing thing about this book is the fact that she never lost the knowledge that God was her friend, even though she was abused, made wrong choices as an adult, and lived a life we would think was "far from God." However, her faith brought her to a changed and fulfilled life. She is not afraid to admit her past, giving God the glory for the present and future.

Spiritual Healing from Childhood Abuse

Tracy Elliott's beautiful smile as the winner of the 2006 Mrs. Texas pageant hides a secret past, which she boldly reveals in her new memoir. Co-authored with Jenna Glatzer, the narrative reads like a novel. Orphaned at age six when her mother died of alcoholism, Tracey grew up in the projects in small-town Georgia, raised by her grandmother. Also living in the house were several drunken, violent uncles who verbally and sexually abused Tracy, breaking everything in the house except a lone wooden china cabinet, which survived intact, like she did. Now married and the mother of two sons, Tracy credits her early faith in Jesus for bringing her through years of trauma, which later included living as a stripper and drug addict. Even after being married to a wonderful man, Tracy struggled with perfectionism as a mom, wanting to give her husband and sons everything she never had. The author's honest, real faith is captivating to readers, proclaiming the truth that Jesus has the power to heal anyone from a stained past. This is a beautiful book, with a message the world desperately needs to hear: just because you had a bad childhood doesn't mean your life can never be whole again. --Christian Women Online Book Buzz

Story of Triumph

I received inspiration and comfort from reading Tracy's story. It is told well, and is a story of triumph and healing. The only issue I had was her insulting view of what she called 'metaphysical' or 'new age' spirituality she encountered in her rehabilitation program. I am not saying all 'new age' philosophies are healthy, just as not all 'Christian' churches preach healthy spirituality. But, what I guess is called 'metaphysical' spirituality (for a lack of a better label or term) is what I embrace and follow and what has been profoundly loving, uplifting, empowering, and healing for me. Also, Jesus and metaphysical spirituality are not mutually exclusive. I do not think Jesus is only the domain of contemporary Christians, or those who call themselves Christians, and go to a conventional Christian church. To me this is spiritually insulting and all to often becomes a form of possessiveness, religious greed, and sometimes even spiritual abuse. Jesus belongs to everyone and he is very important in my life. When I was reading some of Ms. Elliott's views of Jesus and the Bible, etc, I felt disconnected from her story and I had to work to remind myself we are both on a spiritual path that is healing to us and I have to honor that her expression of a spiritual path is different than mine. That is ok, as she herself discovered in her in-patient rehabilitation program that was so healing for her. But, despite this obstacle, there is much wisdom, inspiration and insight to be gained from this story. I recommend it.