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Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given (2010)

by Duane Chapman(Favorite Author)

3.86 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1401323715 (ISBN13: 9781401323714)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Hyperion

review 1: It is rare that I read a book that is dedicated to me. Thanks Dog. The reason that this book is dedicated to me is because it is dedicated to anyone that Duane "Dog" Chapman has ever offended with his mouth. That's me!I'm split over my opinion of Duane Chapman, but this book helped me understand some stuff in a new light.First, I am thrilled by the fact that "Dog" truly cares about the fugitives he apprehends. I am delighted whenever I've seen him on T.V. with a captured bad guy in the back of his car as he literally "ministers" to the guy, telling him of his need to get clean, how he is ruining his family, hurting his parents, etc. As someone who has been that parent, I'm glad Dog isn't just cursing them, etc. but trying to be a blessing in their lives.I have been ap... morepalled at how Duane leads his team in prayer prior to a hunt, but in the midst of the hunt curses like a sailor. This book helped me understand that a bit better. Not excuse him, but understand.Duane Chapman had nobody to teach him polite behavior. Having spent time in a motorcycle gang, in prison, etc. -- strong language was simply commonplace for him. Working with the criminal element, that didn't change much. It isn't as if he gets up everyday and sells televisions or used cars for a living. He doesn't deal the general public, he deals with some people who only understand strong language. Does he have to speak that way? No, but I understand that Duane is on a journey and there are probably a few other things God is dealing with him about right now. This particular book is really about Duane's struggles AFTER his own son recorded a conversation and released it to the National Enquirer. In that conversation, Duane Chapman repeatedly uses the "N" word, speaking in a demeaning fashion about the girl the young man was dating and some of her friends. I remember when I heard this recording that I was shocked by the racist attitude I was hearing. However, Chapman offers an explanation-- and at first I'm thinking "Yeah, right" but eventually he sold me (and a LARGE number of African American people) on it. He had heard the word so much in prison-- it was so commonplace-- and in the context he was using it he considered it more a reference to her gangster-tough girl image than her race. Some of his best friends in prison had been African Americans and they called each other that phrase all the time-- sort of meant-- my tough guy homey!!! He was trying to get his son to move away from this junkie girlfriend before he went back to prison-- which he did eventually... When he went an explained himself to black leaders like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, he embraced his error-- confessed his ignorance-- and apologized on several talk shows. He came out and confronted his own ignorance-- and the African American leaders not only forgave him, but embraced him. Eventually, his television show was back on the network. During his discussion of this conversation-- Chapman makes some powerful statements. He expresses how some who surrounded him condemned his son for taping a private conversation, but says he felt that way at first. However, he states that every person bears responsibility for what they say, whether in private or in public, and that each person should consider the impact of his words before he utters them.. and in this case-- he did not-- he used an evil word in a careless manner and the only thing he could do was not blame the person who caught him, but take personal responsibility and then he uses a Biblical term.. REPENT! Amen... I was so deeply impressed with his integrity at this point. The editors didn't really try to remove too much of Dog from this book. They let him wander around a bit-- chase a few rabbits-- and they didn't clean up his language much (except for using ** in a few stronger words) and they didn't rewrite the poor grammar he occasionally uses. As a result, the reader experiences a book that is very conversational in tone. This is both its strength and its downfall, in my opinion. Still, I'm glad I took the time to read it. I now understand another side of the scandal that shook a man that many consider to be one of the few remaining heroes, a modern day cowboy...
review 2: My grandparents gave me this book after they read it. I gave it a 3 mainly because they enjoyed it, but I did not. Dog comes across as cocky to me and he makes too many excuses for his actions. I'm 23, so I might not connect with his old school thinking much. The N word is not justified by being part Native American (what a joke). I am not convinced of his talks with God and God saying to him everytime ''Dog'' this is what you need to do. God does not always speak like a Morgan Freeman narration. To promote God so much he needs to look at his own flaws a little more. He uses a lot of curse words, gloats in his own fame / admiration, and is judgemental of other people. It seems Dog needs to get more in tune with his family. I understand every family has kids that stray from the pack, but he has numerous children stepping out of line. On a good note though I found it somewhat interesting and I can tell he wants to be a Godly man. It also must appeal to an older generation if my grandparents liked it. I think Dog's ego is more suited for reality tv. I prefer to read books that involve more humilty and as a fellow Christian I believe he needs to look within himself more. All people should concentrate on their own flaws. less

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