Want a NOOK? Explore Now
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters and The Cross Gardener, a story of small kindnesses-and life-changing miracles.
Seventeen seconds can change a life forever. This is what Rex Connor learned on a gorgeous summer afternoon in 1970 when, as a lifeguard, he diverted his gaze for seventeen seconds and tragedy occurred. Forty years later the waves of that day still ripple through the lives of countless people, including his son, Cole.
Cole Connor has become a patient teacher, and now he has invited three struggling teenagers to visit him on his front porch to learn about Rex Connor-and the Seventeen Second Miracle. Together they will learn how Rex Connor could have allowed seventeen seconds to destroy him, but instead he chose to live every day believing the smallest of acts could change the world for good. And the students, each with their own secrets and private pains, will begin to understand that even tragedy brings lessons. Even pain brings comfort. Even death brings miracles. A seventeen second miracle can change a life-if you let it.
Another thought provoking novel from Jason F. Wright. Everyone should read this book not only for the story itself but for the self examination that goes on while reading it. Much like his Christmas Jars novel, this book will open the reader's eyes to simple ways to better the lives of the people arround them. By the end, you too will be looking for ways to perform seventeen second miracles throughout your day. You will believe in the Seventeen Second Miracle.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2011
Jason Wright has a way of creating characyers who steal your heart his stories have a potential to change the worlds thinking from human selfishness this was a bit of a slow read however an excellent novel
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 7, 2010
This is the best book I have read in a very long time and I read every day. Jason Wright has become my favorite author. He is brillant. This story had my both laughing and crying. I could not put it down. I was so involved in it I tried to read while I cooked and talked on the phone. I think everyone should read this book and get the meaning out of the story about how we all can be better to people. It's not that hard and it only takes 17 seconds or less. Theres alot more to the story than that but I don't want to give it away. It rally changed my life for the better and I too have started a journal like in the book for my husband but he doesn't know it. When you read it you'll understand what I'm talking about. It's a great read!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BookAddictDS
Posted August 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Second one I've read by this author and enjoyed both (first was 'The cross gardener'). It was a nice story, kept me interested the entire time. I am planning to purchase and additional books by Jason R Wright.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 19, 2012
This book should be everyone's library.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MommaP11
Posted February 2, 2012
This is a great book! It would definitely make this world a much better place if everyone tried to create 17 second miracles, and we appreciated the 17 second miracles that we experience ourselves. This book has given me a daily challenge.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2012
After reading this you will want to find ways to perform seventeen second miracles. Very touching.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5802887
Posted March 14, 2011
What a wonderful story ! It would be a better world if we all did 17 second miracles.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 20, 2013
A MUST read for sure! If I were still teaching high school, I would definitely work this into my curriculum!
I'm giving it as a graduation gift, birthday gift, teacher gift, etc. I defintely recommend it to everyone!
Steven-Wilks
Posted March 9, 2013
This was a great book and it is definitely worth your time to read. Jason F. Wright does a great job in explaining and setting the stage for what the book will be based on. He keeps you, as the reader, continuously engaged and interested. I read the book in four days because it was so intriguing and I wanted to know what happened next. The basic motto of the book is, “seventeen seconds can change a life.” This was the amount of time it took for a little girl, nicknamed Flick, to drown. The book is then based on the life of the main character’s father, Rex, who was initially blamed for letting the little girl drown. The seventeen second miracles are the acts of kindness Rex performed to overcome the feelings of guilt and sadness for Flick’s death. Rex kept a journal of these experiences, and they are passed on as Rex’s son, Cole, uses these stories to help change the lives of high school students. As I kept reading and learning more about the seventeen second miracles, I found myself looking for opportunities to perform seventeen second miracles to help someone else. Not only was I able to look for opportunities to serve others, but I also was able to notice the seventeen second miracles others performed for me. This book renews the hope that there are good people in the world. There are people who genuinely care about others and are willing to stop and serve when they are needed. Once again, I strongly recommend this to anyone. It is an easy and enjoyable read, and it will truly have an impact on your life if you will let it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 9, 2013
Another amazing find. Plenty of twists and heartwarming turns to keep you glued to the pages. I am so glad i found this author. This story makes you want to help others or at the very least be aware of how others treat each other. It really doesn't take much time at all to be kind.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 19, 2013
In the same amount of time it can take for a tragedy to occur, the same amount of time can also foster a miracle. One can either shut down after a horrific event or use it as a springboard to dive into life bringing blessings,
And inspire others to do the same.
Its all about CHOICE of how you respond!
Anonymous
Posted January 14, 2012
Awesome magazine!!!!!!!!!! I love it sooooooooooooooooooow
Muh
A "miracle" is defined as an extraordinary event the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers. "The Seventeen Second Miracle", by Jason F. Wright, is a story about tragedy, forgiveness, hope, love, healing....and miracles. The theme of this book is that it only takes a few seconds to change another person's life....for the good or for the bad.
The title of the book refers to the 17 seconds it took for a young girl to drown. Seventeen year old Rex Conner was swimming with his girlfriend "Sparks" and her sister "Flick" on Flick's 8th birthday. Flicks mother left Rex responsible for watching the young girl while she played in the water. When Rex turns his attention away for only those few seconds the girl drowns. He tries to revive her but to no avail and the mother holds him responsible.
Rex was overcome with grief and guilt. He gradually started noticing others and their needs. He started doing small acts of random kindness. He also noticed nice things that others did for him. When he shared this with Sparks she told him to write these things down in a daily journal. He would let Sparks read his journal regularly. Then Sparks started her own journal, writing down all that Rex was doing to help others, his "Seventeen Second Miracles".
Rex passed his journals and his legacy of doing good down to his son, Cole. Cole's father taught him that "love is a verb" and that "doing good" is not the same as being a "do good" person who has self-centered motives. Cole led a "Seventeen Second Miracle Discussion Group" with high school students that were hand-picked by the school principal. You see, the principal had been profoundly touched by one of Rex Conner's "seventeen second miracles" when he was a young man.
Miracles are all around us if we open our eyes and our hearts to see them. It might take 17 seconds or five hours to reach out and make a difference in another life. Love is a verb and the time spent doing good is not wasted.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2011
I really wanted to read a sample of this book. All that was included was a foreward and the table of contents. I dont know if it is the publisher or B & N that decided to give you only 9 pages, but shame on you! This in my eyes is NOT a sample. I wont purchase this now on pure principal.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 24, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 7, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 5, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 26, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters and The Cross Gardener, a story of small kindnesses-and life-changing miracles.
Seventeen seconds can change a life forever. This is what Rex Connor learned on a gorgeous summer afternoon in 1970 when, as a lifeguard, he diverted his gaze for seventeen seconds and tragedy occurred. Forty years later the waves of that day still ripple through the lives of countless people, ...