Ghosted: An American Story

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 578 ratings

Price: 22.04

Last update: 11-25-2024


About this item

Read by the author.

A riveting look inside a life of poverty, success, and the inner circles of political influence—from the foothills of Appalachia all the way to the White House.

New York Times bestselling ghostwriter Nancy French is coming out of the shadows to tell her own incredible story.

Nancy's family hails from the foothills of the Appalachians, where life was dominated by coal mining, violence, abuse, and poverty. Longing for an adventure, she married a stranger, moved to New York, and dropped out of college. In spite of her lack of education, she found success as a ghostwriter for conservative political leaders. However, when she was unwilling to endorse an unsuitable president, her allies turned on her and she found herself spiritually adrift, politically confused, and occupationally unemployable.

Republicans mocked her, white nationalists targeted her, and her church community alienated her. But in spite of death threats, sexual humiliation, and political ostracization, she learned the importance of finding her own voice—and that the people she thought were her enemies could be her closest friends.

A poignant and engrossing memoir filled with humor and personal insights, Ghosted is a deeply American story of change, loss, and ultimately love.


Top reviews from the United States

Donald A Volle
5.0 out of 5 stars Didn’t Want it to End!
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
Recently read Ghosted. Haunting. Heartbreaking. Funny. Didn’t want the book to end. Was expecting it to be more a political story (which in many was it did involve politics) but in the end I found it to be one of the most deeply moving and powerful spiritual life journeys I have ever read. Would highly recommend!
Aaron and Meagan Ruff
5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t take my word for it…
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
I sat down to read last night after finishing my homework for the week. It was relatively early, but my kids were asleep so I figured I could read a good chunk of my new book before I needed to go to sleep.

Never in my life have I sat down with a book and not stopped reading. I always thought people were exaggerating when they said they couldn’t put a book down. Maybe they were, but I’m not. I finished Ghosted at 1:30 in the morning and crawled into bed, not one bit regretful about my decision.

Nancy French is an incredible writer. I was devouring page after page, mesmerized by her storytelling. Nancy’s story is hard, heartbreaking, beautiful, gritty, and real. The intersection of good faith, political engagement, and writing is a space I’m already invested in, and Nancy wove it together with ease.

If you’re a reader, a person of faith, someone interested in meaningful political engagement, or a writer of any kind this book is a must read. There is so much more to Nancy’s story, but it’s better if you read it yourself.
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Aaron and Meagan Ruff
5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t take my word for it…
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
I sat down to read last night after finishing my homework for the week. It was relatively early, but my kids were asleep so I figured I could read a good chunk of my new book before I needed to go to sleep.

Never in my life have I sat down with a book and not stopped reading. I always thought people were exaggerating when they said they couldn’t put a book down. Maybe they were, but I’m not. I finished Ghosted at 1:30 in the morning and crawled into bed, not one bit regretful about my decision.

Nancy French is an incredible writer. I was devouring page after page, mesmerized by her storytelling. Nancy’s story is hard, heartbreaking, beautiful, gritty, and real. The intersection of good faith, political engagement, and writing is a space I’m already invested in, and Nancy wove it together with ease.

If you’re a reader, a person of faith, someone interested in meaningful political engagement, or a writer of any kind this book is a must read. There is so much more to Nancy’s story, but it’s better if you read it yourself.
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Cliff
5.0 out of 5 stars There is no other memoir like it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
Nancy French’s book is insightful personally, politically and, spiritually. And it somehow manages to be moving, funny and honest.

My guess is this will be remembered for a long time. It’s not a fly by night book.
Beverly Diehl
4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Enable Child Abuse Predators
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
Nothing like being betrayed by those you trust the most. Nancy French is smart, brave, and a very good writer.

Brought up Christian, in a small, tight-knit Appalachian community, she was sl*t-shamed when her abuse, beginning at age 12 by a youth pastor came to light. This begins a thread which runs throughout the book, and may be triggering to other survivors of similar abuse.

She and her husband were staunch, lifelong Republicans, and she just couldn't support their last Presidential candidate, the (not-yet) Convicted Felon who bragged about grabbing women by their genitals. This led to more abuse, and ostracization from what had been her tribe, her community. The hurt and confusion is on full display.

This book is a great insight into the lives and thinking of "red" rural communities. For that reason, it will be challenging reading for lifelong Dems (can't count how many times I yelled "how could you believe THAT?" at the page), for lifelong Republicans who are confronted with some ugly patterns they may prefer not to examine, and survivors of predatory criminals. I can't say I *enjoyed* it, exactly - though there are wonderful dashes of humor in it, but I'm glad I read it.
Paul Colligan
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, compelling, refreshing
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2024
Delightful: Life is made up of all the different characters we cross paths with. As we learn their real stories, we get to understand how big it all is - how many different options there are. When someone gifts us their story, if it is told true, we benefit. This one is told true, and I’m better for it. And, as a bonus, I’ll never think of Van Halen the same way ;-)

Compelling: I belong to a significant group of ex-vangelicals (or whatever term you want to call us) who are still trying to make sense of how we got to where we are today. Well-thought-out paths to this, like Nancy gifts us with this book, remind me of Paul’s call for us to “live out our salvation with fear and trembling.” It’s not an easy story, but it’s a real one, and it’s helping me make sense of mine.

Refreshing: You have not read this book before. You have not heard these stories before. This is a new reading of some themes dear to my heart (and I’m guessing dear to yours if have read this far into my attempt at a review) that need a refreshing now and then. This was a reminder that the path in front of me is still worth heading down.
Mobistar
5.0 out of 5 stars a random download very much worth the read
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Nancy French‘s biography and learned a lot. Well written, entertaining and it helped me understand the America of today. Kudos for her openness.
Jeremy R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Crushingly honest. Honestly hopeful.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024
I will not ruin one moment of your reading pleasure by recounting the gist of the stories recounted in Ms. French’s “Ghosted.” What I will do is draw your attention to what I look for when reading memoire. I revel in books where the author’s authenticity and candor is so high it’s palpable. Ghosted possesses such candor all the way through to the book’s conclusion. Just know there’s a lack of resolve. The stories are ongoing. And as all great stories do, they capture moments in time, begging for justice, for resolution. Although resolution might be the human desire, it’s often not the human experience. So I use “lack of resolve,” not as a slight, but as a sign post letting you know that when turning the first page you’re in for the real thing. Real life. Complex life. Life with questions. Messy life. Beautiful. Difficult. Rewarding. Life. I encourage you to “Jump” in.
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Jeremy R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Crushingly honest. Honestly hopeful.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024
I will not ruin one moment of your reading pleasure by recounting the gist of the stories recounted in Ms. French’s “Ghosted.” What I will do is draw your attention to what I look for when reading memoire. I revel in books where the author’s authenticity and candor is so high it’s palpable. Ghosted possesses such candor all the way through to the book’s conclusion. Just know there’s a lack of resolve. The stories are ongoing. And as all great stories do, they capture moments in time, begging for justice, for resolution. Although resolution might be the human desire, it’s often not the human experience. So I use “lack of resolve,” not as a slight, but as a sign post letting you know that when turning the first page you’re in for the real thing. Real life. Complex life. Life with questions. Messy life. Beautiful. Difficult. Rewarding. Life. I encourage you to “Jump” in.
Images in this review
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Karen B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, Eye-Opening Memoir
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024
What a great read! I was touched by Nancy French's vulnerability, honesty, courage, and humor. As someone who has felt politically homeless for years, I could relate to a good deal of what she shared, and I felt seen because of it. I admire her (and her husband's) willingness to live out their convictions regardless of the cost and am grateful for their examples. I especially appreciate Nancy's willingness to befriend people from across the aisle--whether that gap is political, socio-economic, or otherwise. Because this well written memoir addresses many relevant human themes, it deserves a large audience; it would also make a great book club selection.

One more thing--fans of this book should be sure to look up Nancy's article "What Civility Really Means" (available online). I re-read it when I was about halfway through this book, and I cried throughout, just as I had done in 2021 when I first discovered the article.

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