I'm the Worst - by Nathan Clarkson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Actor and filmmaker Clarkson (A Good Man) urges Christians to accept their inherent weakness in order to live more faithfully. --Publishers Weekly

Many in today's society have fallen into the trap of finger-pointing and casting blame on others--the other party, the other team, the other tribe, the other belief system. It has become natural to assume that everything wrong with the world is "their" fault. Christians are often quick to point out the lower moral standards of others, but deep down even the most devout followers of Jesus know the truth: They are no better than the people they blame.

Nathan Clarkson provides an unlikely perspective on the us-versus-them mindset prevalent in our culture. He asks, What if we turned the finger-pointing toward ourselves? What if in recognizing that we are not good, we can find relief, peace, and freedom from the pressure of achieving our own righteousness?

In I'm the Worst, readers are encouraged to choose the difficult road of introspection that pulls their gaze from the sins of others to their very own sin, ultimately leading to a more beautiful life and a more beautiful world.

Review Quotes

Actor and filmmaker Clarkson (A Good Man) urges Christians to accept their inherent weakness in order to live more faithfully. He notes that while it's tempting to lay "blame for the ills of the world" at the feet of the "other"--those of different religions, political parties, ethnicities--all humans are flawed and "responsible for the darkness that exists in the world." Acknowledging this is less an admission of failure than a recognition that God has given humanity "a definition of goodness that none of us could possibly reach," but must strive toward regardless. Readers can use this knowledge to admit their brokenness and forgive themselves and others, which will bring them closer to God. The author also decries modern-day hero worship and cancel culture, suggesting that the latter gains traction from self-conscious fears that "the accusing eyes of the moral mob may make us their next victim."--Publishers Weekly (9/29/2025 12:00:00 AM)

Any Christian will tell you that we are sinners in need of God's grace. But Nathan Clarkson, with heartbreaking vulnerability and deft use of research, makes that reality vividly personal and concrete. You will walk away with a deeper knowledge of how to accept God's love for yourself and extend it to others in an increasingly prideful and tribal world.--Joseph Holmes, film critic, podcaster, and writer (9/29/2025 12:00:00 AM)

Clarkson's approachability and vulnerability will cause readers to reflect on their own lives and face their own brokenness. That can be scary to do, but reading Clarkson's work feels like talking to a friend who you can trust and who has been there before. Rather than feeling like a condemnation, the book reads like an encouragement. He handles sensitive topics with grace and compassion, and I would happily recommend this work for people at any point on their Christian journeys.--Zak Schmoll, PhD, founding editor of An Unexpected Journal and author (9/29/2025 12:00:00 AM)

Honest. Raw. Relatable. Deeply transformative. I'm the Worst is the mirror held up in front of our faces that we all need right now. Nathan Clarkson speaks to every one of us who has ever felt like we could "good kid" our way into love and belonging--every one of us who has thought we could use our perfectionism and overachievement like bright, blinking neon camouflage for all our many flaws, paradoxically blending in by forever standing out. He offers the go-to battle plan for taking back our lives one honest confession at a time. If the plank in your eye is starting to feel more like a pretty white-picket fence you keep putting up around a prison, Nathan is the trustworthy guide who will point you back to freedom. Read this excellent book!--Mary Marantz, best-selling author and host of The Mary Marantz Show (9/29/2025 12:00:00 AM)