Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Martin's first book is an immense and appealing study of how Billy Graham became the ``world's most influential Christian leader'' and how Early America virtually became a Christian nation. The account starts 350 years ago with the Pilgrims spreading evangelical fervor, then progresses to portray Graham, now 72, as following the leads of evangelists like D. L. Moody and Billy Sunday. Martin, professor of sociology at Rice University, conducted some 100 interviews; he discovered no scandals but he found Graham to be a man of party politics as well as religious principles. We learn, for instance, that Graham successfully courted the favor of then North Carolina governor Strom Thurman and of Harry Truman years before his support of the Republican ticket in 1956, well before he became known as Nixon's pope. (Nov.)
Library Journal
Martin (sociology, Rice Univ.) chronicles the 40-year career of Graham, the foremost modern evangelical prophet, and offers an overview of the foundations of evangelism and the conflicts with fundamentalists. Martin gives a sense of Graham as a man of theology, not of administrative work, with influence on the world and politics. Graham describes an evangelist as ``a person with a special gift and a special calling from the Holy Spirit to announce the good news of the gospel.'' Sources used include interviews and texts. Graham has reviewed the work for accuracy. Recommended for most libraries. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/91.-- L. Kriz, Sioux City P.L., Ia.
Auburn University David E. Harrell
'One of the most important books ever written on American religious history.'
Anthony Campolo
'A brilliant and comprehensive study of one of the most important leaders in the history of Christendom.'
Yale University Harry S. Stout
'Thoroughly researched, lucidly written, and brilliantly crafted, it is sure to become a classic in the field of American religion.'
The Washington Post
'A detailed portrait of Graham that far surpasses anything yet written about him.'
Christian Century
'Beautifully limned, often painfully funny, sometimes nothing short of inspired... If [fairness] is the criterion for sainthood, Martin should be canonized.'
