Customer Reviews

Let Us Prey: The Public Trial of Jimmy Swaggart

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

All over America it is primarily the poor, the elderly, and the female of the species who fall prey to the abuses of spiritual power, so this is a story, ugly and sorrowful as it is (and it is a great deal of both those things) that desperately needs telling, and I can't imagine anyone able to tell it better than Hunter Lundy has. In ordinary-people narrative, Lundy has stripped the volumes of legalese of this lawsuit of their ability to confuse and bore, and made this a story for the people, the same masses for whom Swaggart's sermons were intended. It is as necessary to expose abuses of power in high places as Christianity says it is to forgive and love the perpetrators of those abuses. Forgiving and loving them, however, does not happen overnight, nor does it mean that they should continue to be in trusted positions of power and leadership. This book will bring light and truth to many a person who thought more highly of Jimmy Swaggart than they had ought to have, hopefully including Jimmy Swaggart. To see Jimmy with more light means that we must also see ourselves with more light. God calls us to worship Him, not our pastors. I recommend this book without reservation to every person who ever believed what Swaggart said, and sent him their hard-earned dollars.

I read a lot of books over long periods of time. This book, though, was so good that I ignored my other responsibilities so I could finish it.

Boy, what an incredible story. As a 46-year-old man raised in the Assemblies of God (and still loves it), I can verify that his description of A/G churches is often true. The book is funny, compelling, and very easy to read. I've read perhaps 100 books in the last five years, and this one would go in my top 10.

Really a super book that sheds light on not only the Swaggart/Gorman issue but on the ongoing danger of idolizing ministers. My "except" refers to some misinformation Lundy gives, misinformation that could have been avoided by better research (or even by talking with someone knowledgeable about the Bakker debacle). For instance, Lundy says Bakker was Hahn's employer. Not so. There are other inaccuracies in his account of that day (pages 74...) Later, writing about Jim Jones, Lundy says the mass "suicide" happened in Georgetown. Nope. Anyway... still a good book, but one wonders if there are other inaccuracies.

Hunter Lundy is a natural for telling a story, and who better than one of the lawyers involved in the case. This book was hard to put down, and I thought it was as good as or better than "A Civil Action."

The story of the feud between Jimmy Swaggart and Marvin Gorman is a perfect example of the old adage, "what goes around, comes around." Sure Mr. Lundy is a little biased, but he makes the reader root for his client (Gorman).

There's some new stuff in here that I never saw in the papers or on TV. Also, some good photos are included.

You can't put this one down even though you may know how it ends! It's filled with suspense - drama - humor - love - and sadness. You will be amazed as the facts unfold and fall into place to tell this all-too-true story. Don't miss it!

Very good reading and informative on the trial that I had not known before. It is a book that all lawyers should read.

I am close personal friends with Hunter and I had not read the book because I thought it would be boring since a lawyer wrote it!
Besides I really don't like reading books.
I am NOT a reader. I normally take 4-6 months to read a book.
I started reading this book Friday afternoon and finished Sunday.
This book is excellent and well written and fascinating the way it unfolds.
This book simply reminds us to always focus our worship on Jesus and NOT the minister that we are following.
It is also fascinating to get the insight Hunter gives you in layman's terms on how the law really works.
Get a copy now and read it.

1) Your total wealth decreases...
2) Once you start reading the book, the next four or five hours of your life is committed to finishing the book.
3) If the author ever writes anything else, you will be at high risk of buying it.

Kudo's to Counselor Lundy for his very well written and fascinating account of Evangelist's Swaggart's efforts to destroy Pastor Gorman.

The only thing disappointing about the book was the eventual outcome of the trial. In spite of winning his case, Marvin Gorman did not receive any financial compensation for his injuries. It would have been nice to have seen Jimmy Swaggart Theology Institute, Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, Jimmy Swaggart Worship Center, and Jimmy Swaggart World Television Headquarters go on the auction block.