Customer Reviews

Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham

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3 star:		(1)
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Ruth Bell Graham was ailing this week and died yesterday. I had meant for the longest time to read this book, but just never got around to it. I guess I just thought she was perfect, and perhaps the book might be about that, but I was so moved by her life ending that I just had to know more about her. I knew I was going to miss her presence in our lives and country. Yesterday was the impetus to start reading the book. Fascinating. Far from being just about "churchy" stuff and a woman who was seemingly "pefect", author Patricia Cornwell (who as a little girl befriended Ruth's parents Dr. and Mrs. Bell first and later Ruth who was already married to Billy Graham) covers so much ground about these fascinating, wonderful, decent, giving, generous, sacrifical, funny, Godly people. Ruth was born and raised in China and her parents took over the hospital run by legendary American author Pearl Buck's parents! Author Cornwell does such a masterful job, I felt I was standing in China at that time, with all of the turmoil, the attacks of the Japanese, and spunky Ruth -- who was open-minded and truly loved and cared for all different kinds of people at an early age (when she and her sister would get into physical skirmishes, the family's Chinese help would actually place bets about which sister would win!). And the hand of God was on them too, protecting them from the bombings of the Japanese war planes, as their train sat enveloped in fog. Ruth didn't make perfect grades at Wheaton College, in fact she actually did very poorly in some subjects, but was a superb human being and very funny. Also covered was the Bell family history in colonial America, as well as the Graham family,and their ties to Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University, and even the fact that Ann Arbor, Michigan, is named after one of the "Ann's" in their family. Ruth's and Billy's courtship wasn't entirely smooth and perfect either, as they learned to discern whether they were meant to be together or not, and struggled with that decision, but finally conceding their deep love for each other. And of course the hand of God in their lives, and their deep love and concern and ministry for others. I laughed and cried and pondered life's deep answers this family sought from and were given by God and have given others. Powerful book. I am so grateful author Patricia Cornwell never gave up her dogged pursuit to write Ruth's biography. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

An interesting story of a remarkable woman with unusual strength and deep insight into faith, Christ and christian living. Thus defenately worth reading. Yet the book left me spiritually hungry; I would have wanted to hear more Ruth's own voice, get closer to her and her way of figuring things out. That would have also brought more warmth into the biography. A book called "Coffee and conversation with Ruth Bell Graham and Gigi Tchividjian" fills that kind of needs better.

This is a great book if you want to learn about Ruth's life from the perspect of a close family friend, someone who knew her well. It's easy to read and very interesting. However, as I read the book, it felt like there was an important aspect missing: the faith of Ruth Graham. The author, who I don't believe is a Christian hereself, does an excellent job describing Ruth as an incredible person, wife, mother, and friend; but I perceive from her writing that the author never realized the value or importance of Ruth's relationship with God. I read this book hoping to find encouragement and insight from Ruth's walk with God. However, I was disappointed in that area. Although very accurate and full of wonderful details about the life of this great woman, the author thoroughly glorifies Ruth as a person (with no real credit to her faith) so much so that by the end of the book I felt that Ruth was described as almost superhuman, someone to look at on a pedestal rather than try to relate to and learn from.

This book is great. It gives so much insight into Ruth Graham's life - both before and after Billy. Beginning with her early life in China, her tranision to life in the States, her meeting/dating/marrying Billy Graham and the effects of his journey with God on her and their family. I think it interesting that we see the demands that Billy made on this brave woman, as his spiritual journey of preaching took him all over the world. In some instances, I felt sorry for her because she wanted to be home with her children, and he refused to allow her to go- even canceling her traveling arrangements and ordering other staff members not to allow her to leave. Ruth hated the "media focus" on herself. A true behind the scenes kind of woman. Supporting her husband and trying to do her part with those who came forward to receive Christ. A wonderful book. I feel it is well written and gives the reader a rare glimpse of just what a special woman this lady was. She will be sorely missed.

I bought this because I'm a fan of Cornwell's other work, especially the earlier stuff. My expectations weren't very high, since most books about religious "greats" tend to be syrupy or on a witch-hunt.

Instead, Cornwell brings in just enough of her personal experience with the Grahams to explain her adoring views of Ruth. But for the rest of the book, she manages to take herself out the story masterfully and give us a three-dimensional portrait of a strong, stubborn, soft-hearted woman's walk through life. Both of the Grahams are seen as normal, flawed, generous people with single-minded commitment to their lives' callings. The realistic presentation of both of the Grahams really highlights God's presence and action in their lives. I loved that Cornwall just trusted the facts to present a well-rounded picture, without inserting a lot of personal opinions. It's a perspective on Ruth that you won't find in a lot of simpering bios which show her as the ever-supportive, ever-submissive wife of an equally flawless evangelist. Here, you get to see her as a worthy match with a quick mind, a soft heart and sharp tongue.

The most incredible chapter is the last one, where we see how Ruth's compassion and acceptance of wounded and lost people had such on effect on the author's life as well. Just a really great book. I'm officially gushing to everyone about it!

I think this is Cornwell's best book, you can feel her love for Graham. Ruth Graham had an extraordinary life, her life in may ways is as interesting as her iconic husband. Her early live in China and how it enlightened her, it's interesting that such a forward thinking woman married the most famous evangelical. I found the information on her courtship with Billy fascinating, he really had to win her, she was beautiful and he know he had to be at the top of his game to get her. Ruth Graham was an amazing woman, though i was dismayed to see that she gave in and allowed herself to be buried in Charlotte instead of her chosen place Montreat, but ultimately she couldnt imagine not being next to Billy. Very good book on a singular American.

I don't enjoy reading the much and I'm also a slow reader in that I get lost in the content and descriptions. This is definitely not a Patricia Cornwell suspense novel. She was very close friends with the Grahams and begged Ruth to let her write the book for people to see the woman behind the man...Billy Graham. She did it so well that Ruth did not speak to Patricia for about 3 years after the book was published. Sometimes the truth hurts and sometimes it will set you free. It was an interesting, easy read for me. It was a book I kept picking up to want to read the next chapter...something that's very hard for me...something keeping my attention. I've loaned the book out to several friends and they have all enjoyed it. I read it about 3 months before Ruth died.

Ruth is a remarkable woman, with an interesting childhood, young adult and adult life story. She is a picture of a godly, submissive wife who is not a doormat....(something this world needs more examples of!) I recommend it, especially for young Christian women who are engaged or newly married.

Book is an excellent read...almost 600 pages. Very well written, from the heart and full of inspiration!

I really enjoyed reading about the life of Ruth Graham. She was so well-grounded in her faith and SO supportive of her husband, Billy Graham. I would highly recommend it!!