Strength for the Journey: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Jerry Falwell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Falwell, born in 1933 to an affluent Lynchburg, Va., family, disarmingly describes his life. Revealing scandals and tragedies that made his family notorious but nevertheless admired citizens in his hometown, Falwell writes that he grew up with no interest in religion, a fun-loving and raffish youth, until he joined the Baptist church at age 19. But not until he was married and a father did he begin his career as a minister, TV preacher and head of the Moral Majority. Falwell proudly discusses the group's influence on voters, but the book is more about faith and religion than about politics as he emphasizes prayer as the power that helped him overcome his racism and other lapses from grace. About his role as rescuer in the scandal over the PTL ministry, Falwell charitably comments that it was his "unfortunate task to hold Jim and Tammy Bakker accountable at last." Photos not seen by PW. Paperback rights to Pocket Books; Conservative Book Club alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st Printing edition (November 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671624350
• ISBN-13: 978-0671624354
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,330,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read on an Interesting Person, October 8, 2003

By 

Michael Taylor "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strength for the Journey (Paperback)

Regardless of what you think of Jerry Falwell, you should read the book to better understand the background and passion Falwell obviously has.

Particularly interesting were the descriptions of:

1. His family background - an atheist grandfather and a father who accepted Christ on his deathbed.
2. Coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
3. How he allowed criticism to start new ministries - for example, starting a ministry for young pregnant women so they could live a productive life.
4. Starting Thomas Roads Baptist Church.
5. Establishing Liberty University.
6. Involvement in the Moral Majority.
7. Involvement in the PTL scandal.

Personally, I admire Dr. Falwell and his willingness to take stands when other preachers are too concerned about their image and what others think of them. Although I have not agreed with everything he has said or done, no one can question his influence.

Whether you support Falwell or hate his guts, you will benefit from reading about one of the most interesting figures in the ministry.

Read and be challenged and encouraged!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get to know Jerry Falwell, March 29, 2000

By 

Charles Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength for the Journey (Paperback)

My sister received this book when she asked for information on Liberty University. (I guess Jerry has a bunch of these in a warehouse) She chose to go to Bob Jones and I got the book. This book is a good read, It tells about Jerry growing up and how he came to Christ, as well as the history of Thomas Road Baptist and other ministries. It ends when Jerry Falwell took control of PTL from The Bakkers, though if you want the complete story on that you'll probably have to go to his newer autobiography. If you want to get to know the man behind the iage read this book

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading, May 16, 2007

By 

James V. Batley "Jim Smiling" (Gaithersburg, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strength for the Journey: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

I bought and read this book when it was published. I sent it to relatives and recommended it to my friends and relations. I do not know how much of it is included in Falwell's later "Falwell: An Autobiography"

This book, like Billy Graham's "Just As I Am", provides the facts and personal thoughts that enable a proper understanding of a most important late twentieth century American religious leader.

The bias and ignorance of our educational, media, and political elites have obscured our understanding of a very important part of America.