Tammy: Telling It My Way [Hardcover]

Tammy Faye Messner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 1996

The controversial, outrageous former co-host of the PTL tells her harrowing story of love, faith, corruption, and courageous recovery. 16 pages of photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Here one half of the dynamic duo of the former PTL Club, Jim and Tammy Bakker, tells her story of the rise and fall of the Bakker televangelistic empire and the corresponding demise of the Bakker marriage. Messner narrates the saga of her rise from poor country girl in rural Minnesota to the glittering, fast-paced world of contemporary Christian television with surprising honesty and self-effacement. She leaves no stone unturned in her story of the early days of her relationship with a handsome young Bible college student named Jim Bakker. It was at Bible college that she discovered that using makeup, especially the false eyelashes that became her trademark, did not result in her being punished by God for a grave sin. The portrait of Jim Bakker that emerges from this account is one of a manic-depressive workaholic whose frequent absences and lack of attention to Tammy led to her own Platonic affair with Christian singer Gary Paxton. Messner reveals her own side of the salacious scandals that eventually resulted in the demise of the PTL empire, including Jim Bakker's "affair" with Jessica Hahn and Jerry Falwell's attempts to take over the evangelistic empire. Messner takes off her makeup for a brief moment in this book to show the world a sometimes insecure woman who has overcome recent bouts with cancer and retains a steadfast and enduring faith in God. Fans of PTL will want to read this book alongside Jim Bakker's I Was Wrong (Nelson, Oct.) for a fascinating glimpse into the souls of two people whose excesses in the name of religion have become legendary.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Tammy Faye, former wife of PTL televangelist Jimmy Bakker, tells her own story here with clarity and candor. She takes the reader from the early days of her life, through the triumphs of the PTL ministry, and on to the final fall of Bakker's empire. She goes on to tell of her life afterward as well. Tammy is a perceptive observer, and her book provides some real insights into the PTL phenomenon, the personality of Jimmy Bakker, and the politics of the evangelical media. Her final chapters, which include details of her divorce and remarriage, her financial problems, and her public humiliations, give us a picture of an amazing faith and spirit. No one will read this fascinating book without feeling some respect for this resilient woman, whose life has involved so many heights and depths. Recommended for public libraries.?C. Robert Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 339 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (October 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679445153
• ISBN-13: 978-0679445159
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #919,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a story!, February 4, 2004

By 

Duke Marine (Newbury Park, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tammy: Telling It My Way (Hardcover)

What a life! Tammy certainly tells it her way! All of it! From growing up in International Falls, Minnesota to being the queen of the largest Christian television network to being the scorn of millions in and out of the Christian community. And all the steps inbetween. She candidly shares every detail (including some of her sex life!) of her rise and fall from power and her struggle to pick up the pieces of her life. Every struggle, every behind-the-scenes moment, every misconception and every mistake NOT widely known about!

Tammy definately had a life worth reading about. She sheds revealing backstage light on some of the biggest names in Christianity today - Paul and Jan Crouch, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, etc. etc. etc. All with a genuine spirit of forgiveness.

Tammy is definately a beautiful soul and a beautiful person who deserves to be heard. In the book she says, "I believe that truth is truth. What happened happened and is now history. I just want history to be told correctly for my children's sake and for the sake of my grandchildren and generations to come." I think that we all should hear the truth from this woman whose ENTIRE life was devoted to openly sharing with people.

Whether you agree with her religion or not (for the record I don't but I still enjoyed every word and think she's fabulous) her general love for everybody, including those that hurt and betrayed her in a colossal manner, shines!

Don't judge a book by it's cover or a televangelist by her makeup!!!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tammy Faye is an inspiration., December 8, 2002

By 

J. Howell "Philosopher" (Latrobe, PA. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tammy: Telling It My Way (Hardcover)

Tammy Faye Bakker Messner is one of the strongest, most endearing, and faithful women in the world. Her story is truly inspiring. How many other women could endure the hardships that she has and still come out joyfully alive and giving glory to God? Everyone should read this book. Tammy will give you hope for a better tomorrow.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, January 10, 2004

By 

Conan the Librarian (Incognito CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tammy: Telling It My Way (Hardcover)

Tammy Faye Messner is an inspirational lady and her book is a light along the shadowy path of the human condition. Tammy's mind is sharp and agile, and her voice of reason is soft with wisdom yet strong with courage. Every page has something positive to offer, and although the subject matter is mostly serious, Tammy manages to lighten the text with several amusing recollections. I particularly enjoyed pages 88 - 101, where Tammy mischievously recounts the famous 'Jim Bakker Roast' when the couple were at the height of their fame and influence. Following is a brief excerpt.

'Jim was excited but I had to say no because the roast was about to start. Jimmy Swaggart opened with a three-minute routine about the doghouse (he'd just been put there by his wife - again!), then Benny 'The Rug' Hinn told an off-colour joke about The Archbishop of Canterbury and a vacuum cleaner. Jim laughed so much he almost made MY mascara run! Joyce Meyer, never one to miss the spotlight, then asked Jerry Falwell to dance.
"Ballroom?" Joyce suggested.
"Honey," Jerry bellowed, "in these tight pants there ain't even room for loose change!"
I'd never heard Jim laugh so much, apart from the time he made a prank call to Oral Roberts pledging $5,000,000 on behalf of the Jehovah's Witnesses. I gotta tell you. These televangelists sure know how to put on a roast.'

If you haven't read Tammy's book, do yourself a favour.