The Empire God Built: Inside Pat Robertson's Media Machine (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Channel-surfing has revolutionized television-viewing..." (more)
Key Phrases: religious programming, Pat Robertson, Christian Coalition, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Foege describes Robertson as "the archconservative equivalent of Madonna, the pseudo-outrageous pop icon." A better description, judging from this book, might be Elmer Gantry with a satellite dish. The son of a Democratic senator from Virginia, Robertson was married only after his first child was conceived, according to Foege. After a stint as a non-combat Marine in the Korean War, he attended Yale Law School, but failed to pass the New York Bar exam. He later attended a charismatic seminary, then had trouble holding down a job in New York as a minister. Returning to Virginia he purchased a TV station with financial help from his father, and established the Christian Broadcasting Network as a nonprofit corporation. He hired Jim and Tammy Bakker to host what soon became The 700 Club. He eventually hosted the show himself and used it as a springboard for his 1988 presidential campaign. He was subsequently fined $25,000 by the Federal Election Commission for breaking a law that prohibits presidential hopefuls from fund-raising before declaring themselves as candidates. Foege, a contributing editor for Rolling Stone, aims to debunk Robertson's faith-healing and his claim that he commanded a hurricane to bypass Virginia. His involvement with the Christian Coalition and his establishment of Regent University are criticized as well, as being primarily cash cows for Robertson. Those who agree with Foege's take on Robertson will find this an eye-opening look at how to be an entrepreneur using tax-free donations as a fiscal base.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Rolling Stone contributing editor Foege views Pat Robertson's media and religious empire with the ironic detachment of an inveterate cable channel surfer. He admits that he pauses longer than usual when he happens upon The 700 Club on Robertson's Family Channel. Robertson strikes him both as a brilliant businessman and as a master manipulator of the media. Believing that "the medium is the message," he does not view Robertson with the alarm expressed in Robert Boston's The Most Dangerous Man in America (LJ 10/15/96) but with bemused admiration. He points out Robertson's inconsistencies and apparent hypocrisies with the same enthusiasm as does Boston and devotes a large portion of the work to Ralph Reed and the Christian Coalition. Unfortunately, his frequently glib writing style contains some jarring juxtapositions and detracts from an overall serviceable work. For pertinent collections.?Richard S. Watts, San Bernardino Cty. Lib., Cal.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047115993X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471159933
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,848,122 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Try another book!, October 27, 1997

By A Customer

This book misses the point. The author is ignorant of most of the themes of american religious history that puts robertson in his proper context. There are many problems with Robertson, but a book like this will not illuminate them. The worst thing about the book is that much of it could have been have written by anyone. For example, one chapter is about the CBN web page and what is on it. Another chapter is the authors retelling of a speech that Robertson gave at the republican national convention. Any reader could just read the actual script and get more out of it. In short, for anyone looking for a book on Robertson try David Harell's book on Robertson, it is the most balanced. This book is not really helpful, it is style over substance.

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good. But not the best. read on..., November 29, 1997

By A Customer

If you really want to find out about the real Pat Robertson read "The Most Dangerous Man In The World" by Rob Boston. It gives you a real sense of this media nut and his wacko ideas. Viewers beware.....Robertson is a fraud!