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The Cross and the Switchblade (Paperback)

~ David Wilkerson (Author), (Author), John Sherrill (Author) "THIS WHOLE strange adventure got its start late one night when I was sitting in my study reading Life magazine, and turned a page..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Holy Spirit, The Cross (more...)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
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  Kindle Edition, December 3, 1986 $4.79 -- --
  School & Library Binding, September 30, 1999 $16.00 $16.00 $57.21
  Paperback, November 14, 1986 $5.99 $2.24 $0.68
  Mass Market Paperback, December 31, 1971 -- -- $0.89
  Audio, CD, November 30, 2007 $18.98 $9.99 $10.10
  Unknown Binding, December 31, 1980 -- -- $0.01
  Audio, Download Offsite Link $10.47 or less with new Audible membership

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The astonishing true story of Wilkerson's outreach to New York teens trapped by drugs and gangs. Over 14 million copies in print! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


From AudioFile

Paul Michael recounts the lives of teenage gangs in New York City in the '60s. He has just the right amount of drama and inflection in his voice as he characterizes street kids who are addicted to drugs and crime. This is the true story of David Wilkerson, an Assemblies of God preacher who left a little country church to go to the streets of New York. There he faces life-threatening situations and hears heart-wrenching stories as he seeks to bring change into the lives of these kids through faith in God. The book tells the story of the beginning of Teen Challenge, a thriving ministry today. Paul Michael does an excellent job creating a believable drama of God's work through the vision of just one man. N.L. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Jove (November 15, 1986)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0515090255
  • ISBN-13: 978-0515090253
  • Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,293 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #3 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Protestantism > Inspirational
    #7 in  Books > Children's Books > Religions > Inspirational
    #81 in  Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Religious

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More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
John L. Sherrill
John L. Sherrill
Elizabeth Sherrill
Elizabeth Sherrill
David R. Wilkerson
David R. Wilkerson

Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
THIS WHOLE strange adventure got its start late one night when I was sitting in my study reading Life magazine, and turned a page. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Holy Spirit, The Cross, Father Gary, Clinton Avenue, Mau Maus, Teen Challenge Center, Judge Davidson, Luis Alvarez, Reverend Wilkerson, Fort Greene, Michael Farmer, Reverend Ortez, David Wilkerson, Little Jo-Jo, Vincente Ortez, Angelo Morales, Edward Street, George Washington Bridge, Holy Ghost, Martin Ilensky, Teen-Age Evangelism, United States, War Lords, Central Park
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Customer Reviews

59 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (59 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The reality of recovery ministry, June 28, 2001
By Charles A. Fletcher (Spokane, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The story of how David Wilkerson came to found Teen Challenge should be a must read for anyone who follows Jesus Christ. The Cross and the Switchblade describes how Wilkerson put feet on his faith that took him from rural Pennsylvania to the streets of New York City. It's the story of how a pastor followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and reached out to minister to people with whom the churches would not associate.

Wilkerson describes in his book how essential it is to meet the unloved where they are, rather than waiting for them to show up in church all dressed up and ready to worship within the ranks of the clean and respectable. He also rightly emphasizes the importance of follow up, how one can't just expect to go out and distribute tracts or preach from street corners without also developing real, loving relationships with people and ministering to their needs, both spiritually and physically.

Now that Teen Challenge International has grown to over 200 centers around the world, it is interesting to note that the struggle in recovery ministry continues to be much the same: It's extremely difficult to get people to reach out in love to those who have never been loved, and it's nearly impossible to get church members to venture outside their doors to love their neighbors as they love themselves.

I praise God for Rev. Wilkerson and the way that he listened to God and ventured out in faith. I thank him for sharing the story of his work.

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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Cross and the Switchblade, February 25, 2000
The book The Cross and the Switchblade, which took place in 1958, was an excellant book. It was an really inspirational story. It can open people's eyes and let them know that things in this world are worse than we think. It made me more considerate.

This book is about a reverend named David Wilkerson who went to New York to get seven teenagers off a murder trial. He spontaneously went because he saw their faces in LIFE Magazine and felt the need to help them. It helped people know of a Christ through reverend Wilkerson.

This story opended up a lot of people's eyes. The reverend's for one, because he didn't know theat these problems existed in New York. It also affected the people that he came in contact with and the people who read his book because he was and still is an inspiration to all of them. Me personaly because it helped me become more courteous and aware of people with those kinds of problems.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars As relevant today as when it was writtten., December 5, 1999
By A Customer
It's hard to believe that a book written about events that took place almost forty years ago could just as easily have been written today. David Wilkerson followed God's call to work with "lost" children, and the work continues today. Miracles do still occur, and Wilkerson has witnessed them. His story about the inner city gangs of New York is gripping, but the fact that his "Teen Challenge" centers may be found all over the world is just as gripping. An incredible story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging! well... for me it was... Step Out in Faith
Faith...

I loved how David and his wife stepped out in faith
to pastor a church with no fleshly benefits...GoD rewarded them... Read more
Published 23 days ago by Isaac

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cross and the Switchblade
I read this book as a teen. When my son needed something to read for school, I offered him the book, "Run Baby Run", a book about gangs and one person in particular who struggled... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kathryn S. Rogers

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Testimony to the Power of God
This book is based on a true story. A true testimony to the power of God. The kind of transforming power still available today. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Richard A. Hopping

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read.
Just saw that there is an old movie, with Pat Boone, made from this book.
Don't know how the movie will be yet. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Trish

5.0 out of 5 stars Cross & the Switchblade
This Book changed my life when I read it in jail in summer of 1970,after the hippie years of many many drugs and all that went along with it. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Leah V. Doyle

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian Classic
The story of what God can do with a chosen vessel, and a heart of obedience.
Published 23 months ago by E. Y. Strickler

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome story
This book was very interesting reading. I was familiar with Teen Challenge, but not familiar with how it started, only with the way I've seen it change people's lives. Read more
Published on November 20, 2007 by Yakimatt

5.0 out of 5 stars This book may can be life changing
I first was given this book to read over thirty years ago as a very young Christian. I could hardly put it down. Read more
Published on November 17, 2007 by D. Conroy

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cross and The Switchblade

I was very pleased with my book. it was delivered fast, and the packaging was done right. I look forward to doing business with you again... Read more
Published on November 5, 2007 by T. Wise

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly amazing
I purchased this book after Teen Challenge came to our town and I heard about how this amazing group began. Read more
Published on September 24, 2007 by Sheila A. Dechantal

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