Every year a Billy Graham crusade comes to a stadium or a television station near you, the message unchangingly passionate, though the messenger is grayer than he once was. The Reverend Billy Graham is more than just another television evangelist; he is as much a part of this country's collective consciousness as F.D.R. or the Vietnam War. Whether you subscribe to Graham's brand of ecumenical evangelism or not, Just As I Am reveals the man behind the crusade to be forthright, deeply religious, and driven to spread the Word at all costs, even his relationships with his family. Graham is characteristically honest about his failings as a husband and father, admitting that he didn't recognize his own children at a family gathering. In Just As I Am Graham discusses the beginnings of his career, his struggle to subsume intellect to faith, and, of course, the many famous--and infamous--people he has met over the years, everyone from the Shah of Iran to the Queen Mother to mobster Mickey Cohen. Graham's ministry has extended his influence to many quarters of the world, a fact that should make his autobiography interesting reading for believers and non-believers alike.

From Library Journal
Graham was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 7, 1918, and founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950. In this account, Graham looks back at his life with the down-to-earth warmth and candor that have always characterized his ministry. He remembers his early dairy farm days in Charlotte, his early preaching experiences, and his friendships with numerous presidents and international leaders. With a career spanning 50 years, Graham has been an influential advocate for desegregation and other social issues. His integrity and humility have made him one of the world's most respected leaders. The audio is read by Cliff Barrows, a longtime friend of Graham's. This will be a treasured addition to any library collection. Public libraries should order several copies, as this will certainly be in demand. Highly recommended.?Ravonne A. Green, Emmanuel Coll. Lib., Franklin Springs, Ga.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

New York Times Book Review
"Although the high political anecdotes keep one amused throughout this tome, and the story of Graham's life itself is so remarkable, underlying regret propels the book with a sadness that is strangely haunting."

The New York Times Book Review, Andrew Sullivan
His autobiography, Just As I Am, is a curious combination of laborious official testament--like some Soviet politician's memoirs ... and occasionally gripping personal story. It's clearly a collaborative effort, but it maintains, miraculously, the same solid, distant baritone that still mesmerizes football stadiums. For those seeking theological nuance, to be sure, this is not the place to look.

New York Times
"The story of Graham's life itself is so remarkable."

Los Angeles Times
"An admirable life...For nearly five decades, Graham has, in his crusades around the globe, given the world what it has often believed to be a glimpse of America...Graham is characteristically American. But in his openness, his capacity for growth, his artlessness and simple geniality, he has also shown the world our best self."

USA Today
"The reader gets a good glimpse of Graham's private life...[He} is plain-spoken and candid."

From AudioFile
From his beginnings on a North Carolina dairy farm through his steady growth as a public messenger of God's Word, Billy Graham's story is a moving testament to his influence on American Christianity and political life, and the spiritual well-being of the world. As he tells of the surprising number of obstacles he faced on his way to prominence, he is steadfast and humble rather than heroic. His recollections, sincere observations, and strong love of humanity make Graham's fundamentalist Christian beliefs seem inclusive rather than authoritarian. With obvious love for his longtime friend, the narrator uses Graham-like diction and pacing (both personal and magisterial) to make this audio a most enjoyable way to understand this American icon. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Too bad this one arrived too late. The 78-year-old evangelist's memoir will surely be talked about, and with four signatures (sets) of judiciously placed photographs, it invites browsing.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In Just As I Am, Billy Graham looks back at it all - remembering his dairy farm upbringing, his early preaching experiences, and the overwhelming international response to his public ministry based on his unshakable belief in Christ. Billy Graham Crusades have reached more than 200 million people in person, and millions more have heard him on radio, television, and film. He has been welcomed behind the Iron Curtain, into China and North Korea, and on every continent. And, at a time when many public figures seem scandal-prone, Dr. Graham maintains an unimpeachable reputation and powerful presence by managing his organization scrupulously, limiting his personal earnings, and urging cooperation rather than competition among all religious people. Discussing his relationship with heads of state as diverse as Queen Elizabeth II, the Shah of Iran, and Kim Il Sung, Dr. Graham also shares such memorable encounters as his plane trip with civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when an engine caught fire, and his tragic unsuccessful attempt to warn President John F. Kennedy, Jr., about the danger of his trip to Dallas. Dr. Graham details his friendships with nine U.S. presidents, beginning with Eisenhower and including Johnson and Nixon and continuing to this day with Bill Clinton.

FROM THE CRITICS

Andrew Sullivan

''Just as I Am,'' is a curious combination of laborious official testament -- like some Soviet politician's memoirs -- and occasionally gripping personal story. It's clearly a collaborative effort, but it maintains, miraculously, the same solid, distant baritone that still mesmerizes football stadiums. For those seeking theological nuance, to be sure, this is not the place to look....You will learn a lot about monarchs and despots and Presidents in this book, but oddly little about the lesser souls who interacted with Graham all his life....Although the high political anecdotes keep one amused throughout this tome, and the story of Graham's life itself is so remarkable, this underlying regret propels the book with a sadness that is strangely haunting. -- New York Times

New York Times

The story of Graham's life itself is so remarkable.

Chicago Tribune

...[What is] most striking about the autobiography is not the oft-told tales of public events, but the glimpses into the private life of the man who has consistently over the last four decades made the list of America's ten most admired men.

Christianity Today

Events in a single year in the life of Billy would make ample biographical material for a lesser mortal's entire life...This is no doubt the most authentic history of its subject we shall ever get.

Chicago Tribune