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.



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


St. Paul Pioneer Press
"One of the most remarkable evangelistic careers in American religious history...the ultimate insider's perspective on the mix of religion and White House politics."


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
"A disarmingly honest biography in which Graham stretches out and spins yarn after yarn about growing up in North Carolina just after World War I, barnstorming the country as a red-hot revivalist, touring the world as a senior ambassador for Christianity, and hobnobbing with kings, queens, presidents, and pope along the way."


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."


Book Description
The autobiography of Billy Graham. Photos included.


From the Publisher
The number-one CBA, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-seller . . . now in paperback. Approaching 80, Billy Graham looks back on an incredible lifetime of personal relationships (including every U.S. president since Eisenhower), whirlwind activity, and influence. In a warm, unassuming voice, he shares the stories of his beginnings in the church, the overwhelming success he has achieved as an evangelist, and the tolls this success took on his family. In Just As I Am, Graham shares how he came from ordinary beginnings to have an extraordinary life of prestige and influence--all derived from his unshakable faith in Christ.


From the Author
William Franklin Graham Jr. entered the ministry in 1943 and, soon thereafter, began a series of revivals. In 1950, he founded The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which has sponsored crusades and produced radio and television shows as well as films. Graham is the author of many best-selling books. He and his wife, Ruth, live in Montreat, N.C.; they have five children and nineteen gandchildren. grandchildren


From the Inside Flap
Billy Graham has touched the hearts and souls of millions with his message of faith. Now, for the first time ever, Dr. Graham tells his life story in a momentous work of insight. Hailed as the world's preacher, his calling as an Evangelist has taken him to every nation, from Europe to Asia, from major capitals to the most remote outposts. His crusades have spanned fifty years, and he has been a part of history in the making and friend to every president since Eisenhower. A pioneer in social issues (he refused to preach to segregated audiences in the South), he has led by his extraordinary example of integrity. In Just As I Am, Billy Graham looks back at it all with down-to-earth warmth and candor--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 among all religious people. Just As I Am reveals Billy Graham to be as forthright and engaging as ever as he reflects with plainspoken immediacy on his private life. As he shares his own spiritual journey, he writes movingly of his everyday joys and struggles, and of his profound commitment to his wife, Ruth, and their family. Discussing his relationship with heads of state as diverse as Queen Elizabeth II, the Shah of Iran, and Kim II 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. As Dr. Graham points out, "When a president of the United States, for example, wept in my presence, or knelt with me to pray, or privately unburdened his concerns about his family, I was not thinking about his political philosophy or his personality but about his need for God's help." This is an inspiring story of how a man of God grew into a man of great influence. Examining his life and ministry from the wise and humble perspective that has made him one of the world's most beloved and respected leaders, Billy Graham's Just As I Am is an unforgettable portrait that will be treasured by readers everywhere.


From the Back Cover
The number-one CBA, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-seller . . . now in paperback. Approaching 80, Billy Graham looks back on an incredible lifetime of personal relationships (including every U.S. president since Eisenhower), whirlwind activity, and influence. In a warm, unassuming voice, he shares the stories of his beginnings in the church, the overwhelming success he has achieved as an evangelist, and the tolls this success took on his family. In Just As I Am, Graham shares how he came from ordinary beginnings to have an extraordinary life of prestige and influence all derived from his unshakable faith in Christ.


About the Author
William Franklin Graham, Jr., was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Novermber 7, 1918. He entered the ministry in 1943 and soon thereafter began conducting evangelistic Crusades. In 1950, he founded The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which has sponsored Crusades and produced radio and television programs as well as films. Dr. Graham is the author of more than a dozen best-selling books. He and his wife, Ruth, live in Montreat, N.C.


Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
During his shockingly short term, President Kennedy endeared himself to me in several ways. One day in Washington in 1962 the President invited Grady Wilson and me into his office. We informed him of our upcoming five-week crusade in Latin America. 'I'm going down there before that,' Kennedy said. 'I'll be your John the Baptist.' 'Don't forget,' Grady said, 'that he lost his head.' That did not dissuade the President, who laughed and repeated his offer. 'What can I do for you?' We told him we were having problems getting into Colombia, where some leaders warned of religious riots if we held large meetings. Our missionary friends there were praying that God would reopen the door. The President turned to an adviser and told him simply, 'Take care of that.' We got into Colombia, and attendance at our meetings was as high as twenty thousand, without incident. The Catholic President of the United States had made a good John the Baptist.

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