From Publishers Weekly
In this often strident expose of James Dobson, founder and president of Focus on the Family, an ultraconservative Christian organization, former Focus vice-president Alexander-Moegerle issues a call to all politically concerned Americans to beware of Dobson's political agenda. It's no secret that Dobson, as Alexander-Moegerle writes, advocates "smaller government, larger defense, the elimination of the Department of Education and the NEA, and the barring of women and homosexuals from military service." Alexander-Moegerle relies on his more than 15 years of close contact with Dobson to paint a portrait of Dobson as an autocratic manager hungry for political power and recognition. According to the author, Dobson's Nazarene belief that he is sinless and morally perfect results in Dobson's stance that he is morally superior to others, even his employees. Such a stance, combined with Dobson's apparent sexism, racism and homophobia, and his ability to lobby Capitol Hill with "500,000 to 1 million phone calls and letters within hours," according to Alexander-Moegerle, seem to make Dobson a tremendous political threat to the pluralism and diversity of political views in America. Unfortunately, the second half of the book, in which Alexander-Moegerle chronicles his own lawsuit against the Dobson organization, mars the force of the rest of the book, since the text turns more toward personal vendetta than levelheaded critique. Even so, Alexander-Moegerle brings into the open some serious questions about Dobson and Focus on the Family that merit response.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Evangelical Christian psychologist James Dobson's strategy for combating contemporary cultural rot involves melding ultraconservative politics, tight corporate control of his Focus on the Family organization, and a personal understanding of God's word and marketing the antirot prescriptions he comes up with via the conservative Christian media. Curiously, the proceeds from many if not all of his cures seem to line Dobson's personal and corporate pockets. So former true-believer Alexander-Moegerle contends as he exposes the creature behind Dobson's smiling, fatherly persona and his questionable personal management style; from searching employees' offices to blackballing fellow authors with his publisher, Dobson is a Christian corporate octopus. As intriguing as Alexander-Moegerle's chilling depiction of how media soul-saving and moral crusading works is the bizarre credulity of Dobson's flock. Even Alexander-Moegerle confesses surprise when a performer on a TV church service tears up on cue; indeed, that kind of duplicity inspired him to expose the man he believes is a powerful and possibly dangerous media manipulator. Mike Tribby


Midwest Book Review
For the first time, a former high-level insider provides a behind-the-scenes look at the private world of James Dobson, one of the most powerful (yet clandestine) figures waging religious war against mainstream America. In James Dobson's War On America we learn what only an insider could know about James Dobson, who has the power and the will to subjugate our personal freedoms, while hiding from the focus of the media. Former Senior Vice President of "Focus on the Family", Gil Alexander-Moegerle reveals the dark side of this man and his "civil war of values" in a candid expose based on ten years experience within Dobson's organization. The most telling description of James Dobson is that his is not what he appears to be. This chasm between the highly crafted public persona that exudes love and concerns, and the fiercely competitive, ruthless, power-hungry, and materialistic private man reveals an almost Jekyll-and-Hyde dualism. James Dobson's War On America issues a warning call to concerned citizens, liberal and conservative alike, to oppose this man who is a creature of inner rage, intense racism, sexism, and homophobia -- all of which are at the root base of his radical political plan for a "Christian America" -- Dobson style.


Ashland Theological Journal 33 (2001)
"After careful evaluation, the volume could find a place in church and academic collections."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In James Dobson's War on America, former Dobson executive and co-host of the "Focus on the Family" radio program, Gil Alexander-Moegerle, offers an insightful and detailed expose of this religious power-broker and his strong-arm corporation. Based on his ten years' experience within the Focus on the Family organization, the author's telling, behind-the-scenes look at the very private world of James Dobson traces his religious background and ultraconservative religious beliefs; his deepest inner feelings; the communication and marketing formula that helped him amass a fortune; his inner rage; his intense racism, sexism, and homophobia; his ongoing battle with the media; internal difficulties that led to boardroom allegations of mismanagement of donor funds; his budding "civil war of values"; and his radical political plan for America. The most telling description of James Dobson might be put succinctly: he is not what he appears to be. This chasm between the highly crafted public persona that exudes love and concern, and the fiercely competitive, ruthless, power-hungry, and materialistic private man reveals an almost Jekyll-and-Hyde dualism. Alexander-Moegerle's penetrating appraisal offers a former high-level insider's look at the Dobson machine and issues a warning call to concerned citizens, liberal and conservative alike, to oppose this man who, if given the opportunity, would suspend most of the liberties we hold dear.

FROM THE CRITICS

Fort Worth Morning Star-Telegram

...the first critical "insider" look at Dobson...shows those who daily speak out against the nation's decay have their own problems closer to home.

Christian Booksellers Assoc.

This book is significant becuase it raises relevant issues concerning a highly regarded man and ministry. As Christians struggle with how to impact society, books such as this, though painful, are perhaps necessary.

Publishers Weekly

In this often strident expos of James Dobson, founder and president of Focus on the Family, an ultraconservative Christian organization, former Focus vice-president Alexander-Moegerle issues a call to all politically concerned Americans to beware of Dobson's political agenda. It's no secret that Dobson, as Alexander-Moegerle writes, advocates "smaller government, larger defense, the elimination of the Department of Education and the NEA, and the barring of women and homosexuals from military service." Alexander-Moegerle relies on his more than 15 years of close contact with Dobson to paint a portrait of Dobson as an autocratic manager hungry for political power and recognition. According to the author, Dobson's Nazarene belief that he is sinless and morally perfect results in Dobson's stance that he is morally superior to others, even his employees. Such a stance, combined with Dobson's apparent sexism, racism and homophobia, and his ability to lobby Capitol Hill with "500,000 to 1 million phone calls and letters within hours," according to Alexander-Moegerle, seem to make Dobson a tremendous political threat to the pluralism and diversity of political views in America. Unfortunately, the second half of the book, in which Alexander-Moegerle chronicles his own lawsuit against the Dobson organization, mars the force of the rest of the book, since the text turns more toward personal vendetta than levelheaded critique. Even so, Alexander-Moegerle brings into the open some serious questions about Dobson and Focus on the Family that merit response.

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