A must-read book for anyone interested in Christianity and Politics
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Frank Shaeffer's book tells his life story in a wonderful manner. He explains what it was really like to be brought up in a home of American missionaries in Europe, the clash between fundamentalist literalism and a keen interest in the world and culture in his father. He goes on to explain how he got to being one of the founding members of the American-Christian-Republican-Evangelical movement before seeing what he had helped produce and backed away. A fantastic read, highly recommended if you are Christian evangelical and also if you are not.
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Honest and unputdownable
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I heard Frank Scheaffer speak at the Greenbelt Festival and found him open, honest and witty. I bought the book and have read it in 2 days. I really could not put it down. His honesty about himself, his mistakes, and his life as the child of American Evangelical leaders makes this a book well worth reading. Anyone who wants to understand the American political and religious right should read this warm, compassionate and gripping book. Even as the story of an extraordanary and eccentric upbringing, it is a must read.
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Honesty that opens a window, on a soul and an era
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Schaeffer's biography is painfully honest, both about his personal life and his involvement with America's religious right movement in the 70s and 80s. Most of the book concerns his youth, his generous but driven parents, and his own journey as an artist. The political right-wing movement forms a relatively minor portion of his life. Through it all, Schaeffer faces his own failings and delusions unflinchingly -- sometimes it is hilarious. And he opens up to real gratitude for all the people who showed him compassion.
At one point Schaeffer says "Honesty is the only thing that is satisfying about writing". And he proceeds with such disarming honesty as to give a clear window, not only on a soul, but on an era of American history.
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A big hearted and honest book
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Frank Schaeffer, son of a well-known American conservative evangelical writer and preacher of a former generation of the same name, has written a revealing and moving account of his life, including the highest ups and lowest downs. The characters are revealed as human beings, and it is good to see them viewed from a perspective that includes both their failings and their strengths. This is a big hearted and heart warming book. Highly recommended, but not for children.
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