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p_dus1's review
3.0
The rise/fall of PTL and the Bakkers is a great story about American religiosity, the rise of television and the intersection between the two. It's clear the author did an incredible amount of research in writing this. Unfortunately the book was stuffed with (what I'd call) excess information. I felt like it could've used a lot more editing for concision and clarity.
The author only starts to really contextualize with some creative license in the last thirty or so pages. Would've been nice to have even a little bit more of that.
I'd still recommend this for anyone interested in PTL, The Bakkers, or Religion from an academic and/or sociological perspective.
The author only starts to really contextualize with some creative license in the last thirty or so pages. Would've been nice to have even a little bit more of that.
I'd still recommend this for anyone interested in PTL, The Bakkers, or Religion from an academic and/or sociological perspective.
tjlcody's review
4.0
The level of second-hand anxiety I got from reading about the wanton fiscal irresponsibility of Jim Bakker and his cohorts is unreal.
Also, having gotten most of my information about the Bakkers from the 'Eyes of Tammy Faye' documentary and recent docu-drama, it was quite interesting to read a perspective that didn't gloss over her bad behavior or shortcomings the way they did/
My only criticism is that there was quite a bit of fat in here that could have stood to be trimmed. I don't need the life story of every person involved in his scandal, especially the smaller players with limited roles.
Also, having gotten most of my information about the Bakkers from the 'Eyes of Tammy Faye' documentary and recent docu-drama, it was quite interesting to read a perspective that didn't gloss over her bad behavior or shortcomings the way they did/
My only criticism is that there was quite a bit of fat in here that could have stood to be trimmed. I don't need the life story of every person involved in his scandal, especially the smaller players with limited roles.
bjason14's review
5.0
Stunning and meticulously-researched exposé of everything Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Although early on in the book I noticed a lack of a firm through line to anchor all the facts, that resolved itself soon after. This definitely qualifies as a fact-is-crazier-than-fiction story if ever there was one. Highly recommended!
ssejig's review
3.0
I have been interested in the PTL because I live near the CUT and my interest has expanded to the wider religious field. This book was interesting but would have been better served by being cut down by about 100 pages. At least 50. There was a LOT of extraneous information that felt like filler. There were several times where I thought, "Oh, it's coming to an end" and, when I looked, there were still a hundred pages left. Other than that, this was a nice book with a lot of behind-the-scenes.
sophronisba's review
4.0
I thought this was a fascinating deep dive into the PTL story. The outlines of the saga were familiar to me--the peak of their influence was during my childhood; I remember watching their show at my grandmother's house, and I think one of my aunts even sent them money! I knew they were charlatans, of course, but I didn't realize the depth of their grifting until I read this book.
It's hard not to feel for Tammy Faye, who mostly seems childlike and desperate. She went on to become a gay icon (who would've guessed that?) and died fairly young. On the other hand, Bakker learned nothing from his disgrace and never changed--most recently he has been trying to sell magical cures for coronavirus--so it's much more difficult to work up sympathy for him.
It's hard not to feel for Tammy Faye, who mostly seems childlike and desperate. She went on to become a gay icon (who would've guessed that?) and died fairly young. On the other hand, Bakker learned nothing from his disgrace and never changed--most recently he has been trying to sell magical cures for coronavirus--so it's much more difficult to work up sympathy for him.
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