Frank Schaeffer - Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All

From Publishers Weekly Part autobiography, part parental tribute and part examination of how American evangelism got to where it is, versatile author Schaeffer tells a moving story of growing up and growing wise in his latest (after Baby Jack: A Novel). Raised in Switzerland in the utopian community and spiritual school his evangelical parents founded, Schaeffer was restless and aware even at a young age that my life was being defined by my parents choices. Still, he took to the family business well, following his dad as he became one of the best-known evangelical leaders in the U.S. on whirlwind speaking tours. While rubbing shoulders with such empire builders as Pat Robertson, James Dobson and Jerry Falwell, Schaeffer witnessed the birth of the Christian anti-abortion movement, and became an evangelical writer, speaker and star in his own right. His disillusionment, when it came, hit hard; while he would eventually achieve modest fame as a filmmaker and author (of novels and nonfiction), the initial stages of Schaeffers post-religious life were anything but glamorous; a particularly moving passage describes Schaeffer shoplifting pork chops rather than return to the evangelical fold. Schaeffer does not mince words, making his narrative honest, inflammatory and at times quite funny; despite its excess length and some confusing chronological leaps, this story of faith, fame and family in modern America is a worthy read. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review **American Authors Association website, December 2008** A story that needed to be toldA very personal and brutally honest memoir, that opens up and exposes the underbelly of the evangelistic movementGives the reader a rare and different look at some of various leaders of the fundamentalist moment...The book may open some eyes and minds about the dangers of politics and religionA must read book for serious seekers looking for their own authentic path to enlightenment, or at least some inner peace. **De-conversion.com, 12/2/08** A must read for the de-convertingIt is brutally honest, eye-opening, at times laugh out loud funny, and heart breaking. *Princeton Packet*, 2/13/09 Mr. Schaeffer knows what hes talking about. He was there, and his book lays it all out, chapter and verse. **TCM Reviews** [A] moving memoirFor those interested in a different perspective on Francis and Edith Schaeffer, lAbri, and the fundamentalist right-wing evangelical movement, as well as the touching story of someone deeply involved in it all, this is a must-read. ***Augusta Metro Spirit*, 4/15/09** In a witty recollection that takes a different path from the average evangelical story, Frank Schaeffer offers an intimate portrait of a life within and without the spotlight of mass congregationsSchaeffer is more than qualified to offer candid commentary concerning the religious right in these United StatesWritten with an intricate collection of detail, a smooth ability to turn elements of conflict into startling moments of realization, and a wonderful search for meaning. ***Tallahassee Democrat*, 7/25/09** Part memoir, part biography, and part expose of a fundamentalist moment in U.S. religion and culture. As memoir it is at times funny, at times moving. As biography it provides an interesting, not to say intimate, perspective on Francis and Edith Schaeffer. As expose it provides revealing glimpses into the emergence of the religious right and some of its most visible leaders. **Evangelical Studies Bulletin, Spring 2008** [A] breezy new autobiographical bookThe inner story of young Frank(y)s childhood, adolescence, meteoric phase as up-and-coming evangelical political activist, and subsequent career keep the pages turning[An] entertaining and provocative read. **Semi-Autonomous Collective blog, 12/27/09** Aggravating at times, frustrating by moments, but overall terribly touching, Schaeffer isnt hiding any flaws from the picture he paints of his own family. If there is one book to understand where the religious right comes from, its that one.