John Wigger

Fascinating and very detailed look into the unbridled corruption that plagued the PTL ministry and its leaders. Although the world remembers more failings and downfall of Jim Bakker, several leaders in the ministry were also very corrupt. They had nearly unlimited access to ministry funds, with nearly zero checks and balances in place. It was a dynasty built on straw or, as the author relates, a "house of cards." From blatant fraud and misappropriations to adultery and homosexuality, PTL was destined to crumble. A well researched book that, despite its 400 pages with strict attention to details, I found hard to put down. Highly recommended for both those who want to be introduced to the scandal and those who wish to be re-introduced to it.… (mehr)

According to historian John Wigger, the rise, decline and fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's televangelism empire was a precursor to today's reality television shows. On their daily live TV program, the quirky couple shared their foibles, preached the gospel of prosperity, and cajoled their home audience into sending money to support their ministry. Jim's fatal flaw was the ambition that led him to set his sights beyond television. His dream was to turn the ministry's theme park, Heritage USA, into the premier vacation destination for Christians. His plans for the facilities grew more grandiose each year. He and Tammy raised millions of dollars from supporters, who were promised free accommodations in exchange for their donations. The couple's lavish lifestyle caused them to spend even more money than they took in. Moreover, when Jim's secret history of sexual sin came to light, not even evangelical heavy hitter Jerry Falwell could save the ministry. Eventually, Jim was sentenced to 45 years in prison on fraud charges (his sentence was later reduced) and he and Tammy divorced.

Wigger focuses on the business and financial aspects of the PTL story. He seems to have an exact cost for every unwise purchase Jim, Tammy, or one of their associates made. Wigger also provides a lot of detail about even minor characters in the saga. It's not light reading, by any means, but I recommend it to those who are interested in the televangelism scandals of the 1970s and 1980s.… (mehr)

Wow! All I knew about Jim and Tammy Faye Baker prior to reading this book was that he was a TV evangelist and she inspired a t-shirt that said "I ran into Tammy Faye at the mall". (Which you can still buy, I looked it up on the internet, lol.

I had never heard of Heritage Park or any of the things he had done. I did know he went to jail and Tammy Faye cried a lot.

This was a very comprehensive and informative read for me. I learned a LOT! And I found it to be a very interesting read. The author spent a lot of time researching which is evident if you read the book.

Thanks to Oxford University Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.… (mehr)