© 2007
Autobiography of Billy Graham
Reviewed by Dorothy Black
Evangelist Billy Graham is known the world over. Born in l9l8, his is an amazing story of a dedicated life which carried him to too many countries to count and gave him friendships with presidents, kings, and simple humans.
This is a well written book, large but interesting the whole way. Originally a farm boy, Billy exceeded all his expectations and it seems whatever goal he set, he would reach. His crusades were in general astonishingly successful, reaching more than 200 million people in person and spanning 50 years, and his leadership wise yet humble. He drew crowds of many thousands at each, even at times of poor weather and threatening situations. He sometimes became exhausted at the extensive travel and speaking, but always managed to keep going. His experiences ranged from post-war Europe where his wife bartered nylon stockings for $5 per night accommodation to modern days of fine hotels. In England, there was no heat sometimes and he found the damp and cold difficult.
Over the years, the Billy Graham organization gave a large amount of help to many devastated areas such as after the Indian tidal wave in l977 and the Guatemalan earthquake in l996, to mention just two.
This is a book laced with humor as well. Billy so often had the inside track with famous people that he could see a side of them that few others could. There are many anecdotes that make even difficult people seem more human. Billy could laugh at himself, and so do we when he tells of his more amusing adventures. But not all his adventures were kind. He flew all over, often on planes that were very risky, even landing once on a snowy field due to no gas and closed airports. Another time he was on a plane that caught fire. Once, when in Belfast, a bomb went off just as he had passed by and had turned to care for the dying. Indeed, there seem many accounts which could only be labeled as being miracles.
Given the life he led, his marriage to his cherished wife, Ruth, was at times shaky. However, they pulled through and Ruth provided a huge amount of support and help over the years. Billy kept his organization scandal-free and limited his personal earnings. He reached out to people of all religions and black and white peoples together. His personal and religious struggles are revealed, and we learn how faith in God was always his strength.
Billy founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950. It has sponsored Crusades, produced films, and created radio and television programs. Billy has also written more than a dozen books. The world is indeed his stage, and his audience, humanity.