Description
This is the first professional, independent biography in twenty years of Pat Robertson: founder of both the Christian Coalition and the Christian Broadcasting Network, host of the daily TV show The 700 Club, and former presidential candidate. Robertson's Christian Coalition led the Republican take over of Congress in 1994 and his leadership of the Christian Right helped elect George W. Bush. After the 2004 presidential election, pollsters and scholars claimed that the Republican party had become America's first religious party. A big part of the reason that the GOP became identified with evangelical Christianity is Pat Robertson. Marley attempts to present a balanced view of his subject in which Robertson's detractors will find reasons to appreciate some of his contributions while his fans will confront tough questions about some of his past actions. More than just a political biography, the book also explains his theology, business dealings, and personal life in a readable narrative style.
About the Author
David John Marley teaches history at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California.
Reviews
A vitally important and fascinating account of one of the most influential figures in America. -- Alan Wolfe, Director of the Boisi Center for Religion & American Public Life at Boston College
David John Marley provides a valuable analysis of one of the leading figures of the Christian Right. Marley shows the diverse elements of Pat Robertson's financial, educational, and political efforts, telling a fascinating story of one of the most colorful characters in recent American history. -- Clyde Wilcox, professor of government, Georgetown University
According to American mythology, anyone can be president of the United States. David John Marley's biography of Pat Robertson shows that equally mythological may be the idea that anyone can run for president. As unexpected and remarkable as Pat Robertson's quest for the highest political office in the United States was, in Marley's capable hands it is a story crammed with insights about the peculiar mix of faith, politics, and business enterprise that characterizes the Religious Right. -- D. G. Hart, Director for Partnered Programs, Intercollegiate Studies Institute
David John Marley's book reflects impressive research as well as the author's deep understanding of conservative Protestantism. It is simply the best study of Pat Robertson's career as a national figure, especially his finances, his theological twists and turns, and his relations with Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and both Bushes. -- Leo Ribuffo, author of The Old Christian Right: The Protestant Far Right from the Great Depression to the Cold War
Marley has written a solid and well-researched biography of one of America's most controversial voices, Christian Coalition founder and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson....Fascinating and often engaging. * Library Journal *
Interesting and balanced coverage.... Marley has produced a fascinating study of a very powerful man and a dangerous man... Pat Robertson is a valuable study for anyone interested in the ability of one person to make a difference, the role of the Christian Right in AMerican politics and culture, the use of financial support to protect business interests abroad, and the development of the Christian Right as an extension of the Republican Party in the 1980s. * H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online *
Marley has done a fine job of researching the life of a major religious figure and showing the ways Robertson has striven to blur boundaries in all his areas of influence. * Journal Of Southern Religion *
The timing is right for a biography such as this, and I suspect that Marley's analysis will be the first of several such works that explain the important role Evangelical leaders have played in setting the course of political and social discourse for the twenty-first century. * Pneuma 32 *
This book evidences good research and a readable narrative style....A useful update to our understanding of an important-but underestimated-figure in recent American religion and culture. * Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture *
Book Information
ISBN 9780742552951
Author David John Marley
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 567g
Dimensions(mm) 237mm * 160mm * 23mm
About the Author
David John Marley teaches history at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California.
Reviews
A vitally important and fascinating account of one of the most influential figures in America. -- Alan Wolfe, Director of the Boisi Center for Religion & American Public Life at Boston College
David John Marley provides a valuable analysis of one of the leading figures of the Christian Right. Marley shows the diverse elements of Pat Robertson's financial, educational, and political efforts, telling a fascinating story of one of the most colorful characters in recent American history. -- Clyde Wilcox, professor of government, Georgetown University
According to American mythology, anyone can be president of the United States. David John Marley's biography of Pat Robertson shows that equally mythological may be the idea that anyone can run for president. As unexpected and remarkable as Pat Robertson's quest for the highest political office in the United States was, in Marley's capable hands it is a story crammed with insights about the peculiar mix of faith, politics, and business enterprise that characterizes the Religious Right. -- D. G. Hart, Director for Partnered Programs, Intercollegiate Studies Institute
David John Marley's book reflects impressive research as well as the author's deep understanding of conservative Protestantism. It is simply the best study of Pat Robertson's career as a national figure, especially his finances, his theological twists and turns, and his relations with Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and both Bushes. -- Leo Ribuffo, author of The Old Christian Right: The Protestant Far Right from the Great Depression to the Cold War
Marley has written a solid and well-researched biography of one of America's most controversial voices, Christian Coalition founder and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson....Fascinating and often engaging. * Library Journal *
Interesting and balanced coverage.... Marley has produced a fascinating study of a very powerful man and a dangerous man... Pat Robertson is a valuable study for anyone interested in the ability of one person to make a difference, the role of the Christian Right in AMerican politics and culture, the use of financial support to protect business interests abroad, and the development of the Christian Right as an extension of the Republican Party in the 1980s. * H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online *
Marley has done a fine job of researching the life of a major religious figure and showing the ways Robertson has striven to blur boundaries in all his areas of influence. * Journal Of Southern Religion *
The timing is right for a biography such as this, and I suspect that Marley's analysis will be the first of several such works that explain the important role Evangelical leaders have played in setting the course of political and social discourse for the twenty-first century. * Pneuma 32 *
This book evidences good research and a readable narrative style....A useful update to our understanding of an important-but underestimated-figure in recent American religion and culture. * Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture *
Book Information
ISBN 9780742552951
Author David John Marley
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 567g
Dimensions(mm) 237mm * 160mm * 23mm
