PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's Evangelical Empire

Wigger, John

ISBN 10: 0197649602 / ISBN 13: 9780197649602

Published by Oxford University Press, 2022

About this Item

The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover the dust jacket if applicable is included for hard covers. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear. See the seller's listing for full details and a description of any imperfections.

Seller Inventory # WMEKV.0197649602.VG

Bibliographic Details

• Title: PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's Evangelical Empire
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0197649602
• ISBN 13: 9780197649602
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: very_good

About this title

Synopsis

In 1974 Jim and Tammy Bakker launched their television show, the PTL Club, from a former furniture store in Charlotte, N.C. with half a dozen friends. By 1987 they stood at the center of a ministry empire that included their own satellite network, a 2300-acre theme park visited by six million people a year, and millions of adoring fans. The Bakkers led a life of conspicuous consumption perfectly aligned with the prosperity gospel they preached. They bought vacation homes, traveled first-class with an entourage and proclaimed that God wanted everyone to be healthy and wealthy.

When it all fell apart, after revelations of a sex scandal and massive financial mismanagement, all of America watched more than two years of federal investigation and trial as Jim was eventually convicted on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy. He would go on to serve five years in federal prison.

PTL is more than just the spectacular story of the rise and fall of the Bakkers, John Wigger traces their lives from humble beginnings to wealth, fame, and eventual disgrace. At its core, PTL is the story of a group of people committed to religious innovation, who pushed the boundaries of evangelical religion's engagement with American culture.

Drawing on trial transcripts, videotapes, newspaper articles, and interviews with key insiders, dissidents, and lawyers, Wigger reveals the power of religion to redirect American culture. This is the story of a grand vision gone wrong, of the power of big religion in American life and its limits.

About the Author

John Wigger is a Professor of History at the University of Missouri. He is the author of American Saint (2009) and Taking Heaven by Storm (1998).