A Legacy of Faith: Things I Learned from My Father

Get a glimpse into the life of one of the greatest men from the past century-Billy Graham-from an insider's view that only his daughter, Ruth Graham, can provide. Featuring letters never seen by the public and photographs that chronicle a life of faith, you'll see the elements that shaped a life of leadership, humility and ultimately godliness.

What is Billy Graham really like? In these pages, Ruth Graham—his third daughter—offers an inside look at one of the twentieth century’s greatest men. Using memories, personal insights, unpublished letters, and photographs, Ruth presents a rich, dimensional portrait of her father, while sharing the legacy he has passed on to her—lessons in love, humility, grace, loyalty, and authenticity.

Just in time for Father's Day comes this small inspirational hardcover gift book, a memoir by the youngest daughter of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham (whom she similarly honored in her previous book A Legacy of Love: Things I Learned from My Mother). While the author does concede that Billy Graham's evangelistic commitments took him away much of the time-almost 60% of his life, she guesses-and that this took a toll on the family, this is hardly a Daddy Dearest tell-all. It is in fact a love song to her father, who comes across in these pages as wise, caring, determined and steadfast in his faith ("I have never seen my father waver in his purpose," she declares). Ruth Graham draws freely upon letters, her father's memoir and her own memories of childhood; the well-designed layout also features intimate family photos of the Grahams at home, adding to the book's behind-the-scenes feel. Ruth Graham has not had an easy adult life: in the book she shares the pain of her failed marriages and the fact that she didn't graduate from college until she was a middle-aged divorc e. (Her proud 80-something parents attended her commencement despite failing health.) Regardless of these trials, she looks back to a loving and almost magical childhood. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

What was it like to grow up as the daughter of worldwide evangelist Billy Graham? Ruth, nicknamed Bunny, is the middle of Ruth and Billy Graham's five children and this is the story of her father through her eyes.

A Legacy of Faith: Things I Learned from My Father is a smallish book from Zondervan's gift imprint, Inspirio. But don't let the size fool you. Each of the nearly 200 pages is packed with memories and insights about Billy Graham and his relationship with his daughter. Lovely family photos enhance the conversational text.

As an author who has written about families with a frequently-absent spouse, I was interested in the affect Billy Graham's recurrent absences had on his family. The author described, "On some level, too, I think, the distance in my relationship with my father caused me to see God, my heavenly Father, as being similarly removed from my day-to-day life and intimate needs…It took years of purposeful effort to change my view of God as One who loved me from a distance."

Ruth learned several important truths from her father that she shares including: (1) the need for trust and dependence on God to make an impact on the world, (2) do your part and let God do His part, (3) we are all under grace, and (4) since we don’t know a person’s heart or motives, don’t criticize.

Occasionally when life is lined with bumps, challenges, and disappointments, I wonder if I'd have done better with parents as spiritual as the Grahams. Ruth Graham's story reminds me that all people share two common denominators: pain, and the need for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

There are a number of admirable characteristics of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). Humility is one. Loyalty and friendship is another. The Grahams have enjoyed deep, lifetime relationships with a circle of quality people. Billy Graham, Beverly Shea, and Cliff Barrows have served God faithfully together for over 60 years, held together by four core values – integrity, accountability, purity of lifestyle, and humility.

Lovingly written, A Legacy of Faith is a vulnerable and poignant book that inspired me to read my Bible, trust God more, depend more on God, and step up my prayer life. The Graham family continues to impact our world for Christ. – PeggySue Wells, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

5 of 5 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Betty Mckay (Stonehaven Ab39 2rn,), July 16, 2009

This book is all I hoped it would be when I ordered it. Billy Graham might seem like an old-timer to some, but his teaching is timeless. These days, however, the private lives of some teachers don't live up to their teaching. Not surprisingly his daughter can confirm that her father, though often unavoidably, absent from the home for long periods, was still to her an approachable and loving father. This made a great difference to her life. I'm glad I bought it.

Reviewed by Anna Donaldson (Fairhope, AL), February 25, 2009

This is an excellent book and is very readable. It gives a view of this beloved man from the perspective of a daughter. I bought it for gifts and I am sure all my friends will love it.

Reviewed by Joyce Travis (Hendersonville, NC), February 24, 2009

This book is inspirational and gives more insight into the Graham family and the father-daughter relationship. Wonderful!

Reviewed by Marilyn Finkbeiner (Rancho Cordova, CA), November 02, 2008

This family of Godly people ever will be more than amazing to me. I have read many books from the Graham's and this one is very much a favorite. Ruth writes as if she were just speaking to you one on one. Many insights to her father's heart. I have read through it several times and enjoy it still. Ruth is so very capable to share her faith and heritage.

Reviewed by Barbara Russell (Florence, KY), October 10, 2008

Having been inspired by the Graham family for many years and read books by Anne and Gigi, I am glad for Ruth's book. I thank her for insights only she could share and for the way I see even more of her father, Billy, to admire and respect. I passed up the opportunity to purchase the book at the Billy Graham Library this spring and thank you for offering it.

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