PTL is an interesting book about the Jim and Tammy Baker Religious organization. The organization bilked a lot of people out of a lot of money. Offering salvation was a terrific business, until it wasn't.
A look into the world of these religious "churches" which are together solely for money and religious tenets non existent.
If you are interested in the subject and this story (worth it to read about Tammy Faye Baker herself!) then I recommend the book.

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.

This was an eye-opening book. fortunately, this one painted the Bakkers for what they really are: thieves. This book will make you think twice before you hand out your money again in the name of religion.

Fantastic, well-researched, and entertaining book on PTL. There was so much insight in areas and history that I had no idea about all these years. Having grown up in the Pentecostal church and going to PTL for summer vacations; this book really brought so many things to light. I really appreciate the opportunity to read this book and have already recommended it to friends.

I have been interested in the PTL because I live near the CUT and my interest has expanded to the wider religious field. This book was interesting but would have been better served by being cut down by about 100 pages. At least 50. There was a LOT of extraneous information that felt like filler. There were several times where I thought, "Oh, it's coming to an end" and, when I looked, there were still a hundred pages left. Other than that, this was a nice book with a lot of behind-the-scenes.

Three stars
This book comes out August 2

PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Evangelical Empire authored by religious historian, John Wigger. This is a shocking story of religious grandiosity, greed, corruption, extravagant spending and gross financial mismanagement. Once praised by President Ronald Regan and Reverend Jerry Falwell, Heritage USA was the Bakker’s exciting vision of a Christian Disneyland. In the 2,000 year history of the church, there hadn’t ever been anything like it. However, by 1986, PTL’s finances were in a downward spiral, spending over $1,500,000 dollars a month more than it was taking in. No one had ever thought to ask if PTL/Heritage USA was too good to be true.

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker began their PTL ministry in 1970, with a group of energetic, enthusiastic, young people willing to volunteer/work long hours for less pay. PTL joined the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) at just the right time, with the increased popularity of cable television (which had been around since the 1940’s). Cable TV began transmitting by commercial satellite systems (1972), and by 1974, PTL was transmitting programming 24 hours per day. Millions of viewers tuned in by the end of the decade, including 40 foreign nations that joined the culturally revolutionary televised style format.
PTL appealed to the Protestant and Catholic faiths, believers combined teachings of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement while remaining members of their local churches. Bakker’s message of the “abundant gospel” proclaimed that God wanted Christians to be prosperous with wealth and riches. The Bakker’s were pleased to lead by example. This powerful message combined with the therapeutic culture of self-help, self-fulfillment and motivation greatly appealed to the 1970’s “me decade” (Tom Wolfe). At best, Wigger pointed out, Bakker and his followers were inspired to risk and take chances, dream big, which translated into an alternate (fantasy) reality based on forms of denial and delusion. As the Bakker’s became enriched in tremendous wealth and celebrity they became more disconnected from mainstream Christian culture and the followers that supported their ministry.

On March 19, 1987, the scandal involving Jim Bakker and Jessica Haun was only a small part of the “religious Watergate” that flooded PTL with serious consequences. In addition to the mismanagement of PTL by the Bakker’s and their unqualified unprofessional board of directors, there were outside forces among Bakker’s Televangelist colleague’s that likely conspired to take control of PTL. The story was closely followed by the Charlotte Observer, that documented news involving PTL/Heritage USA, one headline featured: “Bakker Misled PTL Viewers, FCC Records Show”.
Much has already been written about the Bakker’s and PTL. Many chapters throughout the book focused largely on greed, spending, and acquisition by the Bakker’s and the governing board of directors in excessive privilege and wealth. Wigger presented an informative scholarly story and viewpoint of PTL, reminding us that although Bakker did oversell Heritage USA partnerships, he was certainly no Bernie Madoff type crook that robbed investors of their life savings/livelihoods. In comparison, with our current culture of “fake news” involving corrupt elected officials and other politicians, the scandal and fall of PTL seems like a huge historical church picnic.
*With thanks and appreciation to Oxford University Press via NetGalley for the direct e-copy for the purpose of review.

The first thing to say about this book is that it is loooooooong. That said, the final 15% of the book on Kindle was references and bibliography but even so, this is a weighty book. This is no bad thing though as it is has been thoroughly researched and is a full chronology of the Bakkers rise and fall from grace.
I was impressed throughout that Wigger remained completely impartial and if he ever did apply any bias, it was stated. All 'evidence' and any conversations he referred to were treated with respect and allowed to stand for themselves, including the Hahn incident which is one that most people can't bear to not have a strong opinion on in terms of villain and victim.
Having grown up in the USA in the 80's I was totally aware of Tv evangelism and found it normal, if perplexing(Most children would be worried by grown men crying, wringing their hands and shouting about the devil!).
This book is fascinating on many levels; as an inside look at the life of the Bakkers, a Birdseye view of Tv evangelism and a historical portrait of 70's and 80's America. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in 20th century history as well as those interested in religion and religious broadcasting. And those after a bit of salacious gossip about a sex crazed preacher!

I remember the rise and fall and this book chronicles it very well.
A well researched and interesting read.

Very concise and detailed book on Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker rise to the top and their ultimate downfall with a very in-depth look at the PTL organization, the Bakkers and those that believed in them and their ministry. It takes the reader from the initial meeting of Jim and Tammy, building of the ministry, their life and the demise of the PTL. This book held my interest and I could not wait to pick up reading from where I left off. The book details many of the mis-deeds that transpired and it also gives y a good look at the people that were associated with Jim Bakker and PTL and how they dealt with him, and tried to do the best they could for the PTL organization. When I finished up with this book, that old saying came to my mind: "Pride goeth before the fall".Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Being someone who lived in the area growing up and watched this play out not only at home but through the news and newspapers, this book expands on that and also gives a new perspective of the whole thing. I visited Heritage USA for their Christmas extravaganza and it was stunning. It's such a shame what happened to that place and this book gives us insight as to why even with all the visitors we saw couldn't keep it afloat. This is a well written book on what happened to PTL.

Very intriguing. Little wordy! Overall great book.