The Unlikely Disciple Audiobook By Kevin Roose cover art

The Unlikely Disciple

A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University

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The Unlikely Disciple

By: Kevin Roose
Narrated by: Kevin Roose
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The hilarious and heartwarming, respectful and thought-provoking memoir of a college student's semester at Liberty University, the "Bible Boot Camp" for young evangelicals, that will inspire believers and nonbelievers alike.

No drinking.
No smoking.
No cursing.
No dancing.
No R-rated movies.

Kevin Roose wasn't used to rules like these. As a sophomore at Brown University, he spent his days fitting right in with Brown's free-spirited, ultra-liberal student body. But when Roose leaves his Ivy League confines to spend a semester at Liberty University, a conservative Baptist school in Lynchburg, Virginia, obedience is no longer optional.

Liberty is the late Reverend Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp" for young evangelicals, his training ground for the next generation of America's Religious Right. Liberty's ten thousand undergraduates take courses like Evangelism 101 and follow a forty-six-page code of conduct that regulates every aspect of their social lives. Hoping to connect with his evangelical peers, Roose decides to enroll at Liberty as a new transfer student, chronicling his adventures in this daring report from the front lines of America's culture war.

His journey takes him from an evangelical hip-hop concert to a spring break mission trip to Daytona Beach (where he learns to preach the gospel to partying coeds). He meets pastors' kids, closet doubters, Christian rebels, and conducts what would be the last print interview of Rev. Falwell's life. Biographies Christianity Education Heartfelt Funny Witty

Critic reviews

"Kevin Roose has produced a textured, intelligent, even sympathetic, account of his semester at Liberty University. He eschews caricature and the cheap shot in favor of keen observation and trenchant analysis. THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE is a book of uncommon wisdom and insight. I recommend it with enthusiasm."
--The Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer, Episcopal Priest and Professor of American Religious History at Barnard College, Columbia University
"Kevin Roose is a delightful writer, and this is a humane book. Read it and I predict you'll have less paranoia, more exposure to 'the other,' and a larger dose of Roose's generous and hopeful faith."
--Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and Everything Must Change
"Keenly observed, funny, and compassionate. Kevin Roose parachutes us into a seldom-glimpsed and little understood pocket of America, then guides us through a story of religion and country more resonant than any of us could have imagined."
--Robert Kurson, New York Times bestselling author of Shadow Divers and Crashing Through
"This is a brilliant book. Absolutely brilliant. Roose's wisdom, humanity, and love kept me going. And I laughed. A lot."
-- Rob Bell, founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church and bestselling author of Velvet Elvis and Sex God
"What happens when a Brown undergrad goes undercover at Liberty University? If he's a writer as insightful and open-minded as Kevin Roose, he ends up learning as much about himself as he does about the evangelical Christians he lives with. The Unlikely Disciple provides a funny, compassionate, and revealing look at Jerry Falwell's 'Bible Boot Camp,' and the surprisingly diverse band of true believers who make it their home."
--Tom Perrotta, New York Times bestselling author of Little Children and The Abstinence Teacher
"Hallelujah for Kevin Roose. This is a remarkable book. He takes us on a fascinating, funny, nuanced journey that doesn't condescend or make glib judgments. It's just what the culture wars need. If I didn't already have kids, I'd adopt Kevin."
--A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Year Of Living Biblically
Open-minded Perspective • Balanced Portrayal • Authentic Narration • Thought-provoking Content • Insightful Exploration

Highly rated for:

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This is a really good book!! I was so surprised the first chapter I didn’t take it seriously.. but then I had to finish it!!! I highly recommend this! It will make you smirk, laugh, and unfortunately sad. Most of all.. it will make you think!

Great listen!!

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I totally enjoyed this book- it wasn’t insanely dramatic or heart stopping but it made for an excellent and enjoyable listen. I also love the author’s podcast Rabbit Hole.

Weirdly soothing

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I read this book originally years ago as an e-book. Then I wanted to hear it again, so I purchased this copy. As an evangelical, but someone who can see both sides of most situations, I love this book so much and I need more books like it. I want a non-Mormon to go to Brigham Young University, I need someone to go to Bob Jones University, this is just a fantastic look at a beautiful world, and the love that everyone had for each other, and what a great not partial, really good journalist Kevin was even at that age.

What a balanced book

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Would you listen to The Unlikely Disciple again? Why?

I'm not usually a person to re-listen to or re-read most books, so my answer to this question is "no." However, the more important question, I think, is would I recommend it or do I regret reading it, and the answers are yes and no, respectively. Kevin Roose's look at Liberty University was respectful and thoughtful. As an evangelical myself and a professor at another Christian college, this look at how an "outsider" might view the evangelical sub-culture was enlightening and sometimes painful. His descriptions gave well-written word pictures that made me, as a reader, feel as if I knew the characters and the university.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Besides Roose himself, who was the narrator, my favorite character was "Jersey Joey." Joey is a likable character who is a believer but a bit rebellious. He welcomes Roose into his group but is perceptive enough to be a bit suspicious of Roose and his intentions. I was glad to read in the Epilogue (spoiler alert!) that he and Roose remain friends after Roose tells him the true nature of Roose's semester at Liberty.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Roose – was your favorite?

It's got to be Jersey Joey. I loved the accent and attitude, both of which made me feel like I knew him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was rooting for Roose and Anna to get together, while at the same time glad that Roose was respectful enough of her and her beliefs to not get into a romantic entanglement under false pretenses. I was sad when they broke up, and later delighted (another spoiler alert) when they talked openly at the end of the semester and Roose risked a kiss on the cheek as they parted.

Any additional comments?

This book is an enjoyable read and a thought-provoking one too. It is well worth a listen.

Entertaining & interesting

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This a such a well written book that explores this man's encounter with strangers in a strange land. Well written and humorous, it gives an honest look at evangelicals and their lives, worries, and struggles. Highly recommend.

A Fascinating Outcome of Intellectual Curiosity

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I really enjoyed listening to this production. The content was interesting and engaging, and I often found myself engrossed in Roose's descriptions of his semester "abroad" at Liberty University. I always enjoy when the author is the narrator, and in this case especially, it felt truly authentic, like Roose was telling me a story. I felt that I got to know him a bit through the telling.

Felt Like Roose was Speaking Directly to Me!

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This book is a necessary read for young liberal and conservative college students at any campus. Although Roose does not fit in with the norms of Liberty University, he offers a beneficial understanding of the evangelical student life there. I highly recommend this book because it shows how a community can influence and even question our views in a healthy manner.

College Students Must Read

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Thanks for taking a semester abroad and immersing yourself in a foreign culture to write this book, Kevin. A compassionate, insightful journey into Jerry Fallwell counry and story telling that rings thoughtfully true. Also enjoyed the epilog interview.

ry interesting book

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Usually wary of an author narrating own book but this is an exception, Since it was from Roose' personal experience and somewhat tenderly told this seems to work. Most touching are his personal relationships with others so philosophically different you might expect something like a "red state/blue state" hatred fest. Fortunately, you won't find that here.
Opinion: Perhaps our FOX News mentality can take a hint from Roose and deal with others of different positions in similar fashion. Maybe I'm dreaming about FOX but Roose has a better handle on the term "fair and balanced" with The Unlikely Disciple.

Unlikely surprise

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i found this book to be thought provoking and easy to lusten to. i enjoyed the author reading the book. the openness and insight to human dynamics, inner syruggles of conflict in beliefs and relationships was well documented.

Recommended

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