Off the Deep End

Jerry and Becki Falwell and the Collapse of an Evangelical Dynasty

By: Giancarlo Granda, Mark Ebner

Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Giancarlo Granda finally reveals the truth about his relationship with Becki Falwell and her husband Jerry Falwell Jr., and the hidden world of political influence, high finance, and criminal intrigue.

Jerry Falwell Jr. is a prominent figure in the evangelical world whose support for presidential candidate Donald J. Trump helped secure Trump's Republican nomination in 2016. He captured headlines when it was revealed that he and his wife Becki had participated in a years-long bizarre sexual relationship with a pool attendant they met at the Fountainbleu Hotel in Miami Beach. As Falwell Jr. began to deny this relationship, even more damaging news came out, ultimately forcing him to resign as president of Liberty University, which many consider to be the largest evangelical Christian university in the world.

Giancarlo Granda is now ready to share the story of his years on an "only in America" rollercoaster ride through the monied corridors of power and profound hypocrisy.

©2022 Giancarlo Granda, Mark Ebner (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

I Fell into the Rabbit Hole!

An engrossing listen. Reads like a mystery podcast. Found myself listening to it in one long session. Told without embellishment as if I’m taking a deposition. And given the story, it was spot on. Enjoyed it very much.

Dive In!

This book pairs well with the documentary, God Forbid and gets deeper into psychological manipulation. It mentions some things which aren’t in the documentary, so it’s definitely worth a listen. It is heartbreaking to hear him describe wanting to commit suicide because of this but I can honestly say I am so proud of this man to come forward and tell his story. The students however from Liberty University are victims as well and this book sheds light on that. I truly believe his courage and spirited determination will have him on the path to greater things.

Shocked

How one gets away with such utter nonsense as a pastor of a MAJOR school is beyond my thoughts and thinking. This pastor needs to be stripped of everything that he owns and will ever own. To abuse not only his power that God gave but to abuse others is a disgrace. Very good story and sharing it will help other survivors of abuse!!

The Libertine Way

I was ready to come away from this book thinking of the Falwells and their "Pool Boy" as three equally noxious peas in a putrid pod. So, it was a nice surprise to learn Mr. and Mrs. F can claim the pod all for themselves. Giancarlo Granda isn't anybody's deliberate gigolo. His story rings true, and it reveals him to be a smart and sympathetic character who was ensnared in the Falwells' web before he could become the savvy student of human frailty he’d eventually turn out to be. It’s not difficult to imagine Becki Falwell, all sexed up and on the prowl poolside in South Beach, homing in on a wide-eyed Granda while her husband was back in their hotel room, arranging the perch from which he’d leer as the interlude played out. This book tells that story, and everything that came after it, in riveting and yet completely plausible detail. The well paced account also neatly weaves in the power plays that inevitably arose because the Falwells, being who they were, had to control the narrative — or at least try. For good measure, there’s also the Trump angle, since no contemporary tale of wicked depravity is complete without him. In the end, Granda was vindicated, and this book tells that part of the story, too. All’s well that ends well — except, it seems, a Fallwell.

Literary Version of Revenge Porn

Glancarlo Granda presents himself as the worlds greatest victim. Poor him, he had sex with another man's wife; over and over and over. And then says he felt trapped.

At every turn, he will start to show some accountability, then quickly explain why it's really someone else's fault.
The Falwell's made him do it.
Jerry made him do it.
Becky made him do it.
The Christian right made him do it.
Donald Trump made him do it.

The book, while interesting in the beginning, devolves into a mean spirited hate latter to Jerry and Becky. It is obvious Granda wants to hurt the Farwell's and would be glad to splash some shade on Liberty University while he's at it.

His story is unconvincing. I don't think he was trapped. I don't think people were following him. His own lawyer told him no one was following him. Unable to convince law enforcement, or his lawyer; he now tries to convince the public that mysterious people were tracking his every move, spying on his computer, breaking into his car and forcing him to sleep with someone else's wife.

Compelling

The author relates an fascinating story that should interest anyone in the faith-based education community. Most of us never suspected how rotted from the inside the Falwell flagship had become and how wrongly (foolishly?) so many had invested their trust in this inflated brand. Falwell Sr. should rightly be spinning in his grave.

This kid comes through as a truth teller

What a story . Well written, well read, well documented, articulate . This kid is a David against a Goliath.

I knew it!

I remember watching Falwell Sr. back in the late’80-early’90, when he “exposed” the Robertsons. When he stated the they were “immoral, sexual deviants, homosexuals” and used it to justify the theft of PTL ministry worth millions and millions. I knew back then it’s completely hypocritical, lying, manipulating gang. Using the cloth to enrich themselves and enforce their agenda on the American politics. I knew they all were disgusting creatures. This book confirms that. Excellent!

Incredible story - well told

I believe Giancarlo and he has written an excellent book that spotlights the dishonesty and hypocrisy of the evangelical movement, Falwell Jr. and his wife, and the cruelty they showed by taking emotional, physical and financial advantage of a young man who is having to fight to get his life back.

Exposed: Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Donald Trump

Book exposes Liberty University and its leaders as Christian hypocrites. At least two other boy toys seem to exist and back up the authors narrative. The couples personal trainer and the teenage friend of their children back up this sordid tale.

After watching the documentary on Hulu, the facts are detailed and the evidence is real. While some of the bisexual aspects seem to be closed over, the gay friendly hostel at the center of the business deal consummated confirms that Falwells are hypocritical of gay rights.

While the author’s story remains the same over the course of the scandal, the Falwells use Donald Trump’s playbook to lie and change their story to attack their accusers. Even a Vanity Fair article in January 2022 with their cooperation was aimed at poking holes in their narrative, but did nothing to absolve them off guilt.

Big time religion remains at the heart of their political influence and points to the luxurious lifestyles of the rich religious leaders, who do little to help the poor and suffering. It’s all about maintaining their tax free existence and raw political power.