A Prophet with Honor

The Billy Graham Story (Updated Edition)

By: William C. Martin

Narrated by: Maurice England

Length: 36 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A Prophet with Honor is the biography Billy Graham himself invited and appreciated for its sympathetic but frank approach. Carefully documented, eminently fair, and gracefully written, it raises and answers key questions about Graham's character, contributions, and influence on the world religious scene. In this engaging and comprehensive book, William Martin gives readers a better understanding of the most successful evangelist in modern history, and the movement he led for over fifty years.

A Prophet with Honor makes a vital contribution to the Billy Graham legacy and allows us to understand why his words, actions, and personality endeared him to popes and preachers, kings and presidents, and millions of Christians in virtually every nation and culture around the world.

Martin draws on  

• extensive conversations with Graham himself
• nearly two hundred interviews
• previously untouched resources, including documents from six presidential libraries and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association archives
• personal observation of Graham's crusades and conferences in the United States and Europe
• decades of research on evangelical Christianity

Martin pays particular attention to Graham's controversial relationships with Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. He also describes how Graham's lifelong determination ""to do something great for God"" led him to organize international conferences that spearheaded the worldwide spread of the liberating message of Jesus, and prompted him to help strengthen religious freedom in the Soviet bloc and China.

Tracing Graham's life and ministry from his rural and religious roots in North Carolina to his place as the elder statesman of American evangelicalism, examining both his triumphs and his tribulations, Martin shows the multidimensional character of the man who has become one of the most admired persons in the world.

©2018 William C. Martin (P)2018 Zondervan

A Man of Integrity

I started this book less than a week after Billy’s death, mostly just to get to know the man. Like anyone born in the last 50 years, I’ve always known about Billy Graham and heard about the wonder of his crusades, but I never really knew his story. Two things that really stand out to me about Billy:

First, the man was one of deep integrity. Learning about the measures he took to abstain from certain sins or to keep his marriage and his ministry clean from scandal or even a bad reputation was remarkable. Anything remotely fishy, he worked tirelessly to keep away from. That’s a huge encouragement to me and I’m thankful that the Lord preserved him in that way.

Second, I do not agree with Billy Graham on every theological point that he might have held, but every one of us could learn a thing or two from him on how to love others. He had this way of seeing and seeking the best in people, sinners though they were, and showing them an unconditional love without shunning them for their differences. He preached Jesus, and he did not budge on that, AND that did not keeping him from trying to persuade others with love. Something like that is very rare, this day and age.

William Martin has done an amazing work here. I cannot imagine the time and effort that goes into a project such as this. Over 800 pages (or 36 hours of an audiobook), telling the story of a man who was seemingly larger than life. One who had a deep conviction for preaching the simple gospel that Christ saves sinners. He was never above that. And he never seemed to take his eye off it.

Wonderful Life, Wonderful Biography

I've read some great biographies, but the updated edition of The Billy Graham Story, for me, is one of the best. Or probably the best. Of course, Mr. Graham's life was amazing and inspiring. The author's (William C. Martin) research and writing was incredibly thorough and wonderful. The narration by Maurice England made listening to this book better, at least for me, than reading it. I was sorry when the book ended. I'll listen again - it was that good.

Mesmerizing account of this "Man of his Time"

Billy Graham. My knowledge of this man was limited, but after reading of his death, I felt compelled to learn more. I selected this book as it was Graham who invited Bill Martin to write his biography.

While a 36+ hour audio book was challenging, I was captivated by the narrative and mesmerized by the man. It was amazing to learn of his accomplishments and fascinating to discover the diplomatic negotiations involved in each of his crusades around the world.

Martin keep's one's attention in describing Graham's significance and the workings of his organization. Reverend Graham was a towering figure and truly a man of his time. Yes, Martin captures it all!

If you have an interest in faith, history and / or fascinating people, this is a book for you.

Honest and Informative

Martin’s biography is a faithful and honest look at the life of the evangelical evangelist. His story telling is through and informative. His reflection is frank and straight forward. I appreciate Martin’s in-depth cultural and theological background of the revivalism that set the stage for Graham and Graham’s political, theological, and personal strengths and weaknesses. Well worth the time listening.

Distracting performance

Great book but the reader has a very obvious whistle and slurring of his words making it hard to listen to.

Unbelievable life

Billy Graham’s has been a presence throughout my life, but I had no idea his ministry touched SO MANY through out the entire world! Praise God for this book. Extremely eye opening of the history of evangelism,the Church, global powers, and a life live with a singular focus of reaching everyone with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.

History in the Making

The introduction states Billy Graham wanted a true story of himself told, including negative and positive views. I feel this author gave us this picture. Of an influential man, in the midst of American history, who was not perfect, had basis' and prejudices. But Billy Graham sincerely worked hard for many years to be a man of God. I was impressed by the depth of research done by Mr.Martin and how he was able to present ALL of it concisely.
Definitely a good read.

A compete Biography of Billy Graham

William Martin takes an honest approach to the life of Billy Graham. The events of the 20th century all include some aspect of Billy Graham being present. He was not a politician yet influenced many who knew him. Martin also depicts an imperfect and tireless crusader for Christ who would not have accomplished half of what he did without the wisdom and guidance of his beloved strong willed, and enormously intelligent wife Ruth. Worth reading for Christian and Non-Christian historians.

I am so glad that I listened to this book!

I found out about more than just the history of Billy Graham; I heard about American history, also. The book is written well and helped me understand the how and why of Billy Graham's reaching out to everyone, not just evangelicals. My favorite parts of the story are the evangelist conferences held in Amsterdam. What work BGEA must've done to find all those evangelists in the uttermost parts of the Earth. I was so glad that he did those conferences, we won't know until we get to Heaven what those conferences wrought. I am so glad that I used my credit to purchase this book and for taking 36 hours of my time to listen to the book. My money and time was well spent!

Five stars is not enough

Best biography that I’ve ever encountered. Not only because of who Billy Graham was, but also because of thoroughness of research.
A must read for anyone that has heard praise or criticism of Billy Graham.

Very informative. Learned quite a bit.

Learned quite a bit about the Christian faith and Billy Graham. Interesting facts that I would have missed if I had not listened to the book.