Frank Schaeffer grew up in Switzerland's L'Abri, an idealistic community founded by his parents, the American evangelicals Francis and Edith Schaeffer. By the time he was 19, his parents had achieved global fame as best-selling authors and speakers, l'Abri had become a mecca for spiritual seekers worldwide from Barbara Bush to Timothy Leary and Frank had joined his father on the evangelical circuit. By the age of 23, he had directed two multi-part religious documentaries and had helped instigate the marriage between the American evangelical community and the anti-abortion movement. But as he spoke before thousands in arenas around America, published his own evangelical bestseller, and worked with such figures as Pat Robertson, Jack Kemp, Jerry Falwell, and Dr. James Dobson, Schaeffer felt alienated, precipitating his own crisis of faith and eventually resulting in his departure. Schaeffer has since become a successful secular author. He was reduced to stealing pork chops from the grocery store in LA, rather than take on any more high-paying evangelical speaking gigs. With its up-close portraits of the leading figures of the American evangelical movement, Crazy for God is a uniquely revealing and powerful memoir, which tells its story with empathy, humor, and bite.
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"Washington Post Book World," 10/26/08
"Schaeffer writes passionately about his personal transformation. Even more compelling are his insights from behind the scenes of the political movement he helped create."
"Schaeffer writes passionately about his personal transformation. Even more compelling are his insights from behind the scenes of the political movement he helped create."
About the Author
Frank Schaeffer is a bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction, and also a documentary and feature film director. Frank and his wife, Genie, live in Massachusetts and have three children.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Teemacs
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I've met a few folk who went to l'Abri in the Vaudois Alps, founded by Francis and Edith Schaeffer. As a result, I was surprised to see the rather different writings of Frank, formerly Franky, Schaeffer (hereinafter "Jr.") in places such as "The Huffington Post". This caused me to buy the book. The subtitle also attracted my attention.
First of all, for fans of the Schaeffers and their work, a health warning is in order. Jr. peppers his book with four-letter words and his personal sexploits, which may put some folk off. Personally, I find his honesty refreshing.
Now the interesting bit; did he REALLY help found the Religious Wrong in America? He thinks so. Indeed, he takes most of the credit for introducing the wedge issue of abortion, which has become such a distorting factor in US politics (he says his father was never so gung-ho about it). Alas (according to Jr.), his (as he saw it) nuanced stand on the issue was taken over by the "under-no-circumstances" pro-lifers (I love that name, never having actually met anyone who is NOT pro-life). Does he deserve this self-administered pat on the back? Who knows? (who cares?)
Anyway, the book is a curious ramble, autobiography and spiritual journey all in one. Along the way, he paints unflattering portraits of the Big Cheese of the Religious Wrong (Robertson, Dobson), and he says that his father was uncomfortable with these political animals disguised as pastors. He realised too late (he says) that he and his father had been used. In the end, he drifted away from the Evangelicals and ended up in the Greek Orthodox church.
Speaking of his father, one of the endearing features of the book is the obvious affection he retains for his parents. They are portrayed not as infallible saints but as fallible people seeking to work out God's will as they saw it, and being prepared to change.
So, a mildly interesting read, but also, one suspects, a bit of an ego trip, tied in with a bit of catharsis.
One unexplained oddity - the photo on the cover is not Dad with Jr, but Dad with one of Jr's sisters. Why?
First of all, for fans of the Schaeffers and their work, a health warning is in order. Jr. peppers his book with four-letter words and his personal sexploits, which may put some folk off. Personally, I find his honesty refreshing.
Now the interesting bit; did he REALLY help found the Religious Wrong in America? He thinks so. Indeed, he takes most of the credit for introducing the wedge issue of abortion, which has become such a distorting factor in US politics (he says his father was never so gung-ho about it). Alas (according to Jr.), his (as he saw it) nuanced stand on the issue was taken over by the "under-no-circumstances" pro-lifers (I love that name, never having actually met anyone who is NOT pro-life). Does he deserve this self-administered pat on the back? Who knows? (who cares?)
Anyway, the book is a curious ramble, autobiography and spiritual journey all in one. Along the way, he paints unflattering portraits of the Big Cheese of the Religious Wrong (Robertson, Dobson), and he says that his father was uncomfortable with these political animals disguised as pastors. He realised too late (he says) that he and his father had been used. In the end, he drifted away from the Evangelicals and ended up in the Greek Orthodox church.
Speaking of his father, one of the endearing features of the book is the obvious affection he retains for his parents. They are portrayed not as infallible saints but as fallible people seeking to work out God's will as they saw it, and being prepared to change.
So, a mildly interesting read, but also, one suspects, a bit of an ego trip, tied in with a bit of catharsis.
One unexplained oddity - the photo on the cover is not Dad with Jr, but Dad with one of Jr's sisters. Why?
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Schaeffer's biography is painfully honest, both about his personal life and his involvement with America's religious right movement in the 70s and 80s. Most of the book concerns his youth, his generous but driven parents, and his own journey as an artist. The political right-wing movement forms a relatively minor portion of his life. Through it all, Schaeffer faces his own failings and delusions unflinchingly -- sometimes it is hilarious. And he opens up to real gratitude for all the people who showed him compassion.
At one point Schaeffer says "Honesty is the only thing that is satisfying about writing". And he proceeds with such disarming honesty as to give a clear window, not only on a soul, but on an era of American history.
--author of Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story
At one point Schaeffer says "Honesty is the only thing that is satisfying about writing". And he proceeds with such disarming honesty as to give a clear window, not only on a soul, but on an era of American history.
--author of Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I heard Frank Scheaffer speak at the Greenbelt Festival and found him open, honest and witty. I bought the book and have read it in 2 days. I really could not put it down. His honesty about himself, his mistakes, and his life as the child of American Evangelical leaders makes this a book well worth reading. Anyone who wants to understand the American political and religious right should read this warm, compassionate and gripping book. Even as the story of an extraordanary and eccentric upbringing, it is a must read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking
Written as almost a confessional by the son of Francis Schaeffer, this details how he grew and his subsequent disillusionment with the evangelical scene. Read more
Published 9 days ago by S. D. Spicer
4.0 out of 5 stars
More depth would be good
I enjoyed this biography but felt that it was a bit light on detail towards the end. Frank spent a great deal of time telling us about his early life, sometimes with more... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. L. J. Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honest account of Faith and Life
If I had to sum up this book in on e word, it is "honesty". The author lives up to his name and gives a frank account of his childhood and adolescent years in what could be seen... Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2011 by Dr. Lars J. S. Knutsen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crazy for God: Schaeffer, Frank
Controversial. Starts untidily but picks up and continues well with some excellent autobiography and recollections. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2010 by mcginty
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting account of life growing up in a bubble
I had never heard of Frank Schaeffer before I heard a podcast interview he gave for the Point of Inquiry show. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by M. P. Corkhill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally gripping
Just found this a very exciting autobiographical memoir - the subtitle says it all really! It's a great warts and all story of the author's journey and, from a personal point of... Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by M. Evison
4.0 out of 5 stars
A journey through belief and experience
I've long been an admirer of Edith Schaeffer's books - L'Abri, What is a family, among them. So I was fascinated to see Francis Schaeffer among the authors: first, of a trilogy of... Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by Sr A. M. House
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant insightful book
I have just finished reading this book and found it amazing. I could not put it down. To be honest I'd not even heard of it and just noticed it in my local library and thought it... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2009 by BM
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read book for anyone interested in Christianity and Politics
Frank Shaeffer's book tells his life story in a wonderful manner. He explains what it was really like to be brought up in a home of American missionaries in Europe, the clash... Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2008 by P. J. Leeson
1.0 out of 5 stars
The sin of Ham
Frank Schaeffer has a good entertaining writing style. As someone who has struggled with depression for years I an
encouraged by his description of his father's moods and... Read more
encouraged by his description of his father's moods and... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2008 by G. J. Weeks
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