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Least of All Saints: The Story of Aimee Semple McPherson
A fascinating womana charismatic religious leader! Aimee Semple McPherson captured the imagination of an entire nation, entertained celebrities and royalty, became one of the most powerful and influential women in American history. Founder of the Church of the Foursquare Gospel, known around the world for her Sunday night radio broadcasts and mammoth crusades, she suddenly disappeared with her married radio station manager.
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 4, 2024
A "SPECULATIVE BIOGRAPHY" OF THE FAMED EVANGELIST
Robert Bahr is a former preacher and evangelist who has also written books such as Great Blizzard, Blizzard at the Zoo, etc. He wrote in the Foreword to this 1979 book, "Officials of the Church of the Foursquare Gospel still insist, at least formally, that Aimee's kidnap story is true... [but they] needn't defend Aimee. It seems to me the story of her life is a far more meaningful testimony in this day and can have much more impact... than the superficial and unreal image that has thus far been projected... I have never entertained the thought of writing a definitive biography of Aimee Semple McPherson... I have created... both dialogue and scenes which are suggested by recorded testimony, but have never been proved... So, a speculative biography it is."
After she desegregated her meetings (a very courageous act at the time), Bahr has her say to an objector, "You may not realize it, buster, but God's color-blind---a soul's a soul... I've been having the most glorious, spirit-filled meetings ever since." (Pg. 126)
He notes, "To those close to life at Angelus Temple, the widely publicized fact that Aimee received only twenty-five dollars a week in salary produced sly chuckles; the Echo Park Evangelistic Association provided her with an all-expense-paid home, auto, and... even her wardrobe." (Pg. 177)
Of her purported escape from kidnappers into the desert where she was found, he wrote, "a few more enterprising reporters ... [noted] that her clothes were not at ALL torn---not even dusty---and had survived a day's hike in 120° temperatures without a single perspiration stain." (Pg. 216) The Sheriff told the grand jury, "In my opinion, [her] first request... would have been for water. I have no desire to cast any reflections on anyone, but ... Mrs. McPherson's story is not borne out by the facts." (Pg. 221) Furthermore, although she was wearing a bathing suit when she disappeared, she returned wearing a corset and a wristwatch, "a strikingly thoughtful provision for a couple of brutal thugs to have made." (Pg. 221)
This is a fascinating, eminently readable, account of some of the more colorful years in Mrs. McPherson's life.
Robert Bahr is a former preacher and evangelist who has also written books such as Great Blizzard, Blizzard at the Zoo, etc. He wrote in the Foreword to this 1979 book, "Officials of the Church of the Foursquare Gospel still insist, at least formally, that Aimee's kidnap story is true... [but they] needn't defend Aimee. It seems to me the story of her life is a far more meaningful testimony in this day and can have much more impact... than the superficial and unreal image that has thus far been projected... I have never entertained the thought of writing a definitive biography of Aimee Semple McPherson... I have created... both dialogue and scenes which are suggested by recorded testimony, but have never been proved... So, a speculative biography it is."
After she desegregated her meetings (a very courageous act at the time), Bahr has her say to an objector, "You may not realize it, buster, but God's color-blind---a soul's a soul... I've been having the most glorious, spirit-filled meetings ever since." (Pg. 126)
He notes, "To those close to life at Angelus Temple, the widely publicized fact that Aimee received only twenty-five dollars a week in salary produced sly chuckles; the Echo Park Evangelistic Association provided her with an all-expense-paid home, auto, and... even her wardrobe." (Pg. 177)
Of her purported escape from kidnappers into the desert where she was found, he wrote, "a few more enterprising reporters ... [noted] that her clothes were not at ALL torn---not even dusty---and had survived a day's hike in 120° temperatures without a single perspiration stain." (Pg. 216) The Sheriff told the grand jury, "In my opinion, [her] first request... would have been for water. I have no desire to cast any reflections on anyone, but ... Mrs. McPherson's story is not borne out by the facts." (Pg. 221) Furthermore, although she was wearing a bathing suit when she disappeared, she returned wearing a corset and a wristwatch, "a strikingly thoughtful provision for a couple of brutal thugs to have made." (Pg. 221)
This is a fascinating, eminently readable, account of some of the more colorful years in Mrs. McPherson's life.
October 22, 2011
Aimee Semple McPherson might just be the prototype for Oprah Winfrey. During the 1920's and 1930's she was the most popular female in America, she owned and operated a radio and publishing mega-corporation, and also happened to be the most successful evangelist of all time. And, she also had a rather lurid personal and professional life.
I am surprised that this woman's life hasn't made it to the silver screen. I would imagine that dozens of Hollywood's leading ladies would die for a chance to portray this multidimensional character.
This book is kind of a novelization of McPherson's life, and it has whetted my appetite for more about this amazing woman. However, it was not a bad place to start.
I am surprised that this woman's life hasn't made it to the silver screen. I would imagine that dozens of Hollywood's leading ladies would die for a chance to portray this multidimensional character.
This book is kind of a novelization of McPherson's life, and it has whetted my appetite for more about this amazing woman. However, it was not a bad place to start.
March 20, 2014
I picked this book up from a stack of withdrawn books at a local library book sale. I like biographies & I thought the title of this one sounded intriguing. I knew absolutely nothing about the person. the story takes place during the 1920-1940ish era & it had to do with a Pentecostal evangelist. Undoubtedly, Aimee had a gift for speaking mixed in with just the right amounts of charm, ambition and desire. What happened along the road to saving souls was quite an adventure for a little girl from a small Canadian town who wanted to live large. I found it all very interesting, sad, and even amusing at times.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews