The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America Are Winning the Culture War

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 352 pages
• Published by: St. Martin's Griffin April 29, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0312378440
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0312378448
• Book Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 4.8 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
In the deluge of books rushing to explain the rise of conservative evangelicals' influence on American politics, Gilgoff's offering makes a unique contribution: he argues that press-shy James Dobson should be regarded as the most powerful evangelical spokesman of the last decade (surpassing Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson). Gilgoff, a senior writer at U.S. News & World Report, boasts extensive interview time with Dobson at the sprawling Focus on the Family campus in Colorado Springs, Colo., inside access that is complemented by great writing and a mother lode of information. Gilgoff argues that Dobson is a political powerhouse precisely because his constituency was built on dispensing no-nonsense family advice to millions of Americans desperate for help, not on any explicit political platform. When he ventures to make political statements, he commands a public trust few policy makers enjoy. Gilgoff traces the rise of evangelical influence in politics from the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition in the 1970s and 1980s to Focus on the Family in the 1990s and 2000s, walking readers through the backroom power brokering of everything from Roe v. Wade to Harriet Miers's nomination to the Supreme Court. This is a smart piece of investigative journalism. (Mar. 6)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Review


"In a time of overheated discussion about religion and politics, U.S. News reporter Dan Gilgoff went out and got the facts and reports them straightforwardly in The Jesus Machine. Gilgoff provides the definitive account of Dr. James Dobson, his Focus on the Family organization and other Christian activists, one that can be read with profit both by admirers and detractors of their movement." –Michael Barone, Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report, and co-author, The Almanac of American Politics

 "Gilgoff is a writer and journalist of the first rank - dependably honest with the facts and yet able to interpret them in light of the big picture.  This is a book that evangelicals, as well as the critics of our movement, should surely read." –Richard Cizik, Chief Lobbyist, National Association of Evangelicals

"After years of providing valued family counseling to millions of Americans, James Dobson has emerged as one of the most influential voices on the Christian Right and a powerful force in American politics. His story deserves to be better understood. Dan Gilgoff has written a fair, objective, and revealing book--one that offers deep insight into why Dobson seems threatening to some but appeals to so many others."-- David Gergen, Editor at Large, U.S. News & World Report

"Dan Gilgoff has written an great account of the political activities of Focus on Family and its important role in national elections. Fair and factual, this book can be profitably read by allies and adversaries alike." –John Green, Director, Bliss Institute, University of Akron 

“The Jesus Machine is a tough read, my friends, for anyone in this country who believes in the separation of church and state. Tough, but absolutely necessary. Gilgoff has done a masterful job here of expanding knowledge, not just in documenting the rise of a specific constituency, but in providing an outline of movement-building in general.” –Daily Kos

“This is a smart piece of investigative journalism” –Publishers Weekly

“THE JESUS MACHINE is the work of a reporter—in this case, a very good reporter…” –Sojourners

“… good reading for anyone trying to understand where the Republican Party is today and where it may be going.” –Washingtonian

“Gilgoff… meticulously and comprehensively dissects the evangelical political movement and how it always intersects with James Dobson and his multimedia ministry… a remarkably astute grasp of the evangelical movement, their motives, their resources, and their goals.” —National Review

Reader Reviews
This review is from: The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America Are Winning the Culture War (Hardcover) First let it be said that this book is not a criticism of Dr. Dobson, Focus on the Family, or Evangelical Christians. This book is an account of how Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson have grown over the years. Dan Gilgoff offers insight to how the Movement has grown and changed from its origins, as well as Dobson's roots and how Dobson's radio broadcasts can influnce the American voter as it did in the last direction. Gilgoff has written a non partisan book which can be enjoyed by followers and adversaries. Great read for all followers of (or those interested in) Dobson and Focus on the Family, as well as Evangelicals (to learn more about Dobson) and anyone who is into politics (might be a good read for a poly sci class or perhaps a modern religions course)