Ruth, a Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell

An excellent book for anyone who wants to learn about Ruth Bell Graham. Well written.

I really enjoyed reading about the life of Ruth Graham. She was so well-grounded in her faith and SO supportive of her husband, Billy Graham. I would highly recommend it!!

What a lady, Ruth Graham. She really went through and saw a lot in her life time. You really get to see the woman behind Rev. Billy Graham. This was a well written biography of a very Godly woman. I am sure this was an exciting journey for Ms. Cornwell to sit with Ruth Graham and talk about her life. This is a wonderful book, if you haven't read it get it and read it. You won't be disapointed.

I bought this because I'm a fan of Cornwell's other work, especially the earlier stuff. My expectations weren't very high, since most books about religious "greats" tend to be syrupy or on a witch-hunt. Instead, Cornwell brings in just enough of her personal experience with the Grahams to explain her adoring views of Ruth. But for the rest of the book, she manages to take herself out the story masterfully and give us a three-dimensional portrait of a strong, stubborn, soft-hearted woman's walk through life. Both of the Grahams are seen as normal, flawed, generous people with single-minded commitment to their lives' callings. The realistic presentation of both of the Grahams really highlights God's presence and action in their lives. I loved that Cornwall just trusted the facts to present a well-rounded picture, without inserting a lot of personal opinions. It's a perspective on Ruth that you won't find in a lot of simpering bios which show her as the ever-supportive, ever-submissive wife of an equally flawless evangelist. Here, you get to see her as a worthy match with a quick mind, a soft heart and sharp tongue. The most incredible chapter is the last one, where we see how Ruth's compassion and acceptance of wounded and lost people had such on effect on the author's life as well. Just a really great book. I'm officially gushing to everyone about it!

I don't enjoy reading the much and I'm also a slow reader in that I get lost in the content and descriptions. This is definitely not a Patricia Cornwell suspense novel. She was very close friends with the Grahams and begged Ruth to let her write the book for people to see the woman behind the man...Billy Graham. She did it so well that Ruth did not speak to Patricia for about 3 years after the book was published. Sometimes the truth hurts and sometimes it will set you free. It was an interesting, easy read for me. It was a book I kept picking up to want to read the next chapter...something that's very hard for me...something keeping my attention. I've loaned the book out to several friends and they have all enjoyed it. I read it about 3 months before Ruth died.

A well written biography of one of the best examples of a Godly woman