Gerald L. K. Smith

I obtained this book as a follow-on to the Minister of Hate book by Smith's biographer, Glen Jeansonne. The autobiography consists of numerous "episodes," that are not arranged in chronological order. The episodes do reveal that Smith harbored what some may term a "messiah complex," which to me is troubling.

Readers will see that Smith thought a great deal of himself and his negative views toward communism and Jews. He did not like being termed an antisemitic, yet he was that.

I had hoped to get deeper insight into Smith's Stone-Campbell religious heritage, but while he discussed his religion in several episodes, the reality is that, by far, most of his adult life was devoted to his crusade against communism and the Jews. Smith had a very high view of himself and his crusade. His episodes are often filled with names of persons whom he said where his admirers, or who hated him.

The book is difficult to navigate as there is no index. It includes thirty pages of photos that are interesting.… (meer)