Macel Falwell publishes ‘Jerry Falwell: His Life and Legacy,’ about her late husband

Lynchburg News& Advance
Published: March 29, 2008

Previously untold stories about the life and times of the Rev. Jerry Falwell will be the focus of a new book by his wife, Macel.

“Jerry Falwell: His Life and Legacy” is set for release May 15, the first anniversary of his death. Initially hesitant about writing a book, Macel Falwell was encouraged by her son, Jonathan.

“I really had talked a long time about writing a book, but I thought: ‘That’s not something I can do. I’m not going to worry about that,’” she said, adding Jonathan persuaded her. “He said, ‘Oh you can do it, you can do it.’”

Macel Falwell, who has been working on the book since September, said it was a difficult process.
“I guess it’s something I thought about and dreamed about, but never thought it would come true,” she said. “It was pretty tough. It is hard to do, but I knew I just had to do it and I did.”
Jonathan Falwell said he’s thrilled the book is now a reality.

“It’s not what I thought it would be, it’s actually better,” he said
Initially, he said, it was difficult to convince his mother to tell her story.

“Mom has always been kind of a behind-the-scenes person,” he said, adding it was his father who had a strong personality and public presence. “She certainly didn’t speak or write like dad so often did.
Jonathan said his mother spent more than 50 years with his father and her book chronicles many untold stories, including those surrounding the start of Thomas Road Baptist Church.

“There are some great stories in there, literally that haven’t been told. Some I didn’t even know,” he said. “It’s some really new information for a lot of people.”

The book is being published through Howard Books, the Christian division of Simon and Schuster. According to the publisher’s Web site, the book will include insight into significant events, such as the reaction to Falwell’s comments following Sept. 11, details behind the Moral Majority’s formation, and Falwell’s relationship with Ronald Reagan and Larry Flynt
Jonathan said the book has a conversational tone so readers will feel they are sitting down for an intimate talk with his mother.

“Once she got into it she enjoyed it,” Jonathan said. “It did allow her to share some things she never got an opportunity to share. I’m excited about it.”

Currently, there are no special plans for the book’s May 15 release, Jonathan said, although he may try to convince his mother to do some book signings in the future.

The 288-page book is currently available for advance purchase on Amazon.com.
“It’s a great story,” Jonathan said. “There’s only one person that could have told it.”