How did a farm boy from Charlotte, North Carolina, become one of America s most influential preachers and revered evangelists? This compelling oral biography written by noted historians and longtime friends Graham Deborah H. Strober and Gerald S. Strober traces Billy Graham s early life from milking cows on the family farm to his religious training, his marriage to Ruth Bell, his work with Youth for Christ, and other milestones on his path to becoming the pastor to the presidents. This insightful and intimate portrait of a man who became a legend to millions of believers around the world draws on extensive archival material as well as many firsthand interviews with family, friends, political and religious leaders, and other close associates. The book not only explores Graham s remarkable career but highlights his many significant contributions on both the national and international scene. Readers will learn of the development of Graham s theology and its bearing on social issues as well as the importance of his work to the lives of Christians and non–Christians around the world.