Review
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Title: The Truman G. Madsen Story – A Life of Study and Faith
Author: Barnard N. Madsen
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Genre: Biography
Year Published: 2016
Number of Pages: 548
Binding: Hardbound
ISBN: 9781629722061
Price: $34.99
Reviewed by Catherine C. Peterson for the Association of Mormon Letters
“The Truman G. Madsen Story – A Life of Study and Faith” is an inspirational, interesting and insightful biography about one man and his passions, diligence, suffering and joys. For those who knew Truman, reading this book will help you to know him better, and for those who may have been obliquely acquainted or unacquainted with him, you may be impressed by his stamina and faithfulness as he strove to live a righteous life. His trials, shortcomings, strengths and quest for knowledge combine to portray a life well lived.
Barnard Madsen shares insights how Truman was reared surrounded by his extended family, and was influenced by its rich ties to church history and gospel values. His background and early experiences provided impetus for his life’s work.
For example, his father, Axel, taught Truman the value of words; reading them, studying them, and speaking them. His extended family provided love and support after the early death of his mother.
The book is well-researched and documented and includes quotes, letters, anecdotes, and writings framed within Truman G. Madsen’s life. His story includes many historic events, both within and without the Church. For example, he was an important key to the building of the Brigham Young Jerusalem Center, making friends with influential Jews and Palestinians alike. The details of that Holy Land experience are faith promoting and enriching for Latter-day Saint readers especially.
While I was working my way through school at BYU I was employed as a BYU information operator, providing directory assistance and answers to general questions phoned in. I got several desperate calls from a man who wanted Truman G. Madsen’s address, explaining that is was urgent for him to speak to him. I repeatedly told him I could not give out his home phone number or address and finally told him I would personally deliver a message to Brother Madsen after I got off work. I found his home, rang the bell, explained the reason I was there, and was immediately warmly invited in. Brother Madsen explained to me he was acquainted with the caller and thanked me for bringing the message and for not revealing his home address, as the individual was unstable, but he would take care of it. He explained that he has had several experiences with such people, and sometimes it could be dangerous, but he helped when he could.
My small personal interaction and the good feelings that ensued made the book personally relevant to me, and in retrospect, help me appreciate the amount of time and energy he must have spent just managing his social contacts while teaching or serving. Along with this experience, I had heard Brother Madsen speak and had read one of his books, “Four Essays on Love,” and had an affinity for him.
Endearing to me was the tale of Truman’s youthful adventures with his sports car, which he didn’t seem to be able to keep under the speed limit, resulting in multiple tickets and a police officer on the watch. Since he didn’t have the sizeable amount of money to pay the fines, he was sent to jail. After his release from jail, having “paid his debt to society,” he was ordained an elder after 3 days, and left for a mission to the eastern states 6 days later! This would be a pivotal experience.
This summary from the text gives an overview of key experiences:
“By faith he went to New England as a missionary. By faith he went without purse or scrip. By faith he went to USC to pursue graduate studies. By faith he married and started a family before pursuing a PhD. By faith he followed the prompting to apply for Harvard again (after first being turned down). By faith he followed other promptings in pursuing his life’s mission. By faith he went to BYU instead of Amherst. By faith he accepted the call as bishop of a campus ward – when he was just beginning his own academic career. By faith he accepted a call to serve as mission president in New England. By faith he chose to accept Church assignments, build the kingdom, and postpone his own projects. By faith he went to the Holy Land year after year and led others there, guiding tours for forty years. By faith he sought and found and then shared the true character of the Prophet Joseph Smith. By faith he followed the Brethren. By faith he built a sanctuary for his posterity in the mountains. By faith he made the temple the center of his spiritual life. By faith he endured … cancer, in gratitude and good humor, to the very end.” Remarkably, these are only part of Truman’s legacy.
It was a pleasure to read his biography, and it consolidated and added to the respect I have for this man. I recommend this book to any reader interested in the rich story of a scholar-saint whose generous life is worthy of respect and emulation. Barnard Madsen has written a thorough, honest, detailed account of his father’s life without being sentimental or blindly biased. Kudos to the Madsens, both!