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The Cross and the Switchblade Audiobook
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(4.00) - 14,688 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Gangfighters, drug addicts, teenage runaways, and prostitutes—the toughest and most hopeless kids that New York's ghettos had to offer. That is, until a country preacher from the Pennsylvania hills arrived on their turf and began preaching a streetcorner message of renewal, miracles, and God's love.
David Wilkerson, a man on a mission, stepped onto some of the world's most dangerous streets armed only with the simple message of God's love and the promise of the Holy Spirit's power. And that's when the miracles began to happen.
Led by incredible faith, Wilkerson left his country pulpit in 1958 for the streets of New York City, where a murder trial of seven teenaged boys churned society's antipathy toward them. Even Wilkerson was bewildered by his sense of compassion, but in spite of doubt, he followed the Spirit's prompting to help the boys. This is the amazing story of his journey, and the ability of God to accomplish the impossible. One of the most inspiring and challenging true stories of all time, it has sold millions of copies throughout the world and has been made into a feature film.
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"A very moving book, I cried many times through this storey and found it just as intense as when I first read it as a child. I Would love to read the sequel - which isn't yet available on Kindle so I guess I'll have to wait. Even more poignant is the fact that David Wilkerson died earlier this year - this world needs more men like him."
— Jane (5 out of 5 stars)
The Cross and the Switchblade Listener Reviews
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" This was my first read of 2012, fantastic book about the street gangs of new york and one paricular gang leader who finds faith in God and changes his ways. Nicky Cruz ( is that leader) now know by many as a christian who has spent many years working with teenagers, helping them too to find a faith in God that can chenge there lives. "
— Sue, 2/9/2014 -
" A story that changes lives. It touches the heart of any hardened criminal. "
— Dane, 2/3/2014 -
" i love this book !!!!!!! "
— Renea, 1/24/2014 -
" One of the first books I heard about when I became a Christian. Had a profound effect on me. I was deeply saddened by the recent passing of David Wilkerson. He was mightly used of God. May he rest in peace. "
— Grace, 1/22/2014 -
" This book, I would probably recomend to anyone who is religious and is into God a lot.This book is about a girl named Elizabeth who goes to New York to spead the word of God to the most hopless kids. "
— Cristian, 1/21/2014 -
" I read this a few times as a teen,made a real impression on me. "
— Lynda, 1/11/2014 -
" As A teenchallenge grad myself this book was on my read list. I really enjoyed hearing the impact of christ onto the hearts of these troubled gangster youth whos lives were incompased with poverty violence and drugs. There is no limit to the power of God. "
— Lindsey, 12/24/2013 -
" This is an amazing book that must be read. "
— Luisbatiz, 12/23/2013 -
" This book is about David Wilkerson's journey to NYC and his encounters with the young gang members there. One of the main guys in the book is Nicky Cruz, who wrote the book One Holy Fire then. It's a good book and gives a good background if you are going to read Nicky's book then. I liked it. "
— Sara, 12/22/2013 -
" The Cross and the Switchblade is a true story about a pastor named David Wilkerson. Wilkerson comes upon a story about seven boys who murdered a fifteen-year-old boy. He then decides to visit these boys in jail to talk with them. He is then denied the right to talk these boys. After this incident Wilkerson decides to commit his life to help drug addicts, gang members, alcoholics, and other people who are in bad situations. "
— Kelly, 12/22/2013 -
" Amazing book! Gives you great insight on the true power of God given through his holy spirit. It shows you that ha can break any curse, disease, addiction and so forth! Great book for a young Christian and for non-Christians as well. "
— Reni, 12/22/2013
About David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson (1931–2011) was an Assembly of God pastor who established Teen Challenge, an organization centered around the needs of converts of his successful street evangelism ministry in New York City. As part of Teen Challenge, he also established the Bible Institute, which evolved into the international organization known as World Challenge. David also cofounded Times Square church in New York City. Of his many books, perhaps the most influential has been The Cross and the Switchblade, which sparked interest about baptism in the Holy Spirit from both Protestant and Catholic circles.
About Raymond Todd
Raymond Todd is an actor and director in the theater as well as a poet and documentary filmmaker. He plays jazz trombone for the Leatherstocking quartet, an ensemble that gets its name from one of his favorite Blackstone narrations, The Deerslayer. Todd lives in New York.