The Cross and the Switchblade
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The Cross and the Switchblade (1962) is the true story of Reverend David Wilkerson's work among New York drug addicts. One of the drug addicts whose conversion to Christianity is described in the book is Nicky Cruz, who himself went on to write a bestselling book, Run, Baby Run. It has subsequently been made into a movie of the same name, as well as a comic book published by Spire Christian Comics.
In 1958, David Wilkerson, a country preacher, was moved to try to help the seven boys indicted in New York City for the murder of Michael Farmer, a crippled teen-ager. They are in prison now and beyond Reverend Wilkerson's help, but his efforts have burgeoned into the Teen Challenge movement, which has saved other boys and girls from crime and addiction.
This book has sold over 50 million copies and has been translated into 30 languages.
[edit] References
- David Wilkerson, Elizabeth Sherrill, John Sherrill (1962). The Cross and the Switchblade. Jove.
