Off the Deep End

Jerry and Becki Falwell and the Collapse of an Evangelical Dynasty

By: Giancarlo Granda, Mark Ebner

Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur

Giancarlo Granda finally reveals the truth about his relationship with Becki Falwell and her husband Jerry Falwell Jr., and the hidden world of political influence, high finance, and criminal intrigue.

Jerry Falwell Jr. is a prominent figure in the evangelical world whose support for presidential candidate Donald J. Trump helped secure Trump's Republican nomination in 2016. He captured headlines when it was revealed that he and his wife Becki had participated in a years-long bizarre sexual relationship with a pool attendant they met at the Fountainbleu Hotel in Miami Beach. As Falwell Jr. began to deny this relationship, even more damaging news came out, ultimately forcing him to resign as president of Liberty University, which many consider to be the largest evangelical Christian university in the world.

Giancarlo Granda is now ready to share the story of his years on an ""only in America"" rollercoaster ride through the monied corridors of power and profound hypocrisy.

I Fell into the Rabbit Hole!

An engrossing listen. Reads like a mystery podcast. Found myself listening to it in one long session. Told without embellishment as if I’m taking a deposition. And given the story, it was spot on. Enjoyed it very much.

Dive In!

This book pairs well with the documentary, God Forbid and gets deeper into psychological manipulation. It mentions some things which aren’t in the documentary, so it’s definitely worth a listen. It is heartbreaking to hear him describe wanting to commit suicide because of this but I can honestly say I am so proud of this man to come forward and tell his story. The students however from Liberty University are victims as well and this book sheds light on that. I truly believe his courage and spirited determination will have him on the path to greater things.

This kid comes through as a truth teller

What a story . Well written, well read, well documented, articulate . This kid is a David against a Goliath.

I knew it!

I remember watching Falwell Sr. back in the late’80-early’90, when he “exposed” the Robertsons. When he stated the they were “immoral, sexual deviants, homosexuals” and used it to justify the theft of PTL ministry worth millions and millions. I knew back then it’s completely hypocritical, lying, manipulating gang. Using the cloth to enrich themselves and enforce their agenda on the American politics. I knew they all were disgusting creatures. This book confirms that. Excellent!

The Libertine Way

I was ready to come away from this book thinking of the Falwells and their "Pool Boy" as three equally noxious peas in a putrid pod. So, it was a nice surprise to learn Mr. and Mrs. F can claim the pod all for themselves. Giancarlo Granda isn't anybody's deliberate gigolo. His story rings true, and it reveals him to be a smart and sympathetic character who was ensnared in the Falwells' web before he could become the savvy student of human frailty he’d eventually turn out to be. It’s not difficult to imagine Becki Falwell, all sexed up and on the prowl poolside in South Beach, homing in on a wide-eyed Granda while her husband was back in their hotel room, arranging the perch from which he’d leer as the interlude played out. This book tells that story, and everything that came after it, in riveting and yet completely plausible detail. The well paced account also neatly weaves in the power plays that inevitably arose because the Falwells, being who they were, had to control the narrative — or at least try. For good measure, there’s also the Trump angle, since no contemporary tale of wicked depravity is complete without him. In the end, Granda was vindicated, and this book tells that part of the story, too. All’s well that ends well — except, it seems, a Fallwell.