Len surprised me with this book, and I was annoyed. He insists of buying me books that I don't like, but that HE thinks I SHOULD read, To be honest, he also buys me books that he thinks I would like, but anyway... After my initial reluctance, I decided to be less of a brat and at least give it a try. Len knows I used to consider President Oaks too strict and serious, but that my opinion of him has softened lately. So, I was ready to enter this biography with a positive mindset.
I found his story interesting and compelling. He has led a fascinating, hard-working, and consecrated life. I didn't know how brilliant he is...the way he studied as a teen to pass his radio engineer license and how that dedication led to jobs that helped him through high school and college. He didn't serve a mission; the Korean war interrupted that plan. He worked hard and studied hard and succeeded splendidly at almost everything he undertook, from law school to BYU president. It was interesting to read about the trajectory of his career, much like I enjoyed President Nelson's history in medicine.
The author, Richard Turley, writes very directly and simply, and isn't afraid to praise and recount quite often the characteristics that led to President Oaks' success. It can be a little tiresome, but it isn't unearned. I LOVED Elder Maxwell's biography so much because his love shone through, and there was a lot of doctrinal development and church history woven in. This biography doesn't do that at all; it's more pedantic and simple. Still, there's lots of admire here, in the way President Oaks lives his life.
One hammer that Turley continually hits, at every stage of President Oaks' life, is how stretched and busy and overwhelmed he is. No down time. Ever! Lots and lots of hours are needed to succeed in his challening professional and then ecumenical responsibilities. It gets tiring to read about. If it's true (and I assume it is), then he is some sort of superman and must exist on very little sleep! So when I got to the chapters about his marriage and family life, I wondered how he had fit any of that in. It sounds like his first wife, June, was the responsible parent. There are quotes from his children that indicate they have good memories, but there can't be too many of them considering the schedule he has kept over his lifetime.
I thought it was interesting that he disliked administration and was eager to move on from being president of BYU. And that he was interested in being on the Supreme Court...It gives more dimension to him. I also enjoyed the story of his meeting and courtship of his second wife, Kristen. It shows how tricky it would be to meet and date women as a General Authority, and it sounds like he did it right! The Lord blessed him with only having to meet ONE prospect because she worked out so beautifully. I liked the part of the book, too, where Turley describes their two years in the Philippines and what they were able accomplish there. Apparently the church was struggling there, with lots of converts, but few retentions. They shored up the local wards and branches and closed outlying ones and focused on strengths. I didn't really understand before reading this book what the purpose of his time there had been. It sounds like he can take any hard situation and turn it around.
I also liked seeing the development of his life over time. I liked how each step prepared him for the next; and the hard things helped him hone his intellectual gifts. It was good to read about and see how God prepared him for the present era...and there's more to come!
