Interview

I recently gave an interview on Canadian radio regarding my book, My Father Was a Gangster. To listen to that interview click here: www.willvaus.com/my_father_was_a_gangster.

The Original Wiretapper

The Los Angeles Times is running an article in their Op-Ed section today which I wrote. The article compares my father, Jim Vaus, to Anthony Pellicano, private investigator to the stars, who is currently on trial for wiretapping, among other things. You can read the article by clicking on this link: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-vaus1apr01,0,620076.story

A Visit to the Billy Graham Library

At the end of November 2007 our family had the blessing of visiting the new Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. What a thrill it was to see the recreation of the 1949 tent where my father made his commitment to Christ! We also had the joy of spending a few moments with Cliff Barrows. Mr. Barrows fondly recalled traveling around with my father as he made restitution for the crimes committed prior to his conversion. As I relate in My Father Was a Gangster, Cliff and his father sat in the back of the courtroom and prayed when my father changed his testimony in a Grand Jury trial in which he had committed perjury. If you want to know the rest of the story, e-mail me today at will@willvaus.com and order your copy of My Father Was a Gangster: The Jim Vaus Story.

Book-Signings

I'll be signing copies of My Father Was a Gangster: The Jim Vaus Story in two locations this week:

• Tuesday, December 11, 7 pm, at the Highland County Public Library in Monterey, Virginia.
• Saturday, December 15, 1-3 pm, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The Book Is Here!

My Father Was a Gangster: The Jim Vaus Story is now in print! As any author can tell you, the most exciting moment in the process of writing a book is seeing it in print, between two covers, for the first time. And that moment was no less exciting with my second book.

The quality of the printing of the book itself--photos, text and cover--is top notch. My hat is off to Believe Books--and when you see the front cover you will know that hat is a fedora!

You can order your copy today from Amazon, Believe Books, CBD or your favorite bookstore. If you would like a signed copy send a $20 check to:

Will Vaus Ministries
P. O. Box 581
Monterey VA 24465

and be sure to write "Gangster Book" in the memo!

Luis Palau Endorsement

Just in--this endorsement from Luis Palau for My Father Was a Gangster:

Jim Vaus’ story of crime and salvation is a glorious testimony to the redemptive power of Christ. As told by his son Will, Jim’s journey from rebellious youth to wiretapper to servant of God seems a drama straight from a Hollywood script. Jim Vaus left a legacy of service to his Lord and love for his family that is both compelling and inspiring.

Luis Palau, President
Luis Palau Evangelistic Association

Pre-Order

My Father Was a Gangster: The Jim Vaus Story is now available for pre-order from your local bookstore or:

Amazon.com
Borders
Christian Book Distributor
Faith Works Online

Here is a brief description of the book from one of the online booksellers:

One of the most fascinating conversion stories of the 20th century, My Father Was a Gangster tells the dramatic life story of Jim Vaus, the former associate of crime syndicate boss Mickey Cohen. Rarely, if ever, has there been another story of a gangster who turned so radically from a life of organized crime to a life focused on leading others to Christ. In this book, son Will Vaus tells the inside story of his father’s nefarious life in the syndicate and describes how close his father came to being caught for devising a scheme that was later said to have been the inspiration for the movie, The Sting. Just before carrying out his plan, Jim Vaus was persuaded to drop into the famous Billy Graham tent meetings taking place in Los Angeles in 1949, and almost against his own will, found himself compelled to “walk the sawdust trail” to the front of the gathering and along with hundreds of others, give his life to Christ. The author then describes the dramatic transformation that took place in his father’s life as he makes amends for his many wrongs and sets his course on a new life that is honoring to God and that brings many others into the Kingdom. This story has been recounted in Time Magazine, Life Magazine and Reader’s Digest and was chronicled in a motion picture, The Wiretapper. Now it is told from a son’s perspective, a son who watched his father go on to live an exemplary life, dedicated to saving others from falling victim to the life of crime that had sought to destroy him.

Release date: November 10, 2007

Interestingly enough, the release date of November 10 was a very important date in my father's life. But you will have to wait for the book to learn more about that . . .