Thousands of people across the world, from students to scholars, from Latter-day Saints to respected leaders of other religious traditions, can attest to the influence of Truman G. Madsen in their lives. A gifted writer, respected speaker, faithful teacher, and devoted scholar, Truman was a tireless and articulate advocate of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He was also a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, confidant, and counselor. This intimate biography by his son, Barnard N. Madsen, tells of the inner life, private choices, and personal struggles that set Truman Madsen on the course of his life's journey. from the death of his mother when he was just a young child to his own battle with the cancer that ended his life, from his work as a missionary to his years of teaching at Brigham Young University to his service at the BYU Jerusalem Center, Truman's formative years as well as his distinguished career all come to life in these pages—often in his own words. Drawing from Truman's extensive journals, numerous writings, and the papers he chose to preserve for his posterity, this is a candid portrayal, as the author writes, of "the man himself ... of his decisions and indecisions, sorrows and joys, regrets and aspirations, reverses and accomplishments, and, above all, his constant striving to achieve a balance between his intellectual and spiritual life."