Against All Odds

by Wendy Alec

Book by Alec, Wendy

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Wendy Alec is a British author, television producer, filmmaker, and founder of WarBoys Entertainment. She co-founded the Christian television network GOD TV in 1995 and served for more than two decades as its Creative Director, Director of Television, and president, helping expand the network into a global broadcaster. After leaving GOD TV in 2016, she focused on writing and film production while continuing to develop new media projects, later hosting a program on The Bible Network. Alec trained in speech, drama, music, and screenwriting before beginning her career in advertising. She is best known for her epic fantasy series Chronicles of Brothers, which includes The Fall of Lucifer and several bestselling sequels, along with autobiographical and inspirational works. Her books have sold widely and have inspired plans for television adaptation. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards for both broadcasting and literature, including honors for Christian television programming, media excellence, and fiction writing. Her work combines biblical themes, speculative fiction, and spiritual inspiration, earning her a prominent place in contemporary Christian publishing and media.

Reviews

[Richard Bartholomew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the past decade, GOD TV has become one of the most significant players in the global expansion of Christian television. However, this account, by one of the station's founders, has little in the way of information about how this happened: rather than a considered account of the station's growth, we are treated instead to sentimental family anecdotes and vignettes about how God helped at difficult moments. The cast of big-name evangelists is of interest, though: Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, Pat Robertson, Rick Joyner, Cindy Jacobs, Colin Dye, and Matthew Ashimolowo are among those offering encouragement and help along the way. The theology is charismatic and influenced by the Prosperity Gospel (Alec and her husband started out with Rhema in South Africa), although the latter is not emphasised. The book features a rather belligerent and strange "prophetic" epilogue, inspired by the 7/7 bombings, which looks forward to some sort of Christian dictator ruling the UK "with a rod of iron".

The book is also direly written, with words in block capitals for no reason, frequent exclamation marks and irritating appeals to the "dear reader". The word "literally" also appears a lot, such as a friend who was literally "the salt of the earth". The author also appears to think that the Plymouth Brethren were the Pilgrim Fathers.

[Al Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book several times and each time I am astounded at what God has done in the lives of an ordinary couple, who took a huge step of faith and have seen miracle after miracle, aptly titled Against All Odds. The idea of building a global Christian network from Great Britain was unheard of in 1995, there were many scoffers, a bit like Noah and his ark. The commercial media looked on with huge scepticism, debating whether to do a documentary on the fledging network as it may not even be around by the time it aired!!! Well nearly 18 years later GOD TV is still going strong and Against All Odds - the story of GOD TV's Visionary Leaders Rory and Wendy Alec continues to inspire young dreamers to believe for the impossible. In some respects the book is still being written as it is an ongoing story, but just to read about the birth pains, growth pains etc has challenged me no end in my personal life and I am sure in the lives of many, many others. Though a little out of date, the history still inspires. Plus, it is amazing to see the prophecies recorded in the pages of this book, fulfilled year after year.