Brian Rush McDonald became a Jesus freak in 1970s Alabama and then immersed himself in the dogma of Christian fundamentalism at Bob Jones University. Despite anxiety about unsaved souls facing eternal damnation, he became a minister, married his high school sweetheart, and became a father to three children.

He took his family to Taiwan where he became a missionary, experienced a different culture, learned Mandarin and broadened his life outlook. They returned to America and McDonald became a pastor for Chinese American churches while he pursued a Ph.D. from The College of William & Mary.

After 30 years of preaching, McDonald walked away from the pulpit to pursue a different path. The Long Surrender is a riveting memoir about losing religion to find freedom.