The distinct sound of a duck call pierced the quiet of the commuter jet cabin just before we landed in Monroe, Louisiana. At least I know I’m in the right place, I thought as I joined my fellow passengers in applause. I don’t know how many people’s travels that day would have anything to do with Duck Dynasty or the Robertson family, but everyone on the flight seemed excited to have finally arrived in the lush green bayou country the Robertsons call home.
As I made my way toward West Monroe to meet the Robertson women for the first time, I had some of the same questions much of America has about them: Are they really who they seem to be—down-to-earth, sincere, commonsense, loving wives and mothers? Do the women really get along and support each other? Do they really love their family as much as the show portrays? Are their children truly as respectful as they come across? And is their sense of humor what the show would have an audience think? In a word, yes. Definitely yes.
Within a few minutes of sitting down for a meal with these women, I began to see that they are the real deal—warm, friendly, gracious, humble, fun, passionate about God, devoted to family, and altogether genuine. There’s no pretense in the Robertson wives. Each one is strong, smart, talented, and enormously capable in her own right, and each keeps the family fame in perspective. While they appreciate the chance to be on a television show that breaks ratings records and makes history, they’re not impressed with themselves; they are focused on the things that really matter. They are committed to timeless values, and they are wholly true to a strong set of unshakable convictions, convictions based on the ancient, proven truth of Scripture. They have learned the hard way that a life of faith is not always easy, but it is always good.
In this book, the Robertson wives are happy to share the stories, insights, and experiences that have made them who they are. With transparency, humility, and forthrightness, they write about the things that have shaped their lives not as television stars, but as human beings—as women who know the same longings and cares, joys and sorrows, victories and struggles as women everywhere. If you have ever wondered why they are the way they are, you’ll find answers in these pages. If you want to move toward a greater commitment to faith, family, and the things that make life truly rich, you will find direction here.
This behind-the-scenes look into the Robertson women’s world is not just made of words; it’s made of influence. Its stories and lessons have the power to shape your life in the most positive ways and the potential to lead you and others into the kind of good life and values-based living that is the foundation of the Robertsons’ success.
The Robertson wives are not clamoring for the spotlight but cooperating with the spotlight, because they understand that for a moment in television history they are part of something that calls millions of people back to the basic goodness of life—and they share that goodness with humor and self-effacing honesty. They don’t pay too much attention to what the world says is important. Their must-haves are not designer clothes or luxury cars. Their must-haves are love, loyalty, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, respect, honest hard work, care for others, and a host of other virtues. The unprecedented popularity of Duck Dynasty makes me wonder if, at the end of the day, these simple qualities are what the heart of America really longs for.
The whole Duck Dynasty phenomenon is a bit of a revolution. It’s certainly turned the world of entertainment on its ear and challenged what many media insiders think America wants to watch. They’re finding out that clean humor, marital fidelity, and prayer before a meal can trump sex, violence, and bad language. The funny thing is, the revolution of Duck Dynasty is not leading us into anything new; it’s simply taking us back to some things our culture is in danger of losing—love, laughter, family, and faith. In the Robertson women these things run deeper than any once-a-week television show could ever convey; they are the very fabric of their lives.
Beth Clark