Apostle Paul

Author James Cannon has taken the few facts we have of the Apostle Paul's life, and manufactured a good biography of Paul and his times. Paul, in case you don't know, was the chief earthly inventor of Christianity. Along with his side-kick Barnabas he carried the message of Jesus to the Gentiles and, in the process, made an insignificant Jewish sect based on the teachings of an itinerant preacher into a world religion. As the author presents him, Paul is often not an attractive person. Arrogant and cocksure, he was a fanatic persecutor of the new sect of Christians before the famous vision on the road to Damascus that made him an equally fanatic missionary. As time goes by in the book, however, the reader's initial dislike of Paul turns into reluctant admiration. Other much-admired biblical figures in the book are also shown with warts. Peter the "Rock" of the Church is vacillating, James the brother of Jesus is narrow and bigoted. What shines through is the idealism of the early Christians. Author Cannon writes his story confidently with enough plausible detail to make his portrayal of the first century AD believable and enough life and color to make his characters credible. He's a workmanlike author rather than a visionary, a poet, or a weaver of spells and he's painted a workmanlike picture of Paul that is probably about as close to reality as could be achieved. The Paul created by Cannon is human, and that's a rare thing to have achieved when molding a personage of his stature. Smallchief

an interesting review of this book on BiblioBuffet: http://www.bibliobuffet.com/bb/content/view/80/180/

Jim Cannon has captured the very essence of the great Apostle Paul. Faithful to what is known Biblically about Paul, Cannon provides a brilliant history of his life and work. Historically accurate, Cannon has researched the life and times of the era with amazing journalistic talent. In the fictional creativity this book reflects a reality that certainly could have been, and the reader is carried along with intensity in this powerful and moving story. Having read Taylor Caldwell, Walter Wangerman, F.F. Bruce and many other fine authors who have written both theologically and fictionally about Paul, this account of Paul is one of a kind and will stand the test of decades to come. Don't miss it if you want to get a fresh grasp on the world of the first century, New Testament theology, and the story of a man who changed the Western world.

I've read scores of books on Paul. Some non-fiction and some fiction. This is THE best I've read. As a novel, it is so readable. Cannon makes Paul come alive! He focuses on Paul the man, his personality, his zeal to follow his mission, no matter the cost. It is beautifully written, follows scripture and is enhanced by the fictious account of what could have happened. I could feel Paul's courage, his boldness and his passion. This is a book I will read again and again. It will be a classic on Paul that will stand the test of time.

James Cannon transforms the few bits of historical information we have about Paul into an engaging fictional account of the Apostle's life and times. Instead of being a stained-glass saint, the Paul of this story is convincing for his human characteristics of ambition, vanity, and jealousy. Apostle Paul is a well-written, fast-moving dramatization that explains Christianity's most important thinker and actor.