Rating: 
Summary: My soul cringed when I contemplated the implications
Review: 'Un-questioning I read, and my world fell apart. I let my mind become intwined in this terrifying plot, and my Faithful stand crumbled to dust. I could not take my self out from this created world, where the promises I hold dear were being threatened. I began to fight the thoughts, and push away opressing posibility. I put the book down. It was like an episode of "Sliders" The world was not right.' This was me before I finished the book. I allowed myself to be swept away by this realistic plot. And I regret nothing. This book allowed me to see the posibilitys and to experience them. It strenghtened me in ways that I can't decribe. If a person is wishing to experience what life would be like without Christ, I recomend reading this book and letting yourself become totally involved. It is incredible.
Rating:
Summary: Educational thriller teaching archeology and morality
Review: A well written novel rich in character development, teaching much about archeology and dating methods. It shows how religious narrow mindedness can cause grief and tragedy leading to a hatard that develops a world shaking reprisal. This is one of the best books I've ever read leaving me better educated scientifically and morally.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow. What a book
Review: As a Christian, I read this book and found it very challenging in a good way. Not only is it a interesting, entertaining, and plausible story, but I found myself having to remind myself that it was only a fictional book. It was hard to put down, and hard to forget. The only thing I didn't like was the love story--why force a romance into an otherwise superb book? It just seemed somewhat trite. This is definitely worth reading. It was an entertaining, thought provoking, and faith strengthening experience for me.
Rating:
Summary: Religious/Archaeological/Historical Thriller!
Review: As a Classics student a few years ago, I read 'Skeleton' and immediately began telling all my fellow students and professors about it. What an incredible read, for believers and non-believers alike: exacting historical background, intricate analysis of the languages and dating methods involved in Classic Archaeology, and yet this doesn't become bogged down with the scholarly items. The only part that was awkward was any section dealing with romance, but there's so little it doesn't present a problem. This is a fantastic read, suspenseful to the very end, and caused me to take a good hard look at how I might react if it weren't fiction. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping!!!
Review: Chalk up another person who read this book in one sitting (it took 9 hours). All those who I lent it to read it within a few days. This book is a fasinating tale, that asks probing questions. The reactions of various groups are portrayed realistically, and Maier's knowledge of arhaeological sciences run deep. I think even hardened skeptics would enjoy this book and the questions it poses.this book is a bargain at any price. But before you set down to read it, make sure you don't have any minor responsibilities (like going to work) in the way.
Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking Theological Fiction
Review: Dr. Maier's book is a very thought provoking story about what it would be like if something were uncovered that might possibly signal the end of Christianity. A word of caution to Christians reading this book. At the outset the book seems heretical in its subject matter, however, have no fear the author is Christian and makes all right in the end, once again proving that God can take evil intent and turn it to his bidding. The only problem I had with this book was a small amount of sexual content. I only bring this up because my twelve year old son wanted to read it and I had to tell him it was a little above him. I realize Dr. Maier wrote this for adults and not children. However, I feel a Christian writing a book about Christianity, albeit the subject matter ficticious, still has responsibilities to his fellow Christians. Having to explain to my son that he cannot read this book because of a minor amount of PG-13 material was a bit difficult, since it was written by a Christain. Otherwise the book was very good. It's a mysterical pager turner in the classic sense, and for Christians especially, it will be impossible to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking Theological Fiction
Review: Dr. Maier's book is a very thought provoking story about what it would be like if something were uncovered that might possibly signal the end of Christianity. A word of caution to Christians reading this book. At the outset the book seems heretical in its subject matter, however, have no fear the author is Christian and makes all right in the end, once again proving that God can take evil intent and turn it to his bidding. The only problem I had with this book was a small amount of sexual content. I only bring this up because my twelve year old son wanted to read it and I had to tell him it was a little above him. I realize Dr. Maier wrote this for adults and not children. However, I feel a Christian writing a book about Christianity, albeit the subject matter ficticious, still has responsibilities to his fellow Christians. Having to explain to my son that he cannot read this book because of a minor amount of PG-13 material was a bit difficult, since it was written by a Christain. Otherwise the book was very good. It's a mysterical pager turner in the classic sense, and for Christians especially, it will be impossible to put down.
Rating:
Summary: The first Theological Thriller
Review: Dr. Paul Maier recently released a sequel to this book, a classic that I read almost 10 years ago. The sequel is called "More than Just a Skeleton, it was one Man against the World" and was one of the best books I've read in years. A Skeleton in God's Closet is well worth reading and I have reread it and enjoyed it many times. Not only will this book make you think about issues of faith versus knowledge, but it will also introduce you to the world of scientific verification of archaeological discoveries. It is the only accessible book to this highly technical feild that I have ever encountered. The characters in Dr. Maier's book are realistic and easy to identify with. Some have criticised his inability to create deep female characters in his book, and perhaps there is some validity to this as the female character in this book is not really well-developed. The romance is juvenile, unrealistic and annoying. (My wife unfortunately never finished the book because of the cheesy romantic scenes). However the other strengths of the book make it well-worth skipping the remantic passages. I highly recommend reading this book as a introduction to Dr. Maier's new work, which I believe is the best book of Christian fiction since C.S. Lewis wrote the "Great Divorce".
Rating:
Summary: The first Theological Thriller
Review: Dr. Paul Maier recently released a sequel to this book, a classic that I read almost 10 years ago. The sequel is called "More than Just a Skeleton, it was one Man against the World" and was one of the best books I've read in years. A Skeleton in God's Closet is well worth reading and I have reread it and enjoyed it many times. Not only will this book make you think about issues of faith versus knowledge, but it will also introduce you to the world of scientific verification of archaeological discoveries. It is the only accessible book to this highly technical feild that I have ever encountered. The characters in Dr. Maier's book are realistic and easy to identify with. Some have criticised his inability to create deep female characters in his book, and perhaps there is some validity to this as the female character in this book is not really well-developed. The romance is juvenile, unrealistic and annoying. (My wife unfortunately never finished the book because of the cheesy romantic scenes). However the other strengths of the book make it well-worth skipping the remantic passages. I highly recommend reading this book as a introduction to Dr. Maier's new work, which I believe is the best book of Christian fiction since C.S. Lewis wrote the "Great Divorce".
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing
Review: For a historian at heart and soon (in historical time that is) to be professor of history, this was a refreshing book. I dont get to read much fiction and was given this book by my friend. I must say it was an interesting angle on a issue that is very intriguing. If you enjoy books but need a bit more to tickle your mind and if you are intersted in our relationship to religion you should get this book. I liked the way it was written. It was perhps not the most poetically written book but it was straight forward and keeps you thinking about what will come next during the day as you wait to get home to read it. Really get it. It wont hurt and you will want to read more of him.
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