Rating: 
Summary: This isn't a religious tract . . .
Review: . . . although it doesn't miss by much. As part of his Hinges of History series, Cahill places the Jesus story in its historical setting. Whatever your view of Jesus' divinity, there's no gainsaying the importance of his followers in the stream of history. Not only the history of Europe, but given the migrations of his adherents, throughout the world. Although the book is filled with the message of love and peace, Cahill's opening statement about hills lists all battle sites. Not an auspicious beginning for a study of a "new word" supplanting the turmoil of the age. Like nearly all Christian historical writers, Cahill's description of the pagan world is bleak. Only by making the social environment of the era as desolate as possible does the arrival of the "good news" concept work. Cahill would have us believe the pre-Christian civilization offered no solace, had no love, no joy, people suffering empty lives with no hope. It's difficult to believe that the Mediterranean world was that much different from any other.This being an historical treatise, Cahill must rely on his sources. These are naturally scant, since Jesus went unnoticed by contemporary commentators. Another agitator in a backwater Roman colony was of little import. Cahill must, perforce, turn to the Gospels for his relation of this vital historical character. He omits reference to the long history of critiques of these documents. Instead, he grants them high validity. This is surprising in light of the long duration between the events and their written recording. The time lapse is decades, not just weeks or a few years. He uncritically credits the accounts as being retrieved from the memories of those who supposedly witnessed the events. This is startling. Anyone who's ever played Gossip, passing a whispered message from person to person, knows how garbled the original statement becomes in but minutes. What quirks of memory can occur over decades? Of course, as Cahill stresses, it's the message in the Gospel that's important. True enough, but we're supposed to be dealing in history here, not evangelism. Cahill examines each of the Gospels in turn, relating them with an easy wit. The chapter on Saul/Paul as a Jewish/Greek intellectual is the high point of the book. Cahill presents in modern language the various stilted texts Christians are subjected to. The effect is charming. Readers unfamiliar with Cahill's style may be jolted, but he's trying to convey a complex story without sinking into a prolix academic style. He deserves credit for his courage in doing this. He's clearly trying to widen his audience with the message. The message from the Gospels lacks unity, of course. Given the diversity of times and authors, with texts further modified by attentions from later contributors, his task is daunting but not insurmountable. Accepting these problems in pinpointing sources, Cahill is able to impart the theme of each Gospel clearly. He doesn't get bogged down in academic trivia. For Cahill, the value of the message far outweighs other considerations. Cahill believes in the message. He stresses that Jesus sought justice, suggesting this was a novelty in the era. It's a novelty in any era, and others have pursued the same goal. Even that Roman Empire so maligned by Christians [and Cahill] tried various means to achieve it. In Rome, Consuls were given authority for but one year to prevent accumulation of power leading to injustice. It eluded them, it eluded Jesus, and it's eluded Christians as Cahill points out in his discussion of anti-Semetism through the ages. He spends some time on this particular form of Christian injustice. It's disappointing that he can move out of his declared time span in addressing this issue while ignoring many others equally significant. Christians have displaced or eradicated peoples throughout their history. The Incas are gone. The Maya likewise, their vast story of holy books torched by priests. Hearts and minds can be won at swords' point - the history of Christianity confirms it. The question arises - who should buy and read this book? If you want a concise history of Jesus' era, this is a good start. If you don't want to wade through the King James, New English or Vulgate bibles but wish to understand what the fuss is about, this is a good review of the Gospels and their writers. If you wish to assess whether Jesus has a message for you, perhaps you'll gain some insight from Cahill's presentation. If you're not a Christian, Cahill, although he's firmly convinced, isn't likely to make you one. If you're already a Christian, Cahill may give you a fresh insight into the people who got Jesus' message out to the world. You decide. This copy was bought to complete the set.
Rating: 
Summary: Even the Footnotes are Interesting
Review: Thomas Cahill has written a series of "hinges of history" books in which he investigates how a few people made major differences in the advancement of history. This book is about a single person, Jesus. The authors translation and thoughts give an immediate and real sense of who the man was and how civilization is different because of him. Cahill is simply a very good writer, which makes anything he writes worth reading. In this case the subject of his book is fascinating by himself. I often found my self disagreeing with Cahill's opinions (e.g. that Jesus thought that an "end time" was fast approaching) but his reasoning was well stated and the evidence is always mixed. I do wish he had stated clearly the Mary the Magdalene (her name is Mary; she is from the city of Magdala, like today's Jimmy the Greek) was never identified in the gospels as a prostitute before he made jokes about it. Cahill clearly makes that point, but only after he jokes about her "profession." Nevertheless, his humor is a large part of what makes the book enjoyable and the obvious respect he has for Jesus and all the apostles is another plus. I especially recommend his description of the world pre and post Jesus and his chapter on Paul. PS Don't skip the footnotes.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging and readable
Review: This book effortlessly paints the historical context in which Jesus and his early followers lived. It's very broad in scope, with an emphasis on trends and big ideas rather than painstaking detail (which I think makes it more readable--I wasn't looking to curl up with a dry "The Bible As History" textbook). Cahill does make a few convenient assumptions (e.g. Paul wasn't sexist, "Wives, submit to your husbands" was simply him playing to the attitudes of the times ?!?) and I suspect knowledgeable readers might find a few bones to pick with him. But he writes beautifully, with obvious passion for his topic. His respect for both the Jewish and Christian traditions is evident and, for me (I am Christian), broadens the appeal of this book. (Gifts of the Jews was great too).
Rating: 
Summary: Thought-provoking but uneven
Review: This book is sandwiched by two excellent beginning chapters that focus on the social and historical context of Jesus ("the world before") and by two very finely done final chapters on the impact of Christ's message up to our own time ("the world after"). I didn't find the material in between, in particular the chapters on Paul and Luke, to be as satisfying. This material seemed more theologically-oriented, and I came away with the impression that Mr. Cahill is not quite at home with theology. An established scholar could very easily pick apart his arguments and points of reference. I didn't feel that Mr. Cahill had much of credible substance to add about Paul, the most controversial and fascinating of the apostles. For that reason I gave the book 3 stars (whereas I'd give How the Irish Saved Civilization 5 stars in a heartbeat) although I hasten to add that Desire... is definitely worth reading. Mr. Cahill's writing is always eloquent and insightful.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I use this book continually. I find myself going back to review it quiet often.
Rating:
Summary: Even the Footnotes are Interesting
Review: Thomas Cahill has written a series of "hinges of history" books in which he investigates how a few people made major differences in the advancement of history. This book is about a single person, Jesus. The authors translation and thoughts give an immediate and real sense of who the man was and how civilization is different because of him. Cahill is simply a very good writer, which makes anything he writes worth reading. In this case the subject of his book is fascinating by himself. I often found my self disagreeing with Cahill's opinions (e.g. that Jesus thought that an "end time" was fast approaching) but his reasoning was well stated and the evidence is always mixed. I do wish he had stated clearly the Mary the Magdalene (her name is Mary; she is from the city of Magdala, like today's Jimmy the Greek) was never identified in the gospels as a prostitute before he made jokes about it. Cahill clearly makes that point, but only after he jokes about her "profession." Nevertheless, his humor is a large part of what makes the book enjoyable and the obvious respect he has for Jesus and all the apostles is another plus. I especially recommend his description of the world pre and post Jesus and his chapter on Paul. PS Don't skip the footnotes.
Rating:
Summary: A good place to start.
Review: Having just read this book and read some of the reviews, I felt compelled to write one myself. A book like this will obviously have short comings and can be picked apart by anyone who has done any scholarly research on the subject, but for the most part it does a good job of providing a lot of information and putting the information in proper context. It's also a very readable book about subject matter that can be very boring at times. I found it pretty laughable that most of the negative reviews of this book were from people from the South and Texas, whom I'm sure have only read the King James version....and might even read the "Left Behind" series of books.........scary!!!! Without proper knowledge of the politics, history and culture of the world at that time, or the difficulties that the different translations can create.......no one can offer a valid opinion. Although, it's safe to say that all those bible thumpers from the South are reading the bible in the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.....right? This book does a good job of putting the story of Jesus in it's proper context. But, no hard feelings hillbillies....I mean....God's on our side, so let's bomb Arabs......yyeeeeeeehhhaaaaawwwwww!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: very poor scholarship
Review: Not well researched. Assumes that there actually was a historical Jesus, something which is not at all certain. Looks at Christianity as a Jewish movement and ignores the earlier Gnostic texts which clearly show that christianity was a Greek mystery religion with elements of bhuddism thrown in. Terrible.
Rating:
Summary: The hills are alive...
Review: Oh wait -- that's another matter. Thomas Cahill's third outing on the hinges of history brings us to Jesus Christ, and appropriately so, for so much of the word 'hinges' on this person (and we'll define that word more closely in a moment) in many, often unknowing ways. Obvious hinges are the calendar which, even when modified to be BCE/CE rather than BC/AD cannot escape the fact that break is with this phenomenon. Cahill has taken up the task not of showing who Jesus is, either as person (and that can be God-man, special prophet, political activist, or mythological figure) but rather to show some of the differences, a before-and-after, if you will, of what the world was and came to be due to the influence of this person, which obviously requires an examination of the influences on other persons, too. Cahill uses ancient historians, modern scholarship, Biblical texts, and simple logic and reason to show influences and changes brought about by the Jesus Movement/Christianity. Packed with details written in an interesting manner, Cahill manages to interest, challenge and enlighten all at the same time. Put together with the other two books (Gift of the Jews, which might serve as a prequel, and How the Irish Saved Civilisation, which carries Christianity further), this trilogy is a good introduction to the history of modern theology, philosophy, intellectual sensibilities, and how the world owes so much that is never quite realised to so few.
Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: Thomas Cahill can be an excellent popular historian. But, not here; I have read a few of his books. This is by far his most boring one.
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