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Summary: A powerful biography of the founder of Christianity.
Review: A. N. Wilson, an accomplished novelist and biographer, here applies the tools of modern biography and history to one of the central figures in Western religion. Paul, unlike Jesus, has left us some of his own writings. Thoughtful and dense, these give us a window into the mind that to a large extent "created" Christian theology. Reading these letters with a novelist's sensitivity and a historian's knowledge, Wilson draws conclusions about Paul that more traditional scholars would be afraid to make. Wilson fills out his portrait with information drawn from other historians' works and from other early sources, including the Gospels and Acts, helping the reader see how different agendas may have motivated the very human writers of these works.
This is a splendid, thought-provoking book that the "intelligent layperson" will devour. Like Wilson's biography of Jesus, it will be challenging -- perhaps upsetting -- to those with very rigid beliefs, but others should find in it a much-needed examination of a tremendously important individual.
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Summary: The Truth (Like God) Is In The Details
Review: Having read this book a number of times, I'm always fascinated not so much by who or what the Apostle Paul was or even did, but by what was going on around him that made the spread of Christianity possible (e.g., the expansive Roman road system, the increasing number of Gentile God-fearers, the increased interest Empire-wide for Eastern religions stressing the personalized interior life, the simmering conflict between Rome and Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Church v. the Antioch Church and their possible disputes over proper interpretation of "the Way", etc.). We perhaps pin too much on Paul's personal ambition and vision such that we tend to forget the strange and even wonderful geo-political calculus and religious synchronicity that made conditions inviting for this one-time Jewish heresy ever to have made it's way out of ancient Palestine.
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Summary: Stranded in Malta
Review: I read this book years ago, but recently dusted it off and gave it another go. I'm going to Malta for my summer vacation this year and one of the main reasons I want to go there is to see what is on the island to commemorate Paul's visit there on his way to Rome. Wilson has a chapter on Paul's voyage from Caesarea in Jerusalem to Rome on his way to certain death. The whole voyage was marked with one disaster after another along the way. The ship went down near Malta and Paul instructed everyone to jump ship and they ended up making it to Malta. A dramatic tale to say the least. Paul was on Malta for three months before going to Syracusa in Sicily then sailing to Puteoli (modern day Pozzuoli) then making the final journey by foot to Rome. That is a long walk. Pozzuoli to Rome today is a three hour drive on one of the fastest stretches of the Italian Autostrada. Wilson doesn't explain how long it took for him and the other prisoners to walk, but it was probably a couple weeks. Anyway, during Paul's stay on Malta a couple miracles took place and to this day the people of Malta still make it a point to commemorate his stay and that is why I am going there. This is a great book on Paul. Paul is one of the most important figures in Christianity. Without the word of Paul, Jesus would have diminished in history as a fervent Jew. Strong words I know, but until you grasp that idea you can't appreciate Christianity for everything it is. Paul was the key to the development of early Christian thought by traveling everywhere as a missionary and preaching the good word of Jesus and claiming divinity for him. Wilson is not a historian, but this book is written in that style complete with footnotes and source material to back his claims. An excellent book. I was lucky enough to get the hardcover before it went out of print. Paperback is still widely available.
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Summary: Controversial but insightful
Review: Not surprisingly, this book fails to satisfy both rigid historians and fundamentalist Christians. It is neither a rigorous biography nor a parrot of convoluted and contrived Pauline theology. In my opinion, A.N. Wilson's great contribution here is his examination of the Book of Acts and of Paul's New Testament letters through the eyes of someone primarily schooled in literature and not history. Those of us who hunger to know what REALLY happened back in the First Century are bound to be disappointed as no reliable "histories" (at least by modern standards) exist. The best we can do is some inspired detective work and make some educated guesses. Wilson does just that and while I don't necessarily agree with all his conclusions-and I would agree with a previous reviewer that some of his passages read like brainstorming-I think his book gets us tantalizingly (sometimes frustratingly) closer to the REAL Saul of Tarsus than anything else I've read (and I do not at all agree with the assertion that the portrait is "derogatory."). Wilson's insights on the division between Paul and the Jesus community in Jerusalem are particularly enlightening as is his rooting of early "Christianity" in the Jewish tradition. I would recommend it both to religious skeptics and to those who are not so insecure in their faith in God and Jesus as to feel threatened by anything that challenges conventional belief.
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Summary: Creative writing
Review: There is a lot of information in this audio book. The Author spends the first half of the book setting up the history of the times and it isn't until the second half of the book when we really get to know Paul. I am not a theologian, so I can't say how accuratly the book ties in with the bible. On the other hand, the author takes pains to express that his writing is based on history and the biblical portrait of Paul is relevant only to the extent that it supports the history. It is very English so from a "yank's" perspective the author often uses four or five words when, in my opinion, two words would do just as well. I can't imagine reading this book but as an audio book it is palpable. In the end it is a very well documented perspective on the Life of Paul.
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Summary: The Adventures Of The *Historical* Paul
Review: This book is a "sequel" to Wilson's earlier work "Jesus: A Life." Both are very much in the tradition of the "Historical Jesus" quest. The scholarship is remarkable. Wilson seriously "brings to life" (to coin a phrase) the world...which is to say, "the context"...in which these Biblical events took place. Wilson also hypothesizes some about what *might* have occured. While some do legitimately criticize him for this, I happen to think his ideas are rather fun, and suggestive of the kinds of theories more traditional scholars *ought* to consider.It's always been clear to me that there was an early major conflict between the Jerusalem Christians and the church that Paul established in Ephesus. Wilson vividly illustrates what this was all about, and shows (I think accurately) how the destruction of the Jerusalem temple (in 70 A.D.) is what led to Paul's ultimate triumph, and the proliferation of his brand of the Christian religion. In contrast, the earlier "Jesus: A Life" convincingly reveals the pure Jewishness of what Jesus was really trying to accomplish. If you'd like to see this same issue portrayed dramatically, take a look at Scorsese's "The Last Temptation Of Christ," where the older married Jesus confronts Paul about the truth of his religion. This book examines that conflict in exquisite detail, and with fascinating historical detail. If you have even a little interest in these kinds of things, both these books will completely amaze you. Take it with whatever you want, one or two or three grains of salt, they're both *very* worthy of your time.
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Summary: Thought-provoking hypothesis on Paul's role in Christianity
Review: This book is an excellent study of the historical context in which Paul developed his epistles. The writer makes the geo-political situation of the Roman Empire during the last half of the first century seem as timely and compelling as if he were writing about current events. His hypothesis that Paul was the true founder of the Christian Church and his discussion of the forces that he believes shaped Paul's thought are compelling and thought-provoking. Mr. Wilson has inspired me to read his book on Jesus and to explore the sources of Christianity in more depth.
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Summary: Don't Waste your Time or Money on this one!
Review: This book is very anti-Christian, written by an obvious unbeliever. What a waste! If anyone feels this author has made valid claims, I suggest they keep looking.....start with "More Than A Carpenter" by Josh McDowell.
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Summary: I wish I could give this book 0 stars...
Review: This book was disappointing. I found the topic of an analysis of Paul's character to be intriguing. Unfortunately, there is nothing in this book that would lead me to a better understanding of Paul than before I spent time reading it. What I do now know however, is that A.N. Wilson does not like Jews or Christians, and Christians, and did I mention Christians. Again, disappointing - I would not recommend this book.
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Summary: Wilson's Apostle - Not worth the price
Review: This is a really bad book. Why ? The title gives the appearance of relating to a critical and thorough analysis of the Apostle Paul. It is probably one of the worst books I have ever read. Rather than contribute at length with a point by point dissention of its elusive title - I will just say that you need only go to your local library and read the first chapter to get a feel for the entire book. If you haven't the time for such frivolity -then just read the end of page 16 and beginning of page 17 where the paragraph concludes with another tongue-in-cheek dangler asking "And surely it is obvious what Christianity is ?" Need I say more. Yes ! This is a fictional book masquerading as non-fiction.
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