Rating: 
Summary: Promising topic - sloppy execution.
Review: Kimball presents a topic which deserves thorough investigation. His reliance upon apocryphal literature is not the weakness of this book; these works clearly hold much information which would clarify the cultural and political context of the crucifixion. I get the feeling, however, that his research was sketchy and extremely uncritical. How are we to accept the concept of the "Druid University" in England [was is accredited?] [where Kimball maintains Jesus and Pilate both studied!] with no further documentation.The editing is extremely poor. I get the feeling this book is nothing but a transcript of wandering, not very well organized, spoken presentations. For example, although the book gives the text as "Master 'Mayhem'", this is clearly mistranscribed and reveals Kimball's theological background - which he tries to keep hidden. [Hint - check the city of publication.] Not that there is anything wrong with this;some of the most intriguing research springs from this theological source. The problem is, while good, solid scholarship should be the goal when dealing with this topic, what Kimball has given us is a rather informal, off the cuff, and extremely poorly written little book. Merely listing a lot of books at the end does not constitute scholarship! Footnotes are used for a reason! Please, next timel, try to do the job right!
Rating: 
Summary: Paganism forgerys uncovered by one without scholarship.
Review: Pagans once wrote forgerys to confuse christians about Jesus Christ to prevent conversion. The author never mentions these events in his book and we must question his scholarship to say the least. If he wants fame anyone can copy forgerys and claim they are real, but if he truly wants understanding for all people, then he must abandon such trivia and drivel as he quotes and writes. Saint Charbal onec said, "The Living Are Dead And The Dead Are Living." Well, question the source and sources and you will find the truth, but no here dear, is that clear dear!
Rating:
Summary: He Uses Questionable Scripture That Every Scholar Scorns.
Review: Show me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. This is the theme of a good subject by an unqualified author. I feel sorry for anyone who falls for the limited research and lack of historical analysis by an amateur at best and a well intended misguided Showboat man seeking attention. Watch Tv same thing like Chariots of the Gods. Stupid and unexpalined to say the least.
Rating: 
Summary: AN AUTHOR'S NOTE
Review: The cricifixion of Jesus was the most important event in the understanding of the life of Jesus. We all know the Biblical account of these events. However, one critical perspective has been kept secret for two thousand years. This perspective comes from those whom we have wrongfully held responsible for His death. Pilate and Herod have left their letters for us as a peek into this monumental event. These letters hold the secret to the reason that Pilate and his wife, Claudia Procula, were celebrated on the calendar of ancient Christian Holidays for two hundred years after the crucifixion. Few know that Pilate lost his life as a result of the crucifixion and was raised to the status of Sainthood by the earliest Christians. The historical evidence cries out for the real story of Pilate. For the first time his story comes to us in Pilate's own words. It is the most spectacular story of faith in all the discoveries in recent history. The last story in the book is the account of Joesph of Arimathea at the time of the crucifixion recorded by his friend and fellow Sanhedrin Councilman, Nicodemus. These writings tell the spectacular story of the second greatest miracle at the time of the crucifixon. Joseph of Arimathea was not a stranger to the family of Jesus, nor a mere friend. He was the great "Foster Father" of Jesus who provided for the Holy Family from the time of the death of Joseph who was married to the Virgin Mary. The tomb in which Jesus was laid was a family tomb. Joseph of Arimthea's arrest at the time of the crucifixion and his miraculous escape has been held sacred and secret from the masses far too long. The witness accounts of others who were raised with Jesus from the dead have been widely known by the clergy of many traditions. These two "Rabi" or "Angels", depending on the source of the tales, have finally been made known. How many traditions of these resurrected men must be found before we will believe them? This is a story of Easter that will last for centuries to come. We no longer have reason to be afraid of our own history.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Book on this Subject
Review: The politics surrounding the crucifixion of the Savior has always been confusing to the lay person until now. Thanks to this insightful research and biblography, this information has been put and interpreted in a primer form for us lay-people to understand, digest and enjoy in this short episle on the politics surrounding His crucifixion.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read
Review: This book is a good read, but the writers need to focus more on the story they are telling so it more enjoyable to the reader. I do recommend this book, but it should be taken with some salt. While the information will not place you in heaven or hell if you believe it or not, it is always GOOD to remember that salvation is simple, ANYONE WHO BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD LAID DOWN HIS LIFE AND TOOK IT UP AGAIN AND SUBMITS TO HIM AND HIS BAPTISED....WILL BE SAVED. Read this title and enjoy it. Jesus is Lord! Praise God!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Work!
Review: This book is for people who are not simply satisfied with the spoon-fed status quo in relation to what all of us have been traditionally taught. The Bibliography of Sources for this book is quite impressive, and the readership should take up the challenge to look into these references given. In other words, the readership ought not be lazy by giving their opinions unless you have a right to gripe. To Glen Kimball and David Stirland, I give your research KUDOS!! TWO THUMBS UP!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This book relies on the credibility of varoious aporyphal sources. The author exhibits knowledge of current scholarship in his treatment of the synoptic gospels, but does not apply the same standard to the Gospel of John, which he treats as authentic, or at least the most authentic of the four gospels. The same is true in his treatment of apocryphal literature, which were written later than the gospels. His preference for these writings over the synoptic gospels is unclear.
The author's lack of source notes is irritating, especially considering the content of the book, which leads one to want to know more about the subject and the sources. Instead, he gives a list of source material at the end of the book.
For a more scholarly analysis, I recommend Raymond E. Brown's "Death of the Messiah." Or "Introduction to the New Testamont" by the same author.
Rating:
Summary: Dubious
Review: This book relies on the credibility of varoious aporyphal sources. The author exhibits knowledge of current scholarship in his treatment of the synoptic gospels, but does not apply the same standard to the Gospel of John, which he treats as authentic, or at least the most authentic of the four gospels. The same is true in his treatment of apocryphal literature, which were written later than the gospels. His preference for these writings over the synoptic gospels is unclear.
The author's lack of source notes is irritating, especially considering the content of the book, which leads one to want to know more about the subject and the sources. Instead, he gives a list of source material at the end of the book.
For a more scholarly analysis, I recommend Raymond E. Brown's "Death of the Messiah." Or "Introduction to the New Testamont" by the same author.
Rating:
Summary: More hype than substance, awkwardly written.
Review: This is one that must be read with red pencil in hand. If there were any editors and/or proofreaders for the manuscript, they can't have been educated in English. "The crowd mounted....". What a picture that brings to mind! The intent was to say "grew" - mundane, but certainly a clear statement. Too often the reader finds himself questioning what has been said not because new information or ideas are presented, but because the presentation is so poorly assembled . Content? There is some in the last few pages, and the bibliography is at first glance intriguing. But hype and fluff outweigh substance. Can the author truly have degrees in Journalism and Communication? What might he have taught at the University of Illinois? Oh, please, NOT Language Arts. Integrity might be salvaged here if Mr. Kimball had reduced his series to a single tome from which tautology is entirely extracted. The two of his books I read hardly seem the consequence of twenty-five years of research. The few "apocryphal" stories related which are somewhat contrary to tradition are intriguing, and for those, at least, I do not entirely regret having read Hidden Politics of The Cucifixion.
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