Rating: 
Summary: The Politics of Dealing Out Death
Review: The author, Paul Maier, has provided a plausable and enjoyable historical fiction regarding the life of Pontius Pilate. Drawing from Roman historical sources, the Jewish historian Josephus, and the writers of the Gospels, Maier weaves a compelling tale. One thing you should appreciate about Maier is that he doesn't twist the source documents out of context to make for a better fiction. Pontius Pilate is every bit the concerned politico in ancient Israel as is presented in the Gospels. Maier traces Pilate's careful analysis of the handling of the arrest of Jesus as follows: "Why should he, rather than Caiaphas, bear the popular opprobium for arresting a prophet? Certainly the people would be inclined to blame Rome, rather than their own countrymen in the temple guard. He would not make Antipas' mistake and cut down a Jewish prophet, especially not in his present, probationary status." And so the story hinges on this greatest moment of Pilate's life (though he probably didn't know it). Altogether, the portrayal here is one of a Roman procurator simply trying to do his best to honor the Emperor by his service while at the same time trying not to unduly antagonize a people noted to be difficult to govern. While some would disagree and argue that Pilate was a cruel and harsh man (the condemnation of Jesus out of expedience would seem to suggest the same), Maier choose a more neutral approach. The story moves along quickly and is well written. If you know absolutely nothing about the history of Pontius Pilate, this book will enlighten you with some colorful historical fact. Otherwise, simply read the book for an entering presentation of facts already known. This book is worth the short time it takes to read.
Rating: 
Summary: "Pontius Pilate" and other works by Maier
Review: The review written by Marianne S. Rankin of University Park, Maryland is clearly the most insightful of the reviews written to date on Amazon. I have read all three of Dr. Maier's historical fiction (one being an historical fiction / mystery) and can say that few authors have such a command of subject matter -
historical, religion, science, etc. - to write works of such quality. One can say, without qualification, that the research is not superficial. His writing style is magnificent. This book, and the others, are truly "hard to put down." I read all three within two weeks and only regret that there are not more available. Needless to say, his works of non-fiction are also superb. Whether he has authored or collaborated, a book with Paul L. Maier's name on it is a worthwhile investment.
Rating:
Summary: "Pontius Pilate" and other works by Maier
Review: The review written by Marianne S. Rankin of University Park, Maryland is clearly the most insightful of the reviews written to date on Amazon. I have read all three of Dr. Maier's historical fiction (one being an historical fiction / mystery) and can say that few authors have such a command of subject matter -
historical, religion, science, etc. - to write works of such quality. One can say, without qualification, that the research is not superficial. His writing style is magnificent. This book, and the others, are truly "hard to put down." I read all three within two weeks and only regret that there are not more available. Needless to say, his works of non-fiction are also superb. Whether he has authored or collaborated, a book with Paul L. Maier's name on it is a worthwhile investment.
Rating:
Summary: A new view of Pontius Pilate
Review: This is the kind of book one can hardly put down, reads eagerly, and is sorry when it's finished. Maier is clearly a scholar, who has included as much historical data as can be found (from a variety of sources), and has plausibly interpreted gaps in the record. He draws an interesting picture of first-century life in Rome and Palestine, and makes the reader aware of events that otherwise might have escaped notice. Throughout, he realistically weaves elements of the life of Christ from different points of view, especially Roman, and one comes away from the book with the impression of how the emergent Christian faith appeared to people of that era. For both people of faith and those without, this account provides a fascinating vantage point, and is worth reading as fiction, as history, as an adjunct to belief, or all three.
Rating:
Summary: Slow at the beginning, but picks up.
Review: This is the story of Rome's famous prefect and convictor of Jesus Christ. It highlights all of the important events from Pilate's life, according to real history, and interweaved with a little "assuming" because of lack of facts. Overall, it was a good and rewarding read. My one criticism is that it took about 50 pages to really get into the book. The beginning was, for the most part, lackluster.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic.
Review: Two thousand years ago, there was a trial that changed history. Jesus Christ was dragged before the Roman politician who had to make the fateful choice that would place the Messiah on the cross. Who was this man, Pontius Pilate? What was life really like in those days, what political forces shaped events of that moment? ***** Paul Maier does an excellent job of exploring these questions in his novel that was published decades ago, but due to the timelessness of the subject, has held up well over the years. Pilate's choices are seen as both political and perhaps even divine necessity as the day that will become Good Friday unfolds. With the use of real figures and well researched customs, Dr. Maier sweeps readers back two millenia. Calling it fiction is almost an insult, because it is so very realistic. One complaint is that there is not a sequel exploring Pilate's wife, a woman who stands beside Caeser's wife in fascination.
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