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Summary: Behold a Fine Story
Review: I read this book back when I was in High School (I believe between 1982 and 1983) and remember it to be both excellent in concept yet shocking. At the time, I was in my "rebelious" stage exploring "all things alternate". This story fit right in presenting an Alternate History that was engaging and thought provoking story, just like so many of Michael Moorcock's books. Now 20 years later, being what I would consider a more "mature Christian", I can say that "Behold The Man" could be considered a blasphemous book, but we must remember that it is a work of fiction, and not Truth. If you are fascinated by Alternat History books, check this one out. It's not necessarily the best writing ever, but it certainly was an engaging.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: I read this book in college, where I borrowed it from the library. Inside the front cover, someone had written the grafitto "This book is evil, it is a parody of good". Below that, another "reviewer" had scribbled the opposite: "This book is good, it is a parody of evil". I weigh in with the latter
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Summary: History in the Making
Review: Imagine being a time-traveller who goes back in time to meet Jesus of Nazareth. How would you react? For Karl Glogauer, this is just what happens. But it turns out things aren't what Karl expected. The simple carpenter's son is exactly that - simple. A grinning, salivating imbecile, who can only say his own name with a moronic giggle. This is one of the funniest books about time travel I have read. It's about disillusionment, finding yourself, trying to work out who you are, and making amends. Karl Glogauer is a man full of social failings. A victim who is mixed up, confused and uncertain. The problem is he hates himself, and can't accept the good things other people see in him. Before I had heard of this book I had my own theory that Jesus might have been a time traveller from the future, say the 28th century. He would have had all sorts of advanced technology to make it look like he was performing miracles, such as a pair of hover boots to make it look like he was walking on water. Or genetically modifying five loaves and two fishes to feed thousands. His claim to be the son of God would have been the ultimate hoax. The time traveller in "Behold the Man" is from the 20th century and takes on the role of Jesus rather reluctantly. He utters prophecies that are uncannily accurate (he's read it all in a book), and he "heals" those whose afflictions are purely psychosomatic. All the quotations in the bible are based on Karl's actions. The things Karl does will be interpreted down the centuries, affecting the lives of millions. This is a wonderfully iconoclastic work, full of mocking wit. I finished reading it the same day I bought it, it's not a very long book. It really makes you think about destiny and what we're all about.
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Summary: BEHOLD, the MAN on every level
Review: It has been called many things, but most often it is called BLASPHEMOUS and HERETICAL. I say "Yes, but only incidentally." On the surface BEHOLD THE MAN is another time-travel story. Beneath that surface this book is a coral reef of ideas and issues pertaining to that elusive creature, MAN. MAN's need for history to determine his purpose and the ablility to tailor history to his own needs. MAN's need to Love and to be Loved. MAN's scientific advances vs. MAN's religious foundations. As grand in scope as these concepts are, they are only the beginning. This is one of the greatest books of all time and a must read for any serious student of human nature.
Rating:
Summary: BEHOLD, the MAN on every level
Review: It has been called many things, but most often it is called BLASPHEMOUS and HERETICAL. I say "Yes, but only incidentally." On the surface BEHOLD THE MAN is another time-travel story. Beneath that surface this book is a coral reef of ideas and issues pertaining to that elusive creature, MAN. MAN's need for history to determine his purpose and the ablility to tailor history to his own needs. MAN's need to Love and to be Loved. MAN's scientific advances vs. MAN's religious foundations. As grand in scope as these concepts are, they are only the beginning. This is one of the greatest books of all time and a must read for any serious student of human nature.
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Summary: Are you a Christian? I guarantee this book will offend you!
Review: Michael Moorcock's science fiction novel "Behold The Man" has been in release for over 20 years, and I still find it to be one of the most shocking books I have ever read. If anyone ever decides to make a film of this novel, the controversy will make the flap over "Last Temptation of Christ" look like an argument over what dish to bring to the PTA meeting. "Behold The Man" tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a man striving to find his religious identity. Intermittent flashbacks explain many of his internal conflicts as a Christian, e.g his childhood molestation by a clergyman. The opportunity to use a time machine presents itself, and Glogauer decides to travel back to meet Jesus Christ and his contemporaries. Over a period of time, he meets the characters who populated the New Testament, but they are nowhere near the people portrayed in the Bible. Many of the depictions are incredibly shocking in their utter blasphemy; I found myself gasping at every plot twist. To give away any of the details of this story would be an injustice, so I will just say that you will never look at your Bible the same way after reading this book. Moorcock won numerous awards for this novel, and I place it high on my list of favorite stories. For those who have never read Michael Moorcock, this would make a great introduction to his very eclectic body of work
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Summary: An intellegent view of religious thought and unthought.
Review: Moorcock presents us with a bold, unabashed look at one man's need for sancuary in this early work. His wry, sardonic humor and biting social commentary make this tragic tale of an eager martyr all the more compelling. Combining time travel, religious history, and the theories of Jung, this thoughtful character novel will make you think about the basis of your own beliefs for some time to come
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Summary: BOLD AND ORIGINAL
Review: Moorcock pulls no punches in this story about time travel back to the time of christ. If you're a very religious christian AND close minded (NOT that I'm saying the terms go together...) you may be offended, but if you're knowledgable about biblical times you may enjoy the story even more. As with some of the best books I've read, this book opened up new worlds of ideas to explore. I enjoyed it and was educated by it at the same time.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a masterpiece
Review: Okay, the author had initially a good idea. He sends Glogauer, the protagonist, to the time when Jesus is about to make his appearance. What happens next is imbued with the classical paradox of time travel (if you know history and if you travel back in time, you can come up with the original idea before it existed. But who got the idea in this case? A vicious circle...). The style is poor, and there are huge gaps in the story. It might have shocked quite a few pious Christians in its time, but I'd say not anymore...
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Summary: Through the lens of now
Review: Ridiculous! Time-travel back to the time of Christ; the traveller knows the period well, accidentally becomes the legend. Impossible! Who would believe it? It's just a book, after all. Just words written down. Who would believe in one book?
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