Rating: 
Summary: Valuable message, but a bit clunky
Review: Anyone interested in cultural values and how religion influences them could get something out of the the book. The story itself is interesting enough, but I found the overall script of the book to be a touch dull and too convenient. As other reviewers have pointed out, we don't learn about the title character through his actions or his relationships. Instead, we read his monologues, which are cast as windy, repetitive responses to unlikely questions. In essence, Joshua is more of a preacher than a servant, and the book reads like a collection of sermons.
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Summary: Barry is an immigrant.
Review: Barry you don't know regular grammar? Is it THAT hard to use proper English and use apostrophes. Joshua was a decent book, it was an easy read and kept me fairly interested. If I knew what Barry was saying maybe I would agree with him, but he can't pronounce th's. I must say that Joshua gives everyone a new look on almost all religions. Catholicism needs to be looked at differently, and this gives the new view we all need.
I could go on for much longer but the bottom line is this was a good book, I don't like rambling like immigrants.
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Summary: Jesus please save us from this CRAP!
Review: HORRIBLE. It really, really was horrible. One of the worst books I've ever read. This author must be mentally retarded or something because this is one of the worst, unimaginative and just stupid plots ever written. It looks as if a first grader wrote this, the dialouge and writing is so incredibly simplistic you could fall asleep while reading it. You would definatly have a better time asleep then reading this. Boring, stupid, horrible writing, completly false information, predictable characters... its a complete waste.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and moving but flawed
Review: I had very mixed feelings about this book. I was very moved by the simple message of the love that God has for us. However, I suppose that ultimately that I would rather that Joshua not be Jesus himself. It is obvious that the main purpose of this book is to show that the Church has perverted the word of God in a way leads people away from God, in much the same way that the Pharisees did 2000 years ago. This is a true statement that I agree with 100%. It is our own human nature plus the influence of Demons that has allowed this to happen. However, there are so many things about this book that are just plain wrong that I would not see it much more than a simple lesson on how God wants us to live our lives. For example, one of the statements the book makes is that Jews are no longer under the law while Catholics are under laws that restrict their freedom. This is not true! Many Orthodox Jews keep the Law and also have made Traditions equal to the Law so they must be kept also. This is ultimately bondage and not freedom and yet the Jews are portrayed as being free. What I had the hardest time with was that Joshua never really preached the salvation message to anyone! I wonder if the author truly knows the simple salvation message. This book would not lead an unbeliever to salvation in Jesus. Joshua should have been most concerned about the salvation of everyone. Look what Jesus says in Luke 10:20 after he has sent out the 72: "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven". I believe that the author was so concerned about making Joshua confront the problems in the church that he forgot (or doesn't know) that Jesus would be most concerned about the eternal destination of everyone he would meet. That is why I wish that Joshua was not really Jesus, because this is not ultimately how Jesus would have acted. It would have been much better if Joshua stayed mysterious but only a man. Jesus was in constant communcation with his Father through the Holy Spirit, but Joshua only seems to speak to his father before bed. I am sorry to sound so harsh, but I believe that the author betrays himself as not really understanding who Jesus really is! He is God the Son who is our Savior and who intercedes on our behalf to God the Father. With his great love for us, he is only concerned about his Father's Kingdom and bringing us into the Kingdom.
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Story
Review: I have just finished this book for the third time and still love this story as I did from the very first perusal. Father Girzone retells the story of Christ through Joshua, a young man who moves into a small town in New York State. Joshua lives a simple life, making friends easily and winning the hearts of the neighborhood children. Everyone loves Joshua but people are mystified by him, wanting to learn more but reluctant to pry. Joshua, fortunately, makes himself easily accessible and becomes very popular in town, calling the attention of the neighborhood churches. Joshua tells all who listen that they are free to love God and to worhsip in any way they wish and not to be bound by the strict laws of their churches. His message is taken to heart by many, but repudiated by those who cannot imagine life without religious structure. Joshua's lessons are either learned or rejected and like the Pharisees of old, he is reported to the "higher authority" for questioning. A chosen few are allowed to be witness to Joshua's real identity and for them, they will never be the same. "Joshua" is a beautiful story, written simply, but highly enjoyable. One can finish it in a day and then move on to the rest of Father Girzone's books involving Joshua.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Garbage
Review: I have no idea how this book was even allowed to be published, it's simply terrible.
Rating:
Summary: MY LARGE HEADED TEACHER (bc) MADE ME READ THIS JUNK
Review: If you bother to take the time to read this book, there is some sort of mental block in your cranium. Why not just sit on the john and read an Oprah magazine? This book is so poorly written, you might stop mid-sentence and fall asleep. You might have more fun playing badminton with a 7 year old than reading this.
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Summary: Support for the faithful without a church.
Review: If you're living a life of luxury, you will despise this book. It supports those who just don't get the message from rich ministers and the wealthy catholic church with it's leader living like a king...an earthly king. God is love and the organized religions of the world don't want us to realize that. They want wealthy parishoners because they have money to give when the basket is passed on Sunday. One reader reviewing this book said it answered no questions but I say it validates the simple, humble life of one of God's flock. It answered my question about not being able to find any one religion that supports my beliefs of God and doesn't send me a yearly bill for the amount of tithing I owe based on the guesstimate of my income.
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Summary: About the Book- from the Editor and Publisher
Review: Joshua
FROM OUR EDITORS
Written by a retired Catholic priest and rooted in a scrupulously accurate reading of the scriptures, these profoundly moving and deeply inspiring stories about Joshua, a simple woodcarver, are entertaining, engrossing, life-affirming, and deeply spiritual. Balm for our troubled times. In the story Joshua, Joshua moves to a small cabin on the edge of town, the local people are mystified by his presence. In Joshua and the Children, Joshua arrives in a village overrun with unscrupulous people, the children are the first to recognize the special qualities of this gentle stranger. In Joshua in the Holy Land, Joshua has come home, but home is no more peaceful than it was during the "time long ago.'' Violence has poisoned the little towns of Nazareth, Capernaum, and Bethany. When he reaches Jerusalem, Joshua's path becomes clear. Journey with Joshua--it's one journey you'll never forget.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
When Joshua moves to a small cabin on the edge of town, the local people are mystified by his presence. A quiet and simple man, Joshua appears to seek nothing for himself. He supports himself by working as a carpenter. He charges very little for his services, yet his craftsmanship is exquisite. The statue of Moses that he carves for the local synagogue prompts amazement as well as consternation.
What are the townsfolk to make of this enigmatic stranger? Some people report having seen him carry a huge cherry log on his shoulders effortlessly. Still others talk about the child in a poor part of town who was dreadfully ill but, after Joshua's visit, recovered completely.
Despite his benevolence and selfless work in the community, some remain suspicious. Finally, in an effort to address the community's doubts, the local religious leaders confront Joshua.
Rating: 
Summary: a minor quibble
Review: Overall I liked JOSHUA--it was a light, touching, feel-good book, and sometimes you need something like that. I only have one minor quibble. Joshua carves a statue of Moses for a local synagogue? I thought the Jews were totally against graven images! That said, I still thought the character of Joshua was compelling, and the book a pleasant read.
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