Paul L. MaierRezensionen

"Since Jesus' final week in Jerusalem is probably the most familiar story in the history of Western civilization, to retell it for the purpose of adding new information and insights would seem rank presumption. And yet these pages reflect historical and archaeological research that has taken old but not overlooked evidence as well as new discoveries to try to illumine the moving story of the first Holy Week and flesh out some of its important details." From the book's preface.

Great fun! Might contain some deprecated historical info because it’s from the 70s and based on only a handful of written sources, but who cares.
I picked up this book by accident when Ryan Holiday recommended a book of the same title by a different author. I read the first chapter of both books, and liked this one by Paul Maier much better than the original recommendation. I guess Mr. Holiday and I have different tastes in books.

Meh...I just reread this this past week and wasn't super impressed. I liked the archaeological storyline just fine--and all the Israel stuff was a yay---but the writing was HORRENDOUS. This author creeps me right out---seems like a really sleazy weirdo. Every time a woman is mentioned, her form and sexual vibe has to be described in detail---yet he never mentions much about the men having this affect on the women. The conversations between characters are straight out of a superhero comic...or are otherwise laced with creepy joking that no decent men would ever use with one another. Still, I'll probably keep the book as I do enjoy archaeology stories...but it's definitely cringe-worthy.

Some people pride themselves on being quick learners. I am one of those, though I do admit I am also quite hopeful that man can redeem himself of his former follies. It was with that mindset that I ordered this book just after finishing Maier's, A Skeleton in God's Closet. While the first was super lousy, I thought just maybe the author would make a great comeback with the second. Excuse me, I'm choking.

The dialogue in this story is just as awful as the first. WHY did I read this?? Since beginning the first book in this "series", I've been trying to figure out the right word to fit both the dialogue and general writing style of these books. It's something like "bawdy" or "crude" but not necessarily indecent. Just kind of gross. Like greasy, red-faced and sweaty--slamming double cheeseburgers without wiping your face--kind of gross. The back of this book details it as a "thriller". Excuse me, I'm choking again.

I think sometimes authors get too big for their britches that editors just slide them through the process the same way the "hero" of this book, Jon, gets through security in every. single. instance. Breezily and effortlessly. (and unbelievably?!) The book needs a series edit (rewrite?) or at least they could decide if he is Jon or John?

Stupidness aside, there was far too much middle eastern politics that the average Western reader would not understand---many names and titles dropped without explanations. He also spent a lot of time name-dropping all his cronies in the writing industry---severely dating this work worse than its references to 90s technology was already doing. Ugh.

Back to stupidness: there were SO many crazy and distracting tangents---far too many to list here. There was too much discussion about their time on the pyramid, random discussions about Catholic celibacy...what do these things have to do with anything? Nothing. Nothing at all.

Plot holes abound... I find it seriously unlikely that Jon would be duped again so soon by planted evidence. NO ONE remembers Shimon having a twin?? Shannon is a complete schizoid: screaming and calling him all kinds of names one minute, humbly apologizing and joking around about the SAME STUFF the next. I can see one outburst, but I think there were like four...and then Jon contemplates suicide over it? What? This author is a complete idiot to even suggest that when the guy is obviously rich, famous, positive, and very level-headed, showing no former signs of issues that would even hint at suicide. Please... Oh, and then there's the part where Jon hears a "little girl" voice apologizing. Of course it's his wife: fierce and feminist on one hand, a simpering child in bed. This author grosses me out to no end.

I just have to stop here. If this review lacks any organization or meaningfulness, just know my writing abilities have been heavily influenced by one of the most moronic stories in history. Please, future self, never touch this book again.

No more fairy tales for Christopher; he wants a real bedtime story. So his mother tells the amazing and miraculous story of Jesus' birth.

Maier's biography of Martin Luther was beautifully illustrated by Greg Copeland. Although a brief mention is made of his life prior to his teenage years, the main story begins with his schooling in Magdeburg and Eisenach and then university studies. It discusses his decision to become a monk and the encouragement at his monastery to study the Scripture for himself. In the Scriptures he saw Christianity presented differently than he saw Catholic Church practice at the time. He posted his 95 theses and the Reformation was born. The book discusses how his differences with the Catholic Church endangered his life. It discusses his hymn writing, his marriage to Katie, and his teaching and writings. The vocabulary level probably exceeds that of children for whom this otherwise might be a good book. Perhaps it would work best as a read-aloud where the reader can explain some of the words.½

A clearly well researched historical novel, speculating on the political career of Pontius Pilate.

It's an interesting read and it serves to provide insight on events given little attention in the gospels. Pilates moment of infamy, in which he washes his hands of responsibility and allows for Jesus' crucifixion isn't actually covered until the second half of the book. We are shown how he comes to be prefect of Judah and his relationships with other political figures of the time, including his rivalry with Herod. It details political squabbles and ties in the events of his life with historical landmarks of the time which Pilate could well have been present at. Unfortunately, since this is the novelisation of a series of historical facts, it suffers from lack of story. Much of it is interesting and it's definitely gripping at times, but for the most part it can seem to drag and it doesn't really flow consistently. I also thought the author cheated a bit when the whole book had been focused on Pilates point of view but then suddenly shifted to the Pharisees in order to give context for Jesus' trial. I definitely think these scenes could have been handled better by the writer.
Some of the dialogue also comes across as a bit contrived, clearly written only to communicate the authors historical knowledge, rather than provide realistic development for the characters or to further the plot.

So, it's worth a read. I enjoyed it for the most part, but this definitely serves better as a history lesson than a gripping novel.
It's well researched and interesting... but unfortunately, a book being well researched and interesting doesn't necessarily make a it good novel. It just makes it well researched and interesting.


Side rant: The illusion was somewhat broken for me in a scene where pilate is considering the uncanny resemblance between two characters. Fair enough, but he is shown to be thinking about this in terms of genetics. The field of genetics (or any science similar to what pilate possibly could have been thinking about) wasn't invented, nor had the term been coined, until the 19th century.

The Very First Easter written by Paul Maier, tells the story of Easter, why Jesus died and rose for us. It stresses that this is a true story.

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The first time I read The Flames of Rome was for a Latin class in high school. I wasn't a fan of the book at the time, probably because it was a class requirement and who likes those when you are a teenager. As an adult I gave the book another go and am really glad that I did. The book is packed full of information, while still having an interesting storyline(s). There are parts of this book that are hard to read, especially the treatment of Christians, but the Roman times weren't all about eating grapes from a reclined position.

Note: Reading dates are a total guess.

On a archaeological dig Shannon is disappointed at what she has unearthed, hoping to have found something of more value she decides to visit an old church built on ancient grounds. There in the dusty caverns of the library she comes across a codex (or letters) tucked into a book. Not knowing exactly what she has stumbled upon she asks to take the manuscript home with her for her husband Jon, a Professor and renowned author, to look at. Upon looking at it they find what appears to be an important manuscript that may rival the dead sea scrolls.

However, before they can discover more controversy over Jon's book erupts and threatens to tear apart their world as the Muslims declare a Fatwa on Jon. Thus the non stop action, suspense, twists and turns begin.

Though the plot is very well developed and the story line is good I found this book difficult for more to get involved in. In fact I had to begin it again several times after putting it back on my "to be read" shelf behind the other books there. It is no fault of the author - I believe those who enjoy books that are based on such themes would greatly enjoy this. The author has done an extraordinary job at developing every part of this book. The characters and plot are well developed and the descriptive nature is wonderful. One can actually imagine one's self in the places and feel the tension and excitement at each twist and turn.

If you read the Da Vinci Code you will love this book because it is similar only more action packed.

If you have read and enjoyed other books by this author I have no doubt you will enjoy this one also. I just expected something different and found it to be a little dry at parts.

Thank you to Glass Roads Public Relations for this review copy.

Paul L Maier, the author of several books about Easter, the Nativity and Martin Luther, has written a novel, A Skeleton in God's Closet, about excavating a cave in Israel in which a skeleton in found that seems to fit the description of Jesus Christ. This rocks the Christian world. This book is filled with lots of twists and turns until it comes to the final page of the book. It is found in the fiction section of the library under the number F/MAI.

Easter books for children often focus on the delights of spring or bunnies, colored eggs, and chocolate candies in an Easter basket. And why not? Nature coming back to life has been celebrated ever since early pagans named their April fertility festival in honor of Eostre, the Anglo=Saxon goddess of spring--thus the name Easter. However, because the resurrection of Jesus also happened at the same time of year, Easter took on a profoundly sacred significance, which is too often missing in literature for the young.

rabck from HI77; the author is a historian, and unfortunatly writes like one. A bit dry, but the methods described of what is involved with an archeaological dig were good. Essentially, the story boils down to discovery of some bones at a dig site, and some theoritically ancient information that's been "planted"

The depth of his understanding of the historical background of the Holy Land is impressive, but Paul Maier's style in this book for children does not have the same vivacity and immediacy as his style when writing for adults. It plods a bit. As one reviewer suggested, looking at the pictures and summarizing could be a good workaround. Or you could find a different book.

Maier helps readers travel back in time to the first Christmas in these daily devotions for Advent that utilize facts from history confirming out faith in Jesus. Each day readers will learn something new about the prophecies and fulfillments of Jesus' birth that can be applied to our faith today, bringing home the reality of Christ's presence with us at this time in history.

Pretty good. It does a good job of showing how the researchers work. It felt a little condescending for Jon to explain some things to Shannon she should know as well as he did, but I know it was to have a way to explain it to the reader.

In the debate the best defense of the Trinity he could come up with is he believes because it was unbelievable.

The missing chapters match the orthodox teachings. Even using the cross as a symbol long before it was in actual use.

The ending felt like it went too smoothing. Things worked out a little to well for me to find it believable.

A good short book on the life of Martin Luther; good details and beautiful drawings.

This book combines scripture passages with expanded explanation and beautiful painted illustrations. The text is a bit lengthy for young children, but can be shortened easily while letting the full-page 14" x 14" illustrations be the primary story.

This book combines scripture passages with expanded explanation and beautiful painted illustrations. The text is a bit lengthy for young children, but can be shortened easily while letting the full-page 14" x 14" illustrations be the primary story.

I've heard Dr. Maier speak several times and he is always good. This book is a little dated with all the new discoveries and developments since it was written. It would be helpful for him to update the book because it would be even more impressive and helpful - finding evidence to support Christianity from historical, non-Christian and even anti-Christian sources.

After reading the first book in this series, my expectations were very high for this book. Sadly, I was disappointed. The story seemed to drag on to the point where I finally started skimming through it just to get to the end - I hate to just drop a book. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that I get the "who" and "why" but the "how" is a little far-fetched.

Unreadable

This story postulates the fictional discovery of a long-lost codex commissioned by Emperor Constantine (this commission is historically accurate). This New Testament codex is identical to the Bible in every way, with the exception that it contains additional verses to the gospel of Mark and also a second book of Acts. In the former, the verses bring about a completion to the abrupt and 'hanging' state of the gospel -- mentioning the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The latter, expounds on the life and fate of the apostle Paul after his arrest.

The point to note is that the 'discoveries' are in no way deemed to be apocryphal in that they do not contradict or challenge the Bible, as we know it. As a matter of fact, in the story, an ecumenical council (comprising Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestants) is convened to decide if the writings should be included into the Scriptural Canons.

A decent story, but lacking the Dan Brown zing!