Booklist Review
Using new archaeological discoveries, Isbouts takes readers on a trip back in time to uncover Jesus and the places where he lived, preached, and died. The first part of the book, The World of Jesus, looks at the larger Roman world as well as the locales that nurtured Jesus and his work. The text then goes on to trace the life of Jesus as he moved through Galilee, ending up in Jerusalem for his final days. The book concludes with a look at the Christian communities that sprang up throughout the Roman Empire. An epilogue tracks various pilgrimage routes. Though this volume has the look and feel of a coffee-table book, some of the photos are disappointing (for example, a generic full-page picture of an olive tree with a caption about the importance of oil in the ancient world). In addition, some images are not crisply reproduced. That said, there is a wealth of information here. The book covers all the key topics the Temple, the travels, the teachings and several minor ones as well (Fish Species in Jesus' Time). Good for browsers and students of the period alike.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Providing background and context to the life of Jesus and early Christianity, Isbouts (media psychology and media studies, The Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas), who is also a documentary filmmaker for television, has penned another solid work for National Geographic. Stating that "the purpose of this book is to reconstruct the unique historical, social, and cultural condition of Jesus' time," he proceeds to do just that, using new archaeological findings and thorough research. Although this is not an academic work, Isbouts offers scholarly information in a language the average person can understand.ÅThe first part of the book deals with the world Jesus was born into; following that is a description of his life from childhood to death, then the author covers Jesus's legacy from the birth of Christianity until the Crusades. Part coffee-table book and part reference work, this title offers plenty of illustrations (although some are of disappointing quality) and a plethora of interesting facts.Å-VERDICT Of interest to anyone who enjoys accessible studies of the life of Jesus, this is a sound addition for religion collections in high school and public libraries.-Holly -Hebert, Brentwood P.L., TN (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
