In Search of the Birth of Jesus

by Paul William Roberts

Book Overview

In this classic travel narrative, journalist Paul Williams Roberts visits the Middle East to trace the Magi's legendary journey through Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan to Bethlehem. Chasing clues from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573225673
• ISBN13: 9781573225670
• Release Date: November 1996
• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An honest book. A-

This book is about the greatest schism of history and how this schism turned to a chasm and ultimately one side was eliminated. It is about the an ideology that originated in a single historical event and perpetuated by the citizens of two super powers, Byzantines and Persians, thus creating a historical rift that became the cause for wars between two super powers. It is about the dead sea scrolls and how the defeated and destroyed left a word for us to hear and at the end it is only their words that remain. It is history, it is life and it must be known. The evidence is all here. The only unknown: which side would Jesus choose if he were alive today? Roberts believes the scrolls, thus he sees the answer to this question there.

Must be worth reading

Goodness me! After reading the 'Warning to Catholics" review, I am convinced that this must be an excellent book, and will buy it forthwith. It's no wonder that Roberts doesn't explain why the Cathars "got what they deserved" - as they quite clearly didn't. Who, in the history of humanity, ever deserved being tortured and murdered down to the last woman and child by the inquisitors?Any book that stirs the ire of these rabid fundamentalists must contain an uncomfortable grain of truth - I look forward to a good read.

A journey in every sense of the word!

I highly recommend this book!! This is one of those (too rare) books that is entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking, all at the same time. While I certainly don't agree with many of the author's opinions, he has done his research well and he raises a lot of good points. And the one issue that he is right on target about is the influence that Zoroastrianism has had on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In this case he isn't simply expressing his own opinion, this is something that most serious scholars would readily acknowledge.This book leaves one with a lot to think about, and I suspect that most people will want to follow-up with further research. While the author does include most of his references in the book, it is too often done in a haphazard and disorderly fashion. But for the most part the information is there, and fortunately the internet makes it very easy to do additional research at your own pace.

Maybe that star was a U.F.O.

Ah, the magi... or wisemen. Characters introduced to us at a wee little age. How many people do you think could actually tell you who they were? This author sets out to find the real truth behind their esoteric mystery. He uses along with the canonized gospels the writings of Marco Polo, who has his own story of the Magi-Zoroastrian priests. I think the book could have done a better job of organizing its research, but since it captivated my interest I am generous in presenting it 4 stars. The author traveled over seas to find the places that Marco had spoken of in the far past, and succeeded. Many of the chapters are autobiographical of his foreign adventures and encounters in his 1st person experiences. His story has the diversity of elements that you might find in a work of fiction. At many times his writing tone is rather sardonic, and at times comedic. I do recall a few phrases he flung out within his writing styles that were rather corny though. His partner, Reza, serves as the comic relief, using more cuss words than clean words. He meets some very interesting characters throughout from a Mandaen priest to Yazeedi Satan-worshippers in places from bookstores to mosques to ancient sites and ruins. Told you it was interesting! Note: Khazzari is a very intriguing personality whom he encounters.. ( ~are not all religions one???~ ) He spends some time touring through ancient religion in Egypt, Israel, and Persia, etc. -- Zoroastrianism, Essene Judaism-Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc. He actually is astray of the subject of the Magi probably a bit too much. As far as truth value, I know there are some things in here FAR less than what can be termed accurate. The one that sticks out like a sore thumb is the Essene Jesus. I usually comment when I scoff at someone advocating the Essene Sectarian hypothesis of the Qumran Community. Wa-ho!! I should have kept my mouth shut! Not only does he mention this, but that Jesus and his family were PART of the Essene community and many other fatuities in the vein of Barbara Theiring. There was no bibliography for me to verify this, but he really sounded like one who got a just a bit too excited by, oh, 'The Hiram Key'. However, DEFINITELY, I recommend this work. The visits to the historical places that were mentioned in Marco Polos "Travels" are fascinating!

Savagely Funny, Erudite Travel Book/Historical Speculation

A real treat for people who enjoy odd speculation and info on obscure religions and historical topics. Wonderful talent for mordantly hilarious descriptions of today's Iran. One of the few books I would ever read twice (as I am now doing). Deduct two stars if you dislike foul language (his Iranian guide speaks little else), deduct three stars if you are a Christian who can't stand to have unexamined assumptions challenged, deduct four stars if you are an Islamic fundamentalist. No, five.Fun and scholarly (but no bibliography! boo hiss!).