The Man Nobody Knows

By Bruce Barton

Book Overview

Bruce Barton's 1925 effort to reconfigure Jesus for the Roaring Twenties turned into one of the great best-sellers of the century. In The Man Nobody Knows, Barton depicted Christ as a man's man, not the meek, effeminate figure he had encountered in Sunday School. No Puritan or Prohibitionist, this Jesus turned water into wine and was "the most popular dinner guest in Jerusalem." Here was the world's first advertising man, whose parables sparkled as models for modern jingle writers. (Barton had co-founded the celebrated advertising firm of Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborne.) Here was Christ, the world's greatest business executive, who "picked up twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organization that conquered the world." When in the 1950s Barton felt compelled to revise his often-reprinted book for a new generation, he blurred its focus. In this new edition, the historian Richard Fried revives the primary source in Barton's original language. Mr. Fried explores the book's rich insights into the culture of the 1920s, revealing not only the union of religion and business but changing attitudes toward consumption and leisure, sexuality and the roles of men and women.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566632943
• ISBN13: 9781566632942
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee Publisher
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

This book is not as portrayed in its write-up.

This book portrays Jesus as a 1920s entrepreneur, party Gore, who turns water into wine and I definitely would not recommend it. I would like to return this book because it is definitely not as portrayed in the write up about it.

Wonderful insight in the life of Jesus

This book gives you a good feeling about the Real Jesus and how he enjoyed life and ministered to people in need at the same time. He hit the Nail squarely on the head when dealing with self-righeous people and their self-centered ego. The ONLY real happiness in this short life lived in the Physical and reaction to the circumstances is to be involved with the welfare of others and authenic concern for their physical as well as spiritual needs and they The Creator of the Universe has set-up Lwas to reward your sacrifice and self-ciscpline. What you do for Others God will do for You. Great Book! Positively, Captain Dave

A wonderful read for those of any faith

I think some people wrote their reviews without reading the book. If you judge it by only the chapter titles or the text on the front of the book, you are really missing out. I was required to read this for a college class and I am very glad I got the chance to find this gem. For anyone interested in the life and works of Jesus or just love to read a good book that makes you rethink things, definitely check this one out.

Why modern thinkers fear the real Jesus

What was the human Jesus really like? Bruce Barton dares to conjecture a living, vibrant man who inspired others by his mere presence. This does not negate the idea of a divine Jesus. Barton attempts to paint a picture of what Jesus as a man might have been like. Why do modern men and women fear the concept of a living, human Jesus? Probably because he is still alive. They look out the window and see Jesus coming and they know that he will not simply rearrange the furniture, he will rip out the interior and create something new and extraordinary. I first read this book as a child of ten, and kept it all my life. It was such a refreshing and brilliant vision of the human Jesus ... someone I could admire and want to be around. From this seed I would one day develop a passionate spiritual relationship with Jesus. But I will never forget the humble beginning of first learning to love the human Jesus, who struggled and suffered even as his children do. I have come to believe that people fear Jesus because they believe that if they open the door and let him in he will change everything. And they are right.

Consider reading the pre-Y2K version

I've read my very old copy of this book so many times that I decided to order a new copy. But looking at the reviews on this site, I was really puzzled and disappointed by the reviews comparing Jesus to a businessman and insurance salesman, and so much emphasis on business. I had never gotten that message from the text. Then I saw the subtitle on the year 2000 printing of the book -"The Classic Account of Jesus as Business Entrepreneur." Huh? The original book doesn't have a subtitle. Even the chapter headings have been changed: Retitled from "The Leader" to "The Executive"; from "His Work and Words" to "His Advertisements"; from "His Way in Our World" to "The Founder of Modern Business." From the exerpt on the website, it looks like the text is the same, but the context has been changed. The publishers have reframed it. sad to say. The original book describes the Jesus of the Bible as a man. An extraordinary man. A man people would follow. A man people would die for. And Barton's book tells us why. Barton's book will enrich your life -- maybe even change it. And if you're a worshipper, your prayers and songs will take on new meaning. I give the 5-star rating to Barton's original book, and a 1 to whoever decided to reframe it for the watercooler.

Finally, The Truth About Jesus's Idea Of Wealth Is Revealed

One of the greatest falsehoods about the message of Jesus has been exposed..He was not against wealth, he was against the worship of wealth...Certainly Joesph of Aramthenia (please forgive the spelling) and Nicodemus were men of great wealth and were loved and accepted by Jesus. When he told the rich young man to sell all that he had and said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven he was talking about possessions of ego and self importance.. Look at those who God chose to carry his message..Abraham, David, Soloman, Jacob, etc..none of them would have qualified for the food stamp program. Finally, revealing the 'Jesus Business Plan', Barton points out that to be successful in business, love, and life..One must be a SERVANT..Ford 'served' us with transportation, Edison with light, Bell with communication, Disney with fantasy..Choose what you want to 'recieve' and then GIVE IT AWAY..A lesson for the ages.