Book Description
Twenty years ago Chelsea Green published the first trade edition of The Man Who Planted Trees, a timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth. The hero of the story, Elzéard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence in the south of France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape-from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.
Since our first publication, the book has sold over a quarter of a million copies and inspired countless numbers of people around the world to take action and plant trees. On National Arbor Day, April 29, 2005, Chelsea Green is releasing a special twentieth anniversary edition with a new foreword by Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the African Green Belt Movement.
Customer Reviews:
A book about the essence of life.......2007-02-11
One can read this book in less than an hour. That hour can be an exquisite calming experience, and one that talks about alternative ways of achieving satisfaction, while contributing to the place where he lives. It's not really a Johnny Appleseed book, even though it is about planting trees. Rather, it is about contributing to the health of the Earth, while contributing to the health of the individual.
Hope and humanity.......2005-09-30
I think the publisher wrote the perfect review for this book. It is a book about planting seeds and the seeds of life and what can happen when we give in the most humane, natural way. When nature and the human spirit work as one. The illustrations are a beautiful compliment to the writer. It makes a perfect gift and will inspire those who read it.
Amazon.com
The Man Who Planted Trees is not a detailed how-to guide to planting; it is a touching story of Elzéard Bouffier, who devoted his entire life to reforesting a desolate portion of Provence, in southern France. He single-handedly planted 100 acorns each day before, through, and after two world wars, and transformed a sorrowful place into one full of life and joy. Jean Giono's words offer a tribute to how much good one person can accomplish in a lifetime and advise on how to live life with deep meaning. Illustrated with moving, beautiful wood engravings by Michael McCurdy, The Man Who Planted Trees is simply written but powerful and unforgettable. The text is also available on tape, eloquently narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema and accompanied by music from the Paul Winter Consort.
Book Description
Simply written, but powerful and unforgettable, The Man Who Planted Trees is a parable for modern times. In the foothills of the French Alps the narrator meets a shepherd who has quietly taken on the task of planting one hundred acorns a day in an effort to reforest his desolate region. Not even two world wars can keep the shepherd from continuing his solitary work. Gradually, this gentle, persistent man's work comes to fruition: the region is transformed; life and hope return; the world is renewed.
Customer Reviews:
The Man Who Planted Trees.......2007-08-31
Fast shipping. Book received in same great condition as described on website. All in all, an A+ transaction.
Customer Beware!.......2007-07-06
Purchasers should be aware that this book is a miniature and its approximate size is 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".
plant trees.......2007-03-09
This short but inspiring book was recommended to me by a friend as I plant trees. After reading it, I wanted to rush out and plant more!
Jean Giono's Gift to the World.......2006-07-12
This beloved little book is a simple short story about an elderly tree-planter who, during the early 1900's, restores a barren countryside (in the southern part of France) into a beautiful valley of paradise. His efforts alone--just out of love for planting trees--brings back life and energy to the small town of Provence.
As author Jean Giono states, the moral message of this story is "to make people love the tree, or more precisely, to make people love planting trees." Norma L. Goodrich's Afterword is a brief and interesting account of Giono--a man much respected and admired. Also included in this edition is educational material about forest protection and preservation. Michael McCurdy's wood engravings are an enriching addition to the book as well; they are charming illustrations, which depict Giono's descriptive scenes beautifully!
You don't necessarily have to buy the book to read it, because you can very well finish it while lounging in the bookstore. Also, as one reviewer has previously mentioned, there are free readings of it available online. However, if you intend to give someone a great gift, then I highly recommend buying this book.
NOTE: You may want to check out the Oscar winning animated adaptation (of the same title). It's a classic in itself!
Reading Teacher.......2006-05-06
So many books pass through our hands, and minds never to be touched again. This is not one of them. Perhaps because Giono based this (albeit loosely) on my American hero, Johnny Appleseed, I love even more. It makes a wonderful gift that can be read over and over again. It never gets old. The message that it teaches about the planet, is so important it should be mandatory for all students - and certainly VOTERS.
(And politicians - not that they would care, or even get it.)
I cannot praise it too highly - and I'm a tough grader!
Average customer rating:
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The Man Who Planted Trees
Jean Giono
Manufacturer: Peter Owen Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0720610214 |
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The Man Who Planted Trees
Jean Giono
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: 0930031369 |
Book Description
We have joined the Paul Winter Consort in the release of a cassette version of the acclaimed audio of the story by Jean Giono. The original music was composed and is performed by the Paul Winter consort, and the text is narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema, host of “Morning Pro Musica.”
The hero of the story, Elzéard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence in the south of France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape-from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.
Average customer rating:
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The Man Who Planted Trees
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0930032322 |
Average customer rating:
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The Man Who Planted Trees
Jean Giono
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1933392819 |
Book Description
Jean Giono's extraordinary fable brings to life a shepherd who plants one hundred acorns a day for thirty years. The shepherd's tireless efforts transform the countryside, revitalize his community, and teach us about hope, humanity, and our own ability to create change in the world.
This special twentieth anniversary edition of The Man Who Planted Trees includes an inspiring foreword by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, whose Green Belt Movement has planted millions of trees and brought new hope to women and families in Kenya. The new afterword by TreePeople founder Andy Lipkis tells his own true story of planting trees in the unlikely ecosystems of Los Angeles, and provides practical resources for taking action in our communities. This edition is printed on 100 percent recycled paper.
Book Description
Heron Dance Press, a small art studio in Vermont, offers this new translation of Jean Giono's timeless story. The text explores the art of living simply, of living in close connection with the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and the discovery of happiness through generosity and goodwill. The text is accompanied by the beautiful nature watercolors of artist Roderick MacIver presented in full color throughout. It also includes fascinating excerpts from ten years of interviews of filmmaker Frederic Back, whose animated film of The Man Who Planted Trees won awards all over the world including an Oscar. This First Edition was domestically printed to exacting standards on premium 100% post consumer recycled paper and is sized at 9.75 by 7.75 inches. This book is both a fine collector's piece and a unique, quality gift.
Customer Reviews:
Great..........2006-10-15
This story will hold your interest throughout: it is romantic with an interesting enough plot. However, I thought Dianthe was too petulant and ungrateful to Lord Morgan. She should have been thankful he helped her out.
Customer Reviews:
Lusty Louis and His Lady Loves.......2007-10-07
Love and Louis XIV is a superbly researched book about the many loves of Louis XIV, perhaps the most interesting monarch to have ever lived, and certainly to have ever ruled la belle France.
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? Readers who would like to learn more about Louis XIV's love life and the psychology behind what made him so randy! This is the perfect book for readers who find themselves asking these questions: Did Louis XIV marry? Did he love his wife? If so, why did he have so many mistresses? Why did he sometimes appear so cold, so cruel to those nearest to him? What happened to the young Louis that made him unable to remain interested/faithful to one woman?
****Note, if you are looking for a comprehensive biography about the Sun King, one that covers his life, not just his love life, I would highly recommend LOUIS XIV by Olivier Bernier (an expert on French culture and history)****
Antonia Fraser is a supremely talented author, deftly weaving pertinent facts, interesting tidbits, and riveting story-telling. Her books are my beach-reads. Forget chick-lit, murder mysteries, or romance novels, there's more romance and intrigue in one of Antonia Fraser's books and what makes it more thrilling to read is that it all really happened!
Louis XIV: the man known as the Sun King.......2007-03-16
Louis XIV, styled the Sun King, was the King of France for 72 years (1643 to 1715). At the time of his birth, his mother (Queen Anne) was almost 37, and was childless after 22 years of marriage (to King Louis XIII).
It is no wonder, then, that Louis was styled 'Dieudonne' or 'Deodatus' ('Godgiven'). It is perhaps also unsurprising that Louis's bond with his mother was so strong.
The reign of Louis XIV has been written about by many: there were many achievements during his long reign (including the construction of Versailles, reforms of taxation and administration, and patronage of the arts).
Antonia Fraser has focussed on his relationships with women. From his strong loving relationship with his mother, his kind but formal relationship with his wife Marie-Therese, his multiple and very different mistresses, as well as with the women of his extended family, we obtain a more complete picture of Louis XIV man and king.
I have read, enjoyed and learned from Antonia Fraser's non fiction since 1974. This book does not disappoint. By illustrating Louis XIV's awareness of the conflict between church doctrine, and adultery, Ms Fraser gives us another dimension of insight into this successful monarch's long reign.
Highly recommended to those interested in the life and times of Louis XIV.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Second fiddle to the previous "The Journey, Marie Antoinette.".......2007-01-20
It is not that the book is a bit dull. Louis XIV was dull, well dull compared to those who came before and those came after. Beautifully written, excruiciating research, lovely to read. However, while I found the previous book by the author, The Journey: Marie Antoinette, compelling and a struggle to set aside to complete nominal life perserving tasks (eating, drinking)this book presented a society that was living under a cloche or bell jar, stifled and well, dull, even the sex seemed not worthwhile and, yes, pretty dull. Perhaps it was that way. Nonetheless, the author was able to keep the massive cast of characters in a presentation so that the order within a the reader's grasp.
Interesting History.......2007-01-09
Not a bad read, although all of the facts make it seem overly long, and the similarity of some of the names can be confusing - not the author's fault. Antonia Fraser tells a very detailed story about the Sun King, and the ladies he was involved with.
The Domestic Life of the Sun King.......2007-01-03
"Love" as presumed by casual browsers of the title, and "Love" as meant by the author may differ. The book covers his friendships, flirtations, infatuations, in-law relations, marriage and (perhaps) pseudo marriage and his views of the female obligation to sacrifice for international diplomacy. By the standards of his cousin, Charles II of England, Louis XIV was the much more responsible adulterer.
Fraser demonsrates how Louis' early bond with a loving mother- an exception for a time characterized by royal nurseries-was replicated in his intimate relationships with women. There is an interesting symmetry that you come to understand as the story evolves.
The best part is the end when Fraser gives analysis of Louis and his attitude towards women and his basic generousity.
My only criticism is that the genealogical chart is difficult to read. A different lay out would have helped.
This book doesn't try cover the weighty historic issues which are well documented in many other sources. This book brings something new to the table. Like all Fraser books, it is very well researched and readably presented.
Amazon.com
The reader's quest in The Planet of Terror is to find a spaceship that had to be abandoned just before it crashed. Unfortunately, this planet is chock full of hideous Mutoids, matter-transporter beams, and low-gravity zones. How will the valiant space traveler ever get back to Earth? Every step is a choice; every choice has its risks and rewards. In each of Patrick Burston's Choose-Your-Challenge gamebooks, the reader is assigned a task, then put in control of the direction the story will take. Each page is a new opportunity to alter the course of destiny--at least for this adventure. Along the way, the brave pathfinder will encounter obstreperous obstacles, maddening mazes, mathematical enigmas, and puzzles to perplex even the most clever clue seekers. The way each problem is solved determines which page to turn to next. Often, the intrepid explorer will reach the brink of success, only to be banished to the beginning again, perhaps this time choosing more adroitly among the plethora of permutations for each story. Alastair Graham's dynamic illustrations invite the reader to linger, seeking out the secret details and imagining the lively action within. What better way to prepare children for the decision-making responsibilities they will be shouldering later in life? (Ages 4 to 10) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
my 4 year-old's favorite book.......2005-12-29
my 4 year-old son is inspired to read because he wants to solve this book himself without my reading assistance. Otherwise than the really complicated words, he is doing fairly well. He loves the illustrations, wish there were more of these books.
the best book of all time.......1999-09-22
This is by far the best book of all time. I stumbled across it once, and never found it again. You and your robot monkey friend, ME-2, are on a quest to find your space ship that has crash landed on "the planet of terror." Each two page spread is a new mini-game involving hidden items, mazes, and simple math. Some of the problems may be easy, but the book is ridiculously fun. It is quite imaginatively drawn, and the storyline is as interesting as it is diverse. You travel through starship junkpiles, monster forests, futuristic cities, inside computers, and fake earth enviornments to name a few. This book/game has an excellent replay quality. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book in an instant to anyone who wants an amazing family heirloom to keep for generations to come.
Book Description
Did Jesus claim to be the Messiah?
Did he promise to return and usher in a new age?
How did Jesus envision the Kingdom of God?
The Five Gospels answers these questions in a bold, dynamic work that will startle traditional readers of the Bible and rekindle interest in it among secular skeptics. In 1985 the Jesus Seminar, comprising a distinguished group of biblical scholars, was founded by Robert W. Funk. They embarked on a new translation and assessment of the gospels, including the recently discovered Gospel of Thomas. In pursuit of the historical Jesus, they used their collective expertise to determine the authenticity of more than fifteen hundred sayings attributed to him. Their remarkable findings appear in this book.
Customer Reviews:
know what you are reading..........2007-08-31
As is always the case when reading or studying any extreme point of view, you must read/study the other side of the argument. It is the logical way to understand your own viewpoint without being brainwashed by what you read. A critique of this book is given by Luke Timothy Johnson in his book The Real Jesus : The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Truth of the Traditional Gospels. I suggest reading them together if you read this book at all.
A Remarkable Book.......2007-02-13
Perhaps it does not occur to the casual reader of the Bible that we have gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John but nothing from Jesus himself. What kind of person would we find if we discovered an original work produced by this most influential man of all time? We may never know, but thanks to the efforts of groups of scholars like the Jesus Seminar and the International Q Project we are beginning to acquire an exciting new picture of a Jesus free from the matrix of theological dross, a Jesus that lived and taught in history.
From my study of this work, it appears that the historical Jesus had no preoccupation with the "sinfulness of man" but held a rather elevated view of humanity's potential. His compassion for others seems to flow from an insight not only into his own spiritual integrity, but the spiritual integrity of every individual. He was a healer, not because he was a divinely appointed worker of miracles, but because he understood how to open people's minds to their inner spiritual power, to get them consciously reconnected to their own divine nature and bring about their innate wholeness.
Some critics have charged that The Five Gospels diminish the relevance of Jesus. For me, this book makes Jesus a much more plausible and inspirational example of what lies in store for us all on the spiritual journey. This is a remarkable book and I commend those who dedicate their talents to stripping away the thick cloud of myth and superstition surrounding Jesus and reveal the real light of historical truth.
J Douglas Bottorff, author of The Whisper of Pialigos.
For any serious reader of the Gospels.......2007-01-09
This is a work of the highest scholarship. With great care it presents the Gospels as works of human beings, influenced by other human beings both before and after the original texts (if that has any meaning) were put together. Not for those who don't care what Jesus really said. But for those for whom this could make some difference, invaluable.
An interesting book........2006-08-08
This is an interesting book. I fully recommend it to anyone looking for answers about Christianity. You may not agree with everything -- and that's certainly OK. But take whatever you get from this book and do some additional research!
ALSO RECOMMENDED: "What Did Jesus Really Say, How Christianity Went Astray: [What To Say To A Born Again Christian Fundamentalist, But Never Had The Information]" by Peter Cayce
A qualified search for truth.......2006-08-02
Red for Jesus' own words
Pink for a minor modification of Jesus' words
Gray for remnants of something Jesus said
Black for the words of the congregations who wrote their theology and issues close to heart and put it in Jesus' mouth
It is no more simpler than this.
Jesus Seminar, with seventy or so scholars, has become for me a new Septuaginta, the seventy Jews who translated the Tanakh (Hebrew scriptures) into Greek. Jesus Seminar has sat and said probably what the modern woman and man say everyday, when coming in contact with religious people. People who believe that there is a world of miracle, of supranatural forces, of gods and angels interrupting the casual life and coming with good news now and then or bad.
Well, the Jesus Seminar is not composed of these people, but of scholars and scholars have to base their understanding of Jesus and his context on what is possible to understand from his surroundings without the layer of interpretation made by his followers. They believe that Jesus was a wandering sage, thru the Gallilean countryside, living for the day and trying to inspire every one, old and young, woman and man, scholar or amateur, about the littleness and easiness of good conscience, balanced life and world view, far from complicated theological rituals and beliefs.
The Jesus that talks to me thru the red- and pink-coloured verses of the five gospels is hopeful, close or down to earth, nature loving and provocative. He is so Ghandi or why not mother Teresa.
Scholars cannot take into account belief confessions to be history, something that the gospels are. Very well done in taking the gospel of Tomas into the picture. The scholars are aware of the fact that Jesus became the centre focus of two movements, the Gnostic and the Christian. Thomas being a bit Gnostic has used other sources that the Gospel of sayings Q (the parts where Luke and Matthew corresponds verbatim to each other) and Marc (around 70 percent of Matthew and Luke). Yes, Tomas is even a bit older that Marc! However Tomas gets his share of black and gray votes too.
So, to make it clear, the Jesus of Jesus Seminar is neither Christian, Jew nor Gnostic, he is what he is.
Poor John - his gospel is so black-dotted - something I think the eyes of amateur would also conclude. John is filled with theological formulas, is very triniatarian and a bit abstract.
It is clear from the research done by Jesus Seminar that Jesus used provocative not-so-casual paroxyms, aphorisms and parables. The gospels have freely used the sayings in different contexts for different reasons, which shows that there never has been a concrete story frame about Jesus, but independent somethimes loosely or lousely gathered sayings, short ones which are easier to remember, coupltes or triplets etc.
The Jesus Seminar has shown its arguments, its voting systems, they present both minority and majority view about the verses which make the WHOLE book transparent. Transparency is the essnece of scholarship, not hidden mysterious gatherings of believers who induce each other in utterings of absolute words and wisdoms. Those who want to criticise this work should do it in the same academic SOUND way that the Jesus Seminar has done.
My belief as a Liberal Christian is that we need the truth about Jesus. Just as Ghandi is not an incarnation or avatar of Shiva, nor is Jesus any son of God or semi-God. Jesus is the last myth of the our Western world. I believe in scholarship, in twenty years, the same Jesus Seminar will perhaps change the red and all other colours because of some new ancient scripture coming into light. They will be happy to find more about Jesus, not scared, not depressed, not afraid. Religion and orthodoxy has done it best in hiding, killing, torturing, judging and misunderstanding.
Thank you Jesus seminar for your open mindedness, for bringing to me the real Jesus for now - looking forward to the Jesus of 2020 or so.
Book Description
In his new book, acclaimed religious scholar Geza Vermes subjects all the sayings of Jesus to brilliantly informed scrutiny. Profoundly aware of the limits of our knowledge but immersed in what we do have—both the "official" gospels and associated Jewish and early Christian texts—Vermes sieves through every quote ascribed to Jesus to let the reader get as close as possible to the charismatic Jewish healer and moralist who changed the world. The result is a book that creates a revolutionary and unexpected picture of Jesus—scraping aside the accretions of centuries to approach as close as we can hope to his true teaching.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent historical study of the New Testament Gospels.......2007-04-02
Vermes is known for his well-considered approach to the issue of the historical Jesus (the actual Jesus who lived and whose life and teachings form the background to the development of the mythological Jesus of the New Testament). Vermes does a close study of the New Testament texts against the background of the various forms of Judaism of Jesus's day providing insights into what can be considered historical, as well as to the meanings of what Jesus was about in terms of the outlooks and perceptions of the world and gods that were rife during that age. It is an excellent work for understanding Jesus and his activity and message. It ranks in detail along with the fine work of John Dominic Crossan, Robert Funk, the Jesus Seminar, and other contemporary Biblical Scholars concerned with letting the real Jesus of Nazareth step forth from the pages of the New Testament.
A good foil to "The Five Gospels".......2007-03-11
This book is a must for anyone seriously trying to sort out what might be the authentic words of Jesus from additions made by the gospel writers. My first such journey was with the "Five Gospels", by the Jesus Seminar, which is also a "must" read. Vermes uses a different approach, using his background in Judaism of the first century, including being an expert on the Dead Sea scrolls. Remarkably, these two sources agree on the majority of the possible speeches. Vermes has valid reasons for rejecting some of the Jesus Seminar's choices. He adds many more sayings. Some of these are very short and don't add much to my understanding, while others are well worth considering.
Words of Christ In Red.......2007-01-27
Many Bibles printed in the US are red letter editions. They have the words of Christ printed in red. Some people believe that these words are more important than the words in black. Others point out that every word in the Bible matters and that although the Epistles in the New Testament do not contain the words Jesus spoke during his earthly ministry, what Paul wrote are still the words of Christ.
Historians approach the issue from a different angle. For them, analyzing the teachings that Jesus left is the only way to portray his true figure. The words of wisdom that Jesus spoke were remembered by his disciples and were passed on until the writing of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The sentences placed on his lips may not have been the exact words that he uttered (Jesus spoke in Aramaic, whereas the Gospels were written in Greek), but they are most likely to reflect the genuine message preached and practiced by him. Upon close scrutiny, it is possible to distinguish the sayings that can be attributed to the historical Jesus and those that may reflect later additions or commentary. The approach here is philological, exegetical and historical as opposed to theological.
The Authentic Gospel of Jesus applies such a method of analysis to those words in red. Every saying attributed to Jesus in the three Synoptic Gospels is given close scrutiny in this book. Geza Vermes divide these statements into nine categories: narratives and commands, controversy stories, words of wisdom, parables, biblical quotations, prayers, son of Man sayings, sayings about the Kingdom of God, and eschatological rules of behavior. The succinct commentary attached to each quotation attempts to distinguish the diverse levels of superimposed meanings with a view to establish, if possible, their primary setting and significance in the life of Jesus.
The book is presented as a companion volume to The Changing Faces of Jesus, a previous book that the author wrote to take stock of years of scholarship on texts written at or around the time the Gospels were composed. The author compares this previous essay to "an archaeological excavation performed on literary sources", in which he digs through the layers of interpretation that obfuscate the true figure of the historical Jesus. The dig started with the top layer, the most recent of apostolic commentary contained in the Gospel of John or the epistles of Paul, and descended as it were to the authentic Jesus as revealed through the Synoptic Gospels, combined with what we know from the Jewish world in which he lived.
This new volume is more like a museum display of all the items that were found as a result from this excavation. Each item is displayed in an individual showcase and classified into files and categories. People may or may not agree with the interpretation given by the curator, but the exhibition helps give new depth and significance to those words printed in red.
From Religious Truth to Historical Fact.......2006-03-06
Geza Vermes had done us an immense favor by way of five excellent volumes on Jesus. The Authentic Gospel of Jesus is his fifth and it is a treatment without peer. While E.P. Sanders and Bart Ehrman both offer excellent short introductory volumes, Vermes book is unsurpassed in its unique approach to the subject matter. Rather than writing a biography of his subject, he has taken all words and ideas attributed to him and examined them for authenticity in order to discover the personality, religion and outlook of the historical figure of Jesus.
It is a perilous task he undertakes. Believers place primacy on faith, not on reasoned arguments and on religious truth rather than historical fact, and one does not have to search very far to find works by Vermes and others roundly condemned for challenging this faith merely by their questioning the inerrancy of the Gospels. Nevertheless, Geza Vermes has performed the task with brilliance. Contained within this book is every saying attributed to Jesus found in the Synoptic Gospels. He has divided them into categories by subject matter, for instance, prayers, parables and words of wisdom. He then subjects each saying to close scrutiny by placing it into the context of 1st century Jewish custom, law and thought as well as historical chronology. He also compares the forms found in Matthew, Mark and Luke and to the doctrines and beliefs of evolving Christianity, whether Jewish or the Gentile.
Some people have criticized Vermes' use of the Talmud and other rabbinic literature in comparing Jesus' utterances to those of later rabbis, but as he has pointed out, this is a useful way to determine how closely Jesus' words fit into Jewish thought since this material preserves older teachings dating from the time of Jesus or even earlier. Nor is this material "medieval" as has sometimes been charged; it dates from 200-500 CE.
Finally, if the writings of the Apostolic Fathers and other later Christian writers can be used to shed light on the early days of the Church (and they have been) why then should Jewish sources be ignored, particularly in light of the fact that Jesus was himself a Jew. In his lifetime, there was no Church, no doctrine, no dogma, no Christian theology, and indeed, no Christianity. As the Gospels date from a time when all these things had come into being, it is absolutely critical that they be subjected to the sort of scrutiny Vermes brings to bear.
Obviously, this is not the book for someone who is married to the idea of Gospel inerrancy, but for everyone else, it is a must have.
Fascinating look at the words of Jesus.......2005-12-17
I recently purchased this book, and found it to be a very interesting read. Geza Vermes is both an erudite and compelling author, and I found his view of Jesus (both as a man and the founder of a world religion) enlightening and thought-provoking. I found it surprising that another reviewer found his work to contain a "hidden academic bias." A look at Mr. Vermes resume' (contained on the first page of the book) clearly shows that he was a professor of Jewish Studies in England for over 30 years, so there's really nothing hidden about it. And, it's his academic background which gives his conclusions such great authority. While some may disagree with those conclusions, Mr. Vermes clearly tells us which texts he used as his sources, and draws no conclusions which he cannot back up using those same texts. He leaves no doubt that his scholarship is solid. He places Jesus firmly in the context of his time, and shows where his message and the later work of his disciples diverged. Nevertheless, his respect for his subject is obvious -- the "Authentic Gospel" follows Mr. Vermes four previous books about Jesus, and his stated purpose here of separating the true words of Jesus from later false additions is an admirable one. As a reader, I didn't agree with all of his conclusions, but Mr. Vermes certainly did his best to raise levels of reasonable doubt, so to speak. Whether one agrees or disagrees with him, the book is enlightening, and will cause you to think more about Jesus, what his message truly is, and how later thinkers may have diluted or misineterpreted it. It's an enjoyable read, and I intend to purchase more of Mr. Vermes books in the future.
Amazon.com
Seventy-nine scholars worked six years on this new translation of the Gospels in order to "produce in the American reader an experience comparable to that of the first readers--or listeners--of the Gospel." Most attempts to translate the Bible into contemporary English fall flat because they're blatantly agenda-driven or because they rescue the Gospels from limp Victorian prose only to encrust them in awkward contemporary jargon. The Acts of Jesus, by contrast, listens closely to the Greek styles of the Original texts, then renders each distinctive voice in modern English. Consequently, Luke sounds like a good college English professor, but Mark sounds rougher, like street language. The text is color-coded--words in red indicate events that the translators believe to have actually taken place, for instance--and the volume also includes exhaustive commentary and indices by the members of the Jesus Seminar. Only the heartiest of readers will make use of all this auxiliary information. For most of us, the freshness of the language ("You scholars and Pharisees, you impostors! Damn you! You slam the door of Heaven's domain in people's faces.") is the most valuable discovery in The Acts of Jesus. --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
In their groundbreaking bestseller, The Five Gospels, Robert Funk and The Jesus Seminar offered their controversial analysis of what Jesus really said. Now, in The Acts of Jesus, these distinguished scholars reveal their startling assessment of what Jesus really did -- and didn't -- do.
Publishers Weekly calls the Jesus Seminar "one of the most exhilarating developments in the recent history of scholarly books on the New Testament." For over a decade, the Jesus Seminar, a group of more than 75 internationally recognized biblical scholars--experts in such diverse fields as Greco-Roman history, archaeology, and linguistics -- has met twice yearly to conduct a painstaking search for the authentic Jesus. Through rigorous research and debate, they have combed the gospels for evidence of the man behind the myths. The figure they have discovered is very different from the icon of traditional Christianity.
According to The Jesus Seminar:
- Jesus of Nazareth was born during the reign of Herod the Great.
- His mother's name was Mary, and he had a human father whose name may not have been Joseph.
- Jesus was born in Nazareth, not in Bethlehem.
- Jesus was an itinerant sage who shared meals with social outcasts.
- Jesus practiced healing without the use of ancient medicine or magic, relieving afflictions we now consider psychosomatic.
- He did not walk on water, feed the multitude with loaves and fishes, change water into wine or raise Lazarus from the dead.
- Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem and crucified by the Romans.
- He was executed as a public nuisance, not for claiming to be the Son of God.
- The empty tomb is a fiction -- Jesus did not raise bodily from the dead.
- Belief in the resurrection is based on the visionary experiences of Paul, Peter and Mary.
An Easy-to-Use Guide to the Historical Jesus
The Acts of Jesus presents its findings by color-coding the gospel texts, providing a visual guide to the historical authenticity of the accounts of Jesus' life and deeds.
Red: The authentic acts of Jesus
Pink: A close approximation of what Jesus did
Gray: Stories that show minimal historical traces
Black: Stories that are improbable or fiction
In lucid, engaging prose, The Acts of Jesus presents and illuminates the historical and literary evidence that led to the Seminar's often controversial conclusions. It provides the reader with immediate access to the latest scholarship in historical Jesus research today.
Customer Reviews:
Through a mirror dimly, then face to face.......2004-01-14
This a good book, one of many good books to read on the subject. Like it's companion book -- the Five Gospels what did Jesus really say -- it's an attempt to determine the historical veracity of the New Testament. Understandably, it's an inquiry that would be deemed offputting to the faithful. Interestingly enough, all too few realize that this type of scholarship started some two hundred years ago and was joined early on by no less than Thomas Jefferson himself whose Jefferson Bible (like the books here in question) deny the bonafides of New Testament miracles. Where the Jesus seminar writes their account of the miracles in black (their lowest designation of historical credibility), the Jefferson Bible (formally published after Jefferson's death) simply eliminates them.
For biblical exegis I must say that I prefer the method of Richard Friedman who's recent the Bible With Sources Revealed simply restates the first five books designating for each section the source from which Friedman believes the passage originated. Applying such a method to the New Testament, one could do what the seminar did, but recount each phrase indicating its source (e.g. the hypothetical Q document, Ur Mark and the like). In this fashion, speculation could be made at to the creation of the New Testament by revealing it in its various formative stages. In my humble opinion such an approach would more closely comport with a historical examination of the document.
Be that as it may, the books are fascinating reading and one of many to be considered in better understanding the historical Jesus.
Take a Big Step Beyond Dogma and Expand Your Mind.......2003-09-05
The Jesus Seminar is controversial, but deep down I think these guys are as faithful as anyone, in that they care deeply about Jesus' transformative message of neighbor love and social justice which Jesus described as God's rule on earth. If you are a literalist and think that the search for truth ends when your pastor opens his mouth, then maybe this book is not for you. But if you believe that God gave us all the ability to think, and if you wonder about the historical contexts in which the Gospels were written, then this book will fascinate you. You might not agree with their conclusions, but the Jesus Seminar will give you the information you need to decide for yourself.
At last, we're THINKING about Jesus!.......2003-03-10
While I can't say I agree with every word Crossan and the other members of The Jesus Seminar have to say, I admire their courage to question the absurdity of a literal interpretation of the Bible in the face of so much hatred and ignorance. This book should be read not as the key to the kingdom, but simply as food for thought -- and after all, it was Jesus who said, "You have heads, use them."
An interesting and different perspective is being offered here -- not necessarily all true, but a launching pad for your own explorations of Jesus and his life, teachings, and works. If you're afraid of thought and of ideas, by all means stay away. The rest of you can buy this book and enjoy the experience of thinking about your Christian faith and the man who inspired it, rather than choosing to live your life wearing self-imposed blinders.
Questionable methods!.......2002-08-22
Starting from the premise that what is recorded in the bible as the quoted words and deeds of Jesus may not be accurately reported, is a significant problem with this work. Mr. Funk, et al., seem to approach the NT biblical accounts from a negative starting point, content with attempting to disprove rather than prove its content under the guise of serious academic considerations. In addition, the "scholars" cited as part of this work are of minor biblical scholarship consequence and the method of "scholarly agreement by consensus" employed by Mr. Funk and the rest is of very questionable note.
More "Scholarly" Tripe from the Jesus Seminar..........2002-03-06
I stated this in another review before, "Scholarly tripe". That's what this is. The Jesus Seminar is a pompous and arrogant group claiming that they have it right when their research is skewed from their starting point. They Jesus to be a mystic, or a sage, if even that. Christians, remember to take into account their worldviews, many of them are true blue atheists and agnostics. Non-Christians, don't believe what you hear when they call themselves a cross section of NT scholars. The scholarly efforts here are so minimal, they are based on assumptions that the laws of nature cannot be violated. With that, they go so far as to say prophecy cannot occur, therefore the Gospels were written AFTER fulfilled prophecy, therefore they are in the same line with 2nd century apocryphal Gospels. The inclusion of the Gospel of Peter proves that. However, where do they get these ideas? Would the apostles go to their deaths for a few wise sayings? No, these acts HAD to occur for Jesus' followers to actually have reason to go to their deaths. It only makes sense, would you go to your death for someone's measly sayings that happened to be catchy and liveable by? Jesus would not have been crucified for saying some weird things, that is not the Jesus of scripture. The Christ of faith IS the Jesus of history, they are grounded on eachother and rely on eachother. Crossan, Funk, Borg and all the rest claim that what they say is actually a cross section of NT scholarship. Doesn't make sense to me, especially seeing that the number of people actually DOING something on the seminar goes to around 75 while the typical more conservative seminar has thousands. Funk really made me mad this time, NT Professors are trying to teach proper Biblical and Theological thought, and you got guys like Funk making their jobs ten times harder with all this stuff.
If you want to learn a better history of Jesus, not what the Jesus Seminar claims Him to be, then read the now 3, almost 4 part series "A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus" by John P. Meier or "The Jesus Quest" by Ben Witherington. And most of all, read "Jesus Under Fire". That will explain what isn't explained here about the Jesus Seminar.
Books:
- The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
- The Portrait of Mrs. Charbuque: A Novel
- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Girls of Slender Means, The Driver's Seat, The Only Problem (Everyman's Library Classics & Contemporary Classics)
- The Purse-driven Life: It Really Is All About Me
- The Song at the Scaffold: A Novel of Horror and Holiness in the Reign of Terror
- The Third Life of Grange Copeland
- The Unknown Errors of Our Lives: Stories
- The Villagers: A Novel of Greenwich Village
- The Vintner's Luck: A Novel
- The Wedding Date
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