Customer Reviews

Bible Maker: Jerome: The Fascinating Story of the Author of the Latin Vulgate

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BIBLE MAKER: JEROME is a book of historical fiction about the translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible. This 4th century saint was a bridge between the Christian churches of the East and West, serving the West as a papal secretary and monastic pioneer, but spending most of his life in Bethlehem in the East as a biblical exegete, translator of others' works, writer, and monk. BIBLE MAKER: JEROME uses the vast corpus of writings of this Doctor of the Church as the framework for a fresh look at this outspoken apologist and biblical scholar . . . and, in that sense, the work is truly historical. Christianity's ascendancy in the Roman Empire under Constantine, the Arian controversy, the impact of first two ecumenical church councils at Nicea and Constantinople . . . all were part of Jerome's controvesial life. BIBLE MAKER: JEROME is more than fiction. It is fascinating Church history brought to life.

This has to rank as one of the most non-fictional historical fiction books I have ever read. The author can't make up his mind whether to write fiction or non-fiction. Apart from that, my main problem with the book is the lack of proof-reading: words are misspelled, left out or superfluous and/or repetitive words left in. Perhaps the worst gaffe was a reference to Jerome and a friend enjoying the aroma of tomatoes, onions and peppers cooking. Folks, Europe didn't know about tomatoes and peppers until after 1492, a millennium after Jerome lived!