Heart of a Lion (Lions of Judah Series #1) [Paperback]

Gilbert Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

In his newest series, much-loved master storyteller Gilbert Morris turns his imagination to the Jewish ancestry of Jesus of Nazareth. Combining extensive research with skillful plotting, Morris creates believable scenarios and great stories. The result is an exciting series with riveting, action-packed adventures that will entertain, enlighten, and challenge readers as never before. In the series debut, Heart of a Lion, Noah struggles to resist the siren call of the world's pleasures, while straining to hear the still, small voice of his father's God. The reader is in for a roller-coaster ride of surprises as humanity's common ancestor fights the spiritual battle of the ages.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The indefatigable Morris, who has tackled everything from westerns to science fiction, tries his hand at biblical fiction in the first installment of Lions of Judah, a series featuring the lineage of Christ. Heart of a Lion begins with a lively account of Noah's boyhood, when he struggled with his feelings for a young woman who worships Baal. Eventually, after conquering a number of demons, Noah settles upon a monastic carpenter's life while he awaits directions from the Ancient One. The gathering of animals and the Great Flood could hardly fail to be entertaining, and they are, though it's hard not to recall John Huston's rather more earthy rendition of Noah in The Bible. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Readers can feel like they are actually there as a part of Noah's family... equally pleasing to young adults." -- Historical Novels Review

"gives [readers] a portrait of Noah that can help them identify more with his struggles and ultimate triumphs with God" -- Crosswalk.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764226819
• ISBN-13: 978-0764226816
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Biblical Fiction

More About the Author

Gilbert Morris is among today's most popular Christian writers; his books having sold nearly six million copies worldwide. He specializes in historical fiction and won a 2001 Christy Award for the Civil War drama Edge of Honor. Once a pastor and English professor who earned a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, Morris lives with his wife in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging, December 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart of a Lion (Lions of Judah Series #1) (Paperback)

Although some of the dialog sounds too contemporary, this book does a nice job of highlighting Noah's faith. I was reminded of this passage from Hebrews 11 - "By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told." I think Morris has done a good job of highlighting the challenges of living by faith.

It was great to read this during Advent since one theme in the book is the coming of the One who would be suffer greatly and yet would rule the world and set all things right.

I am looking forward to the other books in this series. Also, of note, is the fact that this book had a clear ending. This bucks the trend in Christian fiction to force readers to continue to purchase books in a series that could have been published in one volume.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moved by Faith, July 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart of a Lion (Lions of Judah Series #1) (Paperback)

This story about Abram and family is a most exciting story and was hard to put down. Book #1 & 2 should be read by all Bible readers. The author has gone back in time placed the readers at the scene of the story.
I applaude his work and sincerely hope he continues through the Bible making the Bible come alive. I also want to make it clear to readers that some of story is fiction as he fills in details. I say read it and enjoy as I did. I really did have a hard time putting it down.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible Biographies Present: NOAH!, October 27, 2004

By 

M. H. Huggins (Bon Secour, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart of a Lion (Lions of Judah Series #1) (Paperback)

Let me get this up front. Gilbert Morris is one of my favorite writers. As a guy, I gotta admit I don't wait out the "romances", sorry Friend Gilbert. My wife does and that counts. Up front, number two... Gilbert Morris would not, did not and never would play fast and loose with what the Bible states. I feel sorry for nit-picking reviewers who lie in wait for an omission or addition that sets them off into printing entire books of the Word online to back up their piousness. Get a life babe! These books are meant to augment the experiences of these great patriarchs not re-write them! To the point now that I've had my tirade... This is a GREAT book! These people simple came alive and leapt off the pages. The descriptions of the times and the scenes are spellbinding. If you look in the Bible and count out how few chapters are actually devoted to the story of Noah, you will see the remarkable talent of Gilbert Morris. This guy Noah did actually live, slip up, worry his parents, stay out late, had a drink or two and yet walked with God. I kept thinking about all the old Sci-Fi stuff in the fifties and sixties about neighbors ridiculing the "nut" who constructed a fallout shelter, yet pounded on the door demanding admission when the air-raid warnings sounded. In short, if you wanna knowa Noah... a pun... loosen up- Read this book. Like the commercial about spaghetti sauce "you want it, it's in there. Score 5 for Gilbert Morris.