Kingdom and the Crown Volume 1: Fishers of Men (Kingdom and the Crown) (Kingdom and the Crown, Vol 1) [Hardcover]

Gerald N. Lund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2000 | Series: Kingdom and the Crown, Vol 1 (Book 1)

In an ancient land in a time foretold by prophets, a babe was born beneath a shining star. Thirty years later, Jesus of Nazareth began teaching a message of hope, peace, and love. He claimed to be the Son of God, and his words - and his life - would change the world. In Fishers of Men, the first volume in the new series The Kingdom and the Crown, best-selling author Gerald N. Lund transports us to the days of Christ's mortal ministry and invites us to experience the emotions and events of those extraordinary times. Reports of Jesus of Nazareth have reached the ears of David ben Joseph, a merchant in Capernaum, who has waited and watched for the Messiah ever since a special, starlit night thirty years ago. He and his family decide to see for themselves whether or not the rumors are true and journey to hear Jesus. Though David is quick to accept Jesus as the Messiah, the rest of his family is more cautious. His wife, Deborah, and his son, Simeon, leaders in the rebellious Zealot movement, look for a Messiah that will crush the Romans with power and the sword, not one preaching a message of love and forgiveness. Meanwhile, reports of Jesus have reached into the very heart of Jerusalem, and both the powerful Sadducee Mordechai ben Uzziel and the Pharisee Azariah are growing uneasy with the news. Though they hold opposing political views, both agree that something must be done to stop this man from Nazareth before he gets out of hand. However, in Mordechai's own household the influence of the carpenter from Nazareth begins to create conflict. Fishers of Men is a sweeping epic filled with memorable characters who bring to life an extraordinary time in the history of the world. It is a story about the importance of family, the power of faith, the miracle of forgiveness, and the strength needed to follow your heart.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lund's nine-volume series the Work and the Glory, which chronicled the beginnings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 19th-century America, has sold three million copies, mostly in the Mormon market. With this new series (projected to include four or five volumes), Lund expands his religious focusDand likely his audienceDby turning his imagination to the beginnings of Christianity. The novel opens with the commencement of Christ's ministry in A.D. 30, and follows the story through many of Christ's early miracles and Messianic proclamations. Lund writes in pulp fiction style, weaving page-turning plots around fictional characters who come into contact with Jesus and his disciples. But he vividly describes the geographical and cultural backdrop of Christ's time in Israel, and uses these facts and texture to bring many of Christ's teachings and parables into sharper relief, giving them context and deeper meaning. An avid biblical scholar will learn little from his commentary, but more casual readers may enjoy the insights he offers clothed in an easy-to-read tale. Readers who have wondered what it might have been like to be in Jesus' presence, and how ordinary people would have responded to him, will overlook the novel's literary flaws and appreciate its sympathetic insight into both those who embraced and those who rejected Jesus and his teachings. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Gerald Lund shoots, he scores..., February 26, 2001
By Matt

I have resisted the 'Work and the Glory' for some time now, but I think Gerald Lund has convinced me to read those too, thanks to 'Fishers of Men.' In addition to a good story line, there is an abundance of useful information on the way things were at the time of Christ. Valuable explanations to the teachings of the Savior are inserted so well into the dialog that it flows very naturally. I look forward to volume two. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 642 pages
• Publisher: Deseret Book Co (October 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573458201
• ISBN-13: 978-1573458207
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Biblical Fiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kingdom & the Crown-Just Awesome!, November 1, 2000

By 

Susie Sullivan (Page, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kingdom and the Crown Volume 1: Fishers of Men (Kingdom and the Crown) (Kingdom and the Crown, Vol 1) (Hardcover)

Fisher's of Men is a wonderful inside look on Jerusalem at the time when Jesus was beginning His ministry. David ben Joseph is a prominant merchant in Capernaum who is eagerly waiting for signs of the Messiah. Although David can see that Jesus is the Messiah almost instantly, his family-including the leader of the Zealots, is a little more in doubt. This book not only is a wonderful historical novel, but really helps you to understand and learn more about the time when Christ was here.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than The Work and the Glory series, January 1, 2001

By 

Lu Ann Staheli "allstars" (Spanish Fork, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kingdom and the Crown Volume 1: Fishers of Men (Kingdom and the Crown) (Kingdom and the Crown, Vol 1) (Hardcover)

I must admit, I didn't care for The Work and the Glory Series also by this author, so I was hesitant to buy this book. Am I glad I did! I was drawn into the story right from the start. I especially liked the way Lund worked the teachings and events from Jesus' life into the narration in a natural way, as if we were there watching the actual events transpire. I finished this book in less than two weeks--despite the fact that it was Christmas! I can hardly wait for the next installment.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Creative and inspiring, January 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kingdom and the Crown Volume 1: Fishers of Men (Kingdom and the Crown) (Kingdom and the Crown, Vol 1) (Hardcover)

In this excellent book, Gerald N Lund takes you back in time to a land called Capernaum where David Bin Joseph watches eagerly for any sign of the Messiah ever since thirty years ago when in Bethlehem, David saw an angel who told him of Christs birth. Now He is hearing tales of John the Baptist, who claims to be the forerunner for Christ. David sets off to find him, and is inspired by John's teachings. David soon meets Jesus and quickly accepts him as the Messiah. However, Davids wife Debrah, and his son Simeon, are not so quick to accept him. They want a Messiah who will destroy their enemies and overthrow the hated Romans. However, Jesus teaches of forgiveness and of loving your neighbor. They wonder, "could this really be the Messiah?"
I gave this book 4 stars because I really enjoyed it. It teaches you alot about what life was like when Jesus was alive and the miracles he performed. It even has chapter notes at the end of each chapter for extra information. It has believable characters, and the author paints a picture in your mind of what is happening. I took away one star because there is too much dialogue and sometimes it got boring while explaining unimportant detail. Other than this, the book was great, and I reccomend it to anybody.