Pontius Pilate: A Documentary Novel [Hardcover]

Paul L. Maier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 1968

This dramatic historical fiction offers a behind-the-scenes story of an ambitious Roman politician whose fateful decision changed the course of history. Guaranteed fiction! (20040603)

Editorial Reviews

Review

We commend this book as an exciting supplement to the New Testament itself. (Moody Magazine 20040603)

The presentation of the Roman and Jewish political situation is absolutely first rate and historically accurate. (Blockhead Journal 20040603)

A book to be read with eagerness and talked about with enthusiasm. (Atlanta Constitution-Journal 20040603)

A serious historical study treated so well that it is difficult to drop the volume once begun. (Boston Sunday Globe 20040603)

A startling, impressive book, daring in concept. . . praiseworthy and dramatic. (Minneapolis Tribune 20040603)

A tremendous story. . . of cineramic splendor. In drama, romance, color, scope, and depth, this novel is comparable only to Ben Hur, The Silver Chalice, and The Robe . (Christian Herald 20040603)

Tremendously rewarding reading. (Christianity Today )

Unique in biblical novels. . . [ Pontius Pilate ] raises the genre of the historical novel to a plateau it has rarely reached. (Chicago Daily News )

About the Author

Paul L. Maier is the award-winning professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University. He is the author of numerous award-winning books ranging from children's books to historical texts. A recognized expert in church history, Dr. Maier speaks to a variety of groups and media outlets around the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 370 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (March 14, 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825432618
• ISBN-13: 978-0825432613
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction Researched by the Master, December 10, 2002

By 

Robert Wormley (lakebay, wa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pontius Pilate: A Novel (Paperback)

Paul Maier, a nationally recognized teacher of History broke ground with this classic historical biography of Pontius Pilate.

This book taught me more about the New Testament than 20 undergraduate and graduate classes in Biblical Studies.

Rejecting the carelessness that dominates the genre of historical fiction, Dr. Maier created his own genre which could be called "documented historical fiction". He adopts 3 rules,
1) He doesn't invent characters and only uses names of real people 2) He uses information in the primary sources whenever possible and only speculates on plot features where the sources are lacking. 3) He includes documented footnotes for a great number of events in the life of Pilate, these not only lead you to the primary sources, they also give the author's justification for how he interprets them and incorporates them into the story.

If you want to read the Christ story from a new perspective, this book will give you an eyewitness account from the eye sockets of one of the key players in Christ' life. You will understand the political background to the New Testament and gain a new appreciation for how the miraculous events in Jesus ministry were interpreted.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History of the career of Pontius Pilate, May 19, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pontius Pilate: A Novel (Paperback)

Paul Maier does an excellent job in this historical novel of being true to the facts where they are available, and being believably fictional in places where there are no facts available. This book traces the career of Pontius Pilate in Roman administration, his prefecture in Judea before, during, and after Christ. Highly researched and with full reference notes. I think the book is more guided to the student of history than of religion, but it will fit on both shelves.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic., April 29, 2003

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pontius Pilate: A Novel (Paperback)

Two thousand years ago, there was a trial that changed history. Jesus Christ was dragged before the Roman politician who had to make the fateful choice that would place the Messiah on the cross. Who was this man, Pontius Pilate? What was life really like in those days, what political forces shaped events of that moment?

***** Paul Maier does an excellent job of exploring these questions in his novel that was published decades ago, but due to the timelessness of the subject, has held up well over the years. Pilate's choices are seen as both political and perhaps even divine necessity as the day that will become Good Friday unfolds. With the use of real figures and well researched customs, Dr. Maier sweeps readers back two millenia. Calling it fiction is almost an insult, because it is so very realistic. One complaint is that there is not a sequel exploring Pilate's wife, a woman who stands beside Caeser's wife in fascination.