Customer Reviews

Trailing Jesus

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A departure from the quick-witted, gonzo writing style of his weekly political column, "Reality Check," Campion's fans may feel bogged down by this somewhat self-indulgent journey to self-discovery.
The book documents Campion's pilgrimage to Israel in an attempt to "find Jesus," - more so the man than the deity - while he yanks that all-too-familiar thread of existence that is doubt in religious doctrine.
Those curious enough to read past the first chapter may find kinship and understanding in a world where organized religion no longer, or never has, scratched the proverbial itch of "wanting more out of life."
Stalwart fans may find themselves plodding through this experience like a conversation they were never let in on, but persistent readers will feel liberated to know they're not alone in their spiritual doubts.
The heady topic may pierce this Wizard's well-crafted persona as "The Man Behind the Curtain," but there's no doubt that "Trailing Jesus" is a labor of love that firmly places Campion further on the quest for universal spirit.

A competent editor might have been able to find a good book in here somewhere. A good start would be cutting it in half and correcting the numerous grammar mistakes. Interestingly, one earlier reviewer here praises the writing as "luminous and tight." You be the judge. Here is the first paragraph of chapter nine (I didn't make it much further):

"The glistening sparkle of a trillion pearls explodes light from the rippling water like the bubbly fizz of a transparent soft drink in the world's largest glass. Outside the glass are deep green high reeds and a wide-open breath of bright yellow and passionate crimson flowers, which explode from the nest of bulging leaves and a tussle of gnarled branches below. They bend in a graceful way with the gentle valley breeze. The backdrop of mountains, rigid and distant, cast a flush of puissant comfort, as if a great blanket of protection spreads over the passive dale. It is a little past six o'clock in the evening; the day of tranquil scorching air has given way to cooler temperatures and a softer burn from the sun. But not even the earth's vacillating temperatures can quell the surging heat rising within my rib cage as I'm confronted with my first glimpse of the Sea of Galilee."

Hemingway could have tightened that up a bit.

If you haven't been interested in the ho hum writings about spiritual journey's that take you in obvious directions, you might like this one. Challenges the most devoted while raising very intriguing questions. There is a complexity to the writing that at times takes careful attention from the reader, but is worth the work. The insite and positions taken are not offensive and a reprieve from the norm. The journey is not complete until you finish the book Nada.

Trailing Jesus is a personal testimony of James Campion and his personal journey in the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth, in search of truth and the hidden strength that faith brings. Evocative thoughts and memory, distinctive descriptions and unlikely encounters fill this devoted and faithful account. A candid journey of spiritual awakening filled with descriptive landscapes arising from a radical spiritual movement, Trailing Jesus is confidently commended reading for Christians who are in search of their own spiritual enlightenment.

Trailing Jesus is the culmination of Campion's action and thought, and while it is philosophical, it relies more on motion than reverie. The writing is luminous and tight, and sheds light on history's most illustrious citizen. This book demonstrates the very best about the human mind: the ability to conceive of a tapestry of cause and effect and place elements in context with one another while simultaneously allowing them a life of their own. The book is masterfully composed and executed.