Trailing Jesus (Paperback)

~ James Campion (Author) "I am a child, no more than two, no less than sixteen months..." (more)
Key Phrases: fragmented gospels, desert revelations, church elite, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Dreams. Nightmares. Religion. Revolution. Divinity. Evil. Temptation. Hope. Murder. Mysticism. Faith. Oppression. Memories. Visions. Passion. History. Lies. Truth. Forgiveness.

In the spring of 1996, James Campion immersed himself in the thorny subject of humanity's mad pursuit of an origin and purpose to existence. Intrigued by the life and teachings of philosophical and spiritual leaders over the centuries and fueled by a questioning of his devout Catholic background lead the author to a natural exploration of Jesus Christ from revolutionary vagabond to religious icon.

Carving out images from his past and passionately delving into the gospel legend prompted a tireless journey to the Holy Land. Across the desert, in the footsteps of the mysterious, inside the mind and out of the heart, the results of his trek are found in the introspective and controversial pages of "Trailing Jesus".

It is more than a true story of self-discovery and Biblical revelations. It is literally a lifetime dissected in a single trip. Mostly it is an emotional investigation of one of the most enigmatic spiritual leaders in the pantheon of human experience, a controversial view of Jesus of Nazareth, the peasant messiah whose spiritual revolution is still prevalent after two thousand years. The Greatest Story Ever Told is understood quite differently through the eyes of an author in search of spirit and wonder in a violently cold world.

"Trailing Jesus" is a major work for the 21st century. It topples icons, punctures dogma and resuscitates the memory of a movement so influential it has spanned two millennium of speculation and debate, infatuation and worship, war and bigotry, power and compassion.

"Trailing Jesus" is not the voice of a scholar or a theologian or even a religious apologist, just the brutal honesty of a man in search of a revolutionary mystic from a time seemingly so far away, yet so very close to the very marrow of human kind. James Campion's third book, "Trailing Jesus - A Holy Journal" is a must read for the faithful, the doubtful, and the just plain curious.

About the Author

James Campion is the latest incarnation in the pantheon of Gonzo journalists who throw themselves into their subjects. His first book, "Deep Tank Jersey" explored the insane world of sub-culture rock music, while his second, "Fear No Art" reviewed his recent career as a rogue reporter and a radical syndicated columnist. His new offering, "Trailing Jesus" combines the keen eye and searing wit of his previous work with a mystical slant.

Campion currently works as a freelance writer for magazines and continues to build a rabid following through his weekly rants in "Reality Check" originating in New Jersey’s Aquarian Weekly.

Product Details

• Paperback: 585 pages
• Publisher: Gueem (November 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967929628
• ISBN-13: 978-0967929620
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,647,424 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Treading Trodden Trails, March 5, 2003

By	"bohammer" (Bloomfield, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Jesus just left Chicago, May 12, 2006

By	Nada Adan (Lynchburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars looking for answers, November 1, 2008

By	T. Carlson (liverpool) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.