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5.0 out of 5 stars
The Acts Of Judas, July 17, 2007
The Acts of Judas is the story about an archaeological excavation in Modern day Jordan. This excavation is suddenly plagued by a string of accidents, sabotage, and bad omens that add to the ever growing political and racial tension between the American students and the Jordanian crew. At the height of this tension, however, an amazing discovery is made: a single scroll dating from the first century. The writer of this scroll identifies himself as Judas Iscariot. Now the real trouble begins. Everyone wants to know what the scroll says but everyone has particular political and religious agendas that they want the text to confirm.
The Acts of Judas masterfully interweaves several parallel storylines into one fully developed completely integrated story. The archaeological story addresses the need for adventure and the thrill of finding some piece of our historical puzzle. The political and racial storylines remind us about the realities of our modern world, beyond the ongoing troubles in the Middle East. Judas' story reminds us about timeless truths that relate to our own political and racial conflicts while reminding us that love, compassion, and hope are and always have been the keys to solving our problems. Though this book obviously has some religious themes, these aspects are expertly illustrated without point fingers or choosing one right religion or way of being. Thus making the message of this book accessible to and appropriate for any reader.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A very compelling read, March 13, 2007
In the first few pages I held my breath as someone's face is devoured by a flesh-eating camel spider, and I don't think I breathed out until the final page.
But even if you set aside the fact that this heart-thumping adventure in the Middle East compels you to turn the pages, the book is riveting on deeper levels. With the topics of the more contentious aspects of Christianity, as well as the modern hotbed of terrorism at its heart, Baldino resists the temptation to write platitudes, and approaches both issues from refreshing, thought-provoking angles. She has created characters that are far from being stereotypes with stereotypical views, and so they approach the religious sensitivities and emerging violent extremism from very human, individual angles. Perhaps most compelling is the question at the book's heart -- What if there are extra 'books' to the Bible yet to be discovered that provide new insights and radically change Christianity? It's fascinating.
In this book Georgiann Baldino has revealed herself as an excellent researcher and original thinker. I highly recommend this book. It could very well be a movie, and I hope someone has the foresight to film it.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply good stuff in "The Acts Of Judas", February 23, 2005
For archeologist Linda Rhodes, it seems that everyone and everything is conspiring against her and the expedition she leads in the Jordanian desert. The attacks of September 11, 2001 have yet to happen but the old blood feuds, religious hatreds and distrust that fuel everything in the Middle East continue unabated. Her expedition has been attacked by the weather, a camel spider, food poisoning, deliberate stupidity by some expedition members and a host of other problems. Still, she persevered in her search despite all obstacles including the sudden arrival of the Jordanian Police and a minister, Dr. Fawzi, to investigate the latest problems that have occurred.
While the police take away a large group of her expedition for questioning, Dr. Fawzi and his bodyguard assistants are still present when the expedition finds the object they have been searching the desert for these past many weeks. Buried in a cave, a relic that seems to be a scroll written by Judas explaining his actions is found sealed in a jar. Beyond determining that the ancient text which will need extensive work to be translated, seems to be consistent for the time period, little more is determined before Dr Fawzi wields his considerably governmental authority and takes possession of the artifact.
His plans to move the artifact to Amman for study and safe keeping away from outside influences are quickly thwarted by the arrival of gun toting terrorists. After removing the token resistance permanently, they take the artifact and vanish into the desert. In the resulting aftermath, as an investigation in this matter is conducted by the Jordanian government, Linda is captured by members of the same terrorist group. They need a translator and have decided she is to be their translator. If she refuses they will execute her. She knows once she finishes they will execute her. But in the meantime, she has a chance to work with the ancient scroll and attempt to translate a document that will fundamentally change mankind's understanding of the history of the Middle East.
On one level this is a thriller featuring chase and adventure across the Middle East along with a hint or romance. On another level, this is a complex work that provides a deep insight into the religious differences in the region that shape behavior and politics still today. Using her extensive research into various religions via a number of sources, the author explains the religious and cultural history of a large portion of the Middle East while at the same time, telling an engrossing story. This is not something that is an easy thing to do but in this case, the teaching and the fiction blend almost seamlessly together. In so doing, the author has created a read that is a very good book and leaves the reader with plenty to think about after turning the last page.
Book Facts:
The Acts Of Judas
By Georgiann Baldino
WhooDoo Mysteries
www.trebleheartbooks.com
2004
ISBN # 1-931742-84-7
Large Trade Paperback
292 Pages
$13.50 US
This review previously appeared online at The Blue Iris Journal Blog.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2005
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