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10th out of 417 books
—
326 voters
Fishers of Men (The Kingdom and the Crown #1)
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.
Paperback, 642 pages
Published
October 1st 2006
by Shadow Mountain
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When I’d finished the Work and the Glory, I decided to go to the Kingdom and the Crown series next. The premise sounded great: in a similar vein to Lund’s more famous series, a fictional family is followed during a pivotal moment in history: this time, during the time of Christ. Researched like a history book but as readable as a novel, it promised to provide real learning in a fun way.
And then, for some reason that I still can’t put my finger on, I couldn’t even get past the prologue. It went b...more
And then, for some reason that I still can’t put my finger on, I couldn’t even get past the prologue. It went b...more
I hesitated to start reading these books because I figured it would be the same old, same old. I've read about Christ's life in the Bible, learned about His life at church for over 40 years - the story isn't going to change, right? I guess I forgot who was writing the books. Mr. Lund can make the same old, same old become riveting and a book I don't want to put down until I'm finished. And when I say "a" book, I mean all three of them.
With a desire to be accurate as well as fair to differring op...more
With a desire to be accurate as well as fair to differring op...more
I loved loved loved this book. After reading The Work and the Glory, and then this, Gerald N Lund has to be my favorite author.
Anyways, when I first started reading this book, maybe the first chapter, I was a little intimidated because I thought that I wasn't really "in touch" with this time era, and the terms would be too difficult for me to understand what it really meant. But the author gives super details and explains so much to make you really understand the time that all of this took place...more
Anyways, when I first started reading this book, maybe the first chapter, I was a little intimidated because I thought that I wasn't really "in touch" with this time era, and the terms would be too difficult for me to understand what it really meant. But the author gives super details and explains so much to make you really understand the time that all of this took place...more
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With this series I was drawn into the story right from the beginning. I particularly enjoyed the way the author worked the teachings and events from Jesus' life into the narration in a natural way, so that it was as if we are there watching the actual events transpire. Lund's work has helped me reach a level of clarity regarding the Savior's ministry. This series did a wonderful job helping me understand which characters in the books are really from the New Testament, and where he was favoring c...more
To me this is the definitive narrative of its kind. I have always been a fan of Gerald Lund, but he has outdone himself on this one.
This story is about two very different families. The first is from Galilee and has strong roots in the zealot movement while the second is part of the Great Sanhedrin of Jerusalem. They come into contact with each other through a mutual enemy, a highway robber of Samaria. In the midst of the political unrest, a man named Jesus of Nazareth begins to teach. A family t...more
This story is about two very different families. The first is from Galilee and has strong roots in the zealot movement while the second is part of the Great Sanhedrin of Jerusalem. They come into contact with each other through a mutual enemy, a highway robber of Samaria. In the midst of the political unrest, a man named Jesus of Nazareth begins to teach. A family t...more
I had mixed feelings reading this book.
The positive: I learned so much. Tons of detailed information about ancient Judaean life; social classes, roles, beliefs, Pharisees, Sadducees, zealots, gentiles, Rome, the layout of the temple, rituals, and on and on. Some things I already knew, but maybe not in so much detail, and some knowledge was totally new. All of these things went a long way in putting biblical events in context, being able to consider how Christ's teachings might be received by dif...more
The positive: I learned so much. Tons of detailed information about ancient Judaean life; social classes, roles, beliefs, Pharisees, Sadducees, zealots, gentiles, Rome, the layout of the temple, rituals, and on and on. Some things I already knew, but maybe not in so much detail, and some knowledge was totally new. All of these things went a long way in putting biblical events in context, being able to consider how Christ's teachings might be received by dif...more
When my husband saw the series "The Kingdom and the Crown" on sale at Deseret Book, he suggested we buy them and read them together. Forget the fact I have never read a book with someone since my parents read to me as a kid, I just wasn't that interested. I decided to humor him because it did mean some one-on-one time with him.
Never before have I tried to read a book that is fiction based solely off of scripture. I never got into Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites even. I didn't like the movie ver...more
Never before have I tried to read a book that is fiction based solely off of scripture. I never got into Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites even. I didn't like the movie ver...more
My dad read this series before he died and since I got the 2 book on CD for free I read the first one. I really liked it! It really takes you there, with the issues facing the day, the fractions of Jews, the Roman empire, the places and how far it took to get there.
2 fictional families: a zealot, a Sadducee, a Pharisees and a few Roman soldiers. The book made me get out my scriptures and write stuff in there, and look stuff up on line. I could see how people could easily believe and how others...more
2 fictional families: a zealot, a Sadducee, a Pharisees and a few Roman soldiers. The book made me get out my scriptures and write stuff in there, and look stuff up on line. I could see how people could easily believe and how others...more
After the Book of Mormon, this is probably my favorite set of books. People who say that the story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told, are right. And these books definitely tell the story in a way that is easy to understand, follow and helps us to gain a testimony of our Savior.
Upon finishing these novels, I have felt driven to explore the New Testament again. I am amazed at how closely Lund's series shadows the chronological harmony version of the King James Version of the New Testament...more
Upon finishing these novels, I have felt driven to explore the New Testament again. I am amazed at how closely Lund's series shadows the chronological harmony version of the King James Version of the New Testament...more
Fishers of Men is about a fictional families who lived around the time of Christ. The story starts when Jesus starts his ministry. One of the families is friends with some of the apostles and they witness the miracles and teachings of Jesus first hand. It goes through each one of the characters conversions to Jesus being the Messiah. They each have their struggles they have to overcome to realize he is the promised one.
This was an excellent book to read. Not only because I learned much about th...more
This was an excellent book to read. Not only because I learned much about th...more
This is another LDS church book. I had friends that so highly recommended it that I was surprised to find how hard of a time I had getting into it. I started it several times and just quit. If you know me and books, I just don't do that. I will read ANYTHING. And even if I hate it, I have the hardest time not finishing it. I thought I had finally found the book I couldn't finish...and wouldn't care if I didn't. But I love stories of Christ...how could I not like this??? So, one last chance. My p...more
"Finally!" was all I could gasp as I finished this lengthy book. The writing style drove me crazy: constantly shifting points of view, too much time between story lines, unnecessary repetition of facts (yeah, thanks, we caught that ten pages ago...) and modernization of a sacred story.
I know that people cry their hearts out with how wonderful these books are, but I just couldn't love this one. It was interesting from a "things might have been like that point of view, but I would prefer a more p...more
I know that people cry their hearts out with how wonderful these books are, but I just couldn't love this one. It was interesting from a "things might have been like that point of view, but I would prefer a more p...more
After reading the Mark of Lion series, I have been very interested in the early Christian time period. I remembered that I had this book sitting on my one of my bookcases for the last 10 years that I had never read. I just finished it and I LOVED it! I have enjoyed (so much) learning more about the culture and customs of the time when Jesus was on the Earth. It makes his words and teachings have a deeper meaning for me--I have had lots of "ah ha" moments. It is really fun to study my Bible latel...more
I struggled to get through this book at first. The language, names and Jewish customs were all very unfamiliar to me. I had the first two volumes in this series, and then when I finally tracked down the third one, it had been long enough, I couln't remember the story line very well, so I went back and re-read the first two volumes. I enjoyed them much more the second time. I have now read them each 4 times, and the last time I read them, I read with the purpose of cross refrencing some of Lund's...more
This has to be one of the most fulfilling books I have read in a very long time. Sure, I've given many 5 star ratings in the past, but, this book is of a religous nature and, consequently, trancends action and other elements I usually yearn for when I read. I really loved this book. It was a first for me. I have never read a religous fiction novel before. Then to have this novel teach me so much about the times of Christ, Jewish rituals, customs, etc... Let me just say that I cannot believe I co...more
Lund spins a fictional story that puts a family in position to listen and interact with to Jesus. I was surprised that Jesus is not heard from until after 100 pages. Lund gives lots of background into the politics with the Jews and how they are ruled by Rome. The first was confusing with all the background information and setting the story but as I stuck with it I enjoyed how the story unfolded. I also liked that the characters didn't immediately understand the teachings of Jesus. They would oft...more
I am a big fan of Gerald Lund's Kingdom and the Crown series. I've found it to be far less cheesy than The Work and The Glory series, with a lot of useful insight into the scriptures. It might sound far-fetched to say I could learn about the scriptures from a fiction book, but Gerald Lund's Kingdom and the Crown series is remarkably well researched. Lund includes detailed notes at the end of each chapter, explaining sources for his historical and scriptural material. It's a refreshing change aft...more
What an amazing writer Elder Lund is. He has a wonderful talent of taking historial/biblical events and makes they come to life. Just like in the Work and the Glory books, I get to read a great story and learn some histoy at the same time. What great joy I have had in reading this first books.
This is a wonderful series about the life and ministry of the Savior. Gerald Lund does a masterful job taking us into the historical context of the time period and creating real-life characters that help us understand the time, culture, and the amazing impact the Savior's ministry must have been on those living during that time. The series was originally intended to contain five volumns, until Gerald Lund was called to serve as a general authority in the LDS Church. Books 1 and 2 are especially...more
After I read The Robe, I became intrigued with the Jewish culture, and Jerusalem during Christ time. What better way to learn a little bit and have a great fiction unfold. And what a great story. I love the way Lund writes. I also have a different perspective on the stories about Jesus. For instance the feeding of the 5000 with 2 fish and 5 small loaves of bread, and the woman who touches Jesus Robe, and the many encounters with the Sadducee and Pharisee. I grew up with those, but to get an "eye...more
I will put this review on all three books in the series to blanket statement them.
These are wonderful books based during the life and time of Christ. I knew how it would ultimately turn out for Christ of course but they gave great insight on how life may have been and the character of Christ. Although the scriptures are wonderful they are not written in a way that we can really pull out the true personality of any man in them. These books made all of the important characters come to life. I woul...more
These are wonderful books based during the life and time of Christ. I knew how it would ultimately turn out for Christ of course but they gave great insight on how life may have been and the character of Christ. Although the scriptures are wonderful they are not written in a way that we can really pull out the true personality of any man in them. These books made all of the important characters come to life. I woul...more
I received these from my in-laws for Christmas a couple of years ago and they were much better than I expected. These really help explain the social/cultural realities in Israel and the Mediterranean world at the time of Christ. Good, believable characters for the most part too. It gets a little off the main topic and into the adventurous love rescues of the main protagonist in the 3rd book. It's still good, but not as intriguing as the premise of the Christian/Jewish/Roman conflict at the heart...more
This is a fabulous series from Gerald Lund detailing the time of the Savior's life. This book follows a family who have to decide for themselves is Jesus is the Son of God or merely a good person.
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This book was great! I learned so much about the Savior. The only problem was that the list of characters are so long that I kept getting lost. I really like the notes at the end -- very informative. I wish I had read these before I went to Israel last year.
Lines that I loved:
No other single life has so profoundly changed the course of history and influenced humanity.
Even our basic division of time into two great eras is marked by his birth.
Numerous wars have been fought in his name.
The common p...more
Lines that I loved:
No other single life has so profoundly changed the course of history and influenced humanity.
Even our basic division of time into two great eras is marked by his birth.
Numerous wars have been fought in his name.
The common p...more
though this storyline is not 5 star worthy, the historical aspect of this book is wonderful and very informative. I love the references that the author has added to the end of each chapter -- and appreciate that he has taken information from many different references. The characters are fun to read about, however I truly appreciate the different opinions and trials each character is given -- making the words and teachings of Christ much more in depth, meaningful, & easier (or more enjoyable)...more
I've read this series before, but I'm feeling the urge to reread it. I loved it the first go 'round and am expecting nothing less this time.
*Update*
There was a lot more focus on the teachings of Christ and how it affected (effected?) the lives of the characters. While I enjoyed learning about Christ's life from the perspective of a Jew at the time, I felt there was little plot to be had through most of the book. It wasn't until the last 80 pages where the plot really took off.
For the record-I ha...more
*Update*
There was a lot more focus on the teachings of Christ and how it affected (effected?) the lives of the characters. While I enjoyed learning about Christ's life from the perspective of a Jew at the time, I felt there was little plot to be had through most of the book. It wasn't until the last 80 pages where the plot really took off.
For the record-I ha...more
Gerald Lund again hits it out of the park with this book! He so thoroughly brings the reader into the settings represented that there is no problem relating with each character. I particularly appreciate that Peter and the other Apostles are humanized without being pathetically so. They come across as men that are simply searching for the truth but do not always recognize it yet quitely accept the corrections given them by the Savior. So many others portray them as sniveling children with no gre...more
Good book!! It should be 3 1/2. It reminded me alot of the book "one in thine hand". This series is set up alot like the work and the Glory but is in New Testament setting. The thing I appreciate most about this book is what I learned about Sadducees and Pharisees. This book really helped me to understand the background of these two religious sects and why they treated the savior the way they did. And also why the savior said some of the things he did to them. It opened up alot of understand of...more
I have come to enjoy books by Gerald N. Lund for one main reason; his books give the reader a meager but needed peak into the history, events, and culture of the time. While reading "Fishers Of Men" I've learned many things about Judean culture during the time of Christ such as what a mezuzah is and other aspects of what it looked like while Christ was on the earth. The book also helped me gain, in a novel-like way, understanding of how the political system worked in Jerusalem and a little of th...more
The sheer size of this trilogy and the stylised pictures on the covers was initially off-putting but I'm glad I overcame those obstacles. The first in the series tells the story of a family living in the time of Jesus Christ's ministry and it captures the uncertainties, the penalties,the consequences of following him in the climate of the day. Choices today are predicated on so much more knowledge. It made me wonder how I would have reacted in the shoes of each of those characters. Sobering at t...more
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Nov 13, 2012 02:27pm
So was Ashley upset when you took he...more
Nov 15, 2012 08:00am