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Giants in the Earth #1
The Master's Quilt
The first book in the Giants in the Earth trilogy, this compelling historical novel captures the intense spiritual, political, and personal conflict following the death and resurrection of Christ. Intrigue, romance and suspense in first-century Palestine make this another powerful novel in the respected Crossway fiction line.
252 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
19 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jack Webb
10 books40 followersMichael Jack Webb graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida and obtained his J.D. from the same university. Over the past forty years he has travelled the world in search of adventure.
Michael is a history buff, both ancient and modern, and is fascinated by the intersection of the scientific, supernatural, and Biblical world views. He's studied and taught from the Bible for more than twenty-five years.
Michael is intrigued by recent discoveries in quantum physics providing extraordinary insights into the reality of the spirit realm, especially as it relates to the study of Light.
He incorporates all of the above into his supernatural thrillers.
Michael and his wife make their home in Florida.
Books by Michael: The Master’s Quilt, The Nephilim Parchments, The Song of the Seraphim (Giants in the Earth trilogy), The Oldest Enemy, and Infernal Gates, The Devil’s Cauldron, Ghost (Justice Chronicles Book 1), Jackal (Justice Chronicles Book 2) coming soon.
He is currently working on AngelFire (Justice Chronicles Book 3).
He also authored a non-fiction work entitled In the Cleft of the Rock: Insights into the Blood of Jesus, Resurrection Power, and Saving the Soul.
Michael is a history buff, both ancient and modern, and is fascinated by the intersection of the scientific, supernatural, and Biblical world views. He's studied and taught from the Bible for more than twenty-five years.
Michael is intrigued by recent discoveries in quantum physics providing extraordinary insights into the reality of the spirit realm, especially as it relates to the study of Light.
He incorporates all of the above into his supernatural thrillers.
Michael and his wife make their home in Florida.
Books by Michael: The Master’s Quilt, The Nephilim Parchments, The Song of the Seraphim (Giants in the Earth trilogy), The Oldest Enemy, and Infernal Gates, The Devil’s Cauldron, Ghost (Justice Chronicles Book 1), Jackal (Justice Chronicles Book 2) coming soon.
He is currently working on AngelFire (Justice Chronicles Book 3).
He also authored a non-fiction work entitled In the Cleft of the Rock: Insights into the Blood of Jesus, Resurrection Power, and Saving the Soul.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 13, 2019
I was captivated by the book when it first was written and was glad it found it's way back into publication. Michael's writing and story is captivating and his research is evident as he paints the picture with the drama in the story.
May 5, 2019
Rethinking life beyond the tomb
I've been a Christian my entire life and have heard and read the biblical stories of the resurrection of Jesus. But I had never thought beyond the disciples for what life was like.
This book picks up just after the resurrection and looks into the life of the rulers, both the Sanhedrin & the Roman rulers, from the viewpoint of a Roman Praetorian guard. This guard having been the one who pierced the side of Jesus with his sword.
The daily life and struggles of new believers, and the nightmares of some of the rulers were something I just hadn't spent much time thinking about.
The author is able to create scenes, with the magical use of adjectives, that make you feel as if you are there. Joy, fear, anger and doubt are expressed by the different characters making them seem alive.
A great read if you're a believer but also an interesting look at life in those times.
I've been a Christian my entire life and have heard and read the biblical stories of the resurrection of Jesus. But I had never thought beyond the disciples for what life was like.
This book picks up just after the resurrection and looks into the life of the rulers, both the Sanhedrin & the Roman rulers, from the viewpoint of a Roman Praetorian guard. This guard having been the one who pierced the side of Jesus with his sword.
The daily life and struggles of new believers, and the nightmares of some of the rulers were something I just hadn't spent much time thinking about.
The author is able to create scenes, with the magical use of adjectives, that make you feel as if you are there. Joy, fear, anger and doubt are expressed by the different characters making them seem alive.
A great read if you're a believer but also an interesting look at life in those times.
November 18, 2024
This book is TERRIBLE. I can’t believe this was ever published. There was nothing about QUILTS at ALL! This book was so terrible I STOPPED reading before finishing the first page. QUINCTUS IS so bad. I used this book as DINNER. Please do not read this at ANY COST. MICHAEL WEBB JACK, quit writing and go work at a trash making plant. You already have lots of experience.
July 5, 2017
Beautifully written, inspiring story of the soldier who thrust the sword into the side of Jesus on the cross.
October 12, 2013
This is one very beautiful story. My spirit soared like an eagle reading this novel. This is the third novel of Michael J Webb I have read and the third where he exhibits his flair for a well-constructed plot and well written prose. This particular novel is written beautifully, it is elegant, simple yet complicated, romantic yet full of drama. Webb’s writing style immediately engages you and transports you to this era. Every day when I picked up where I left off previously, I was transported to the time of Christ’s death and resurrection with all the social, political, and religious upheaval that existed between the Jews and Roman occupied Israel, specifically Jersualem in this novel.
Webb has a flair for not just constructing well his plot but also his characters. These are well defined and you find yourself getting to know them well and due to his well constructed plot lines, you feel you are there sharing their experiences and not just as an observer or reader. This enabled me to grow fond of the main characters, be wary of others, or to despise and dare I say hate the main antagonists!! His characters are very real and relational. I have stated that in other reviews of Webb’s books.
I liken the main character of Deucalion Quinctus Cincinnatus in this novel to Gallus Sergius Vitas who is the main character in The Last Disciple trilogy by Brouwer/Hanegraaff which is also set in the same time period as this but also extends to the reign of Nero and also deals with similar issues in Webb’s story. However, Webb’s account in this novel is far superior and easier to read, appreciate and understand.
I agree with Randy K, a reviewer who states on the Amazon book page for this novel,
“For some who love to get lost in a great novel, there are just not enough great writers working in Christian Fiction . . . The really good news is that I have found an author you probably don't know anything about . . . Michael Webb brings so much more than just nail-biting action to the stage. He has an amazing knowledge of history and the inter-relationships of the major players during 1st Century AD. He weaves tales of deceit and manipulation that provide us one view of what might have been going on behind the scenes as Pilate, Saul of Tarsus, Herod Antipas, Caiaphas and others battled for power.
There is seemingly never ending stream of specific anthropological, cultural, and religious insights that help us to see more clearly what the struggle between Rome, the Jews, and the new Christians was really all about. Add the spiritual realm to the equation to complete a tapestry that keeps you guessing throughout the work . . .
Above, I compared Michael Webb to some huge authors. He is actually a better writer than Young or Dekker. His story lines are equal to any of the three. His research is as good as Alcorn. I'll give Alcorn an edge on writing, but not by much.”
I could not have expressed this any better myself and I totally support and reinforce here Randy’s findings.
I highly recommend this novel. It has left a lasting impression on me and I look back with fondness and joy on this novel.
Webb has a flair for not just constructing well his plot but also his characters. These are well defined and you find yourself getting to know them well and due to his well constructed plot lines, you feel you are there sharing their experiences and not just as an observer or reader. This enabled me to grow fond of the main characters, be wary of others, or to despise and dare I say hate the main antagonists!! His characters are very real and relational. I have stated that in other reviews of Webb’s books.
I liken the main character of Deucalion Quinctus Cincinnatus in this novel to Gallus Sergius Vitas who is the main character in The Last Disciple trilogy by Brouwer/Hanegraaff which is also set in the same time period as this but also extends to the reign of Nero and also deals with similar issues in Webb’s story. However, Webb’s account in this novel is far superior and easier to read, appreciate and understand.
I agree with Randy K, a reviewer who states on the Amazon book page for this novel,
“For some who love to get lost in a great novel, there are just not enough great writers working in Christian Fiction . . . The really good news is that I have found an author you probably don't know anything about . . . Michael Webb brings so much more than just nail-biting action to the stage. He has an amazing knowledge of history and the inter-relationships of the major players during 1st Century AD. He weaves tales of deceit and manipulation that provide us one view of what might have been going on behind the scenes as Pilate, Saul of Tarsus, Herod Antipas, Caiaphas and others battled for power.
There is seemingly never ending stream of specific anthropological, cultural, and religious insights that help us to see more clearly what the struggle between Rome, the Jews, and the new Christians was really all about. Add the spiritual realm to the equation to complete a tapestry that keeps you guessing throughout the work . . .
Above, I compared Michael Webb to some huge authors. He is actually a better writer than Young or Dekker. His story lines are equal to any of the three. His research is as good as Alcorn. I'll give Alcorn an edge on writing, but not by much.”
I could not have expressed this any better myself and I totally support and reinforce here Randy’s findings.
I highly recommend this novel. It has left a lasting impression on me and I look back with fondness and joy on this novel.
October 12, 2013
This is one very beautiful story. My spirit soared like an eagle reading this novel. This is the third novel of Michael J Webb I have read and the third where he exhibits his flair for a well-constructed plot and well written prose. This particular novel is written beautifully, it is elegant, simple yet complicated, romantic yet full of drama. Webb’s writing style immediately engages you and transports you to this era. Every day when I picked up where I left off previously, I was transported to the time of Christ’s death and resurrection with all the social, political, and religious upheaval that existed between the Jews and Roman occupied Israel, specifically Jersualem in this novel.
Webb has a flair for not just constructing well his plot but also his characters. These are well defined and you find yourself getting to know them well and due to his well constructed plot lines, you feel you are there sharing their experiences and not just as an observer or reader. This enabled me to grow fond of the main characters, be wary of others, or to despise and dare I say hate the main antagonists!! His characters are very real and relational. I have stated that in other reviews of Webb’s books.
I liken the main character of Deucalion Quinctus Cincinnatus in this novel to Gallus Sergius Vitas who is the main character in The Last Disciple trilogy by Brouwer/Hanegraaff which is also set in the same time period as this but also extends to the reign of Nero and also deals with similar issues in Webb’s story. However, Webb’s account in this novel is far superior and easier to read, appreciate and understand.
I agree with Randy K, a reviewer who states on the Amazon book page for this novel,
“For some who love to get lost in a great novel, there are just not enough great writers working in Christian Fiction . . . The really good news is that I have found an author you probably don't know anything about . . . Michael Webb brings so much more than just nail-biting action to the stage. He has an amazing knowledge of history and the inter-relationships of the major players during 1st Century AD. He weaves tales of deceit and manipulation that provide us one view of what might have been going on behind the scenes as Pilate, Saul of Tarsus, Herod Antipas, Caiaphas and others battled for power.
There is seemingly never ending stream of specific anthropological, cultural, and religious insights that help us to see more clearly what the struggle between Rome, the Jews, and the new Christians was really all about. Add the spiritual realm to the equation to complete a tapestry that keeps you guessing throughout the work . . .
Above, I compared Michael Webb to some huge authors. He is actually a better writer than Young or Dekker. His story lines are equal to any of the three. His research is as good as Alcorn. I'll give Alcorn an edge on writing, but not by much.”
I could not have expressed this any better myself and I totally support and reinforce here Randy’s findings.
I highly recommend this novel. It has left a lasting impression on me and I look back with fondness and joy on this novel.
Webb has a flair for not just constructing well his plot but also his characters. These are well defined and you find yourself getting to know them well and due to his well constructed plot lines, you feel you are there sharing their experiences and not just as an observer or reader. This enabled me to grow fond of the main characters, be wary of others, or to despise and dare I say hate the main antagonists!! His characters are very real and relational. I have stated that in other reviews of Webb’s books.
I liken the main character of Deucalion Quinctus Cincinnatus in this novel to Gallus Sergius Vitas who is the main character in The Last Disciple trilogy by Brouwer/Hanegraaff which is also set in the same time period as this but also extends to the reign of Nero and also deals with similar issues in Webb’s story. However, Webb’s account in this novel is far superior and easier to read, appreciate and understand.
I agree with Randy K, a reviewer who states on the Amazon book page for this novel,
“For some who love to get lost in a great novel, there are just not enough great writers working in Christian Fiction . . . The really good news is that I have found an author you probably don't know anything about . . . Michael Webb brings so much more than just nail-biting action to the stage. He has an amazing knowledge of history and the inter-relationships of the major players during 1st Century AD. He weaves tales of deceit and manipulation that provide us one view of what might have been going on behind the scenes as Pilate, Saul of Tarsus, Herod Antipas, Caiaphas and others battled for power.
There is seemingly never ending stream of specific anthropological, cultural, and religious insights that help us to see more clearly what the struggle between Rome, the Jews, and the new Christians was really all about. Add the spiritual realm to the equation to complete a tapestry that keeps you guessing throughout the work . . .
Above, I compared Michael Webb to some huge authors. He is actually a better writer than Young or Dekker. His story lines are equal to any of the three. His research is as good as Alcorn. I'll give Alcorn an edge on writing, but not by much.”
I could not have expressed this any better myself and I totally support and reinforce here Randy’s findings.
I highly recommend this novel. It has left a lasting impression on me and I look back with fondness and joy on this novel.
December 7, 2014
Every Sunday at church I say the Creed and know that it was under Pontius Pilate that Jesus was killed. This book's character Deucalion was very interesting to me. It was also interesting to read about some of the Bible stories, that I know so well, told in a different way. There are so many people in the Bible that this author wrote about that I know he did a lot of research. He brings up Moses and others, and he includes them in his story line. In the beginning of the book there are a lot of character introductions, and I was briefly confused. However as the characters played their part I was reminded of their role in the Bible. It is interesting to read about the man that stabbed Jesus, and not wonder how and why he did what he did. Was he just doing what he was told? How does he react to being at the resurrection site? With all that I loved about this book it was hard to remember that this is fiction, because it could have happened this way. That is what makes a great historical fiction read! This is also the first book in a trilogy and I cannot wait for more from the author. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from CWA, however all opinions are my own!
August 6, 2013
The Master's Quilt by Michael J Webb is an excellent historical novel dealing with the life of several players in the drama of Jesus' crucifixion and the immediate years that followed.
The author did a great job of storytelling, developing a story that is both intriguing and sticks to what few historical truths are known of this period. The story was both realistic and easy to follow. I found it hard to put this book down once I started reading it.
Michael J Webb did an excellent job of developing his main characters, building on the known history and adding fiction to tell a story. It was easy to identify with them and feel the internal struggle they were going through.
I really enjoyed The Master's Quilt by Michael J Webb and I highly recommend this book to all reader.
The author did a great job of storytelling, developing a story that is both intriguing and sticks to what few historical truths are known of this period. The story was both realistic and easy to follow. I found it hard to put this book down once I started reading it.
Michael J Webb did an excellent job of developing his main characters, building on the known history and adding fiction to tell a story. It was easy to identify with them and feel the internal struggle they were going through.
I really enjoyed The Master's Quilt by Michael J Webb and I highly recommend this book to all reader.
September 25, 2013
I like Christian fiction and Michael J. Webb writes very good Christian fiction.
In this first episode of the Giants in the Earth trilogy we are immersed in a story spanning two thousand years. The battle between good and evil is narrated with a rich plot and we follow the main character Deucalion Quinctus in the days of the death of Christ and we can almost feel the tension of being witnesses of those crucial days for humanity.
After reading this first volume I could not wait to know the rest of the story and in just a few weeks I read the other two volumes.
In this first episode of the Giants in the Earth trilogy we are immersed in a story spanning two thousand years. The battle between good and evil is narrated with a rich plot and we follow the main character Deucalion Quinctus in the days of the death of Christ and we can almost feel the tension of being witnesses of those crucial days for humanity.
After reading this first volume I could not wait to know the rest of the story and in just a few weeks I read the other two volumes.
December 8, 2013
In this book the author tells a fictional story about the man who pierced the side of Jesus at the crucifixion.
At first I found this book very disjointed and hard to follow but I'm glad I persevered as I soon became caught up in what seems to be a real story.
Deucalion finds himself torn between his role in eliminating the followers of Jesus while increasingly believing in Him.
Although fiction this book reads true and gives an insight into what it must have been like for Christians in the early days of the churc.
At first I found this book very disjointed and hard to follow but I'm glad I persevered as I soon became caught up in what seems to be a real story.
Deucalion finds himself torn between his role in eliminating the followers of Jesus while increasingly believing in Him.
Although fiction this book reads true and gives an insight into what it must have been like for Christians in the early days of the churc.
July 19, 2014
A fascinating depiction of events surrounding the crucifixion of Christ under Roman Occupation. The story centers around Deucalion Quinctus, Commander of the Garrison under Pontius Pilate, who struggles to come to terms with his involvement in Jesus' death, and with visions he experienced at Jesus' tomb during the resurrection.
Well written, with good characters and a good story line. Not really my cup of tea, but highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of that era.
Well written, with good characters and a good story line. Not really my cup of tea, but highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of that era.
November 11, 2014
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I have always wondered about the various back stories surrounding the biblical characters and this hit the spot. Do you like the "Paul Harvey" version of news stories, you'll like this book. Although fiction, it could have happen this way. I did not find any significant contradictions of scripture, but I did find a desire for more of this story line. This was a good read.
December 6, 2013
The Master's Quilt is a fictional story about the Roman soldier that pierced the side of Jesus, guarded the tomb, and eventually became a believer. I think Michael Webb has created a believable story -- after all, miracles do happen. I really liked reading about Pilate and his motives before and after giving the execution order. It's a good, quick read.
June 29, 2013
I learned a lot more about the culture during the time of Jesus. A wonderful fiction well-researched and believable on how the crucifixion and ministry of Christ changed the world and why.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews