What do you think?
Rate this book
The Drama of the Lost Disciples
A facinating account of the spread of Christianity to Britain from as early as AD 36-37 and from Britain to Rome through the members of the British Royal Family in exile and their relationship with the Apostle Paul.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1961
93 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 28, 2014
The Drama of the Lost Disciples
In answer to a FB query "Was it worth reading?" I answered: it was. I mean, it came out in 1963, and I remember my mom and dad talking about it, but I wasn't exactly interested then. But I claimed it when we were sorting through Mom's stuff and finally read it this past August. Pretty fascinating. I'd been thinking it was an historical fiction book, but it's not. Documentation -- lots of it! It tells the history of Joseph of Arimathea and how he came to live in Britain (referred to in the Bible as The Isles of the West) because of all his contacts in the tin trade. He brought with him a group of family and disciples of Jesus and there they found refuge from the Saulian Gestapo (you know, who later became Paul). At that point, the center of Christianity became Avalon, which is now known as Glastonbury. It was from there that Christianity spread through Europe. It was to wipe out Christianity that the Romans waged such incessant war in the British Isles, and in the process the British royal family was carried away captive to Rome. It was the British (from B'rith-ish, meaning Covenant man or woman) who founded the first above ground Christian church in Rome in 58 A.D. Evidently Christianity was contagious (understatement), as one of the Roman commanders in Britain married a British princess and became Christian and in Rome the son of Emperor Claudius married another British princess who was being held captive with her family. There are a lot more other surprising relationships, and though it's not written in a soap-opera style (it could have been!) but straight on history, it still makes fascinating reading. Certainly gives a better sense of "primitive Christianity" and what made it so attractive.
In answer to a FB query "Was it worth reading?" I answered: it was. I mean, it came out in 1963, and I remember my mom and dad talking about it, but I wasn't exactly interested then. But I claimed it when we were sorting through Mom's stuff and finally read it this past August. Pretty fascinating. I'd been thinking it was an historical fiction book, but it's not. Documentation -- lots of it! It tells the history of Joseph of Arimathea and how he came to live in Britain (referred to in the Bible as The Isles of the West) because of all his contacts in the tin trade. He brought with him a group of family and disciples of Jesus and there they found refuge from the Saulian Gestapo (you know, who later became Paul). At that point, the center of Christianity became Avalon, which is now known as Glastonbury. It was from there that Christianity spread through Europe. It was to wipe out Christianity that the Romans waged such incessant war in the British Isles, and in the process the British royal family was carried away captive to Rome. It was the British (from B'rith-ish, meaning Covenant man or woman) who founded the first above ground Christian church in Rome in 58 A.D. Evidently Christianity was contagious (understatement), as one of the Roman commanders in Britain married a British princess and became Christian and in Rome the son of Emperor Claudius married another British princess who was being held captive with her family. There are a lot more other surprising relationships, and though it's not written in a soap-opera style (it could have been!) but straight on history, it still makes fascinating reading. Certainly gives a better sense of "primitive Christianity" and what made it so attractive.
September 18, 2021
I'm amazed by the good reviews on here 'it is a history' ; no it is not a history of anything. I found the book amongst my parents' effects and fascinated by the period and the legends around Joseph of Arimathea I started to read it. Granted there are footnotes quoting sources but following them up is a merry game as is fact checking.
It reads like Brexit propaganda and is about as honest as the vote leave campaign. Quoting sources from the middle ages, far removed from the crucifixion in time and from an age steeped in myth, legend and superstition just doesn't cut it. So what about Tacitus well strangely most of book five didn't come down to us, it's lost including, specifically, the chapter identified as a source. You can download what we do have from Tacitus at the Guggenheim project for free.
The author gives us a detailed account of the life of Arviragus yet all we actually know of the aforementioned Aviragus comes from one line in a poem by Juvenal and a poet would never, ever use poetic licence.
I finally gave up when he claimed that both the Emperor Constantine and his mother the Empress Helen were British! Condtantius Chlorus the father was more likely Eastern European and Helen was almost certainly Greek.
The entire book is an attempt to big up Britain and the British as the real founders of Christianity. It's just not credible.
It reads like Brexit propaganda and is about as honest as the vote leave campaign. Quoting sources from the middle ages, far removed from the crucifixion in time and from an age steeped in myth, legend and superstition just doesn't cut it. So what about Tacitus well strangely most of book five didn't come down to us, it's lost including, specifically, the chapter identified as a source. You can download what we do have from Tacitus at the Guggenheim project for free.
The author gives us a detailed account of the life of Arviragus yet all we actually know of the aforementioned Aviragus comes from one line in a poem by Juvenal and a poet would never, ever use poetic licence.
I finally gave up when he claimed that both the Emperor Constantine and his mother the Empress Helen were British! Condtantius Chlorus the father was more likely Eastern European and Helen was almost certainly Greek.
The entire book is an attempt to big up Britain and the British as the real founders of Christianity. It's just not credible.
March 15, 2022
Do not learn "history" from a strongman weightlifter who had no authority or sense of scholarship in anything historical or biblical. This is pseudoscience. And not only is it pseudoscience, it is a book that has been used in Christian Nationalist and White Supremacist circles. This book is yet another cornerstone in British-Israelism / Christian Identity. A Christian group/movement that denounce Jews to be the literal spawns of Satan and put forth Anglo-Saxons (whites) as the true chosen people. They cannot do this without first concocting a direct link between biblical Israel and Britain. This is exactly what "The Drama of the Lost Disciples" is trying to do. This book is literally advertised in a British-Israel church magazine alongside anti-semitic and conspiracy theory articles. My advice, when a book looks interesting check out the author. If it is a history book, make sure a scholarly historian wrote it. If it is a biblical history book, make sure a biblical scholar wrote it (like the amazing Jodi Magness who is a biblical archaeologist). It isn't fool proof, sometimes mad-people get PhDs and write awful, egregiously wrong books but at least it will prevent you from believing the Father of American Weightlifting knows "little-known" biblical historical facts.
January 26, 2015
Good information but runs his point into the ground
Writers of this time period can seldom be accused of economy of words but still this is good information on the history of the British Isles especially Wales. Very interesting .
Writers of this time period can seldom be accused of economy of words but still this is good information on the history of the British Isles especially Wales. Very interesting .
April 19, 2020
Finally a real book with real facts about Jesus Disciples.
April 18, 2024
This is really a fascinating book to read, especially if you are interested in the history of what happened after the crucifixion. The author does a great job of citing references, good to know that the author did his research and then some. I never gave much thought about what happened to the disciples, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and the other significant people who were part of the life of Jesus. It is horrifying to read about the Roman brutality in slaughtering that occurred to anyone who believed in Jesus's teachings. Very disturbing to read how many millions of people they killed because of their faith. A good read and nice to have validation with some other resources about this time period.
January 6, 2025
This is really a fascinating book to read, especially if you are interested in the history of what happened after the crucifixion. The author does a great job of citing references, good to know that the author did his research and then some. I never gave much thought about what happened to the disciples, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and the other significant people who were part of the life of Jesus. It is horrifying to read about the Roman brutality in slaughtering that occurred to anyone who believed in Jesus's teachings. Very disturbing to read how many millions of people they killed because of their faith. A good read and nice to have validation with some other resources about this time period.
September 21, 2020
This is a history of what happened to Joseph of Arimethea when he left Jerusalem in 36AD with Mother Mary, Mary & Martha & Lazurus, the father of Peter, the healed blind man, Mary Magdalene, and others. Joseph of Arimethea was Mother Mary's uncle (her father's brother) and most likely caretaker and father figure to Jesus after his early-father Joseph died. Joseph of Arimethea and his traveling companions ended up in Britain and built the first above-ground Christian Church. Excellent history!! It's a slog! Lots of details but all footnoted and very fascinating!
March 1, 2019
This book contains a large amount of history about the early Christian church and its spread (specifically to the British Isles). It is an interesting read, although I am unconvinced of many of its points. It is worth a look for people interested in the spread of Christianity to Britain.
November 28, 2020
The true story of Joseph of Arimathea and the British Church.
Incredible scholarship. A story more miraculous than fiction. Supremely well-documented. Told with a storyteller's skill. Fascinating. I had to read to the end with barely a pause.
Incredible scholarship. A story more miraculous than fiction. Supremely well-documented. Told with a storyteller's skill. Fascinating. I had to read to the end with barely a pause.
September 1, 2023
Outstanding insight on the events taking place after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Well documented with primary & secondary sources. I so enjoyed reading this book as it answered many questions I’ve long held.
December 18, 2023
Really interesting book backed by some impressive research. It rambled a bit at times, and made assumptions from the sources that weren't always as logical as the author claimed. Still, I benefitted from it. Gave me some additional things to look into.
July 11, 2020
I found this book a real eye-opener. It added a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian. I am thankful that I took the time to read it and believe you will also feel the same.
December 24, 2021
This is a real going look at church history that is generally not coved.
October 28, 2022
Brilliant
Factual evidence of the United Kingdoms history and pride of its true Christian heritage as being the true home of Christianity thanks to Joseph of Arimathea
Factual evidence of the United Kingdoms history and pride of its true Christian heritage as being the true home of Christianity thanks to Joseph of Arimathea
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews