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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880) by Lew Wallace is one of the most popular and beloved 19th century American novels. This faithful New Testament tale combines the events of the life of Jesus with grand historical spectacle in the exciting story of Judah of the House of Hur, a man who finds extraordinary redemption for himself and his family.A classic of faith, fortitud
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Hardcover, 620 pages
Published
October 18th 2007
by Norilana Books
(first published November 12th 1880)
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Showing 1-30
The first thing I want to address is the “speed” of this book. I first read this book in the fall or winter of 1971, and at that time, as a high school senior, I was well-accustomed to reading Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, and all those other authors of the Victorian era (and before!) Back then, I read one Shakespeare play every year for high school English literature (with support from my friends and the teacher!), and had even slogged through the assigned portions of Beowulf. That
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, Lewis "Lew" Wallace, New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1908 , 491 P.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace published by Harper & Brothers on November 12, 1880, and considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century". It became a best-selling American novel, surpassing Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) in sales. The book also inspired other novels with biblical settings and was adapted for the stage and motion ...more
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace published by Harper & Brothers on November 12, 1880, and considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century". It became a best-selling American novel, surpassing Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) in sales. The book also inspired other novels with biblical settings and was adapted for the stage and motion ...more
Is not his the law, Eye for eye, hand for hand, foot for foot? Oh, in all these years I have dreamed of vengeance, and prayed and provided for it, and gathered patience from the growing of my store, thinking and promising, as the Lord liveth, it will one day buy me punishment of the wrong-doers?
Who's in for a revenge tale set in the first century a.C.?
Ben-Hur is a man who's perfectly happy. He has a mother and a sister who love him, and he's friends with a Roman, and that puts him in a positio ...more
"Out of that vast tomb Christianity issued to supersede the Caesars."
Ben Hur is one of those classic works better recognised for its many adaptations. To this end it seems fair to compare it to another highly similar work - Les Miserables. Both are classic historical fiction works which use history to spread themes and ideas about humanity as a whole. Both novels also regularly divert from the storytelling to provide detailed insights into history. This is perhaps where Ben Hur is stronger tha ...more
Nov 01, 2017
Werner
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Fans of 19th-century literature, or of historical fiction
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
classics
Historical fiction as a genre was first developed by the writers of the Romantic school, which arose around the end of the 18th century; the Romantics were drawn by the exoticism of historical settings and the drama of epochal events, and even of daily life in a time was life was wilder and more dangerous. Lew Wallace's masterwork stands squarely in this tradition, but takes it in a new direction. For the first couple of Romantic generations, "history" largely meant European history. Biblical hi
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Third Reading - Lent 2017
Could there be a better classic to read during Lent?!
Second reading - Lent 2016. Absolutely better on the second reading.
What American is unaware of the Charlton Heston chariot race? It is absolutely iconic. In Anne of Green Gables, Anne is caught reading Ben Hur during lessons but couldn't put it down because of the intensity of the chariot race.
Most Americans have grown up with at least a passing exposure to the Hollywood epic of Ben Hur and therefore will find the t ...more
Could there be a better classic to read during Lent?!
Second reading - Lent 2016. Absolutely better on the second reading.
What American is unaware of the Charlton Heston chariot race? It is absolutely iconic. In Anne of Green Gables, Anne is caught reading Ben Hur during lessons but couldn't put it down because of the intensity of the chariot race.
Most Americans have grown up with at least a passing exposure to the Hollywood epic of Ben Hur and therefore will find the t ...more
I've been meaning to read this book for at least 40 or 50 years and have just never gotten farther than starting it and then not finishing it. The reason I hadn't finished it in the past was that I'd pick something else up to read. See this book was written or at least published in 1880...the language and the writing reflect that.
Look, that is not a criticism it's simply a fact. I had trouble acclimating myself to the period writing.
Also I suspect most reading this will have seen the Charlton He ...more
Look, that is not a criticism it's simply a fact. I had trouble acclimating myself to the period writing.
Also I suspect most reading this will have seen the Charlton He ...more
The first sign that I should not have read this book was the discrepancy in hours between the abridged and unabridged versions on audible. Unabridged: 21 hours, Abridged: 3 hours. I bought it anyway and soon discovered why. There's about 15% story and 85% fluff in Ben Hur. It is, hands down, the best argument for editing I have ever read.
For example, there was a section in the beginning where two men embraced. That's all we need to know, right? No, no. Of course not. We have to hear that they t ...more
For example, there was a section in the beginning where two men embraced. That's all we need to know, right? No, no. Of course not. We have to hear that they t ...more
Excellent novel, weak theology.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Went to a BYU education week class on finding good books to read. A woman in the class recommended this one. One of her favorites. I look forward to reading it and then watching the movie which Sally has highly recommended.
I loved this story. It was a bit of a challenge in the beginning. There is a lot of detailed description of clothing, customs, etc. Wallace addressed the reader and would try to put you in the location he was describing. It took some patience, but I began to really enjoy it. ...more
I loved this story. It was a bit of a challenge in the beginning. There is a lot of detailed description of clothing, customs, etc. Wallace addressed the reader and would try to put you in the location he was describing. It took some patience, but I began to really enjoy it. ...more
There is a very small genre that I love. Set during the late ancient times, it tends to be sensational, exciting, and full of moral fibre. That's right—I'm talking about that guilty pleasure of the Christian fiction world, the Tale of Early Christianity, the ultimate have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too book, in which people with shocking vices get saved and then (like as not) served to the lions in the Circus Maximus. Henryk Sienkiewicz won the Nobel Prize for Quo Vadis, perhaps the masterpiece of the
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Having just watched the 2016 Ben Hur (which was inferior to the classic 1959 film, but very interesting as a companion piece), I decided to reread the book because my memory of it is muddled by all the film versions. Enjoying it so far and surprised by some of the book facts that the movies changed.
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I'm listening to the LibriVox recording by Mark F. Smith. AND reading the Readers' Digest version which is unabridged and has illustrations on every page. It's the next best thing to watching ...more
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I'm listening to the LibriVox recording by Mark F. Smith. AND reading the Readers' Digest version which is unabridged and has illustrations on every page. It's the next best thing to watching ...more
I first read Ben-Hur when I was in my late teens or early 20s. But over time, the Charlton Heston movie version (a favorite that I watch often) replaced anything about the book in my mind. Therefore, I decided it was time I revisited this classic novel, first published in the USA in 1880.
This novel is surprisingly easy to read, considering when it was written. The style is as that of a storyteller, speaking directly to his audience, and I quickly fell under the spell of the story being told. The ...more
This novel is surprisingly easy to read, considering when it was written. The style is as that of a storyteller, speaking directly to his audience, and I quickly fell under the spell of the story being told. The ...more
Engaging, Moving, Thrilling, Uplifting, Unforgettable, Action Packed & Life Changing! An Amazing Classic! I Loved It!
“A man is never so on trial as in the moment of excessive good fortune.”
Read the book. Many people argue about the relative merits of the 2015 movie version of Ben-Hur versus the classic 1959 version. I liked both, but realized I hadn’t read the underlying book, published in 1880. Now I have: forget the movies; read the book.
“When God walks the earth, his steps are often centuries apart.”
Moderns think, “That’s the story about the chariot race.” No. The chariot race occurs two-thirds of the way ...more
Read the book. Many people argue about the relative merits of the 2015 movie version of Ben-Hur versus the classic 1959 version. I liked both, but realized I hadn’t read the underlying book, published in 1880. Now I have: forget the movies; read the book.
“When God walks the earth, his steps are often centuries apart.”
Moderns think, “That’s the story about the chariot race.” No. The chariot race occurs two-thirds of the way ...more
Sep 16, 2017
Kim
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites-2017,
4-star
An inspiring read... more to follow.
Jul 22, 2011
David Sarkies
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Everybody
Recommended to David by:
Charlton Heston
Shelves:
historical
One man's search for redemption
27 July 2010
Needless to say that the book is much better than the movie, and when it comes to Ben Hur, that is definitely saying something. While the famous scenes in the movie are replicated from the book (that being the chariot race and the sea battle), there is much more to the book than there is to the movie (though the theme is the same in both). The book is actually called Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ. It may seem that Christ is only a bit part in the book ...more
27 July 2010
Needless to say that the book is much better than the movie, and when it comes to Ben Hur, that is definitely saying something. While the famous scenes in the movie are replicated from the book (that being the chariot race and the sea battle), there is much more to the book than there is to the movie (though the theme is the same in both). The book is actually called Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ. It may seem that Christ is only a bit part in the book ...more
Before reading the book, I had the pleasure of watching the 1959 film. So, whilst reading the book, I found myself constantly comparing it to the film. There are so many differences! The book, like most, have a lot more backstory and character development than in the film.
Two of the characters that stood out to me in difference from the film the most where: Tirzah (Judah Ben Hur's Sister) and Quintus Arrius (Judah's Step-father). To me both book versions where way better than what was portrayed ...more
Two of the characters that stood out to me in difference from the film the most where: Tirzah (Judah Ben Hur's Sister) and Quintus Arrius (Judah's Step-father). To me both book versions where way better than what was portrayed ...more
Said to be "the most influential Christian book of the 19th century," I thought it was about time I read it, having seen the silent film from 1925, and the religious epic of 1959 - both films I highly recommend, although the book is different in many ways although not deeper - just different.
Reading any book written in 1880 is a challenge for us today unless you are accustomed to reading books from this time period. I am not. I've read some but never had a steady diet of them. On that note, let ...more
Reading any book written in 1880 is a challenge for us today unless you are accustomed to reading books from this time period. I am not. I've read some but never had a steady diet of them. On that note, let ...more
Jun 03, 2018
Nooilforpacifists
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
religion,
ancient-history
Really two books; the first about a young Jewish Prince, Judah Ben-Hur, who contemplates rebellion with Rome, the second in which Ben-Hur increasingly is intertwined with the life of Jesus. Published in 1880, it quickly became the second best selling book in the English language until 1936, when “Gone With The Wind” shattered its record.
So this is the best selling American novel of all time. It is also a hit movie from 1959 and a new adaptation just hit the theaters last week.
The book itself is excellent. The subtitle is there so that, among other things, the last few chapters aren't a surprise. The main plot follows the young Judah Ben-Hur as he navigates his way from profound loss and betrayal back to wholeness, a wholeness which comes through his experiences of the Christ.
Quite likely, some people who read this will object ...more
The book itself is excellent. The subtitle is there so that, among other things, the last few chapters aren't a surprise. The main plot follows the young Judah Ben-Hur as he navigates his way from profound loss and betrayal back to wholeness, a wholeness which comes through his experiences of the Christ.
Quite likely, some people who read this will object ...more
Abandoned. Summary so far: A young Jewish Prince, Judah Ben Hur, accidentally injures a Roman officer in Jerusalem and, as this is seen as an assassination attempt, he is sent to the galleys. Ironically, his former childhood friend Messala, an ambitious Roman, is involved in the arrest. On the way to the galley, Judah encounters the son of a carpenter, who gives him a drink of water. After three years on the galleys (about which we hear next to nothing), Judah rescues Arrius, a powerful Roman, f
...more
"Ben Hur" is a novel in the style of the historical epic format that was popular in the late 19th Century. Written by Lew Wallace, a General in the Union Army during the Civil War, the novel is an attempt for Wallace to connect to Christ using the worldview of a soldier. Set in Ancient Rome, it's the story of Judah Ben Hur, a Jewish nobleman who is swept up in the Jewish insurgency that was on the rise in the time of Christ. Ben Hur becomes a slave on a Roman Galley, and during a naval battle he
...more
Wallace's style is engaging, and his descriptions of the area are so clear you can easily picture Ancient Rome or Judah. The research seems quite accurate as to the customs of the time and place. He was a very good author.
I don't think his handling of Biblical characters was appropriate. There was just to much dialog and to many extra-biblical scenes. The Bible is the Word of God and only through it we have eternal life. We must be very careful in our handling of it. Especially if we are tryin ...more
I don't think his handling of Biblical characters was appropriate. There was just to much dialog and to many extra-biblical scenes. The Bible is the Word of God and only through it we have eternal life. We must be very careful in our handling of it. Especially if we are tryin ...more
As a work of literature I found this just scrapped into the 'ok' slot. There is a lot of tedious and unnecessary detail and, for my tastes, too much blah blah in general. Certainly parts of it were good but the dramatic climax obviously came with the famous chariot race but because this is a religious text disguised as a novel we need to keep on going for another third while the theme of redemption is played out. Sort of. Ben-Hur isn't big on the forgiving (for which I totally don't blame him) b
...more
Well this is indeed an epic read! A tale of betrayal and revenge on (literally) a biblical scale Wallace follows Jewish Prince Ben-Hur as he loses everything as his 'friend' turns against him and falsely accuses him of the murder of a Roman Governer. As he finds himself trapped as a galley slave he vows to seek his revenge and his determination allows him to do just that. Intertwinned in this is the story of Christ, from his birth to his death, told in great (possibly too much) detail that adds
...more
INCREDIBLE! I found this book to be on the same par as Les Miserables. The story begins with the birth of the Christ Child and a detailed depiction of the journey of the Three Wise Men (what could have happened), and ends with the Crucifixion of Jesus. In between these two world changing events is the story of a man (Ben Hur) from a wealthy family who is deeply betrayed by a Roman friend. He ends up in the bowels of a ship as an oarsman – a grueling job. Ben Hur’s life journey is described in gr
...more
Nov 27, 2008
Mary JL
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Fans of Christian or Historical fiction
Shelves:
fiction-classics
Written in 1880, this excellent historical novel still has much to offer the modern reader.
The story is familiar to anyone who who has seen the movie--Ben Hur is sent to the galleys as a slave; he save the Roman commander; the great chariot race and so on.
But, as is usally the case, for me, the book is SO much better. There is a lot in the book that is not shown in the movie. I find the wealth of historical detail fascinating. And a lot of details about the characters enriches the story for me. ...more
The story is familiar to anyone who who has seen the movie--Ben Hur is sent to the galleys as a slave; he save the Roman commander; the great chariot race and so on.
But, as is usally the case, for me, the book is SO much better. There is a lot in the book that is not shown in the movie. I find the wealth of historical detail fascinating. And a lot of details about the characters enriches the story for me. ...more
One of the best historical novels I ever read. It is definitively a masterpiece of the genre together with Sienkewicz's Quo Vadis. I love it and I can recommend it to everyone that would like to read a decent historical novel.
The only bad thing is about the edition from Adevarul that I had. It had several typos and also some pages where the content is printed slightly to the right or to the left of the page. In the end, you can read it well from the respective edition, but definitively such thin ...more
The only bad thing is about the edition from Adevarul that I had. It had several typos and also some pages where the content is printed slightly to the right or to the left of the page. In the end, you can read it well from the respective edition, but definitively such thin ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Goodrea...: Ben Hur, by Lew Wallace | 65 | 34 | Sep 01, 2018 09:11PM | |
| Around the Year i...: Ben-Hur, by Lew Wallace | 1 | 9 | Sep 10, 2017 12:23PM | |
| 강남란제리 풀싸롱 퍼블릭 가라오케 하드코어 강남식스 야구장 섹스 색스 안마 수안보 | 1 | 2 | May 01, 2017 07:47AM | |
| Christian Book to...: Ben Hur | 1 | 4 | Jan 12, 2017 09:34AM |
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Lewis "Lew" Wallace was a lawyer, governor, Union general in the American Civil War, American statesman, and author, best remembered for his historical novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.
From Civil War Biography:
Although he would have much preferred to be remembered as a highly successful military hero, Lew Wallace has been thwarted in this ambition and is best known as an author. Born in Indiana ...more
From Civil War Biography:
Although he would have much preferred to be remembered as a highly successful military hero, Lew Wallace has been thwarted in this ambition and is best known as an author. Born in Indiana ...more
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“Riches take wings, comforts vanish, hope withers away,but love stays with us. Love is God.”
—
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“The happiness of love is in action; its test is what one is willing to do for others.”
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