A Death Well Lived

by Daniel Overdorf

Lucius Valerius Galeo personifies the Roman Empire's ambition and dominance. An egotistical centurion, his swagger betrays his arrogance and his blood-stained fists evidence his quick temper. He serves in Judea, quelling Jewish riots in Caesarea's hippodrome and doing the bidding of the governor, Pontius Pilate, from Jerusalem's fortress of Antonia. The Jewish people repulse him.

Lucius grows intrigued when protesting Jews lay their necks open to the sword--his sword--in response to Pilate's desecration of their temple. His heart softens when a Jewish couple shows compassion to his children and their mother. His inner turmoil reaches its peak when a rabbi from Galilee arrives in Jerusalem. The rabbi's teaching and miracles force Lucius to wrestle with his deepest assumptions and desires. Will he choose the ruthless power of Rome or the eternal power of Christ?

A Death Well Lived is a captivating tale set in first century Judea that offers hope for the worst among us and the worst within us.

Genres: Historical Fiction

298 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2020

About the author

Daniel Overdorf grew up in the mountains of eastern Tennessee and southern West Virginia, where he experienced the value of the blue-collar work ethic, the wonder of Appalachian storytelling, and the joy of being raised in the home of a preacher who loves the church with all his heart.

These early influences continue to shape his perspectives of life and faith. He graduated from Johnson University, then spent the next ten years ministering with churches in Illinois and Georgia. In the meantime, he earned a Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. At Gordon-Conwell, he had the joy of studying for four years under Haddon Robinson, a patriarch in the field of preaching. Robinson's influence significantly shaped Overdorf's philosophy and approach to preaching, both as a preacher and as a professor.

Since 2005, Daniel has taught at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee, where his current position is Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Director of Preaching Programs. He loves the campus atmosphere and the relationships that he shares with students and colleagues.

He has been married to his lovely and gifted wife, Carrie, for twenty-five years. They have two sons and a daughter. He enjoys watching college sports, hiking, playing golf, and, most of all, cheering for his kids at their softball and basketball games and choir performances.

Reviews

[Joseph Culp]

This book is a very good historical fiction about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The emotions of the character is what really drives the 5 stars for me. The only note I would have is that sometimes character development seems a bit spontaneous, but other than that this is a great and easy read. I recommend.

[Conny Reviews]

“One thing was certain, though — today he’d have to suppress any admiration that had been growing in his heart for the Jews. He was a Roman centurion. Dominant. Powerful. Violent,” Lucius reminds himself in Daniel Overdorf’s novel, A Death Well Lived.

~ What ~
At two-hundred-and-twenty-six pages, this paperback is a rendition of the last few weeks of Jesus’s life, observed by a Roman centurion named Lucius Valerius Galeo. After Lucius beats an innocent Jew almost to death and witnesses the Nazarene’s miracles, he struggles with his anger, vocational power, and spiritual beliefs while trying to come to terms with his involvement controlling Jewish rabble-rousers. Due to topics of physical abuse, crucifixion, and death, the story may not be apropos for immature readers.

~ Why ~
If you are interested in a historical fiction depicting one soldier’s viewpoint of learning about the King of the Jews, this book focuses on one’s internal conflict of power and hate versus love and kindness. I liked how the writer conveyed the main character was torn by his Roman loyalties and the Truth. While explaining how Christ had to die on the cross for our sins and rise again, the novel hones in on dealing with forgiveness, especially regarding those under the soldier’s protection.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not have or want a personable relationship with Jesus Christ may avoid this book. Some may not like such an iconic story being retold. Others may not appreciate the ample liberties taken by the author by adding conversations and scenes to Scripture.

~ Wish ~
I felt there were several inconsistencies with the Word of God such as depicting Jesus’s ribs were cracked and he lost consciousness. I wish the version of the Bible used was stated and all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence.

~ Want ~
If you are looking for a story of what our Lord did by shedding His blood on the cross for our sins from a fictionalized soldier’s outlook during Jesus’s last days on earth, this will be a helpful reminder.

Thanks to BookCrash and the author for this book that I am under no obligation to review.

[Phillip Cole]

Lucius is a centurion, proud, loyal to Rome, and hungry for power. He takes his job seriously and despises Jews. After being sent to Jerusalem, he meets a rabbi that forces him to reconsider everything. Lucius witnesses miracles, new teachings, and A Death Well Lived.

The story chronicles the change that Lucius goes through as he is introduced to the ministry of Jesus. He begins to wonder if what he knew was actually wrong. Seeing Jesus do things that are out of the ordinary, Lucius wants to find out why Jesus acts different from the other rabbis, and what draws Lucius to Him. The message of forgiveness is shown vividly in the book. The questions Lucius has mirror what most of us face in having to leave things behind to follow Christ.

The people and events come together to form a wonderful story with a message that everyone needs to hear. As you read, you are gently drawn into the book and the feelings and experiences of the characters. The characters themselves are realistic and, when written history allows, authentic. Though we don’t have all of the details about this time, Overdorf’s depiction is in line what what is known. All of this makes for an intriguing story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program. All opinions are my own.

[Helen]

A Death Well Lived, by Daniel Overdorf, is a Christian historical fiction that takes place during the time of Jesus’s death. Lucius is a egotistical Roman centurion with a bad temper. He detests the Jewish people, injuring them when there is no reason to. His century is sent to Jerusalem to help keep peace. It is there he witnesses the Jewish people willing to lay down their lives for their faith. He also sees the generosity they show to everyone, including his children and their mother.

This is a 2020 Illumination Book Award Winner. It is a slow build story. It took me quite a while to get into it and follow the numerous characters. It then became a book that was hard to put down. While this story gives us a look into what life might have been for those during the first century in Judea, it focuses mainly on the inner struggles Lucius has. He begins to change his attitude as he gets to know the innkeeper who takes his family in. When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, Lucius sees the strength of Jesus and his followers. Lucius’s struggles get even stronger.

I received a copy of this book from BookCrash blogging program. This is my honest review.

[Nathaniel]

There is nothing quite like reading about the death of Jesus on the day that we celebrate His birth.
This was one of my Christmas presents. I was skeptical because I can be picky with books. A lot of books like this end up as three stars. This one... struck me, though. I don't quite know why. here's the thing. This book had a lot of historical inaccuracies that even I, someone who isn't passionate about history, could pick up on. The writing wasn't breathtaking or super special. It was good and carried the story well. The pacing was excellent... but what I'm trying to say is that this book isn't something that I would hold high as being the best written, best planned, most amazing crucifixions story ever.
Yet it's one of the ones that has touched me the most and I recognize that Daniel Overdorf definitely holds his place inside of Christian fiction. If he writes more like this, I would love to read it. He has power within the words he writes.

[Michael Moore]

It was a joy to read this because Overdorf was a professor of mine at Johnson. A great novel that is a great work of historical fiction but is rooted in the Bible and it's historical context. I loved Overdorf's use of the Scriptures and makes you think about what it would have meant for a roman centurion to come to christ . One of my favorite lines in the book is this line: "Anger and betrayal, but certainly also a tinge of hope that the grace of God and the story of God could penetrate even the most calloused heart." It helps to remind us, as it should all of us, that there is hope for all of us in Christ not because of anything we have done, but because of Christ 's work on the cross for us.
I would recommend this book to any Christ follower!

[Brian Leslie]

Loved this book and the journey to the first century!

Overdorf has written a captivating historical fiction work that transports the reader to the first century. I am thankful for this exploration as it has ignited imagination and stirred thoughts of faith, hope, and mercy. For the followers of Jesus like myself, I highly recommended. However, All would benefit from this engaging story.

[Russ Jarvis]

I visited Israel in 2016 and this book successfully took me back there. Caesarea by the sea. Jerusalem's old city. This take on the experience of the centurion who witnessed Christ's crucifixion both moved me and kept me turning pages. An oppressor becomes a part of the world-changing movement started by a miracle-working, compassion-giving rabbi raised from the dead. An engaging account of an outsider coming to believe and, in believing, having his whole life change forever.

[Guthrie Veech]

A Death Well Lived is a fiction book that gives you a first hand view of Jewish life under Roman oppression. Amazing! What did it mean to become a Christian in that day, come and die.

[John Veech]

This is one of the best books that I have read. It perfectly prepares you for Easter.