James Alonzo "Jim" Bishop (November 21, 1907 – July 26, 1987) was an American journalist and author. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he dropped out of school after eighth grade. In 1923, he studied typing, shorthand and bookkeeping, and in 1929 began work as a copy boy at the New York Daily News. In 1930, he got a job as a cub reporter at New York Daily Mirror, where he worked until 1943, when he joined Collier's Magazine. He remained until 1945. His plans to write for his friend and mentor, Hollywood producer Mark Hellinger, ended with Hellinger's death in 1947. Bishop wrote a biography of Hellinger in 1952. From 1946 to 1948, he was executive editor of Liberty magazine, then became director of the literary department at the Music Corporation of America until 1951. He was then founding editor of Gold Medal Books (the juvenile division of Fawcett Publications) until 1953. In the 1950s, Bishop would do his writing at the Jersey Shore in Sea Bright, New Jersey, going back to his home in Teaneck, New Jersey on weekends to see his wife and children.[1] In 1957, he started his column, "Jim Bishop: Reporter" with King Features Syndicate, which continued until 1983. It also landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents. The remainder of his career was spent writing biographical books about notable figures, and Christian-themed books. His book The Day Lincoln Was Shot was published in 1955, and became an instant best-seller. Bishop also wrote The Day Christ Died, The Day Christ Was Born, and The Day Kennedy Was Shot. Perhaps his most critically acclaimed book was FDR's Last Year: April 1944-April 1945, which brought to public awareness the secrecy that surrounded President Franklin D. Roosevelt's declining health during World War II. The Day Lincoln Was Shot was dramatized on TV twice, first as a 1956 live special starring Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln and shown on the Ford Star Jubilee anthology series, and again as a 1998 made-for-television film starring Lance Henriksen as Lincoln. The Day Christ Died was made into a television film in 1980, starring Chris Sarandon as Jesus Christ, and Keith Michell as Pontius Pilate.
This book was well researched and well written. It took a subject that is often confusing and frustrating and made it truly a story. A story that is understandable and not forgettable. Could this story be more accurate than the short ones we have read in the Bible? Jim Bishop skillfully brought together historical data from archeological digs, literature, and linguistics that may give a well-rounded account of what really happened. The four authors in the Bible have provided our best view of the amazing birth until this book was written with the help of thousands of researchers. Before any person tries to tackle the Biblical story, this book should be read thoroughly.
We have read the second installment in this two book series, "The Day Christ Was Born". We couldn't find just that book on Goodreads, so we are suggesting this edition. We enjoyed the second book so much, we can only imagine this compilation will be a magnificent read.
We suggest you read it at any time but especially during the Christmas season. The commercialism of the holiday can rob you of the wonder that surrounded the first Christmas. Read this and get lost in the humanness of it all.
The first part is short and contains very interesting perspectives on Jewish customs. A great, quick Christmas-time read. The second part, while also full of interesting insight on ancient Jewish traditions, is a bit long. And I think the author has taken too many liberties trying to fill in the gaps of the story of Christ's death.
It's been awhile since I've read these, but this author Jim Bishop has a way of making you feel like you are an eyewitness. I feel I can see/hear/smell everything that is happening as it unfolds. I could not put this down simply because it felt like I was living at that time and place.
First half of the book was hard to stick with, but was soooo worth it when got to last half of the book. So interesting and wouldn't have been as good without reading all of it!