The Breath of God

by Jeffrey Small

A murder at the Taj Mahal. A kidnapping in a sacred city. A desperate chase through a cliffside monastery. All in the pursuit of a legend that could link the world’s great religious faiths.

In 1887, a Russian journalist made an explosive discovery in a remote Himalayan monastery only to be condemned and silenced for the heresy he proposed. His discovery vanished shortly thereafter.

Now, graduate student Grant Matthews journeys to the Himalayas in search of this ancient mystery. But Matthews couldn’t have anticipated the conspiracy of zealots who would go to any lengths to prevent him from bringing this secret public. Soon he is in a race to expose a truth that will change the world’s understanding of religion. A truth that his university colleagues believe is mere myth. A truth that will change his life forever—if he survives.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Religion, Ebooks

414 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2011

About the author

A graduate of Yale, Harvard, and Oxford Universities, Jeffrey Small has studied Yoga in India, practiced meditation in Bhutan, and journeyed throughout the Holy Land. His critically acclaimed debut novel THE BREATH OF GOD won the 2012 Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal for best fiction and was hailed as "visionary fiction" by Library Journal and "a thought-provoking masterpiece" by RT Book Reviews. His second novel, THE JERICHO DECEPTION, is being described as "a ripping good novel" by bestselling author Douglas Preston and "a thrilling roller coaster ride into the beauty and darkness of the human mind" by Gayle Lynds. He is also a popular contributor to the Huffington Post, and an acclaimed speaker on religion and spirituality in the 21st century.

Reviews

[Jeffrey Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi this is Jeffrey, the author. I'm not going to review my own book, but this is what the critics are saying:
"Visionary fiction." Library Journal
"Small's stunning debut...a thought provoking masterpiece." RT Book Reviews
"Spellbinding...full of suspense...raising questions that have not been asked before." Bookloons.com
"A fascinating tale of what can lurk behind blind faith and what is possible if you open your mind." BrokenTeepee.com
"An impressive literary debut." Atlanta Magazine
"Small explodes on the writing scene...and this book has Best Seller written all over it!" FeatureMe2 Reviews

You can read the full reviews on my website:
http://www.jeffreysmall.com/JeffreySm...

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short version:

This is the ninth book I've won from goodreads. Of the others, the ones I've liked I've passed along to friends apathetic about whether I ever saw them again or not. The ones I didn't like were donated to the local thrift store with the hopes that shoppers, for their own sake, never picked them up.

I'm keeping this book.

Long version:

From the epilogue: "What happens when you have an experience that shakes your belief system?" That pretty much sums up the plot, and what I like about it.

I hate to call The Breath of God DaVinci Code-esque, since it does almost exactly what DaVinci does, but much much better. The writing is excellent, the story thrilling, and the cliffhangers never feel contrived (whereas with DaVinci, at the end of some chapters I felt like I should picture the action fading to black for a commercial)

But the characters are what really made this book for me. Each one is clearly and excellently drawn, and illustrate very well how there are really only two types of people when it comes to religion: first, those (religious or not) who are able to keep an open mind and accept that no matter how secure they are in their beliefs that there are questions they cannot answer. Second, those who are so insecure in their beliefs that the mere fact that anyone believes differently than they do gives them a panic attack.

Okay, those are the extremes, but I firmly believe everyone falls somewhere on the spectrum between those two possibilities. And without going off track and getting on soap box ranting about hypocritical Christians, let me just say that this is the best literary example I've seen of the various places people can fall on that spectrum. Everyone is believable, completely realistic feeling. I've grown attached/antagonistic toward characters before, but there are very few books where I can picture them so readily . . . even imagining myself with them and the sorts of conversations we would have. I want them to be real. That doesn't happen often.

I have nothing negative to say about this book. I will always be very glad I won it.

[Leroy Seat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this engaging novel only three stars for three reasons: (1) I thought it demonized Christian fundamentalism/evangelicalism. I am no supporter of fundamentalism, having written a book titled "Fed Up with Fundamentalism" (2007). Still, the “bad guys” in the novel were all fundamentalists/evangelicals and nothing good was said about such Christians.

(2) I thought at places the book seemed too much like World Religions 101; that is, there were places that seemed to be didactic and not necessary for the story as such, especially for those with some knowledge of world religions.

And (3) I thought the author’s desire to present a case for religious pluralism came through too strongly for a novel; perhaps he would have been more effective if he hadn’t presented his point so blatantly.

There were a few places in the book I noted:

Grant, the main character, has a very attractive Buddhist teacher, Kinley. In one place he (Kinley) explains why he didn’t keep talking with a person whom he had serious disagreements: “Further debating my position would only inflate my own ego and bring suffering to us both” (last page of Chapter 9).

In his debate with Rev. Brady, the megachurch pastor, Grant says, “Real truths, as opposed to imagined ones, are able to stand up to rigorous debate and questioning” (near the end of Chapter 21).

Toward the end of the 51st chapter, just before he died, Kinley says, “Not knowing is the ultimate truth.”

Near the end of the 57th chapter is Grant’s realization at the end of all he had been through: “Religion was not about belief in certain historical facts; it was about experience.”

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel begins with the main character going over a dangerous Himalayan waterfall. The story continues to plunge through additional dangerous situations all through the book, and the action doesn't cease until the end of the book. Along the way the reader is given a lesson in the similarities between the world's religions. The book is a combination of mystery/ thriller/ historical/ religious book based on a genre formula similar to The Davinci Code except that this novel depicts certain conservative Christian evangelicals as the dangerous villains. It turns out that some of them feel threatened by the potential release of information that indicates that the historical Jesus was influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism, and some zealots are willing to kill to "save" Christianity.

It's a novel written for the popular reading audience so of course it features a couple (man and a woman) romantically attracted to each other. But I have to praise the book for being tastefully demure in its description of sexual encounters which is something that I can't say for most modern "popular" novels. The action bounces back and forth between the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, the American Bible belt, and the Taj Mahal in India. The descriptions of place are well done providing a sense of the tastes, smells and visual experiences of travel in India and to Himalayan Buddhist monasteries.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comparative spirituality. Contemporary. Quick read. Became a suspenseful page turner after chapter 10. Well written though rather simplistic with too much violence. But unfortunately the violence mirrors attitudes that exist - about which the book seems to be a warning. It is generally about the communality of religions - more specifically a meeting of "eastern" and "western" thought/religion/philosophy. The focus on Buddhist philosophy provides most of the high points, as always when east/west religions are being compared. The violence is associated with the dangers of embracing the commonality - its affect on belief systems of some which creates fear instead of the spirit of celebration about commonality. In this book's treatment of the topic it is specifically the fear of some Christians which in itself becomes a main storyline.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a world where all religions have the same basis, a common source...
In 1887, a Russian journalist named Nicholas Notovitch made the most remarkable discovery—a text that shows a fusion of seemingly disparate Western and Eastern religions. The find, which was made in a remote monastery nestled in the Himalayan Mountains, could alter religion and our understanding of divinity forever. But it never reached the public. The secret had been lost. Until now...
Grant Matthews, a scholar and religious specialist, is about to pursue the truth, no matter where it takes him. He journeys to the Himalayas, unaware of what dangers lie ahead. Matthews suspected that it would be an adventure, but who could have guessed that it would go this far. Presently, Matthews is being hunted by a group of religious zealots who are hellbent on keeping the ancient and enigmatic text from ever being brought to the western world. They will stop at nothing to maintain their own version of the truth, and if Matthews ever hopes to enlighten the world with his discovery, he has to survive their onslaught.
Join Matthews on the journey of a lifetime in the thrilling suspense novel The Breath of God, the recent release from Jeffrey Small. Small, an honored graduate of both Yale and Harvard Law School, is an award-winning speaker and writer who has expertise in the area of religious studies. The Breath of God, which is based on the historical account of a Russian journalist (mentioned above), deals extensively with religious subject matter. The novel is purpose-driven and fast-paced, full of action and substantial content. The writing is clear,and the characters are alive, especially Matthews, who is on a mission to bring to light a more cohesive truth.
If you are a fan of well-written suspense novels, especially those that involve religion in some way, then you should look for The Breath of God by Jeffrey Small, in bookstores everywhere. And if you wish to find some more information about this title, turn to the following website: www.JeffreySmall.com

[Ron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Failed the 100 page test. The only suspense here was how many anti-Christian tropes the author could pack in. In addition to Christian wackos blowing up government agencies, and Christian charlatans gullying the simple, we learn that Jesus was really a Buddhist "saint" and that Christianity is Buddhism with a Jewish veneer. Small betrays his limited background in assuming his Oxford-educated monk understand the patterns of American academia; no, the British system is different.

If a book like this were to be published about a certain other prominent religious figure, there's be rioting, death threats, and headlines. Jesus is a safe target.

A waste of time.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the current time of religious change, introspection, reinvention, seeking, and tolerance, it is important for a book to do a periodic litmus test to see what the balance between secularism and free expression is. One of the laws of the universe is cause and effect, or ultimate balance. Seeking and exploring new religious thought has, as it's opposite, a tightening of dogma among the more conservative paths.

In the hands of a Dan Brown, these litmus tests not only tell us much about a people's ability to tolerate, but give us new information in a thrilling, very readable format. Would that Brown had taken this on.

The "lost years" between Jesus' 12th year and the start of his ministry are not addressed in any known literature (except, perhaps, the Eurantia Book). Speculation that he learned the spiritual craft from Masters in Alexandria and/or eastern practitioners in Buddhism and Hinduism have always been put forward as an alternative to the notion that he was born with knowledge and decided that, at 30 years of age, it was time to try to share it with selected aspirants.

Small attempts to explain the years as an eastern journey of discovery. Discovery of what was to become Christianity through his innate spirituality and the knowledge he gained during the eastern travels. To keep this from becoming a preachy explanation of how eastern thought fits nicely into the Christian dogma, he adds a thriller storyline.....fiercely traditional evangelicals try to suppress newly found materials that chronicle Jesus' journey through India and surrounding countries.

All of the elements of a great story are here. Small is just not gifted or experienced enough to pull it off. The evangelical plot is preposterous, the sequenced insights into eastern teachings unfortunately do come across as preachy (the story abruptly stops as the protagonist attempts a lengthy explanation), character back-stories are poorly sequenced, and I found a general lack of believability in the story.....not to mention it was very predictable and made me want what it could not deliver.

Thank you Jeffrey Small for stirring the pot. I think you accomplished that. Those who seek may not find what you want them to in your book, but you did not misdirect them. Once the seed is planted, a seeker can search for him/herself. As a periodic litmus test, you may have done enough for the collective consciousness of the world. Or, you may only have provided a springboard for a few Souls ready to look beyond what they were told to think. Either is important.

This book is hard to rate. As a purely literary effort, I'd think two stars would be generous. As a spiritual instrument, I'd add another. If I voiced a negative concern about Smalls taking on this project, it would be that he did not give seekers momentum beyond the uniqueness of a lost text and a few glimmers that may or may not fall on fertile Souls.

One more item. In this day and age, it would not be possible to hide a disassembled Glock pistol AND ammunition from an airport scanner no matter what you hid the parts in. Guns are easy to obtain on the black market....and trying to get one aboard an aircraft is reckless and silly. I'd rethink that and the carry of EpiPen auto-injectors filled with controlled substances.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page turner! From the very first sentence to very last word this book kept me captivated. It's a combination of religious/mystery/historical/modern day thriller and I found it to be just about unputdownable. The premise of the tale, that Jesus traveled to India and Tibet during the 18 years unaccounted for in the Bible, was first postulated by Nicolas Notovitch. Known there as St. Issa His teachings are remarkably similar to what He taught in Jerusalem.


I had read previously and in passing just recently about this time in Jesus' life so it was very interesting to have a second book with this information as a topic. In this tale the revelation of the existence of the Issa journals would, of course, cause a crisis of faith and its publication must be stopped at all costs.


Grant Matthews, our hero, is searching for the manuscripts to complete his dissertation. No one believes in him or the journals. But he has absolute faith. He finds himself pitched against an unknown enemy determined to discredit him and keep him from revealing the truth he has found.
At any cost. The secondary force behind that enemy comes as shock to both Grant and the reader.


The descriptions of place are so well written I almost felt like I was actually there. The thriller aspect had me racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Overall this was a fascinating tale of what can lurk behind blind faith and what is possible if you open your mind.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this 3.5 stars because I liked it, but I don't want to give it four stars to say I really liked it because it's more like somewhere in between. The book was thoroughly entertaining in a Dan Brown-esque kind of way and kept me reading, but I found some parts to be overly drawn out, others to be too predictable. I hate when a fiction book overly tries to explain something not commonly known or understood in a way that takes from the story - I get that explanation is needed, but it feels too forced and fabricated. There are some parts of the book that are like that, where I feel as if I'm attending a lecture rather than reading a fictitious story - I will chalk this up to a first-time author trying too hard to make his readers understand, rather than working it better into his story. I also hate when I can figure things out before they're "revealed" to me, especially when the book builds it up to be this huge moment or shocker... um, yeah, saw that one coming. BUT, for all the negative things I've just said, the book is overall very enjoyable and, if you have an open mind to religion, might make you think and wonder a little more. As someone who questions religion and is constantly trying to figure out my own spirituality, this provided a lot of food for thought that makes me feel better about not having the "faith" so many others have that I've always wondered why I couldn't. I loved the book's message in that regard.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the concept of the book, but not the book itself (if that makes sense). The book started off a little dull, but really got going around page 50 or so, when the protagonist learned that the texts that he was looking for were in fact real, and that he'd get access to them. Overall, none of the characters were very compelling, and could have used a lot more fleshing out- Grant and Kristin, the protagonists, were very dull and stereotypical. Tim, the antagonist, also very stereotypical. Speaking of that character, I felt that his inclusion wasn't even necessary. The story could have been just as dynamic (and probably more realistic) if the psychopathic, ex-Army man was written out completely, in favor of a more 'cerebral' antagonist, doing the same thing without all of the overt acts of violence.

Mr. Small really did a good job of giving insight into what his characters were thinking, or more importantly, how, and why.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grant Mathews, grad student, is on a mission to discover a link of ancient texts uncovering the early life of Jesus believed to be hidden in a monastary in the Himalayas. Upon discovering them, Grant finds himself on his own self aware journey. He falls in love with the journalist Kristen and races for his life from a crazed assasin while trying to save his career.

With so many faiths brushed upon in this novel I was amazed at how well things tied up. I loved the theroy behind the philosophies intertwined with the suspenseful fiction. Great read.

[Joe Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

While religious studies are important, fiction based on religion is also a useful meditation. “The Breath of God” by Jeffrey Small is a novel about a religious studies grad student who finds ancient documents in a remote Himalayas monastery suggesting that Jesus of Nazareth studied with Brahmin and Buddhist masters before starting his own ministry in Palestine. The idea that the “Son of God” was not divinely inspired or worse inspired by pagan religions infuriates a bible thumping minister from Alabama and some of his followers. They attempt to undermine and sabotage the student’s efforts to bring the proof to the West. So basically this is a fictionalized account of the Religious Right meets the Jesus Seminar on a smaller scale.
The book is well researched; it draws off the works of Marcus Borg, Thich Nhat Hanh, John Shelby Spong, Paul Tillich and others. Besides being action-packed and having a romantic interest throughout, the book is also a discussion of the commonality of all modern religions. This commonality is based on a commonality of experience shared by the founders of various religions. There is also the suggestion that every person has the ability to know the godhead through prayer and meditation. So, if you’ve already read the latest Dan Brown and you’re interested in religion, I encourage you to read this book.
For another novel that deals with the unknown years in Jesus’ life, let me suggest the light-hearted “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal” by Christopher Moore. It also is an action-packed well-researched meditation on what Jesus might have experienced before starting his ministry. For a more macabre telling by an atheist, see “The Gospel According to Jesus” by José Saramago. These books are good thought-provoking summer reads.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great ride on so many levels. I love ancient history, and I love comparative religion, AND I love a great suspense/thriller. This book had it all. I truly couldn't put it down at times. I've seen people's reviews making the comparison to The Da Vinci Code, and I'll agree to a point. It was a little grittier, and not as much a mystery (in that there isn't a "puzzle" to figure out.) I feel this book stands on its own apart from Dan Brown's book.

I do feel it could have been a shorter book. There are specific parts that are redundant (and certain things get repeated many times in the book.) The repetitiveness began to slightly grate on me a little past the halfway point. I also felt when Small does enter into the comparative aspects of the different faiths, it was almost like a freshman introductory course in Comparative Religion 101 (high-school for that matter.) But, it was a necessary evil which he handles well enough. Those expository moments didn't really interfere with the suspense created by the events that take place (which get your heart racing and your blood boiling.)

I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes a good suspense/thriller. You don't necessarily need to be someone interested in the subject matter (although you may walk away curious, and possibly desire to find out more.)

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think that this book had it's interesting points, it really lacked what makes a good action book. The characters seemed flat, and could have used a little more development, but the main idea of the book was entertaining. It you haven't read the Da Vinci Code, I'd suggest reading this book. If you have, then you're going to be bored with the lack of adventure in a religious setting. It's just too hard not to compare it, and when you do, this book just falls short.

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent spiritual-based thriller with an good premise, but a book that doesn't commit to being either a slow-burn mystery or a pacey adventure. It sits somewhere in between and felt uneven.

What I liked most is the storyline set in the Bhutanese monastery. It was atmospheric and fresh, and the part of the book that held my attention the strongest. The lost manuscript and the hunt across multiple countries drive the action, with plenty of intrigue and varied settings. I also appreciated that the depiction of the various settings wasn’t romanticised. The honesty of setting added authenticity.

There are some negatives. Some sections feel lifted straight from academic texts, with heavy explanations that interrupt the momentum. The villains are predictable and lack depth, and the ending feels a little odd and less satisfying than expected. Even though the protagonist is well created, his partner in the search feels conveniently knowledgeable, especially where our hero was not. Still, it seems this type of book needs a pair of adventurers, and usually a romantic connection, so it's all to be expected.

As a debut, it’s not a bad effort. It has good ideas and some genuinely engaging moments. Enjoyable enough, but not one I’d rush to recommend.

[Angelica Taggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG - so much tension in this book -- hard to read one of the characters. It was a good story. I can see it being made into a movie. Has mystery, romance, mayhem, murder, spirituality, everything!

[TOM SCHOENHOFER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this and loved it. Very exciting with a surprise twist at the end.

“The Breath of God” by Jeffrey Small is a first time novel by Mr. Small. It is of the genre of “The Da Vinci Code” but takes place in the USA, India, Tibet and Druk Yul, the name the Bhutanese use for the tiny Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, between Tibet and India. It is a little slow on the uptake, but then it gets very exciting and moves quickly. Small weaves various plots and characters into the story in a way that keeps you guessing what is coming next. And there is a most interesting twist at the end that I doubt anyone will foresee coming prior to reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope Small has more novels to be published. If you like stories with intrigue, mystery, murder and surprise endings, you will love this one.

Small is a summa cum laude graduate of Yale University and a magna cum laude graduate from the Harvard Law School. He additionally holds a masters degree in the study or religions from Oxford University.

The following is a description of the book which appears on the author’s web site
Jeffreysmall.com:

A murder at the Taj Mahal. A kidnapping in a sacred city. A desperate chase through a cliffside monastery. All in the pursuit of a legend that could link together the great religious faiths of the world.

In 1887, a Russian journalist made an explosive discovery in a remote Himalayan monastery only to be condemned and silenced for the heresy he proposed. His discovery vanished shortly thereafter.

Now, graduate student Grant Matthews journeys to the Himalayas in search of this ancient mystery. But Matthews couldn’t have anticipated the conspiracy of zealots who would go to any lengths to prevent him from bringing this secret public. Soon he is in a race to expose a truth that will change the world’s understanding of religion. A truth that his university colleagues believe is mere myth. A truth that will change his life forever—if he survives.

[Ezzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't decide which is more stupid- the plot, or the fact that I bothered to finish this book. I blame my eternal book optimism that the ending could be surprisingly clever, and the heavy nonfiction tome I'm also reading that required some escapism.

The short answer: Christopher Moore sold it better in "Lamb". More insightful about religion, better writing, and it's intentionally funny (unlike Breath of God, which is unintentionally funny).

1) the characters alternate between asking the dumbest questions and reciting facts like textbooks. Example: Our sexy sidekick knows all about Hinduism from her recent trip to India- she even wrote an article for a magazine on it! She lists dates and place names with no notes, but she's never heard of the Baghavad Gita. I cry foul.

2) I wonder if at this exotic locale will have what we're looking for, or another obscure clue to the next location! Correct answer: "Well, Grant, there are still 150 pages left, so we probably have to slog through another improbable event chain."

3) The characters believe that more facts about early Christianity will revolutionize how people worship. Because, you know, modern religion is based in facts and stuff. Seriously, this super-naive young couple needs to wise up. If people depended on facts for their religion, we wouldn't have religion. Very simple. This is the fundamental flaw in all religion-themed thrillers.

4) The ending. I don't want to spoil it for you, but it probably should have ended with "The Butler Did It!" instead. It would have been more believable.

If you love Dan Brown, you'll probably love this frivolous read. That's the best I can say about it. If you think Dan Brown was one of the worst things inflicted on the modern novel, for the love of all that is holy, don't waste your time with this book.

[Brandon Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read fiction. It's something that I've worked on for many years and to this day there are only a few books that have really kept me engaged long enough for me to not forget that I was actually reading it. This is one of those books.

I like this book for all of the things that it said and for all of the things that it didn't say. The message it carries is one that this world sorely needs in this very moment and could help us tremendously on the path towards global healing. Seriously.

There were definitely some hokey moments in the book, but that's to be expected from a book of this nature. But, at least the suspense, as well as the unexpected twists and turns kept you guessing and didn't just give it to you.

But, more directly, as a person that has long been interested in religion and worn the robes of more than a couple, I can appreciate the journey that this book takes you on and I had a particular investment in it's outcome, thus I was behind the protagonist from the beginning. I would have like there to be more redemption for various characters in the book, but ... unexpected twists and turns, plus ... life is not all a bed of lotus blossoms. :)

Enjoy this important piece of fiction. I truly hope that it transforms the way that people think about religion, spirituality and the search for truth.

[Steve Palm-houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible is silent about 18 years in the life of Jesus, from his appearance at the temple in Jerusalem at age 12, to the beginning of his public ministry at age 30. What was Jesus doing all that time?

The speculation that Jesus may have traveled to the Far East during this "silent period" has been around for many years. The idea that Jesus learned some of his insights from sages in the East is heretical to conservative Christian orthodoxy. But it would explain the many parallels between Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

In The Breath of God, Jeffrey Small examines the lost years of Jesus in a potboiler suspense novel set in the present day.  Read more

[Nicolette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a solid 3-star for me for most of the book. Sure, it was a tad predictable about the Issa issue - I called it about 30 pages before it was revealed - but the story was solid and Kinley was awesome.

But that EPILOGUE. Dear me. We had such a lovely journey with Grant and his path to inner calm. You don't need to include him lecturing his students about it. It was a great showing and then it just became preachy and telling and UGH. Yes, it annoyed me enough that I took off a whole star. I can't say I didn't like it because of that, but I definitely...didn't three-stars like it.

I got this on B&N's Free Friday reads because the premise reminded me more of a Sigma Force novel than a Robert Langdon book. So yeah...it was okay. If I had spent money on it I might have been a little more annoyed.

[Monisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting page-turning thriller that captivates you from the very first chapter. Towards the end of the book I found that I couldn't put it down and ended up pouring through the last 100 pages in one sitting. But what really makes this novel stand out from all the others is the personal journey that you find yourself taking along with the characters. Underneath the roller coaster ride, it's a deep thought-provoking inquiry into what religion is and has become and prompts you to think critically about what you yourself believe. Set in the States, Bhutan and India, Small's vivid descriptions bring the scenes to life and as I was reading I could see a film unfolding before me.

[James Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thriller Where Meditation is the Meta-Hero.

The Breath of God is a superbly written, entertaining thriller that contains a powerful message about the transformative power of meditation. Jeffrey Small makes a convincing point that the unifying thread behind all the major prophets' realizations is meditation. This page-turner entertains and inspires with a path for more to emulate. Well done!

James Connor
author of The Superyogi Scenario

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written suspense novel with biblical scholarship, hypocrisy, and lust for power as key themes. It tells about a PhD student who is searching for manuscripts that describe the travels of Jesus in India between his 13th and 29th years. There has always been a lot of speculation on these "lost years", and this book is based loosely on a controversial discovery by Nicolas Notovitch in 1887 of Tibetian manuscripts in a monastery in India. Definitely worth a read.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grant is a student of religion on a mission to track down the controversial Issa Texts. This manuscript may shed some light on the years of Jesus' life that the Bible does not account for. However, there are people who do not want the texts found or made public.

I thought it would be a faster read and I felt like the plot kept repeating itself.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book The Breath of God,was not predictable at all. The story flowed well between chapters, much like a suspenceful movie; from one country to another. The ending was such a surprise. I liked the book.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! Lots of action! Felt like I was there in every country/monastery. Well written. Made me think deeper into my own spirituality. Did not try to change anybody's mind...only make you think!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super book that challenges current belief structures in a novel way!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 2 days.
Loved the interconnectedness of it all. Reminded me
that we are all connected and things are more alike than different.