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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Lew Wallace

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Dec 05, 2008 Tori rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, i-love-long-books, for-genj-book-club

Revenge. It is a strong word with harsh implications. How far will some people go for Revenge? Where will they be satisfied? At death?
Lew Wallace's Ben-Hur is an epic book of an amazing tale of one man's misfortune, revenge, and his search for the family he lost.
When an unfortunate accident sends Judah Ben-Hur to the galleys, the world counts him as dead. Providence, however, was guiding his life. He was not only freed from his chains, but made rich and trained in the Roman ways of war.
Even thou Revenge. It is a strong word with harsh implications. How far will some people go for Revenge? Where will they be satisfied? At death?
Lew Wallace's Ben-Hur is an epic book of an amazing tale of one man's misfortune, revenge, and his search for the family he lost.
When an unfortunate accident sends Judah Ben-Hur to the galleys, the world counts him as dead. Providence, however, was guiding his life. He was not only freed from his chains, but made rich and trained in the Roman ways of war.
Even though he was trained in Rome, he still has a passionate hatred for it. Like most Israelites, he dreams of a day when Rome will fall and Israel will become a great nation again. His mind was set on bringing about such a day.
This would consume him, if not for the memory of his mother and sister who have been missing since he was taken to the galleys years ago. When he is not working on the downfall of his enemies, he is looking for them.
One of the things that I love about this book is the insight it gives into the Israelite culture and life that I had never before seen. It describes what the Jews of that time were feeling about their Roman oppression. It describes how they were looking for a Warrior, not a Savior. The book helps the reader to see what the culture was like during our Saviors time on earth and therefore to understand their Bible better.
Ben-Hur's character brings the book to life. The reader can relate to his strong desire for revenge and his work to bring the Savior to an earthly throne. In Ben-Hur, his growth from boyhood into manhood is an natural progression that brings the reader even closer to the character.
Although Judah wishes to overthrow all of Rome, there is one Roman in particular that he hates: Messala. Messala used to be a friend; but, when his desire for personal glory overshadowed all other parts of his life, he becomes an enemy and the main antagonist of the book. His wickedness contrasts with Judah's godliness to show the difference between the character of both men.
Theirs is not the only contrast in the book. Ben-Hur is given to two potential love interests that are as different as night and day. One is the beautiful and quiet Esther, the daughter of Judah's servant. The other is the mysterious and gorgeous Egyptian Iris, daughter of the wise man Balthasar. Both women have affection for him, but who will he ultimately love?
Most people who are familiar with the book have probably heard of the chariot race, which is undoubtedly the most famous part of the novel. This is for good reason. The beginning of the novel is climaxing towards that moment. Can Ben-Hur defeat Messala at his own game?
However, the novel is much deeper than the chariot race, Messala, and love. It shows how Israel as a nation received our Savior. It describes they hoped and dreamed, and wished him to conquer the world for them. If only they had realized that he was there to conquer sin, not Rome! Can Judah realize this and give up his military dreams? Or can he attain both?
If anyone wants to read an eye opening story, full of twists and triumphs, they should pick up this book. It might appear to be daunting because of it's size, but the captivating story of Ben-Hur's life keep the pages turning. Try it and see for yourself ...more

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Sep 25, 2009 Amy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, classic-lit, former-favorites

“Eros is dead. Mars reigns!” So claims a zealous young Roman to his Jewish friend in “Ben-Hur, A Tale of the Christ” by Lew Wallace, one of the best novels of the nineteen hundreds.
“Ben-Hur” begins with the three magi and tells of the birth of Jesus. The reader is then carried 21 years later to the city of Jerusalem to the house of Hur, where the young Prince of Jerusalem, Judah Ben-Hur, lives with his mother and younger sister, Tirzah. When an accident causes injury to the new procurator from “Eros is dead. Mars reigns!” So claims a zealous young Roman to his Jewish friend in “Ben-Hur, A Tale of the Christ” by Lew Wallace, one of the best novels of the nineteen hundreds.
“Ben-Hur” begins with the three magi and tells of the birth of Jesus. The reader is then carried 21 years later to the city of Jerusalem to the house of Hur, where the young Prince of Jerusalem, Judah Ben-Hur, lives with his mother and younger sister, Tirzah. When an accident causes injury to the new procurator from Rome, Judah is betrayed by his Roman childhood friend, Messala. His property is seized, and his mother and sister are dragged away to an unknown fate. Judah is sentenced without trial to the oars of a warship for life. Vowing revenge on Messala and Rome, Judah’s adventure will lead him into naval battles, chariot races, Roman adoption and finally to become the leader of a band willing to fight in God’s army.
As breathtaking and inspiring now as it was when first written, “Ben-Hur” is a story of vengeance and mercy in the New Testament era. Frequently referred to as a sub-class of historical fiction, it is probably one of the best-forgotten classics in American history. When first published in 1880, the book was a huge success and remained the best selling American novel until passed by “Gone with the Wind” in 1936. In 1912, Sears Roebuck published one million copies and sold them at 39 cents each, the largest single year print in American history. The book has been made into countless theater productions and four movies. It was, in fact, the first work of fiction to be blessed by a pope!
Even more exciting than the novel is the author! Lewis “Lew” Wallace was born in Indiana and was studying law during the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Volunteering to raise a company of militia, Wallace eventually became a first lieutenant. Admitted to the bar in 1849, he was elected to Prosecuting Attorney in 1851, married in 1852, and was elected to the State Senate in 1856. At the start of the Civil War he helped raise troops for the Union and ultimately received the title of major general. He participated in the military commission trial of the Lincoln assassination, served as Governor of New Mexico territory (where he finished writing Ben-Hur and had a run in with Billy the Kid), and served as U.S. minister to the Ottoman Empire! Wallace also wrote several books including a memoir in which he states “Ben-Hur” was partly inspired by Alexander Dumas’s “The Count of Monte Christo”, as well as his own attempt to learn about Jesus.
Though well-beloved and hugely popular, “Ben-Hur” is probably one of the hardest books for any critic to write about. On the one hand, you have an amazing plot, outstanding adventure, and a truly evil bad-guy (you can’t go wrong with that!). On the other hand, the writing is frequently overly descriptive and tedious, the characters flat and unimpressive, and the romance clearly written by a guy! Nevertheless, I would not hesitate to call “Ben-Hur” one of the best books I have ever read.
Despite its frequent shortcomings, you cannot help but love the characters and thoroughly enjoy the surprising plot of this book! Loyal Judah Ben-Hur vows he will “know no rest until my mother and Tirzah were restored to home…I would give every day and hour to their happiness.” There is the faithful Simonides and his sweet daughter Esther, Sheik Ilderim and his four horses, Balthasar the Egyptian and his daughter Isis, and finally Jesus, Savior of the World.
I loved this book. Though some parts were hard to get through (like the Grove of Daphene), most of it was enthralling. The chariot races were my favorite part, but “Ben-Hur” is filled with scenes terrifically written. I wept with the weepers at the Crucifixion, cheered Judah on at the races, and booed Messala’s betrayal. I admired Esther, honored Judah’s mother, and felt a great deal of respect for Balthasar. Any book that can do that to you is a book well-worth reading.
“Ben-Hur” is definitely a book worth reading. The tale is filled with adventure, romance, family and faith. I strongly encourage anybody and everybody to read it and be inspired. You will not be disappointed.
...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Sara Horn marked it as to-read

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