ZEALOT: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS OF NAZARETH

Through his research and knowledge of the time period in which Jesus lived, Reza Aslan gives his listeners an amazing snapshot of first-century Palestine, the time period of Jesus's life. As narrator, Aslan's tone is conversational when he recounts that Jesus was born not in Bethlehem but more than likely in Nazareth. He also reminds listeners that Pontius Pilate would have been happy to crucify Jesus as he was an enemy of Rome. With these and other statements he provides alternative explanations to present-day Christian beliefs. Listeners of faith will be intrigued by his hypotheses, but his delivery fails to connect on a personal level. His performance simply lacks the power to persuade. E.E.S. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2013]