Empire's End: A Novel of the Apostle Paul

I, Saul #2

by Jerry B. Jenkins

Crucial pages of the Apostle Paul's parchments have gone missing and rumors of their content have the world reeling. Dr. Augie Knox is on a quest to find the pages that reveal what God Himself taught the man who would become the greatest apologist in the history of the Christian church.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Christian, Historical, Novels

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2015

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Michele Morin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character development is my favorite part of reading a book, whether it’s a work of fiction, a biography, or an historical account. The individual’s motivation, inner dialogue, sense of humor, use of language, and interaction with other characters is fascinating to observe. In Empire’s End, Jerry Jenkins has taken on the challenge of melding a biographical account of the Apostle Paul with fictional events and characters to round out the narrative where the historical record is thin.

Saul of Tarsus, a small, balding, and bookish man in his thirties, was thrilled with the effectiveness of his tireless efforts to destroy a cult known in first-century Palestine as The Way. Driven by his ambition and by his zeal for a pure Judaism, he and his team were merciless, swift and brutal in extinguishing followers of the so-called Messiah, until one day, on his way to wipe out a community of Christ-followers in Damascus, Saul was blinded by a bright light, heard the voice of Jesus Christ, and his life was forever altered.

Any Sunday school child could provide an overview of Saul’s new life as Paul the Apostle, for it comprises over half the book of Acts and his journeys have been mapped, color-coded and included in curricula and Bible studies the world over. Empire’s End includes what every storyteller worth her flannelgraph has been incorporating for decades: the addition of details from sound research and a sanctified imagination to bring the story to life. Whether it is called “biblical fiction” or “fictionalized scripture,” this genre provides at least three important services to readers:

1. Enhanced descriptions of setting and historical context.
The political shenanigans behind the scenes in the Roman Empire, the harsh and unforgiving landscape that Paul traveled, and many cultural norms are simply taken for granted in the New Testament. Luke’s purpose in penning the book of Acts was to record, or, in his own words, “to give an orderly account,” (Luke 1:3) — not to capture attention or to entertain. A biblically astute reader will distinguish between the author’s additions and the basic details given in Scripture.

2. Transformation of the beads into a necklace
We all know that Paul went over the city wall in a basket, but then the next verses in the Acts account put him in Jerusalem. Later, we learn that somewhere along the way he spent time in the desert. Jerry Jenkins has pieced together all the exciting cliff hangers of Paul’s early ministry and suggested how Paul might have travelled, where he might have lived, and even whom he might have met in his travels. Jenkins has invented a few miraculous occurrences to account for things, but when you consider that he’s writing about the guy who restored Eutychus to life, survived a poisonous snakebite, and was transported out of the body, it’s hard to accuse him of straining the imagination.

3. Flesh layered onto the bones
Returning to Paul’s narrow escape from Damascus in a basket, have you ever wondered who lowered him over the wall or what it felt like inside the basket? How did he escape once he hit the ground? How did Paul’s background and knowledge of Scripture impact on his new life? How did he receive teaching during his three years in the dessert, and how did he even survive? Did his sin-tendencies and old habits from his former life ever flare up? These are some of the questions Empire’s End addresses. Extremely powerful are the instances in which Jenkins uses content from Paul’s epistles in his reconstituted and hypothetical thought processes. For example, when Paul is struggling to accept the authority of the watchmen guarding the apostles, the words of Philippians 2 come to his mind:


“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant . . .”

Paul’s tender relationship with Barnabas, his instant and promising connection with his young nephew, and the fact that the story comes to a screeching halt before Paul begins a single missionary journey make Empire’s End a story that absolutely begs for a sequel. Therefore, I expect that readers looking for a follow up to book one (I, Saul), and Empire’s End will not be disappointed . . . or Left Behind.




This book was provided by Worthy Publishing in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I must first open this review with a couple of disclaimers and all of which are my own personal opinion which you can take with a grain of salt if you wish, but when I search for a book to purchase, I often sort through the reviews, the good and the bad to help decide if I really want to pick it up and read it, however if it is by an author I love, I will pick it up regardless.

Since I've been a huge fan of biblical fiction, I gravitate towards that whenever possible. I love how some creative authors will take what the Bible story is and add to it, provide filler in order to help us fully understand the role this person may be played in the context we read about them in the Bible. I also understand this will not be your typical re-telling of a Bible story and some liberties will be taken.

Second, I've been a huge fan of Jerry B. Jenkins since his co-authorship of the Left Behind series and countless others, so I naturally wanted to pick this one up. That being said, I was a bit disappointed by his latest novel Empire's End, the story about the life of Paul the Apostle or Saul of Tarsus as he was formerly known. I had thought the television series A.D. was a bit disappointing by their own interpretation of events after the death and resurrection of Jesus, so I was hoping for a bit more than what I found.

The novel opens as a journal-like text from Saul/Paul as he conveys his story of his journey apart from what we gain from the Bible. It picks up with a brief overview of Saul's initial conquest as persecutor of Jesus follower's beginning with Stephen, and his subsequent conversion on the Damascus Road where he lost his eyesight and discovered Jesus in a vision. The majority of the book tells about his journey after being lowered down the wall of Damascus as those there sought his arrest for being a follower of the Way, or Jesus Christ. He flees on a horse that is spiritually led across the desert by interaction from a conversation with God to arrive at a Bedouin camp in the Arabian desert when he encounters the family of the very man he persecuted.

This is where the story is a bit confusing for me, because it deviates from the Bible in such a manner that a believer in Christ would find this one a little hard to swallow. (Sorry Mr. Jenkins, but I truly LOVED all your other novels). To think that perhaps Paul had come to terms with the widow of Stephen and spent time there while awaiting God's next instruction, was hard to come to terms with. I would have preferred if the story stuck to the role of Saul/Paul's life from the Bible instead of deviating so much from the original. It truly wasn't what I was hoping for, nor what I found. in fact more than half the book was about this spiritual journey of Paul's as he studied under the guidance of morning inspirations and visions of God where he was staying.

I understand that this is strictly a fictional story and was hoping for a bit more knowing how much Jerry Jenkins follows the Bible in past novels but in my opinion this was not the case here. There is no record this didn't happen in Paul's life, but then again, there is no record it did either if we are to take the Bible at its face value. I think that is perhaps what has disappointed so many readers of this book was the expectation it would follow some road map of Paul's life from the Bible with some filler added in to make it seem more alive. For me, this one didn't hit home.

I received Empire's End by Jerry B. Jenkins compliments of Worthy Publishing and Icon Media Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions contained here are strictly my own and others might feel quite differently about this novel over what I did. I would rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars. The book I, Saul was the precursor for this novel.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The apostle Paul is one my favorite characters in the New Testament, so I was curious to read a fictionalized take (well, partially fictionalized) on his life. I've always been attracted to his feisty personality, and how the Lord used the same passion he exhibited with his attacks on Christians in his leading of new believers after the Lord saved him. Jerry B. Jenkins has portrayed him beautifully. He follows Scripture telling the story of Paul's hatred and persecution of new Christians, his Damascus Road experience, and his later writing of many letters of the New Testament. He does add a side story, including what could have been a possible romance on Paul's part, tying in the story of Paul's involvement in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr. While some readers will be more hard-line, saying a Biblical writer doesn't need to speculate, but really, it isn't a problem, at least not for me.

I appreciated the parts of the story where the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul. It was powerful to realize that this same Holy Spirit who spoke to Paul's heart, is the same One who speaks to me. It brought me to tears at times, and that's always a good sign.

Jenkins tells a wonderful story, and even though he takes artistic license in adding the romance line, it's a sweet telling of a true man of God.

(i received this book free to review from worthy publishing)

[Kym Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel gives an interesting portrayal of the real-life Biblical accounts of the Apostle Paul, who was formerly known as Saul of Tarsus and intertwines this truth with a story of what could have possibly occurred in between his journey that we do not read about in the Bible. An interesting plot of twists and turns. You may definitely want to consult your Bible if you are unfamiliar with Paul's ministry.

[Jeremy Leeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many of Jenkins and other Biblical fiction books, discernment is necessary to determine truth from events that are meant to make the book flow. Many Bible verses are used in this book, while also filler that is purely imagination. Which is completely okay. The main message is Biblical and encouraging and I would recommend this to anyone. At the very least, the theme of unashamed faith is prominent and, at least for me, prompts me to a response of action.

[Pristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

ehhhhhhhhhh.....

WHERE'S MY AUGIE AND SOFIA STORYLINE PLEASE

{Full review to come}

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry B. Jenkins in his new book “Empire’s End” published by Worthy Publishing takes us into the life of Paul

From the back cover: Betrayal. Passion. Defiance. Violence. An obsessed persecutor transformed. And the world would never be the same.

Jerry B. Jenkins’s new novel is filled with adventure, drama, historic people and places, and even romance. Empire’s End tells the story of a man who single- handedly turned the Roman Empire on-end. It will be the heart-stopping story of the year! Only a few snapshots of Paul’s life are revealed in the Bible. In this fictional account, Jenkins tells of a devout Jewish scholar, who after only three years in the Arabian wilderness, emerges as the greatest Christian theologian in history. This novel explains how, after supervising the death of Jesus’s disciples, Paul would be moved to effectively conquer the Roman Empire with a message about a Jewish man named Jesus. You’ll be captured by the shocking “thorn in the flesh” that burdened Paul’s heart. Empire’s End will cause you to rethink whether Paul ever experienced the love of a woman or the embrace of a child.

First he was Saul, a Rabbi who persecuted the new Christians. Then he had an encounter on the road with Jesus and his name was changed to Paul. From there he went out to other places to preach Jesus to the world. Along the way he wrote most of the New Testament. Jerry Jenkins has taken all the information that we know about this man and has written a very creative fictionalized account of his life. Even if we have read the New Testament over and over I believe each of us will find this book a page turner. Paul is a fascinating character and Mr. Jenkins has put possible situations in this story that will most likely surprise most of us. I do not recommend starting this book late at night because it will cost you sleep as you will not want to put it down. Mr. Jenkins is an excellent writer and really knows how to tell a story that will grab and keep you interest all the way through until the end.

You can find “Empire’s End” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/je...

If you missed the interview for “The Brotherhood” book one in a different series and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to Kingdom Highlights where they are available On Demand.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Worthy Publishing for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jerry B. Jenkin's new novel is filled with adventure, drama, historic people and places, and even romance. Only a few snapshots of Paul's life are revealed in the Bible. In this fictional account, Jenkins tells of a devout Jewish scholar, who after only three years in the Arabian wilderness, emerges as the greatest Christian theologian in history. This novel explains how, after supervising the death of Jesus's disciples, Paul would be moved to effectively conquer the Roman Empire with a message about a Jewish man named Jesus. Empire's End will cause you to rethink whether Paul ever experienced the love of a woman or the embrace of a child.

From a fictional standpoint, this was an interesting book. It was neat to read about Paul behind the scenes so to speak. As stated in the synopsis, very little about Paul's life is told in the Bible. So what did happen between the stories shared? I liked reading and imagining what his life might have been like. I loved the miraculous ride on the horse! :) And I know other reviewers don't, but I liked the story of Paul and Stephanos widow. So much forgiveness and redemption there!

Of course there were a few things I didn't care for. The excessive use of entire passages of quoted scripture (only excessive because I was reading a book not the Bible). The way the camp ended that Paul spent three years in was unexpected and sad and didn't make sense. And I must point out that most of Paul's years of ministry were not covered and it did not cover the "Empire's End".

*Thanks to First Look and Worthy Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

Empire’s End is a book I would’ve loved to have loved. I’ve always been interested in Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. What was it like to encounter the Lord? What made him so certain he was conversing with someone he had believed dead and definitely not risen? How did it feel to be struck blind so suddenly? Despite reading this book, however, I’m no closer to any answers. The scene is written as starkly as it is in the Book of Acts.

This is perhaps the major problem with Empire’s End. The book is written more like a report than a piece of fiction. There’s little that evokes emotion, even during scenes of death and persecution. I was never excited or fearful for the characters. Actually, there were times I was bored or annoyed with Paul. The three years spent in the Arabian desert are mostly of Paul receiving teaching from the Lord. The words are familiar: they’re either lifted or adapted from the New Testament. I would say this fills a good portion of the book.

I had thought that, given the title, this book would cover the majority of Paul’s ministry and would end in Rome. Instead, it only covers the first couple of years after his conversion until he arrives in his home town of Tarsus. We don’t get the shipwreck by Malta nor his preaching in Greece. There is no hint that the Roman Empire will fall due to Paul’s teaching.

I’ve read some powerful novels set around events in the New Testament, including some about Paul. They’ve made me smile, made me cry, and made me think. I’m sorry to say that this isn’t one of them.

Thank you to Worthy Publishing for my complimentary copy of Empire’s End, which I received in exchange for my honest review.

[Calle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Empire's End", Jerry Jenkins tells the story of the apostle Paul, previously known as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the Christians. The book is narrated by Paul, beginning with his miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus. He then spends three years in hiding in the Arabian desert before returning to Damascus, Jerusalem and Tarsus to preach the gospel. Paul is an interesting character and provides lots of material for emotional and moral conflict. At first, his narration, especially when descibing his conversion and his change of heart, didn't feel very convincng, but it soon improved.

OF course, this book is Christian fiction but even so, it felt very preachy. There were long passages where Paul, in the wilderness, gets instructions from God and Jesus, with very long quotes or paraphrases from the Bible. Also, when a story relies so much on divine miracles, it runs the risk of feeling like too much "deus ex machina", even when the story presupposes the existence of an omnipotent god.

For the most part, the book held my interest although it was a bit slow paced at times. The ending felt a bit rushed and most of Paul's carreer was never covered at all, which was a bit disappointing. The meaning of the title is only hinted at. I'm not sure if they intend to publish a sequel. If they do, I doubt I'd read it.

Overall, an okay but somewhat disappointing and overly preachy read. If I could give half stars I'd give "Empire's End" 2,5 stars.

I received the ebook from Worthy Publishing via NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Kerry Hedden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say this is the first book I have read from Jerry Jenkins that I really was not a huge fan of. The book is about the apostle Paul and begins from his conversion and then abruptly ends after his time in Jerusalem and his return to his hometown. Halfway through the book I realized that there was no way that this was going to end with the fall of the Roman Empire, there just wasn't enough time. So the title Empire's End is misleading.

The main reason I really did not care for the book is that there are a lot of liberties taken with Paul's history and life. I enjoy well written historical Christian fiction but I felt like this book just went too far into the realm of fiction. Then I found myself not really endured to any of the characters developed in the book, including Paul. I wish I could give the book a 3 ½ because I feel 4 is too high but a 3 seems a little harsh.

I was given this book in an EBook format from NetGalley for my honest opinion. The publisher of this book is Worthy Publishing.You can see all of my reviews at Blessings N Bloggings

[Yo Leo Ficción Cristiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

RESEÑA COMPLETA EN ESPAÑOL

I wasn’t expecting this to be an historical novel.

The story is told from the point of view of Paul, and I liked that had the delicacy to describe the environment in such detail that I could feel part of the time. While it is a work of fiction, some details about the life of Paul, didn’t convince me at all.

Overall, Paul feels very human and shows a side of him that we can’t deduct from the letters he wrote. Throughout history, we can see his development and growth, and the subsequent events that help him become the apostle which we all know. Precisely because of the time he takes to become the apostle, sometimes the novel had a slow pace but then again had a good rhythm and the action was unstoppable.

If you like books with lots of message and character development, then you’ll like this novel.

-I recieved this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion but this fact didn't influence the review-

[Scott Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and author for making an advanced readers copy (ARC) of Empire's End available for review.

Second to Jesus, Paul is my favorite character in the New Testament. I believe he did more to spread the gospel more than any other apostle. I believe a movie about Paul is coming out soon, so get ready for many people's personal take on Paul, and who he really was.

This book is fiction, but Jenkins did a great job of taking what we know from literature and the Bible about Paul, and filling in the gaps. He has created a great suspenseful mystery. He has painted the geographical setting in a way that the reader can place themselves in the story and get swept away with the intrigue, and interesting characters. This is a great book, and you will be pleased to have pre-ordered it and read it. Tell everyone about this great story, I know I will.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book isn't terrible, it's most definitely a disappointment. First of all, the cover and title are way off. I had hoped that because Paul's ultimate goal was to bring Christianity to the Roman Empire, the book would be about Paul's missionary journeys. It is not. It is about the little known years between his conversion in Damascus and his departure back to Asia Minor, before his mission begins.

The only parts of the story I found engaging were those based in fact. That would be his conversion in Dasmascus, his return to Damascus, and his meeting with the disciples, before fleeing to his hometown of Tarsus. The rest of it dragged, especially the lengthy, over-described part where he is living in the Arabian Desert on the banks of the Red Sea. In Jenkins fictional account, Paul arrives here, far from Damascus, for reasons he cannot explain or understand. That's fine. The Bible says he spent three years in Arabia. But for reasons I can't begin to understand, Jenkins chose to have Paul meet up with the martyred family of Stephen who is hiding from the Sanhedrin. While living there, he falls in love with Stephen's widow. To make the story even more absurd, the family is attacked by Roman soldiers who have tracked Paul to this location. All of them are killed or kidnapped, except Paul, who is in the wilderness praying at the time.

Aside from that, I did not care for the all the introspection. Paul's thoughts are very repetitive. I like description. Lots of description. I wanted to know these places. See these places. Know these people. Understand these people. All the people. Not just Paul. Also...Paul's writings in his future letters to the churches are present in the story as God speaking. I found that odd. It didn't feel right. Maybe a spattering here and there would have been good, but this was whole pages of God speaking to Paul in the words he would later write.

I'll still hope for an author to come forward to write a fantastic story about Paul. I loved A Lineage of Grace, so maybe Francine Rivers could give it a go. But please. No romance.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this follow-on from "I, Saul." The first book was a page-turner, mystery-action-thriller that left me begging for this next book by Jerry Jenkins. I assumed it would literally pick up from where "I, Saul" left off.

Alas, it did not. "Empire's End" a good story, and Jenkins is a good writer. But this book is a stand-alone, fictional account of St. Paul's life in the in-between years after his conversion and by the time he reaches the shores of Tarsus as noted in Acts 9:30. The problem is that it really has nothing at all to do with the people and characters from "I, Saul." They are not mentioned, discussed, brought up or in any way referred to so that the two books are linked. That is fine too, except at the end of "I, Saul," the reader is given to understand that "Empire's End" is indeed the next book with the all the loose-ends tied together from "I, Saul." Not at all, and this is the total failure and disappointment of "Empire's End."

Feel free to read "I, Saul," and feel free to read "Empire's End." Just do not put any hope in the idea that the second will finish the story from the first. It won't happen.

[Linda Yezak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Jerry Jenkins's stories, but it did have some interesting premises.

Jenkins breathed life into the story of Saul/Paul by giving him a richer backstory than what the Bible provides. Not that it's true, but it makes for some great twists. But he frequently included entire passages of Paul's letters in the novel, which got in the way of the story. I feel awful saying that, because I love the Scripture--which is why I recognized all the passages that seemed to be quoted verbatim.

Still, the idea that God would force Paul to meet martyred Stephen's widow--and allow him to fall in love with her--makes for an interesting premise. Was the thorn in Paul's side a love he would never see fulfilled? The twists and turns in this aspect of the story alone made it worth the read.

I enjoyed much of the book and all the creatively feasible ideas of what happened once Saul became Paul, but it wasn't one of my favorites.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I'm a bit confused about a few things. After the first book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, I expected this book to explain that or at least connect to the first book. But there was nothing except Paul's story. Second, the title doesn't fit. This book in no way explains anything about the end of the Roman Empire or Paul's--or even Christiany's--role in such event. Finally, this book also seems to end and suggest that there could, or should be, more to come. But except for those things, I thought this was an interesting and imaginative story about what MIGHT have happened to Paul in times of his life that aren't explained in the scriptures.

[Edward Loduca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book after "I, Saul". I listened to it directly after re-listening to book 1. Some of the beginning came straight from the 1st book. While it was an interesting read, and it took place over different portions of Saul/Paul's life it seemed to contradict part of the first book. I want this to be non-spoiler so I don't want to give much away.

Also I missed the more modern portion of book one. It's a great stand alone, but I liked book 1 quite a bit better.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

24-54. Great book about the Apostle Paul. It is historical fiction. Yes some things are works of imagination. I do admire how Jenkins wove what Paul wrote in the Epistles into the story. Some of the story is inspirational even if not found in scripture. Do not take the book as fact. It is not meant to be fact. Read the scriptures and find the truth. If nothing else, this book requires you to seek the truth. I borrowed this audio book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly intriguing, and it kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It is a lot of biblical information, with a story woven around those events. It is like seeing Paul, the apostles & other Bible people in person-walking among them. This is a faith strengthening book too, and it helps to give a boost to those who may be questioning their faith or position as a Christian. Well worth the time to read, and a must share with others.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the premise of this book was interesting ... a story based on facts of the life of the apostle Paul intertwined with a story from the author's imagination. Parts of the story I found engaging and other parts I thought were a bit slow. I'm glad that I read it because it got me to think a bit more about how Paul's conversion affected his life and the lives of people to this day, but I am not ranking this novel among my favorites.

[Kathy Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed the way Jenkins brought to life those three mystery years of Paul being essentially disciples in the wilderness. I found the side story of him falling in love with Stephen’s widow the piece that kept me reading:..hoping to get more details to see if Jenkins allowed her to be found.
However I got bored while Paul waited in Jerusalem to meet with the other disciples. The story line dragged at that point.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul truly is remarkable. I love his teachings. This book is only a small part of Paul's life but it shows us that even Paul had to learn not to first question God before obeying. That is something I think most people do.
In this book Paul travels to Arabia for three years where GOD teaches and ministers to him before he is told to go back to Tarshis where he meets up with his old Rabbi and his family. His persecutions have barely begun in this fictional story but what a great book!!

[Matt Lenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Jerry and most of his work. Paul is the most influential man since the birth of Christ having written major portions of the New Testament. It was very ambitious challenge to not just chronicle Paul's work but to also make him a person and protagonist. Jerry did a great job and I recommend this novel. But, sometimes your own imagination is as good as a best seller.

[Kerr Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Even though it was fiction, there is much truth in it. The thing I like most is that the writer was able to make the apostle Paul real. Meaning, most of us have Paul on this pedestal in our minds and we forget that these men where real, with real struggles, and their faith was tested just like ours. I would recommend this book.

[Mark D · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dialog feels like 20th/21st Century. Instances in Paul’s life that were so crazy they should have ended up in Acts if they were real. And the major plot point throughout the book?...utterly ridiculous.

The first book in the series was better...somewhat. But no reason to read either of them. It would be far better to read Acts a couple more times.

[harolyn smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul

I enjoyed learning about the life of Paul's outside of the obvious....his emotional turnaround, flexibility, guilt, falling in love, acceptance, rejection by his sister, his sacrifices, submission, and purpose. The author takes us down the road and on the sea as we experience Paul's life.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion, Mr. Jenkins took too much literary license in this book. I enjoy imagining what other events might have happened in the lives of important Biblical characters, events that are not mentioned in the Scripture, but this imagining seems a little extreme to me.

[Lynne Modranski · Rating 4 out of 5]

the description of this book on goodreads is for I, Saul not Empires End. While still better than most fiction, it wasn't as good as most of Jerry Jenkins work. I thought it started slow. however by the end it was very good.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book more before I realized the author was the guy who wrote the Left Behind series. It ended very abruptly, but was a great, very believable account of Paul’s conversion & beginning ministry/time in the desert.

I flew through the book on vacation in Gatlinburg.