What do you think?
Rate this book
The Man Nobody Knows
Bruce Barton's 1925 effort to reconfigure Jesus for the Roaring Twenties turned into one of the great best-sellers of the century. In The Man Nobody Knows , Barton depicted Christ as a man's man, not the meek, effeminate figure he had encountered in Sunday School. No Puritan or Prohibitionist, this Jesus turned water into wine and was "the most popular dinner guest in Jerusalem." Here was the world's first advertising man, whose parables sparkled as models for modern jingle writers. (Barton had co-founded the celebrated advertising firm of Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborne.) Here was Christ, the world's greatest business executive, who "picked up twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organization that conquered the world." When in the 1950s Barton felt compelled to revise his often-reprinted book for a new generation, he blurred its focus. In this new edition, the historian Richard Fried revives the primary source in Barton's original language. Mr. Fried explores the book's rich insights into the culture of the 1920s, revealing not only the union of religion and business but changing attitudes toward consumption and leisure, sexuality and the roles of men and women.
132 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1924
61 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 28, 2008
Guarenteed to be one of the weirdest biographies of Jesus you will ever read.
The Man Nobody Knows was written in 1925 by a man in the advertising business who claimed (among other things) that Jesus was the founder of modern business, that he was a success due to a strong "personal magnetism," that he was a tough guy and a lady's man instead of some kind of "sissified" (spiritually minded?) girly-man, and that he was a blue-eyed (Anglo-Saxon?) sales dynamo with superior organizational techniques.
Only an ad man could and would write something this factually absurd and historically inaccurate. Good book for a laugh and not much else.
The Man Nobody Knows was written in 1925 by a man in the advertising business who claimed (among other things) that Jesus was the founder of modern business, that he was a success due to a strong "personal magnetism," that he was a tough guy and a lady's man instead of some kind of "sissified" (spiritually minded?) girly-man, and that he was a blue-eyed (Anglo-Saxon?) sales dynamo with superior organizational techniques.
Only an ad man could and would write something this factually absurd and historically inaccurate. Good book for a laugh and not much else.
December 2, 2021
This book boldly dares to ask the question I never wanted answering: What is Jesus were actually a hardcore 1920s laissez faire capitalist? Turns out, he'd be ripped.
June 11, 2022
The book had its moments. I am curious what the reviews would be like reading it in 1925.
June 26, 2015
Barton was one of the giants of the fledgling advertising industry when he wrote this portrait of Jesus to counteract what he experienced as a sentimentalized distortion of the presentation in the four Gospels. His take on Jesus is well-summarized by setting a quotation from the Gospel of Luke at the beginning of the book: "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" The result can be imagined by the chapter titles: The Executive; The Outdoor Man; The Sociable Man; His Method; His Advertisements; The Founder of Modern Business; and The Master.
Some readers may conclude, as I did, that Barton's Jesus is a much a distortion as the Sunday School picture he reacts to, nevertheless, an interesting counter-balance.
Some readers may conclude, as I did, that Barton's Jesus is a much a distortion as the Sunday School picture he reacts to, nevertheless, an interesting counter-balance.
November 10, 2016
This book was written during the 1920s by Bruce Barton (no relation to me), who was an ad salesman. It's a very interesting take on the life of Jesus from the perspective of Jesus as an organization and advertising mastermind. His image of Jesus is an outdoorsy, bronzed muscled man, who ended up sounding like a cross between the Brawny Paper Towel Man and Teddy Roosevelt. There are some characterizations and interpretations of stories from the New Testament that I definitely didn't agree with, but it's a short thought provoking read.
February 14, 2011
Almost done. Radical.
Nothing religious. Gives a deeper and different insight to what you come across in your Church and Faith formation classes. A realistic and stronger view of the man that is Jesus.
Nothing religious. Gives a deeper and different insight to what you come across in your Church and Faith formation classes. A realistic and stronger view of the man that is Jesus.
April 26, 2025
Bruce Barton, an advertising executive, wrote this book of Jesus' life from an entirely human point of view. He wanted to show the world that Jesus was not some effeminate leader, as is often taught in Sunday School, but that he was a man's man. This was written in the 1920s when muscular Christianity was common and business was on everybody's mind. He writes about Jesus the Executive, Jesus the sociable man, His method of leadership, Jesus as an advertiser, Jesus the founder of Modern Business, and Jesus the Master. Barton describes many incidents in the New Testament but never uses the word, Miracle. Regarding the feeding of the 5000, Barton wrote: "He lifted his eyes to heaven, blessed the food, ordered it redistributed and somehow the people ate and were satisfied."
The reader is not going to get a lot of spiritual satisfaction from this book but it does describe a lot of the human attributes Jesus must have had to lead his disciples those 3 years. It also reflects the type of hard-charging country the U.S. was in the 1920s.
The reader is not going to get a lot of spiritual satisfaction from this book but it does describe a lot of the human attributes Jesus must have had to lead his disciples those 3 years. It also reflects the type of hard-charging country the U.S. was in the 1920s.
September 16, 2022
I anticipate hating this book. I came to it from reading about it in “Manipulating the Masses.” I thought the book was going to be some crazy health and wealth version of Jesus. There were one or two moments where I thought the book might turn, but it didn’t.
The author seems to take an approach that explains away miracles and interprets events socially. That certainly might be the case in some instances (though we never get to the resurrection in the book, so I don’t know what the author would do with the miracles vital to the faith). There’s also a lot of speculation, which I find interesting, but readers unfamiliar with the Bible might have a difficult time sorting out.
I think the author is right about the toughness of Jesus and his resolve. It was an interesting read.
The author seems to take an approach that explains away miracles and interprets events socially. That certainly might be the case in some instances (though we never get to the resurrection in the book, so I don’t know what the author would do with the miracles vital to the faith). There’s also a lot of speculation, which I find interesting, but readers unfamiliar with the Bible might have a difficult time sorting out.
I think the author is right about the toughness of Jesus and his resolve. It was an interesting read.
July 4, 2022
An absolutely fascinating version of the life and message of Jesus, written by the well-known advertising executive Bruce Barton. Written in 1925, Barton's Jesus is a manly executive, who provides leadership, a clear message, and business sense. I'm very interested in the many biographies that have been written about Jesus and this one is unique in representing Jesus through the cultural and economic issues of 1920s America. Although thinking about Jesus as a business executive can be kind of jarring, Barton writes with dramatic passion, and brings in examples of contemporary business executives as well. As Jesus says, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
October 11, 2023
Amazing book, perfectly written and lovely spin on Christ’s life
Bruce Barton was a legendary writer. His books and copywriting are timeless. His portrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ is beautifully laid out with lessons brought forwards to the 20th Century.
Imaginative and creative.
Everyone who is fascinated by the life and works of Christ should read this. And a perfect example of how to write a great book.
Bruce Barton was a legendary writer. His books and copywriting are timeless. His portrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ is beautifully laid out with lessons brought forwards to the 20th Century.
Imaginative and creative.
Everyone who is fascinated by the life and works of Christ should read this. And a perfect example of how to write a great book.
August 11, 2023
Dramatic retelling of the gospels in the form of a biography of the man himself.
Many ministers find various angles to preach this good news and though somewhat narrower in focus and subject to poetic license, I found this attempt successfully engaging and occasionally insightful.
Good quick read for anyone interested in the topic.
Many ministers find various angles to preach this good news and though somewhat narrower in focus and subject to poetic license, I found this attempt successfully engaging and occasionally insightful.
Good quick read for anyone interested in the topic.
July 30, 2017
I love reading people's opinions and readings of the Saviour. As the author himself notes, we see far more of ourselves in the Saviour than we probably see the Saviour but that too is revelatory and interesting.
August 23, 2017
It uses quite a bit of literary freedom with the Bible, but it has its good points and quite effectively transposes Jesus as a modern man everyone should look up to. This is no Dostoevsky's Idiot, however.
May 12, 2020
Oh, wow, a book about Jesus as a man, not the son of god. It would've been interesting if there were some thought provoking theories or something. But come on, give me a break with all the wine and making people walk again and all that crap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2020
The book is phenomenal. Been reading the gospels my entire life but this stands out.
Keeps me thinking of purpose, and distractions to destiny
Keeps me thinking of purpose, and distractions to destiny
February 13, 2021
my guy bruce literally published and monetized bible fanfiction
March 19, 2021
I first read this book when I was in college in the 70s. It made an impact then, and it was still powerful to me today.
September 17, 2024
Awesome!!!
I felt spiritually awaken by the vividness of the stories. The author did an amazing job of bringing and making Jesus's story come alive . Simply, awesome.
I felt spiritually awaken by the vividness of the stories. The author did an amazing job of bringing and making Jesus's story come alive . Simply, awesome.
July 14, 2010
An inspiring historical reference to "leadership" is found in the remarkable book The Man Nobody Knows By Bruce Barton. One reason why this book is remarkable is that the word leadership was not in common use in 1924, when the book was first published. Furthermore, the book is written by a well-known advertising executive; and the book is about Jesus.
Bruce Fairchild Barton, a descendent of John Davenport (founder of Yale University) established one of the most prominent advertising firms in the U.S. He is credited with creating the "Betty Crocker" brand for General Mills, as well as such common brand names as "General Electric" and "General Motors." Barton also served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, but he is remembered most for having authored The Man Nobody Knows. The book was highly controversial when it was first published. There were those who believed that it was inappropriate to present Jesus Christ as the role model for the modern businessman.
With that background, and as an example of Barton’s belief about leadership, the following quotation is taken from his depiction of Jesus's battle with Satan in the Wildnerness. "For forty days and nights the incessant fight went on, but once settled, it was settled forever. In the calm of that wilderness there came the majestic conviction which is the very soul of leadership--the faith that his spirit was linked with the Eternal, that god had sent him into the world to do a work which no one else could do, which--if he neglected it--would never be done. Magnify this temptation scene as greatly as you will; say that god spoke more clearly to him than to any who has ever lived. It is true. But to every man of vision the clear Voice speaks; there is no great leadership where there is no mystic. Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside themselves was superior to circumstance" (Barton, 1924, p. 17-18).
Bruce Fairchild Barton, a descendent of John Davenport (founder of Yale University) established one of the most prominent advertising firms in the U.S. He is credited with creating the "Betty Crocker" brand for General Mills, as well as such common brand names as "General Electric" and "General Motors." Barton also served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, but he is remembered most for having authored The Man Nobody Knows. The book was highly controversial when it was first published. There were those who believed that it was inappropriate to present Jesus Christ as the role model for the modern businessman.
With that background, and as an example of Barton’s belief about leadership, the following quotation is taken from his depiction of Jesus's battle with Satan in the Wildnerness. "For forty days and nights the incessant fight went on, but once settled, it was settled forever. In the calm of that wilderness there came the majestic conviction which is the very soul of leadership--the faith that his spirit was linked with the Eternal, that god had sent him into the world to do a work which no one else could do, which--if he neglected it--would never be done. Magnify this temptation scene as greatly as you will; say that god spoke more clearly to him than to any who has ever lived. It is true. But to every man of vision the clear Voice speaks; there is no great leadership where there is no mystic. Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside themselves was superior to circumstance" (Barton, 1924, p. 17-18).
September 3, 2012
I've kept this book in my library ever since my freshman year in Bible college. That was 44 years ago. When I read it then, I was not very impressed with it. But as time has progressed, I found myself reading particular chapters for various reasons. Now that it's 2012, I wanted to read the book one last time before I put it into the archives. A new appreciation for its message came over me. In a culture that has largely kicked Jesus Christ to the curb, Barton's book was surprisingly refreshing--even 87 years after its first publication. Today we now know less about who Jesus is than when this book was written. That's a sad commentary; but it also points to the necessity of this book and others like it to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the 21st century.
July 17, 2014
A look at Jesus Christ as a macho man with strong executive ability.
Although there is a rough draft quality & incomplete feel to it, there are gems to be found.
Parables as advertising? Many Christian reviewers are offended. But why not? A picture says a thousand words.
There are references to great American politicians, inventors, and businessmen. Lincoln lovers especially will be pleased.
A Man Nobody Knows will be more cordial to readers familiar with the Gospels, as others just won't know the references.
But this is a daring and provocative book for everyone.
Although there is a rough draft quality & incomplete feel to it, there are gems to be found.
Parables as advertising? Many Christian reviewers are offended. But why not? A picture says a thousand words.
There are references to great American politicians, inventors, and businessmen. Lincoln lovers especially will be pleased.
A Man Nobody Knows will be more cordial to readers familiar with the Gospels, as others just won't know the references.
But this is a daring and provocative book for everyone.
October 23, 2016
Here is a fine book that sets a good picture of Christ in a different perspective than you might have pictured in any of your studies before.
Many view based on paintings made down thru time because its natural for any beloved to want a picture in third mind. But hits obvious that Christ didn't care for you to have su h an image but instead Christ wanted you to see the father thru himself which is more important. For many have portrayed an incorrect perception. But it's obvious here that Christ thru his works portrayed the true picture that lasts down thru the ages. So why did God say make no graven images before me?
Many view based on paintings made down thru time because its natural for any beloved to want a picture in third mind. But hits obvious that Christ didn't care for you to have su h an image but instead Christ wanted you to see the father thru himself which is more important. For many have portrayed an incorrect perception. But it's obvious here that Christ thru his works portrayed the true picture that lasts down thru the ages. So why did God say make no graven images before me?
May 3, 2012
Surprisingly enjoyable? I didn't think it would be good - I expected to be laughing derisively throughout - but it really wasn't /so/ off the mark that I couldn't like it. Barton had a few interesting points to make. I don't think I really agree with him on his interpretation (he seems to be reaching a few times) but hey, his idea of Jesus' personality was a fun change from what I normally hear from religion.
Of course, take it all with a grain of salt: I've never read the Bible.
Of course, take it all with a grain of salt: I've never read the Bible.
June 2, 2021
A commendable attempt to rescue a muscular Christianity from an anti-bourgeois clergy, by a shameless self-promoter. The marketing skill shows in the highly readable prose and the easy to follow story telling. An inspiration for my nascent novel, in which I attempt to do the opposite (i.e., rescue anti-bourgeois Christianity from the muscular capitalists).
December 25, 2014
Fantastic book. It was loaned to me by a friend and I read the whole thing in one sitting. Not only do I want to buy my own copy, but I'm tempted to buy copies for several friends. This is one of my favorites; it's inspiring and thought-provoking and something different from my usual catalog of books.
March 23, 2013
Quickly looked over this book after I had read about it in a article regarding business. It was a popular title in its day. Reminded me of The Jefferson Bible. One man's version of the story of Jesus in the New Testament. It was OK.
July 31, 2007
This isn't a good book, but it is interesting. The author tries to sell Jesus to us as a business man.
April 26, 2009
I read this many years ago. Unintentionally hilarious. Jesus
as a businessman...
as a businessman...
Read
March 2, 2010I have the 1926 hardcover.
August 24, 2011
A must for everyone!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews