Babylon: Center of the World

Grace in Exile #2

by B.G. Brainard

Babylon: Center of the World opens with the prophet Daniel living in the city of Babylon that is about to fall to the invincible Persian army under the leadership of King Cyrus. Daniel was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar as a youth when Jerusalem had been conquered decades earlier. Daniel was an interpreter of dreams, signs, and visions, including the handwriting on the wall of Belshazzar's palace heralding the end of the Babylonian Empire. The fall of Babylon to Cyrus was foretold by Yahweh, the God of Israel, and by Marduk, the chief god of Babylon; and was executed by worshipers of the Persian god Ahura Mazda. Then in fulfillment of Yahweh's promise to his people, King Cyrus issued a decree allowing Jews living in exile to return to Judah for the purpose of rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple. In the midst of this confluence of divine activity, Daniel stayed true to the God of Israel and lived an exemplary life.

Genres: Historical Fiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

Dr. B. G. Brainard’s passion is to bring the Hebrew Scriptures to life one book at a time through meticulous research and excursions to the Middle East. She is the author of the Grace in Exile trilogy of historical novels set within the ancient Near East, which includes Esther’s Song about the biblical Esther, Babylon: Center of the World show casing the wise man and prophet Daniel, and Jerusalem Bound! featuring Ezra the scribe, Nehemiah the cupbearer, and the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. She has graduate degrees from Vanguard University of Southern California and Portland State University, which fueled her life-long passion to make sense of the intricacies of the Hebrew Bible, Mesopotamian archaeology, and ancient Near East history. She lives in Oregon with her husband, five hundred orchids, and a little red barn. To learn more about the author and upcoming books, please visit her website at www.bgbrainard.com.

Reviews

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babylon : Center of the World ..by .B.G.Brainard Thank you Goodreads for the FREE book you sent me. In the first part of the book there was all the poitical intrigue of the times. After the middle of the book it became more interesting, following the Bibical accounts of Daniel; with small additions for it to read as a novel. I wish the author would have brought out about the beautiful gardens of Babylon and what kinds of plants there might have been. The author did a good job with the story line.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fall of Babylon from both historical and Biblical perspectives, February 28, 2017

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This review is from: Babylon: Center of the World (Grace in Exile Book 2) (Kindle Edition)

Up until about 80% through this novel, it is well written and researched historical fiction which would be enjoyed by many of those who favor that genre. After that, after the entry of Cyrus into Babylon, after Daniel emerges unscathed from the lions' den, there is much discussion and recounting of prophecy which will be of interest mostly to those who enjoy that subject, particularly the Book of Daniel. In this section of the novel, the juxtaposition of God with the pagan religions of Babylon and Persia became somewhat confusing to me. It read almost as if Ms Brainard was recognizing some real power in those false gods. I do not believe this will please the adherents of Judaism or Christianity nor their opponents as Brainard makes it clear that no matter the pagan gods, all unfolds according to the will of God. I enjoyed the novel dispite my quibles concerning pagan gods and false idols.

[charles dennis]

A great read

Well written and once started you can't put the book down. It was good from the start and all the way too the end.

[Shirley Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical information

This book is well written. I would recommend it to Christian friends and family, with the caution that some of the information is not Biblically accurate.