Quite an entertaining story, holds the reader.
Not much has changed--there are still very good people, fairly good people who rise to occasions when needed, power-hungry nuts in small and great positions all over the world, and people in slavery of one kind or another, trying desperately to get free.
This book has a lot to say about the nature of humans--capable of great good and great evil, and surviving against great odds.
It's interesting that so many people who say Jesus is the answer, rely on the old testament vengeance to get people to believe what they believe.
He was a rebel in his own time, and preached love, kindness, and inclusion of all people.