Genre : Historical Fiction Format : Paperback Pages : 382 Published : 1889

“To a wayfarer in a strange land nothing is so sweet as to hear his name on the tongue of a friend .”

Summary : In the days of Rome occupied Israel we meet two old friends . Judah Ben-Hur and the Roman Messala . Their cultural differences have shattered their friendship as Messala embraces Rome and mocks the Jews , eventually leading to Messala accusing Judah of attempting to assassinate a Roman Governor . This results in Judah being sent to the galleys and his family home being desicrated . Now Judah seeks revenge on Messala , seeks information on his family , for hope for Judea , and for this mysterious messiah being talked about .

“The world is going the same way ; so as to our future , down Eros , up Mars ! I am to be a soldier ; and you , O my Judah , I pity you ; what can you be ?”

Review : This book works on many levels . The author does an amazing job of making you feel like you’re in the past , the story of revenge between two former friends feels real , the search for hope for his family as well as his people hits you right in the stomach . The dialogue is top notch and I was invested in most of the characters immediately . Also , in this day and age , it’s nice to read a positive story about the Jews . Overall , it’s one of the most important American novels ever written and also a Christian fiction classic , check it out !

“In the hour of Thy vengeance , O Lord , be mine the hand to put it upon him !”

Recommendations : Books

1. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
2. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
3. The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
4. I’ll Tell Them I Remember You by William Peter Blatty
5. Silence by Shusuke Endo
6. Red Devil by David Saperstein
7. Resurrection , Inc. by Kevin J. Anderson
8. Star Gate by Andre Norton
9. Almuric by Robert E. Howard
10. Dilvish , The Damned by Roger Zelazny

Songs

1. Vengeance Is Mine – Alice Cooper
2. The Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby
3. Invincible – Adelita’s Way
4. Legio Aeterna Victrix
5. Will you Be There – Michael Jackson
6. Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Elvis Presley
7. Healing Rain – Michael W. Smith
8. He Reigns – Newsboys
9. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day – Casting Crowns
10. You’re Going Down – Sick Puppies

Movies

1. Ben – Hur (1959)
2. Ben – Hur (2016)
3. Ben – Hur (1925)
4. Ben – Hur (2003)
5. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
6. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
7. Star Wars : Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace
8. Gladiator (2000)
9. Silence (2016)
10. The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Lesson : Don’t accuse a friend of murder .