Item Detail

Politics and religion meet explosively in journalist Witham's first novel. Set in the Middle East, San Francisco, Leningrad, and London, the plot weaves together the efforts of Arab and Jewish moderates to find a road to peace, the sale of antiquities to finance radical activities, and archaeologists' search for materials that will shed light on early Christianity. When scrolls that may contain previously unknown sayings of Jesus are brought to archaeologist Nicholas Hampton, he must deal with terrorists, fundamentalist and liberal Christians, and academic infighting as he strives to decipher them. The story could have advanced more smoothly had the characters been more fully developed, but Witham's attempt to deal seriously with the challenges of religious belief should engage the interest of thoughtful readers. Buy where interest warrants.-Beth Ann Mills, New Rochelle P.L., N.Y. Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information.