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Zealot

The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

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Zealot

By: Reza Aslan
Narrated by: Reza Aslan
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About this listen

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” (Los Angeles Times) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus

Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God.

Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity.

Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus’ life and mission.

Praise for Zealot

“Riveting . . . Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account.”The New Yorker

“Fascinatingly and convincingly drawn . . . Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere Jesus as the peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, true son of God depicted in modern Christianity, even as he knocks down that image.”The Seattle Times

“[Aslan’s] literary talent is as essential to the effect of Zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. . . . A vivid, persuasive portrait.”Salon

“This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.”San Francisco Chronicle

“A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

“Compulsively readable . . . This superb work is highly recommended.”Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Ancient Christianity Politicians Politics & Activism Middle East Thought-Provoking Royalty

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All stars
Most relevant
Putting the critical aspect aside, the delivery was more entertaining and gripping rather than academic. Hard to stop listening and a possible candidate of binge listening. Raises lots of questions, forcing the reader to yearn for more.

Delivery on point.

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Very eye opening! I would definitely recommend giving this audio book a listen to! Great book

Excellent

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Deeply fascinating and insightful, I will look forward to listening many more times to this audiobook. Reza Aslan is a great writer

Amazing

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Great book if you like the topic. Very insightful and very detailed on the life of Jesus the man. Would definitely recommend.

Great book

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the book is well written and well presented. it is clear and concise and based on modern and critical research into the foundations of Christianity.

clear concise and challenging

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