Apostle

Review Tom Bissell's book is consistently fascinating about the stories that crept as inexorably as lichen over a gravestone around the people closest to Jesus. The travelogue elements make for a pleasant hike out of the archive and into surprising places. -- Stuart Kelly ― Guardian [An] expertly researched and fascinating book . . . Touring the sites where the Apostles' bones are believed to have come to rest, he . . . mixes lightly worn but learned material about them with some superior, often hilarious, travel writing . . . This is a serious book about the origins of Christianity that is also very funny. How often can you say that? -- Marcus Tanner ― Independent Apostle is a rewarding read because Bissell has range. He's an astute close reader of biblical texts, teasing out the implications of the gospel's differing accounts and lingering over the most haunting and enigmatic passages . . .Bissell is also an accomplished travel writer who swiftly evokes atmosphere . . . Bissell's voice is near unique. He is properly caustic and profane about Christianity's absurdities when necessary, but he is alsovividly empathetic and conscious that this is not just one of the most significant stories ever told but also one of the most beautiful. -- Jonathan Beckman ― The Times Tom Bissell is a wonderful, elegant writer ... and Apostle is a richly entertaining mishmash of travel book, history of early Christianity, journey of religious non-faith and human comedy. -- Christopher Hart ― Sunday Times Product Description Peter, Matthew, Thomas, John: who were these men and their fellow Apostles? What was their relationship to Jesus? Tom Bissell gives us rich answers to these ancient and surprisingly enigmatic questions in an unusual, erudite and fascinating book. By visiting holy sites around the world, and examining how the Apostles' identities took shape over the course of two millennia, he explores the story of Christianity and its growth from an obscure Jewish sect to the global faith we know today. Book Description In this profound and moving journey into the heart of Christianity past and present, Tom Bissell travels across the world to explore the lives and legacies of the Twelve Apostles. About the Author Tom Bissell's first book, Chasing the Sea, was selected by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the 86 best travel books of all time. His second book, God Lives in St. Petersburg, won the Rome Prize. And his third book, The Father of All Things was selected as a best book of the year by Salon, The Christian Science Monitor, the Chicago Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is a contributing editor for Harper's Magazine and currently lives in Portland Oregon where he teaches fiction writing at Portland State University.