Fishers of Men (Volume 1 of the Kingdom and the Crown series) by Gerald N. Lund

 I read this volume several years ago, and I remember liking it, but not enough to continue the series. However, our Stonebridge Ward Relief Society is reading this series this summer, so I decided to give it another try, and this time to read all three volumes. It felt like a good thing, especially when I found all three books at Deseret Industries for a dollar or two each! Woohoo!

As before, I found Lund's characters rather superficial and either good or evil, without a lot of nuance. And there's a certain tone that Lund has, as I remember, from his Work and the Glory series that is a little pedantic, a little ueber-righteous. And this book has the same tone. However, he is a good story weaver, and I began to care about the characters despite their flatness. 

I also kept reminiscing about my time in Israel and tried to remember the places that come up and are described. Unfortunately, my memories are fleeting and flashing. Not much detail. Still, it's fun to remember what I can...For example, I still remember Ceasarea as a beautiful coastal city, and part of the story takes place there.

Jesus is introduced, as are his apostles, and their relationships and personalities give context to his life and teaching. It's speculative, this context, but Lund does an excellent job in citing his sources and making clear what is historical and documented vs. his imagination. His notes at the end of each chapter help clarify this as well. So along the way of reading this story, you learn a lot about the culture of the time...what they were eating, how they slept, what they were talking about. This is an enjoyable way for me to learn history!

I'm also making connections to "the Chosen" video series which is SO EXCELLENT! The two genres have similar goals, and kind of reinforce each other. 

This volume ends with a skirmish between Roman soldiers, Zealot warriors, and a band of thieves. It helps give context to the varying groups vying for power in Israel during Christ's time. What made me anxious to get on to Volume 2 was to find out how the Zealot leader, Simeon, is able to overcome this terrible loss, and what happens to the Great Council leader's daughter, Miriam, who gives away part of the secret plans. These characters and their families are interesting and their relationships and conversions and rebellions are good at moving the story along.