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laurnrose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
A sprawling and deeply researched rabbit hole of ego, passion, belief, language, history and science, told in a way that’s not only digestible but engrossing. Unfortunately if you are of a certain age you may struggle with reading the words “my wife” without reading it in Borat’s voice, and that phrase occurs a lot. Anyway, a remarkable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
kbreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
My first time reading a book that involved 12 years of research and from a person who was there firsthand for some of the events, but almost as an outsider. Also impressed by the many other works he had to read, speeches he had to listen to, people he had to interview, to get the most information. Long read, but I managed to be dedicated to finishing it. I did not give up because the writing had a good flow and good description. It also focused on several different people involved in the story so I wasn't stuck with just one personality. Also, I respect the author for organizing the book in the way he did.
I was surprise by how boldly the author made conclusions, almost telling the reader what to believe regarding people's motives.
Also, impressed by his ability to see many links between different studies and realities and history and individuals and people groups and more!
I was surprise by how boldly the author made conclusions, almost telling the reader what to believe regarding people's motives.
Also, impressed by his ability to see many links between different studies and realities and history and individuals and people groups and more!
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Veritas, or Truth, is definitely stranger than fiction in this meticulously researched story of the veracity, or not, of the "Gospel of Jesus' Wife" manuscript announced by renowned Harvard Divinity School professor Karen King in 2012. I found myself shaking my head at the bizarre trail author Ariel Sabar followed to try and understand the history of the papyrus fragment purporting to mention Jesus' wife. From experts in Egyptology and early papyrus dating, to experts in pornographic web sites, to experts in the history of Harvard Divinity School, Sabar uncovered the motivations leading to the announcement. Unfortunately, manipulation of opinion, money, revenge, relationships and salvaging of career and school seemed to be far more important than truth in the motivations of several key players. A fascinating trip down a long rabbit hole.
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Amazing reporting and a well-told tale, especially considering how dry this topic could have been.
gemmamilne's review against another edition
5.0
I initially picked this up thinking it would be a fun fraud book to read, separate from my research, but much to my delight, it ended up opening up so many questions and ideas related to expertise, narrative and the role of academia beyond this story alone.
This book combines a fascinating narrative non fiction fraud story (watch out for the ‘wait WHAT’ on page 189) with thought-provoking musings on agendas in academia, different concepts of ‘truth’, how religion and universities coexist, and whether fraud can ever be forgiven when a ‘bigger’ worthy conversation is prompted as a result (in this case, the status of women in the history and present of Catholicism).
Only thing was that I didn’t really have much knowledge about Gnostics and the history of religion, so there was a little ‘catching up’ I felt I had to do to keep up with the first few chapters - but once I was past that, it didn’t matter at all.
This book combines a fascinating narrative non fiction fraud story (watch out for the ‘wait WHAT’ on page 189) with thought-provoking musings on agendas in academia, different concepts of ‘truth’, how religion and universities coexist, and whether fraud can ever be forgiven when a ‘bigger’ worthy conversation is prompted as a result (in this case, the status of women in the history and present of Catholicism).
Only thing was that I didn’t really have much knowledge about Gnostics and the history of religion, so there was a little ‘catching up’ I felt I had to do to keep up with the first few chapters - but once I was past that, it didn’t matter at all.