Paul

By: Walter Wangerin Jr.

Narrated by: Walter Wangerin Jr.

Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Saul of Tarsus: Pharisee of Pharisees. Bitter enemy of the newborn church...until a blinding encounter with the risen Christ transformed him into Paul the apostle, ambassador of Jesus of the Gentiles. Master storyteller Walter Wangerin Jr. sweeps you into the life and times of the man who brought Christianity to the world. Here is Paul the person, viewed through the eyes of his contemporaries. His rich interaction and brilliant dialogue with friends and foes, leaders and slaves, Jews and Greeks, creates a drama - swift, intense, historical. Narrated by 10 distinct historical figures, Wangerin paints a multifaceted portrait of the fiery character whose Gospel message sundered cultural trappings to ignite a faith that would light the ages.

©2000 Walter Wangerin Jr. (P)2000 The Zondervan Corporation

Critic reviews

2001, Book of the Year - Christianity Today, Winner

2001, Christian Book Award Winner, Winner

"This book combines the very best of Wangerin's skills: biblical knowledge, a sense of drama, unobtrusive scholarship, and the ability to tell a crackling good story." (Philip Yancey)

Down to earth fiction makes the Spirit soar!

If you know scripture, you will really appreciate the way this man folds scripture into a fictional but real world framework. The voice/reading is perhaps a little better than the "Book of God." Enjoy!

Great Book!

The book was well read, I almost felt I was back in time experiencing Paul's journeys, trials and tribulations

Insightful!

Would you consider the audio edition of Paul to be better than the print version?

Walter Wangerin Jr. opened up a new thought pattern for me about the Apostle Paul's struggles with the Jews. I learned many new things through this novel. It was enlightening to read and to hear on Audible. I did both. My understanding of the New Testament Jews is now deeper. I will be reading and listening to more of Walter Wangerin Jr.

What did you like best about this story?

Paul's journeys and the relationships. Loved getting a deeper understanding of the way the people lived 2000 years ago.

Which character – as performed by Walter Wangerin Jr. – was your favorite?

Paul and Barnabus. The characters in "PAUL" are Biblically accurate.
Pricilla and Aquilla were also great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - every chapter filled me with new information. It does leave one looking forward to the next sitting.

Any additional comments?

A great book! I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Biblical Times.

PAUL (unabridged)

This is an outstanding book. I recommend it to anyone in search of God and your own real self.

Great book. Bad recording.

This is a good book, well narrated. But the recording is OLD. It was apparently made from an old cassette because at one point it gave instructions to turn the cassette tape over. The second half of the recording is plagued with repeated sections. The music on the tape goes on and on and on and completely distracts from the narration of the book. Even the quality of the recording is poor. I'm very disappointed with this Audible purchase.

A wonderful book

This amazing story brings the characters of Paul, Timothy, Titus, Pricilla and many more vividly to life. I listened many times over.

I fell in love with Paul

In this book the beautiful harmony of gifted author and equally gifted reader create a piece that made the New Testament come alive for me. The drama and the passion both inspired me and brought me to tears, as each character leaped from history into life and into my heart as the reader stepped into each one with such authenticity. Essential reading for those for whom the New Testament and this amazing apostle have for too long remained cool (or cold and dead) strangers. Not anymore!

This may be my favorite book

I've read the book and given copies of it away many times. The first time I read all night because I couldn't put this book down. It brings the Bible and Paul to life. Listening to it was amazing. Its at least in my top three books of all time and maybe number one. Thank you Mr. Wangerin.

Excellent book!

This book really boosted my interest in the scriptures. Since I have finished it, I have read and reread the gospels of Paul to learn more. I am not a biblical expert, but the book seems to be accurate with no apparent flaws.

The narration is difficult to get used to at first. But after an hour or two, I became accustomed to it, and I think it even enhanced the book.

The only significant criticism that I can offer is that the book is a little slow at times.

well intended but slow and literalist

I think Wangerin is a good, old-fashioned story teller, but this story lacks literary and biblical imagination and seems to have a very simplisitc understanding of the New Testament that sells the Christain faith short in my opinion. It interprets St Paul with 19th early- 20th century eyes and then uses that understandng in a slow paced story.

Although Wangerin tries to give a respectful place to women in sections and occasionally brings St Paul alive (especially the hardships of traveling 1st century Middle East), I think Wangerin is much better when he spins short pithy modern day parables. This novel reminds me of something I downloaded from iTunes called "God in Sandals." If the latter type of literalist narrative appeals to you, then so would this. But if you liked "Last Temptation of Christ" or find Gary Wills', Bart Ehrman's or Elaine Pagels' nonfiction entertaining, avoid this portrait of Paul.