• The Jesus Papers

  • Exposing the Greatest Cover-up in History
  • By: Michael Baigent
  • Narrated by: Michael Baigent
  • Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (184 ratings)

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The Jesus Papers  By  cover art

The Jesus Papers

By: Michael Baigent
Narrated by: Michael Baigent
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Editorial reviews

With The Jesus Papers, religious historian and author, Michael Baigent, sets out to upend everything we know about Jesus Christ. Armed with over 20 years of dedicated study and unparalleled access to archives of information and artifacts, Baigent details a history of Jesus’ life that most have never heard of. Baigent takes on the task of performing the book himself, and his passion for the subject makes for an engaging listen. Through the course of this audiobook, listeners will learn not just the real story of Jesus’ life, but also why certain false accounts have managed to survive.

Publisher's summary

What if everything you think you know about Jesus is wrong? In The Jesus Papers, Michael Baigent reveals the truth about Jesus's life and crucifixion. Despite, or rather because of, all the celebration and veneration that have surrounded the figure of Jesus for centuries, Baigent asserts that Jesus and the circumstances leading to his death have been heavily mythologized.

As a religious historian and a leading expert in the field of arcane knowledge, Baigent has unequaled access to hidden archives, secret societies, Masonic records, and the private collections of antiquities traders and their moneyed clients. Using that access to full advantage, Baigent explores the religious and political climate in which Jesus was born and raised, examining not only the conflicts between the Romans and the Jews, but the strife within the different factions of the Jewish Zealot movement. He chronicles the migrations of Jesus' family, his subsequent exposure to other cultures, and the events, teachings, and influences that were most likely to have shaped his early years. Baigent also uncovers the inconsistencies and biases in the accounts of the major historians of Jesus' time, including Josephus, Pliny, and Tacitus. The enduring influence of these accounts in forming our most common conceptions of Jesus reveals that spin is not a new phenomenon.

Taking us back to sites that over the last 20 years he has meticulously explored, studied, and in some instances excavated for the first time, Baigent provides a detailed account of his groundbreaking discoveries. The evidence he has uncovered has lead him to make shocking new assertions that threaten the conventional account of Jesus' life and death and shake the very foundation of Western thought, based as it is upon the assumption of Jesus's divinity. Ultimately, his investigation raises the hope that we may gain a new understanding of Jesus.

©2006 Michael Baigent (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

What listeners say about The Jesus Papers

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

More for History, Less for facts

I have been a Baigent fan since Holy Blood, Holy Grail. However this book has little to offer in new revelations. It does a great job of researching the history of Christianity but as usual he makes a pretty wild claim. Baigent says that he has seen a document, written by Jesus to the the Sanhedrin, that says he is not divine. The only problem is that Baigent couldn't read the document he was holding. Can anyone say Mormons? Once again, tantalizing but improbable. Still a great read for more history on Christianity.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Intriguing hypothesis

Baigent speculates on some wild theories about the life of Jesus, including the notion that he did not die on the cross but was spirited away to Egypt to quietly teach and grow old. As farfetched as this might seem, when Baigent pieces together relevant historical data the idea seems no less grounded in fact than the widely held beliefs of the faithful. I suspect time will prove at least a few of his theories to some degree, though probably not exactly as the picture he paints. Though most of Baigent's conclusions require quite a big leap of (ironically) faith, the ideas are fascinating and his telling of it captivating -- enough to inspire multiple listenings.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Cruci-Fiction?

Outstanding presentation of the facts and events that led up to the alleged crucifixion.
To fully comprehend one needs to examine the definition of the word "crucify" or to be "crucified" meaning to die on the cross and not be placed on it.
The information in this book is presented well and the evidence is overwhelming.
I was initially intrigued by this subject matter after reading a paper written by Ahmed Deedat on the subject of Jesus' alleged crucifixion where he uses text from the Bible to substantiate the evidence. A must read crucifixion or cruci-fiction?

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I was hopping for a more factual exposition

There are no facts. simply the possible findings not corroborated of Jesus manuscripts. it seems a desperate attempt at disproving Jesus deity based on assumptions from the author. I am disappointed

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

I have listened to this book three times.I love it.It has so much information I never before.The author tell's you when he is not sure of certain information.This is a great book for that reason.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Great Fiction

Dan Brown will be be delighted with this great piece of fiction in advance of Ron Howard's upcoming film "The Da Vinci Code." Author Michael Baigent uses great imagery to make the most unbelievable of clues and errant evidence readable. Grab a soft glass of wine, sit yourself in front of a warm fireplace, and enjoy one of the best bashings of Christianity yet. Great fictional read!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

What did you love best about The Jesus Papers?

I love the way Michael gives the details on his research!

Who was your favorite character and why?

It was non fiction so that doesn't apply

Have you listened to any of Michael Baigent???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't but this was wonderful.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What the church doesn't want you to know!

Any additional comments?

If you're interested in the history of the church and religion you will love this book!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

A Rehash of Holy Blood, Holy Grail

Holy Blood, Holy Grail seemed to be a more thorough work than this book. It repeats most of the ideas already presented in HB, HG.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

drstringqis

This is another fascinating piece in the big puzzle that the Da Vinci Code just scratched. The author considers the historical setting and how it does and doesn't jibe with what we know of the bible. Lots of great history and a really interesting insight in the mystical nature of Christianity.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Wish it had gone on further with its examination of the evidence. Very interesting read. Recommend it

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