The Last Days of Jesus

Publisher's Summary

Packed with fascinating details, this fast-paced narrative will transport listeners back in time. In an exploration of the political and social landscape at the time of Jesus’s life, Bill O’Reilly takes on the questions surrounding his death. Who was involved in the trial and sentencing of Jesus? What circumstances led to his conviction? What were the motivations in killing Jesus? In the same way that the author gave fresh insight into the lives and times of Lincoln and Kennedy, this is an intimate portrait of the Jesus of history. The Last Days of Jesus is geared toward young listeners, and is sure to make kids reconsider the man they thought they knew.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 Bill O'Reilly (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

I should have read the small print.

What made the experience of listening to The Last Days of Jesus the most enjoyable?

This is a story I can never grow tired of hearing about. Though you should just buy the whole book. (I didn’t read the small print that this was an excerpt of a full book that I had already purchased and listened to.) However, it was worth listening to again.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How Christ used different methods to show and teach His point.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not bad

Overall, Bill O'Reilly does a reasonably good job on the "last days" of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Much like his previous book "Killing Jesus". O'Reilly walks people quickly through the early life of Jesus and slows down to more fully cover His last days. Again, like his previous book, I disagreed with some of his interpretation of events, but overall he does a fair job. If you read Killing Jesus, you can probably skip this one. Edward Herrmann was a great choice for narrator and does a wonderful job.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Happy Easter, Bill

I've not read any of O'Reilly's previous books. They seem to be consistently well received and I've been curious, but I didn't know exactly what to expect ... how much of the book would be about the subject, and how much of it about the author. Any concerns I had about the author possibly challenging history and presenting a strongly biased personal point of view were unwarranted. At just 4 hours, the story moves along at a good pace, in line with the known history, and holds your interest. And therein lies it strength...and its weakness. O'Reilly doesn't present us with anything we didn't already know.

Dealing with history, there are the facts, then there is everything else: conjecture, speculation, the mythos, and legend. How does O'Reilly know that John the Baptist felt no pain when he was beheaded? I suppose the author's speculation is forgivable, and embellishing the history with those tiny bits of fiction keep the story immediate and relatable. He gives a good overall view of the political pulse as the events proceed from Jesus' birth up to his crucifixion. Having the story told in that context affords the listener an interesting view of the history. I can't compare this to his other books; I thought this was well written, interesting, and a worthy presentation of the history...with a well-timed publication date. I've read more in-depth books about the life and death of Jesus, more academic, and may have been expecting a little more from O'Reilly only because I was unfamiliar with his writing. A good recap of the hx; I won't have any qualms reading more (apolitical) from this author.

25 of 31 people found this review helpful

Shortened Killing Jesus

This is literally a shortened version of Killing Jesus. I bought them both at the same time. Wish I'd have known in advance it was a shorter version of the the same book. Don't waste your time, just get Killing Jesus, skip this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

well done

I enjoyed the details regarding the political backdrop. there are Roman Catholic overtones which cloud some of the narrative but overall extremely accurate.

Jesus is the light and the truth.

Bill O is a literary genius. This book is a powerful account of Jesus' later life told in scripture and historical accounts.

Wonderful Book

This book is well written
I loved this book. I could feel the stress and pain of Jesus suffering.

Excellent!!

The accuracy and drama presented are remarkable. I highly suggest this book to read or listen...

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

OK at Best

I much prefer when O'Reilly narrates....very fragmented story but considering what he has to work with that part is understandable. I had really hoped to hear much more at the end about when Christ had risen, but very little was discussed. It simply wasn't as captivating as the others in the Killing series.

Catholics continued Christ's church?

Given Oreiley's a Catholic, his statement that the church is a continuation of the teaching of the apostles has never been historically sound. Roman leader Constatine organized the apostate bishops and created non biblical creeds. Many corrupt Popes who it is supposed that they continued the priesthood is also not believable. God would not vest adulterous Popes as his true church. Not a chance OReily.

3 of 8 people found this review helpful