I know this book seemed to take a long while for me to complete, but only because I was searching to see if any new materials or references had been made since this First Edition was printed. This was a borrowed book, and I used it for study, in order to learn patterns of how we should, and should not, respond to society around us. Jesus chose the twelve individual men for specific reasons, and the author was most excellent in pointing out both their strengths and their weaknesses. It has been a most helpful book.

While the author has given us much to go on, I feel he gave up too easily in locating information regarding the Twelve Apostles whom Christ chose to be His followers.

The author had wonderful insight, and that I did not find in the least flawed. However, except for "tradition", he did not look to writers closest to the generation of the Apostles for accounts of their lives, except for Eusebius, whom he references often. He leaves out Josephus and many others. This would have given more credence to his information on the Twelve.

That all being said, I found the book a most excellent read. It was copyrighted in 1978, so it is perhaps the writer was referencing the only materials at his hand at the time. With the advent of the Internet, I often forget there was a time when we were strictly limited to our local libraries and home encyclopedias for reference materials! Even so, the author did a fantastic job!

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's perspective on each Apostle and how we can apply those same ideas to our lives today, to be better followers of Christ.

All in all, I give this book FIVE STARS

And a big THUMBS UP

I highly recommend it.

****DISCLOSURE: This book was under no obligation for review, as it was borrowed from my dear Brother, David Roach. Thank you Bubba for allowing me to study this text! ( )