THIS ROCK

Another shameless exploitation of the stories of the Bible, presented without benefit of taste, style or understanding of character. This story follows the life of simon Peter from his youth during which he lost his father at the rebellion of Sepphoris and his years as a fisherman; through his first meeting with Jesus; his life as a disciple; his witnessing of miracles before and after the Crucifixion, and of the conversion of Saul; his missionary work; to his death. It is unfortunate that no attempt has been made here to create living people and times as Sholem Asch did in The Nazarene, for scholarship and style as well as passionate involvement on the part of the author are sadly missing. The dreary Frank Merriwell conversation stands bleakly bare when contrasted to the richness of the Bible passages inserted from time to time. The characters -- men who have influenced history -- are as pale as Prince Valiant. The many readers who will buy this book as devotional reading deserve better. Predictable sales.