The Jewish War

This is the parallel companion book to the New Testament, for anyone who wants to try to discern "the true story behind the religious text." And it is also the biggest impediment to all historians and biblical scholars who have attempted to portray Jesus and his disciples as historical individuals. He simply does not seem to be there (if one excepts the paragraph "Testimonium Flavianum", which has been added or amended by later scribes). But perhaps he does... If one looks slightly beneath the surface....

A flaming patriot and a superb writer, Josephus is to Thucydides what a journalist is to a historian. But what a journalist! One who participated in the events he described, first as a commander, then as a prisoner, and finally as a valued companion of the enemy commander in chief. One intimately familiar with the theater of war, the history and traditions of both sides, their weapons, their organization, and their ways of fighting. All leading up to the story of the mass suicide of the Zealots at Masada, high on a desolate rock overlooking the Dead Sea. Almost every… show more.

I am recommending this book because a lot of my own work has involved examining this book very deeply, and gaining a new and very controversial understanding of it. The Jewish War is considered by many historians as probably the greatest history book of all time, and if not the greatest, then it is in the top 10. It documents, in great detail, the war between the people of Judea and the Roman aristocracy. The individual known as Josephus describes himself as a general in the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 66 CE, and then later switches sides. He… show more.