Clever overview of China, Jerusalem and the Roman Empire during the first century CE, with the weight of the book focused on the Roman Empire. Entertaining and informative. ( )

While I think Klingaman's approach is too broad (I probably would have cut China out completely and just concentrated on Europe and the Middle East), this book is very well written and entertaining. There is a personal element in the work that is not found in many history books. You really get a sense of the people found within. I am pleased at his respectful approach to Christianity, even if it remains a secular approach.

He jumps from area to area, as though telling a chronological history of the world rather than a place at a time. This allows us to see how events lined up across the continent and how they affected each other. We can see, for instance, how Roman politics affected the trial and crucifixion of Christ.

A good read, and one I recommend to anyone interested in this time period. ( )