Book Review: You Will Be Peter by Jerry Lathan with Steven Manchester

 

You Will Be Peter by Jerry Lathan brings readers into the world of one of the most well-known historical figures from the Gospels and the Book of Acts. With assistance from co-author Steven Manchester, the story of Simon Peter comes to life. 

Traveling through the three years of the ministry of Jesus, this novel opens in Capernaum, Galilee, with Simon walking to the docks for a day of work. The story quickly moves to the baptism of  Jesus, and the calling of Simon, who Jesus names Peter. The reader will witness Peter in all his humanness, his impulsiveness, his doubts, his desire to be considered important, and his deep faith that Jesus is the Messiah. You Will Be Peter brings the Gospels and the early church to life, making the apostles more relatable than they might seem in a nonfiction setting. 

I found it interesting that so many points of view appeared throughout the novel. When it focused on events from Peter's point of view, I felt more connected to him. The others, except perhaps Jesus's, seemed unnecessary.

You Will Be Peter is well-researched, engaging, and draws the reader into the life of its historical characters. If you are looking for a novel that makes you feel like you were right there during the ministry of Jesus, this is a great choice.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Forefront Books (November 19, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1637633475
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1637633472

I received a hardcover from the co-author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

12th Annual First Book of the Year

 

Thanks to Sheila from Book Journey for coordinating The 12th Annual FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR. 

Here is one of the collages with my chosen book featured. This is the book blurb:

The extraordinary story of a young fisherman who became the Founding Father of Christianity, the most influential and enduring institution in history.

2023 Paris Book Festival Winner · 2023 New England Book Festival Winner

He’s one of the most well-known figures in cultures around the world, etched into stained glass, painted in frescoes, even caricatured as standing at the gates of heaven with a long white beard and keys in hand. But long before he was portrayed as a venerated and untouchable figure, Peter was simply known as Simon, a twenty-something fisherman in a far-flung Jewish province controlled by the Roman Empire.

Loyal and faithful, impetuous and passionate, Simon’s quiet life is upended by the arrival of a man called Jesus of Nazareth, rumored to be the long-awaited Messiah who would rescue the Jewish people from oppression. When Simon meets Jesus, the mysterious man tells him, “You will be Peter,” a prophetic statement that would slowly transform Simon’s life. Eager to be free of the Romans, Simon joins Jesus in hopes that he can guard this leader who will, undoubtedly, build an army to challenge Rome. But as Simon waits for the army to form, he watches Jesus show a compassion for others Simon has never seen before. The miracles Jesus performs—healing the sick, feeding crowds of thousands—show not a display of military might, but of service and love.

Real, relatable and impeccably researched, You Will Be Peter draws on the four Gospel accounts to weave Simon Peter’s story into one seamless tapestry. Readers get a front-row seat to Simon’s three-year walk with Jesus, as Simon watches the Son of Man feed the hungry, raise the dead, upend the status quo and challenge the elite during one of world history’s most pivotal seasons.

In perhaps one of the greatest miracles, we can see ourselves in Simon, this ordinary man Jesus chose to accompany Him. Simon wasn’t well-educated, but he was faithful and headstrong. Though he could rush to judgment and use a foul word from time to time, he was the kind of friend who loved fiercely and was doggedly loyal—until he wasn’t. Although he failed, Simon wasn’t cast away from Jesus’ mission. In fact, his failures and subsequent redemption made him a more empathetic and capable rock upon whom the Church was built.

With storytelling artistry that transports readers to the first-century world, with the sights, sounds, and smells of that time, You Will Be Peter shares an age-old story told from a new set of it’s possible for one ordinary person, however unlikely, to change the world forever.

What book will be your first this year?