Lew Wallace

Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ By Lew Wallace

In 1908, seeking to capitalize on the famous copyright case against Kalem Studios, Harper & Brothers compiled and illustrated the most famous part of the epic novel "Ben - Hur". Enjoy now this battle of wits among Ben Hur and his foe Messala.

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace, published by Harper & Brothers on November 12, 1880. Considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century", it became a best-selling American novel, surpassing Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) in sales. The book also inspired other novels with biblical settings and was adapted for the stage and motion picture productions. Ben-Hur remained at the top of the bestseller lists until the publication of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind (1936).

Considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century", it became a best-selling American novel. Blessed by Pope Leo XIII, the novel was the first work of fiction to be so honored. The story recounts in descriptive detail the adventures of Judah Ben-Hur, a fictional Jewish prince from Jerusalem, who is enslaved by the Romans at the beginning of the 1st century and becomes a charioteer and a Christian. Running in parallel with Judah's narrative is the unfolding story of Jesus, who comes from the same region and is a similar age. The novel reflects themes of betrayal, conviction, and redemption, with a revenge plot that leads to a story of love and compassion. When Judah Ben-Hur's childhood friend, Messala, returns from school indoctrinated by Roman teachings, he cruelly mocks Ben-Hur's Jewish beliefs. Messala works for the new Roman governor, Gratus, who stages an inaugural parade through Judaea. As Ben-Hur watches the scene, he accidentally dislodges a loose tile from his house, which hits the leader. Messala, enraged, ensures that Ben-Hur is harshly sentenced without trial and that his mother and sister are imprisoned. The tale that follows explains how Ben-Hur is relieved of his sentence and returns to a life of prosperity while looking for his family and seeking revenge against Messala. Amid it all, Ben-Hur becomes a follower of the carpenter who he believes will make war against the Romans - although he learns that earthly revenge is not the way of Christ. The story begins with Wallace's account of the biblical wise men meeting and following the star to Christ. Later, he provides an account of Mary and Joseph seeking a birthplace for Jesus. Ben-Hur, his friends and his family live in the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion, and they follow the Savior, initially anticipating His creation of an earthly kingdom to overthrow Rome. In Wallace's account, Ben-Hur witnesses and tells others about Jesus' miracles, including how He heals Ben-Hur's mother and sister of leprosy. Ben-Hur is the man who offers the wine-vinegar to Christ on the Cross. And in doing so, places himself in the history of great christian literary fiction.

Betrayed by his best friend and enslaved by the Romans, Judah Ben-Hur seeks revenge but instead finds redemption through his encounters with Jesus Christ. Generations have thrilled to the sacred destiny of the mighty charioteer Ben-Hur, whose enduring tale began as a bestselling 1880 novel that later inspired equally popular stage and film interpretations. Combining the appeal of a historical adventure with a heartfelt message of Christian love and compassion, the story blends the visceral excitement of a quest for vengeance with the spiritual thrill of forgiveness. Author Lew Wallace a Civil War general, politician, and diplomat conducted meticulous research into the ancient world to bring a vivid immediacy tohis characters and settings, from life as a Roman galley slave, to the living death of exile, to a Jerusalem leper colony. The novel's countless admirers included President James A. Garfield, a former professor of literature, who told the author, "With this beautiful and reverent book you have lightened the burden of my daily life.""

""The First Christmas"" is a classic retelling of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, written by American author Lew Wallace. The book takes readers on a journey back in time to the city of Bethlehem, where Mary and Joseph are preparing for the arrival of their son, Jesus. With vivid descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the customs of the time, Wallace brings the story to life, capturing the wonder and awe of the miraculous event. Along the way, readers will meet the shepherds who first heard the news of the birth, the wise men who traveled from afar to pay homage to the infant king, and the evil King Herod, who sought to destroy the newborn child. With its timeless message of hope, love, and redemption, ""The First Christmas"" is a beloved holiday classic that will be treasured by readers of all ages. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1902 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.