The Life - book review - word-on-the-web

So what is it about?	A clearly written and relatively easy to understand introduction to the life and ministry of Jesus.
Who is it for?	The not-yet convinced - those who have been thinking about the Christian faith but need a bit more proof.
Does it do what it says on the label?	For what this book is, it is excellent - a scholarly look at the text of the Gospels, historical documents and the implications of Jesus' ministry. A clue is in the book's acknowledgements - thanks is given to some leading theologians and academics for their 'knowledge and scholarship'. Basically, then, this is an academic, theological book written for those who aren't necessarily academic or study theology. However, the packaging lets it down. It is an attractive hardback in gift-book size, with the subtitle: 'A Portrait of Jesus'. The word 'portrait', and the fact that it looks like a gift book, made me expect a collection of meditations, an inspirational novel, or poetry about Jesus. This is not what you get.
Enjoy or endure?	Enjoy, as long as you realise that this is an academic book in a clearly written style, rather than a collection of inspirational sayings and creative prose that form 'A Portrait of Jesus'.
Any other comments?	Ideal to give to that person you know who is a thinker and hasn't yet committed to the Christian faith. They may not buy it themself, so you need to buy it for them!