The Robe

Aside from needing to have an active dictionary, this was the most inspirational and beautifully written book i have read in a while. Such detail, such depth, such vibrancy and such life!

Love the book

Familiar stories come to life. I love his writing style. The characters feel so real, I want to meet them. Historical fiction at its best.

100% clean read, that is also very satisfying. Yes the writing can be overwrought and trite at times, and toward the middle, the story lags a bit. I feel like Douglas worked to hard to fit in elements of the NEw Testament story than were needed for his tale. But overall, I'm glad I read it and would recommend.

Outstanding novel, which gives an interesting narrative of the gospel from the Roman centurion's perspective. It changes his life, just as so many do who encounter Jesus then and now when you turn to him and encounter him. If you are looking for purpose in your life––this book is for you.

This is one of those rare books that allows you to look at your very existence with a different view. Great stuff.

I really enjoyed this story. Monsters human ones that is, a few characters, love, bravery and the crucifixion that changed the world. Some of the details were livid enough that you could smell and visualize the area. I definitely will look for other books by this author.

Marcellus Gallio is a Tribune and the son of a very popular senator, but had the unfortunate luck to find the Prince’s drunk antics hilarious and was sent to the worst post Rome had to offer. While there, he was called by the Procurator in Jerusalem demanded Marcellus and his post bring a contingent of 400 men to help control the Passover crowds expected. Before we have come this far, we already like Tribune Marcellus for his strength of character. His has a slave named Demetrius that he treats as a trusted friend, and Demetrius also is well liked at their post. While in Jerusalem, Demetrius sees a man who appears to be important being cheered as he rides a donkey into the city. The man looks very sad and lonely, and doesn’t seem as though he really wants to be what the people cheering him want him to be. The man looks directly into Demetrius’ eyes and he is never the same after that. Marcellus finds that their post will be responsible for carrying out a political crucifixion, so his closest officer helps him to get drunk, because “it isn’t something to do sober”. They hear that even Pilate does not want to crucify him because he has done nothing wrong, but he is bound by the politics and washes his hands of the matter. The man being crucified had a fine robe, and Marcellus and Paulus threw dice for it, and Marcellus won. When it was over, Marcellus could not forget the courage of the man they put to death, or that those who translated his words said that he had forgiven them for his death. It tortured him until his mind almost broke, so Paulus has Demetrius take Marcellus home. As all Christians know, that is just the beginning of the story, and it was the same for Marcellus. He wasn’t a Christian yet, but as he suffered in his mind over the death of an innocent man, one day he picked up the robe and was suddenly at peace. Was the robe haunted? What was it about that strangely charismatic man who owned that robe that he could make the powerful Jews want him dead? Marcellus wanted to know, and Demetrius was just as anxious. This is the story of two mean walking the holy land among the intimates of Jesus, and hearing about the Christian faith as it grew. The characters are vibrantly drawn in the minds eye as you read, and the story of Stephen and Peter and his friends come alive. This is a five star classic and worth your time.

One of the best historical fiction books I'ver read.

Superb story telling that transports you to the time, place and emotions of its events. The author is a master of his craft and should have written many more books on this deeply meaningful subject. I wish all the books I read were of this high quality, and I highly recommend it for life-affirming inspirational pleasure.

I have been putting off reading this book which my own mother used to speak about for many years. it all seemed too much of an epic read for a busy person with multiple commitments. This book has deeply enhanced my understanding of the early Christians as they struggled to live out the message of Jesus, in spite of persecution and the threat of death. I am so glad I finally got to read it.

Brought tears to my eyes.. Fantastic.. very well told.. Marcellus, Demetrius and Diana will live in our hearts for ever..

I was pleased with the condition of the book and with the delivery time.