If you thought Dan Brown's fiction was gripping, try the truth. This controversial book pieces together new evidence on the real life of Jesus. The true inspiration behind Kathy Reich's bestselling thriller, Crossbones, archaeologist and scholar James Tabor takes us on a startling journey that changes the story of Christianity as we know it. Based on hand-on archaeological experience and ground-breaking academic research, real-life Indiana Jones, James Tabor, has produced a compelling and bold new interpretation of the life of Jesus and the origins of Christianity. So impressive is his work that Kathy Reichs, bestselling mystery writer of the Tempe Brennan series, was inspired by his findings to write her latest novel, Cross Bones. The truth, however, is far more gripping than fiction - either hers or Dan Brown's. Tabor's revelations are startling and substantiated, beginning with his accidental discovery on a dig in Israel of what many now think was Jesus' family tomb. Piecing together new archaeological evidence, combined with the earliest surviving Christian documents, Tabor reconstructs Jesus' real family history.
What emerges is Jesus as head of a persecuted royal dynasty in exile. Jesus was leader of a messianic movement - one far different to the revelations of his maverick follower Paul who was responsible for what we know as Christianity today. Was Jesus far more human than the Church has led us to believe? Did Jesus entrust his teachings to someone much closer to him? Was his royal bloodline meant to free mankind or just a chosen few? And why did dissident follower Paul have a more lasting effect on Christianity than Jesus himself? Lead title * The Jesus Dynasty is being promoted in joint publicity with Kathy Reichs' latest novel, Cross Bones, which was a Sunday Times No. 4 bestseller (45,000 copies in HB sold since July 2005). Her novel contains a 3-page special section identifying The Jesus Dynasty as the factual inspiration for her story. The PB will come out in March 2006 to coincide with our publication. * Hugely appealing to Dan Brown fans with an appetite for controversial religious conspiracies surrounding Jesus and his bloodline. This book will be well timed for the Spring 06 release of the Da Vinci Code film.
* Daily Mail have already expressed a strong interest in serial. * Author will be in the UK to support the publication in April alongside Kathy Reichs in cross promotion - good publicity coverage anticipated. * Tabor has already featured in documentaries based on his work aired on the BBC, Channel 4 and the History Channel. A new documentary based on this book is due to start filming this year. * Also appeals to more traditional readers of alternative history, including fans of Laurence Gardner, Graham Hancock, Lynne Picknett, etc. Competition: The Jesus Papers - Michael Baigent (2006)Holy Blood Holy Grail - Baigent et al (1982)The Messianic Legacy - Baigent et al (1986)The Jesus Mysteries - Freke & Gandy (2000)The Bloodline of the Holy Grail - Gardner (2002).