The Bronze Bow

The Bronze Bow

The Bronze Bow Elizabeth George Speare Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company Historical Fiction Many of us would give anything just to have been with Jesus Christ during his travels throughout the lands of Judea and Galilee. Well, Daniel bar Jamin got that chance. In the novel The Bronze Bow, by the great author Elizabeth George Speare, you will experience first hand the life of your average Galilean as seen through the eyes of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin. As a young boy, Daniel's father was crucified by Roman legionaries. Now, ten years older, wiser, and fiercer, Daniel wants nothing more than to drive the Romans from the land of Israel forever. In the ten years since his father's death, Daniel has been sold into slavery with a blacksmith named Amalek, run away from Amalek because he was abused, and has now proceeded to live on a mountain overshadowing his village, living in caves with a band of outlaws led by a man named Rosh. However, Daniel is called back to his village in the wake of his grandmother¿s death. He can not continue to live with the bandits in the mountains because his sister lived with his grandmother and the sister now needs needs a caretaker. The morning after his grandmother's death, Daniel's friend Simon asks him to come with him and hear a man by the name of Jesus of Nazareth speak. Daniel is at first struck by this Jesus' words, but then Daniel does not understand them. This great novel then picks up its pace as Daniel attempts to find Jesus' meaning. This book documents the struggles of first century Israel, while at the same time spreading a wonderful final message at the end that all people, Christian or not, must recognize if they do not wish their lives to have been all in vain. In the book The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare, there are many different characters, each with their own distinct traits and impacts on the outcome of the story. First off, there is Daniel bar Jamin, he is the main character, but the strange thing about him is he is the story's protagonist and antagonist. He is always fighting himself like he does not know his own identity. At age eighteen, he is strong, sturdy, and cunning, these were very good features for Speare to give him as a main character. As the story states ¿He was a tall boy, with little trace of youth in his lean, hard body. At eighteen Daniel bar Jamin was unmistakably a Galilean, with the bold features of his countrymen, the sun-browned skin, and the brilliant dark eyes that could light fierce with patriotism and blacken with swift anger.¿ Daniel behaves quite strangely in the eyes of his fellow Jews, he is always scowling, he remembers some of the Jewish laws such of that of washing ones hands before a meal, or that of which that states that you must not do any work on the Sabbath. He acts violent at points but is quick to repent his actions. Overall, I believe Daniel to be an okay guy despite his controversial behavior. Another main character is Jesus Christ, he is the man all Christians believe to be the son of god. Speare describes him as ¿...slight, with knotted arms and the shoulders of one who has done hard labor from childhood. He was not regal or commanding.¿ Jesus is very kind and extraordinarily persuasive, for he can make people with great lives, and everything in the world to look forward to, drop everything, give up all of their possessions, their homes, and their families just to follow him and listen to him speak of the coming of the kingdom of God. There is also a group of characters of substantial importance, the Romans. The Romans are the conquerors, they rule over Israel with an iron fist. Their legions wander the streets like a band of thugs looking for a fight. The Romans are large in number and are led by their emperor, Tiberius. Although Tiberius never comes into play as a character, he is mentioned as being basically an extremely ignorant person. The Romans, overall, are r

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

The Bronze Bow Turns Gold

I thought that The Bronze Bow was a very powerful book. This book is full of action, but still has a docile tone at times. It starts out with a young man named Daniel running from his past and seeking revenge on the Romans. He finally confronts his past, and starts to change from a savage beast into more of a respectable young man. Though a lot has changed for this young man he still has not quenched his thirst for roman blood. I give this book five stars, because it sends a very inspirational message, and has characters that you get attached to. I feel that anyone who reads this book will be captivated by it and will not be able to set it down. There is nothing that could be changed about this book in order to improve it, it¿s simply flawless. I strongly recommend The Bronze Bow for readers of all ages.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

It was okay...

Imagine being an 18 year old man in the old times of Jesus, being ruled by the evil Roman Empire. This is the life of Daniel, the main character in the story the Bronze Bow. '- God is my strong refuge, and has made my way safe. He made my feet like hinds' feet, and set me secure on the heights. he trains my and for war, so that my arm can bend a bow of bronze.' The book keeps you intrested as Daniel continues to try to gain power from the people to soon rebel against the Romans. It's in the first person view, and I do recommend this for young adults +.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

to anonomous on February 26, 2012

TO ANONOMOUS ON FEBRUARY 26, 2012--

Maybe you just dont like to read-- I cannot imagine a world without books. They are the foundation of my dreams.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Boring book

I hate this book it is boring slow moving and one of the worst books i have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Bronze Bow

This is a great book filled with action, love, and romance. I request this book to everyone. Also it has a good lesson in it.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Amazing!!!!!!!!!

This is a great book and i read it in third grade. It is aboit the life of christ and helps you get a bwtter intellect on the history of that day. E speare is a great writer and you cam ffeel every emotion as if it were youre own. I really enjoyed this book but as some people said it is for mature readers but it is amazing it is one of my fsvorite books. I went to chuch one day and i was reading this book and a bunch of peoe said it was great and few others asked tp borrow it. If yoi are a believer in jesus christ and him alone it really helps you to grow like him wspecially inn the area of loving your enemies.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Bronze bow

I personly didnt enjoy it i found it kinda confusing. The story line isnt that bad, but it fells as if your jumping around

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Love

I loved this book it was cheap and very very good book. I read as a school book but enjoyed it so much its appropriet for all ages but its reading diffucultify i say age group 10 and above i absulutly love love this book you should get it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Dont judge this book by the first chapter

I really liked this book, and there are so many ppeoplewho just read the first chapterand decide they hate the book. Well dont. This was aveery good book for mature young readers who are young enough to enjoy it but old enough to handle it's deep parts.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Read it six times

The story is fast paced and thrilling. Yet easy to follow. Suspence may frighten very young children but the book has no profanity or innappropriate content. Has something for every reader romance suspence mystery ect.
Read this book!!!!!!!!!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Steven L. Jordan

A moving, vivid, and well written picture of spiritual vs. the material, vengeance vs. love.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

i did not like the book at all! i thought i was so hard to get int. i thought that it was just the beginning, then when i started to get to the middle, it was still boring! i would not reccommend this book to anyone. the ending was my favorite part! it meant the book was over.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a GREAT BOOK!

This was one of the best books I've ever read! Surprisingly I REALLY liked it. I am a very picky book reader, but I LOVED this book. I really liked how they give the message of Jesus Christ in this book. I really liked that. I totally recommend this book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is truly an inspireriing book

I love it but its mostly for kid ages 10-20

The Bronze Bow

I had to read this book for school and I honestly liked it. It had a really good message, some action, and even a little romance! ;) But I doubt many other people would like it. :(

My friend said this book sux

My friend said tjis book was totally awful and i am not willing to risk ir and possibly waste almost $6 bc i trust her

Bad

I had to read it it for my class and I hated it. It was boring and you could never really get a good picture in your head for it

BORING

If you're going 2 fall asleep while reading this in class, DON'T READ IT!!!!!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The bomber

It was ok

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.