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"I thoroughly enjoyed reading The King James Men. I will never look at the King James' Version of the Bible in the same way again." - Readers' Favorite
Persecution …Separatist Ben Kemp has already suffered for his faith three years in prison, and seven more in exile. But when a new king ascends the throne, he decides it is time to come home. Seeking only to be left in peace to worship with a true church, he joins a small community who have so far escaped persecution.
Friendship …Then his old friend, biblical scholar Richard Clarke, is offered a place on the king’s translation of the bible. For Richard it seems like a gift from God, a way back in from the cold where his friendship with Ben has kept him for many years.
Betrayal …But Richard soon discovers there is a price to pay for his new-found favour, and that price is betrayal. Caught between love for his friend and faith in his church, Richard is faced with a devastating choice.Set against the translation of the King James Bible, and inspired by true accounts of the people who became the Mayflower Pilgrims, The King James Men is a vivid and moving portrayal of the religious struggles of the age, and the price of being true to your faith.
What reviewers are saying about The King James Men
“an addictive readâ€
“fast-paced, an intriguing blend of heart-in-your-throat, bitten nails, warm-fuzzies and air high-fives.â€
“rest-assured that this novel is wonderful and one that you will not want to miss, no matter which genre you prefer. A definite recommend!â€
“intelligent historical fiction … with an excellent story.â€
Read Online The King James Men Samantha Grosser Books
"My Thoughts:
I love this book! And several reasons led me to award this book an excellent rating.
•The additional two sections in the back of the book hold:
-Bible quotations used in the book, they are listed by chapter; and they are from the 1611 King James Version.
-A list of further readings on this subject.
•The relationship between two men who were best friends when younger. These men loved each other as brothers in Christ Jesus. They felt compassion, commitment, and loyalty to one another. However, when the men grew older they adhered to different religious beliefs that drove them apart. Each man feels the love they have for one another, but they are also steadfast in their beliefs. This is a strong point in why this book is special. The strong love of the two men versus their strong beliefs in religion, and this brings turmoil in the book.
•Books have been written about love between women who are friends. Has a book been written about love between two men who are friends? I have not heard of another book like this topic. This topic brings originality to the story.
•Richard Clarke works as a translator for the King James Bible. His work of meticulous details, praying, and painstaking research to translate the Bible is fascinating.
•Family life, marriage, and the domestic life of the early 1600s gave me a strong view of this era.
•Ben Kemp and Richard Clarke’s thoughts are heavy in the story. Their memories, feelings, fear, trepidation, apprehensions, loneliness, and insecurities. These things increase their humanity in the story. It is the strongest reason I became immersed.
•The use of the environment to tell the story. For example, “a new chill†compared to a new, cold, daunting assignment.
The King James Men is one of the best books I’ve read in 2018! Thank you Samantha Grosser.
Source: I received a complimentary copy, but was not required to leave a positive review."
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Tags : The King James Men (9780648305224) Samantha Grosser Books,Samantha Grosser,The King James Men,Sam Grosser Books,0648305228,17th Century; friends and friendship; British historical fiction; religion; religious; spiritual; love and faith; king James bible version,FICTION / Historical / Renaissance,Fiction/Christian - Historical,Fiction/Literary,Fiction / Christian / Historical,Fiction / Historical
The King James Men Samantha Grosser Books Reviews :
The King James Men Samantha Grosser Books Reviews
- The early 17th century in England was an interesting time. King James ascended the throne after the death of Elizabeth I and the religious issues that bubbled during her reign were still percolating. The King was still the head of the Church of England but there were still Catholics and now the break with that church due to the impact of Martin Luther. In addition the Puritans were pushing for their beliefs feeling that the reforms to the Church of England didn’t go far enough and therefore they knew best.
It was during this religious quagmire that King James decided a new Bible translation was needed. And when the King wants something, the King gets something. That book is of course, what we know today as the King James Bible.
The King James Men tells the tale of one of those men, Dr. Richard Clarke (based on a real man who did indeed work on the translation.) Dr. Clarke’s reputation is a bit stained by his past friendship with a man who is now one of those Puritan Separatists. Ben Kemp was his friend at University but even then they would argue about the nature of man’s relationship with God. Richard fully believes in all that the Church of England stands for while Ben believes in the more personal relationship with God absent the trappings of the church. They parted in anger and Ben is seen as a traitor.
When Richard is chosen to be one of the translators and writers of the new Bible is his honored and relieved that his past is finally being forgiven. It is only when the Archbishop of Canterbury asks him to live with the family of his old friend so he can report on his activities that Richard wonders if he was chosen solely for his knowledge of Hebrew and the Bible.
What follows is a story about friendship, love, loyalty, conflict, betrayal and enlightenment. Richard decides he doesn’t have much choice but to do what is asked of him. He hopes that his friend has changed his convictions but he knows in his heart that Ben is strong in his beliefs.
Ben has been overseas on his father’s business for several years but is now back in London. He has lost none of his fervor for reform. His reunion with his friend is wary but not totally unwelcome. As they work back towards balance it all falls apart in the worst way.
I enjoyed – well, perhaps enjoyed is not the right word for what is a somewhat dark and depressing read at times. It is very well written and for anyone with an interest in religion and the bits and pieces that make organized religion the force that it is, this is good read about the movement that ultimately led to the Puritans coming over on the Mayflower. That particular event is still many years in the future from the events in this book but the groundwork is being laid.
4.5
I received a free copy for my honest review - The King James Men although the story of the translation of the bible which became The King James Version is more a story of friendship and a lesson in real faith. At the heart of the book is the friendship of Richard Clarke a biblical scholar, one of the interpreters of the KJV bible and a curate of The Church of England and Ben Kemp a Separatist. The two met in college and became best friends in spite of their difference in beliefs.
This book touched me in ways I can't explain. I was raised in the Congregational Church which is one of the original puritan Separatist churches in the United States. Although I knew the basic history of the church I was unaware of the overwhelming sacrifice made by the founding members in England. If you are a Protestant this book is the story of the faithful who began and sacrificed everything for your religion. In order to appreciate your religion I believe you must read this book. For me it provided the words I could never find to express what made my church and my beliefs different than other Christian sects.
The character development of this book is wonderful. Ben is always sure of his beliefs and is a fully formed character from the beginning. Richard believes he knows who he is and what faith is but watching him question and grow through the book was an experience I've never experienced with any character in any book before.
I highly recommend this book. It did start slow but eventually I was caught up in the story and just had to keep reading. I'm having a hard time expressing exactly how eye opening and moving I found this book because of my Protestant upbringing. All I can say is if you belong to a Protestant church you have to read this book. It will change you and the way you view your beliefs for the better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. - My Thoughts
I love this book! And several reasons led me to award this book an excellent rating.
•The additional two sections in the back of the book hold
-Bible quotations used in the book, they are listed by chapter; and they are from the 1611 King James Version.
-A list of further readings on this subject.
•The relationship between two men who were best friends when younger. These men loved each other as brothers in Christ Jesus. They felt compassion, commitment, and loyalty to one another. However, when the men grew older they adhered to different religious beliefs that drove them apart. Each man feels the love they have for one another, but they are also steadfast in their beliefs. This is a strong point in why this book is special. The strong love of the two men versus their strong beliefs in religion, and this brings turmoil in the book.
•Books have been written about love between women who are friends. Has a book been written about love between two men who are friends? I have not heard of another book like this topic. This topic brings originality to the story.
•Richard Clarke works as a translator for the King James Bible. His work of meticulous details, praying, and painstaking research to translate the Bible is fascinating.
•Family life, marriage, and the domestic life of the early 1600s gave me a strong view of this era.
•Ben Kemp and Richard Clarke’s thoughts are heavy in the story. Their memories, feelings, fear, trepidation, apprehensions, loneliness, and insecurities. These things increase their humanity in the story. It is the strongest reason I became immersed.
•The use of the environment to tell the story. For example, “a new chill†compared to a new, cold, daunting assignment.
The King James Men is one of the best books I’ve read in 2018! Thank you Samantha Grosser.
Source I received a complimentary copy, but was not required to leave a positive review.
