Pagans and Christians

Well written and learned, handling the sparse sources with confidence. With some dazzling conjectures and some throwaway guesses, which is to say, convincing only part of the time.

I actually really enjoyed this historical comparison. Much well-woven fact. Definitely an interesting read.

Extremely thorough and detailed, perhaps too much so in places, and while his argument for continuing pagan "piety" (if we must use that word) holds water for the second and early third century it becomes speculative and argumentative afterwards. Still, a valuable resource for those interested in late antique religious belief and a thought-provoking counterbalance to the standard "decline of paganism/rise of Christianity" narratives.

A tremendous work revealing the fruit of a lifetime of sincere, if occasionally athiest-biased, research. Robin Lane Fox comes up with a book three times the length of the Bible to explain the setting of the smaller portion of it, the New Testament, within a cultural context few Christians ever bother to poke their noses into beyond a pocket-sized 'handbook of the new testament'. Indispensable, in my opinion, for forming a well-rounded view of the first and second centuries and the setting of the earthly life of Christ and the birth of the church.

VERY DETAILED. Do not read it if you do not have a great understanding of classical history. It will bore the pants off those who are not deeply interested in religious history or classical history. I like it though, but Robin Lane Fox does have a habit of showing off how much he knows (he's a long-winded).

not bad

Captivating

Full of interesting information, but not always very readable.

Classical studies, wow what a subject...

tough one but gratifying