"The Jesus Dynasty"

(the Hidden History of Jesus, his Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity)
-by james d. tabor
2006
This stunning book is the only one i've ever read about jesus which has no agenda other than truth.
I know, i know...is there anyone who LESS needs another book? But few would deny jesus' power as social critic, and this is the book that makes sense of all the oddities. It will make you go "ohhh" and "ahhh" and "NOW it makes sense", over and over.
Tabor, chair of the Department of Religious Studies at UNC Charlotte, offers a penetrating analysis of 1st century and early christian documents alongside recent archaeological discoveries, separating mythology from man. Don't read this if you need your dogma, but if you go in with an open mind, you might walk away feeling great that you ever liked jesus in the first place. The biggest difference is that his kingdom was not in heaven, but here. He was an intensely devout jew who saw himself as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, an heir to the throne of Israel who would rule side by side with his older cousin john the baptist as high priest. Jesus was not above john, despite the Bible's bending over backwards to deny or downplay the significance of john's baptizing jesus. In ancient jewish hierarchy the high priest was as important as the king, and in life jesus followed the lead of his cousin. The book brings jesus' family to life, shining light on his likely father and "resurrecting" his brothers, whose importance in the early christian movement has been buried. After jesus' death the movement was led by his brother james for thirty-two years, before he was stoned to death by the jewish priesthood. Then his brother simon led for forty-four years, before being crucified by the romans. Jesus would be horrified by modern christianity, but not for the obvious reasons. He was a reformer, not a revolutionary, and it was the purity of his jewish faith that may have cost him his life. The book brings mary magdalane into light as a leader and jesus' likely wife, while exposing paul as someone jesus wouldn't have liked.
Tabor's book is simply one of the most impressive pieces of historical detective work you'll ever find. Even if you have no interest in religion, it will knock your socks off.