theremightbecupcakes's Reviews (2.86k)

Reread—read the expanded and updated edition edition this time (as of 2019–narrated by the author). You cannot read this and come away believing he didn’t do it. Horrifying.

Also learned that his body dysmorphia extended to anorexia: when he was arrested, he weighed 120 pounds. His is the ultimate case of surrounding yourself with yes men—he created a world in which he could do whatever he wanted, and it not only destroyed lives, but destroyed his body and led to his death.

Fascinating and truly original idea that unfurls its secrets slowly. Bronson Pinchot’s narration is absolutely superb.

I am glad I read this, but I have denominational disagreements with the doctrine of the author (I’m Episcopalian, for what it’s worth). This book felt like it was coming from an evangelical, strict and literal reading of the Bible, so I did not jive with some passages. Also, l am not one who puts Easter and Jesus’ death all over Christmas; many Christians do, and this author did, and I found that a little off-putting. You would not believe how many Advent devotionals talk at great length about his crucifixion. 
Some good nuggets here, but frankly I recommend The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Say About Jesus’ Birth, by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossman, both highly educated theologians that wrote their book not to preach but to educate and to learn.