Contents
Joshua - Amazon Reviews

Home / Fiction / Latest Reviews / JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man

Book Cover - Joshua: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man

Title: JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man

Author: Theckedath M. Mathew MD

Publisher: Odyssey Press, Inc.

ISBN: 0988713004

Pages: 596

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reviewed by: Aaron Washington

Hollywood Book Reviews

The storytelling in JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man by author Theckedath M. Mathew MD, is nothing short of exceptional. The author knows how to capture the reader's attention by including amusing literary elements in his story. The first thing you notice about Theckedath M. Mathew's writing is his attention to detail. The author's brilliance starts to show when you open the first page of the book and keeps going until the last page. He knows how to keep his readers hooked. He creates something unique about each character that will have the reader fall in love with either their traits or way of doing things. Theckedath M. Mathew's book is a must read for every lover of historical fiction. Not only is one entertained, but also thoroughly exposed to ancient culture and how civilization happened.

JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man is a historical fiction book which follows a story similar to that of Jesus Christ. In the book, readers follow a teenage Jewish boy and his journey through adulthood until he is 30. This character is one that readers will certainly adore. Following his life from when he was a 13-year-old carpenter boy to this grown 30-year-old was fascinating. I like how the author captured events in the book; one gets the impression of being in the same location as the characters thanks to the author's vivid description. As we follow this young man's journey, we get to see how boys transform into men and how they relate with different things and groups of people. The society in JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man is different from today's society. I like how the author made the contrast as one could be able to compare different things between the society in the book and the world which we know today.

One thing that every reader will appreciate is the research that went into making JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man. One can spot historical accuracies and even agree on new concepts the author added. Reading Theckedath M. Mathew's work was a delight for me as I got to learn about so many things that I had no idea of. It is impossible to put this book down once you start reading. Readers become engrossed in the plot with the addition of every new character or storyline. Characters in JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man surrounding the main character were my favorite as the author made them tough, charming and interestingly ambiguous. Minor characters excelled in their roles too.

Before you read this book you may assume that it reads like a religious book; that is not the case. JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man is fascinating and gets more interesting as every new story is introduced. The book can be enjoyed by both Christians and non-believers. This is a book that any avid reader would want to have. The arrangement of the story, characterization, suspense, plot twists and amazing research that went into the writing are some of the major features that make the reading worthwhile.

Five Debut Fiction Titles Named Finalists

Finalists for ForeWord Firsts' Winter 2013 competition were announced today. The award contest recognizes the brightest self-published and independently published works of debut fiction.

“Choosing the top finalists was a challenge this quarter,” said ForeWord Reviews Publisher Victoria Sutherland, adding “ForeWord Firsts is all about celebrating excellence, originality, and accessibility, and our finalists titles definitely reflect that.”

First fiction titles, published January through March 2013 , were eligible for judging. Debut fiction writers—either self-published or represented by small presses—were invited to submit their work. ForeWord's panel of editors reviewed the selection of submitted titles and named the following finalists (in alphabetical order by title):

The Winter 2013 Winner will be announced May 30, 2013, and will receive a free Clarion Review which will be posted on our website and licensed to the top wholesale databases. This service is ideal for books that haven't received review attention elsewhere or need quotable copy for their promotional efforts.

A compelling look at the adolescent life of Jesus Christ. The work is impeccably researched. An impassioned, thought provoking work of biblical fiction

In the New Testament, there's an 18-year gap in Jesus' life story, which this work attempts to fill. A curious 13-year-old Jewish boy, Joshua is suddenly cast out of his temple because he wanted to ask his rabbi a few questions. Soon after, he witnesses the stoning death of his cousin, Rachel, all because her new in-laws were convinced she wasn't a virgin upon marrying their son. Joshua is devastated and bewildered; how could this happen to his beloved cousin?

Disgusted by the Mosaic Law he's grown up with, Joshua starts out on a journey of discovery through Galilee, Judea, Egypt, Rome, Greece, Babylon and more, along the way discussing and philosophizing with great minds of those regions. Joshua begins to form his own ideas, amassing followers and slowly evolving into the Joshua depicted in the Gospels. Mathew has poured over hundreds of documents to fill in the blanks, so to speak, of Joshua's life.

The work is impeccably researched—perhaps even a bit too much. Toward the end of the novel, Mathew's tale seamlessly integrates well-known characters—including Mary, Pontius Pilate, King Herod, Peter, Judas, Caiaphas, etc.—and lesser-known, contemporary philosophers. Joshua's thoughts are notably modern, focusing greatly on the rights of women and instances of monotheists treating women poorly.
An impassioned, thought-provoking work of biblical fiction.
Pub Date:March 13th, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15th, 2013.

M. T. VASUDEVAN NAIR

Globally acclaimed best-selling author and award-winning movie director. May 24th 2013

"Marvelously original. Eminently readable."

Thank for your letter and the book. "Joshua" gripped me. It is marvelously original. In-spite of your busy professional life you could find time to accompany "Joshua" in his uninterrupted and emotional journey through time and space. I really admire your determination. It is eminently readable and it has many levels also.

Once again I appreciate your serious work on the life of "Joshua"


USA BOOK REVIEWS

Historical Fiction

JOSHUA: THE Odyssey of an Ordinary Man is a brilliantly written historical fiction that questions whether Jesus was the Son of God, and details what he was doing in the eighteen years that followed his eviction from the temple.

Dr. Mathew skillfully takes the reader back 2,000 years in time to an ancient world. The people come alive as he proves his theory beyond doubt, step by step, leaving us amazed. This fascinating and absorbing subject has never been researched in such depth until now.

What contributed to Jesus' great wisdom? JOSHUA: THE Odyssey of an Ordinary Man provides the final answer to this 2,000 year old question. The author reveals that the prophet gained invaluable insights from the philosophers of the East and thinkers from the West during an odyssey that lasted eighteen years.


Must Read Joshua The Odyssey-An incredibly brilliant work of historical fiction that is so well written. It reads like an actual biographical account.

Posted under Spirituality & Religion by Stacey Massey on July 2nd, 2013

Dr. Theckedath Mathew, MD, has created an incredibly brilliant work of historical fiction that is so well written it reads like an actual biographical account. Joshua The Odyssey Of an Ordinary Man is a novel that covers a topic often speculated about. This is a must-read book for anyone, both Christians and otherwise, who is interested in Biblical based story lines.

The book is set in the first century A. D., specifically the eighteen-year span during which Jesus of Nazareth is not mentioned in the Bible. The story is an account of what may have occurred to him during that time through the character called Joshua. This is more than a work of fiction as it is easy to see how well researched and accurate the details are.

Jesus‘experience with being exiled from the temple for correcting a rabbi was at age twelve, after which he seems to disappear. He isn‘t mentioned again until he enters his thirties and the segment regarding his famous death and resurrection begins. There are, however, other writings from the time that refer to some activities he may done and places he may have gone during that period. Writings not declared appropriate for the Bible were extensively studied and used as a guideline and resource to give the author a clearer idea of what life was really like at that time. There are many stories and myths from various civilizations that also had influence on the storyline. Questions regarding the marriage and parental status of the prophet, as well as who he associated with and where his travels led are all brought to light.

The character emerges as a steadfast defender of women and their rights in society. This aspect comes primarily from the biblical account of Jesus preventing a group of men from stoning a prostitute for unsavory behavior. The prophet denies them that right by stating that all men are sinners and only he who is free from transgressions may righteously cast their stone.

Continuing through the great lands of Athens, Rome, Egypt, Galilee, Babylon, Mathura and Taxila, Joshua embarks on many more adventures. He mixes with all classes of people from the lowest ranking to the highest and even draws influences from the era‘s greatest philosophers. Assisting those less fortunate and supporting the rights of the common working man compile a huge part of what he did.

Along the way, he performs many acts for which he is well known. He heals the sick and spends much of his time teaching others and showing them how to live in a different way, bringing them closer to God. The events are extremely believable because Dr. Mathew is incredibly skilled at bringing each character to life with a realistic personality and giving detailed descriptions of the lands and activities of the times.

As the story of Joshua The Odyssey Of An Ordinary Man unfolds, the reader is instantly transported more than 2000 years into the past in a tale that is both brilliantly narrated and historically accurate. The author has incorporated tedious research and ample background material in order to deliver a most believable account. It is an absolute must for any fan of this genre.

You can visit the website www.joshuatheodyssey.com for more helpful information about Joshua The Odyssey Is Enlightening


M.V. Pillai, M.D. (USA )

Professor of Medicine, Public Speaker, Radio & Television Personality.

A masterpiece from a creative mind with a brilliant imagination. I was most impressed by your inimitable style of narration with flashes of imagination, bringing out the painter and dramatist in you.

I finished reading your superb work " Joshua" this evening! Barring a few minor glitches in timelines, this book is sure to make waves among serious readers worldwide. I was most impressed by your inimitable style of narration with flashes of imagination bringing out the painter and dramatist in you. Congratulations. It was most delightful to go through the final chapters presenting Joshua coming to Taxilla, Mathura and then returning to Israel. Perhaps your finest feat was the conclusion of the story, once again bringing out the dramatist in you epitomizing the beauty of the dictum ..." Natakaanthyam Kavithwam.."

Once again felicitations on a great achievement which makes you immortal in the world of letters.


A Description Of Joshua The Odyssey-A Brilliantly Written Historical Novel

By Mona Moody

If you want to become absorbed in a brilliantly written historical novel set in first century Nazareth, you should pick up a copy of the book "Joshua The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man". It is an account of a few years in the life of an adolescent boy called Joshua. The novel opens the life of Jesus during the years when there is no mention of him in the New Testament.

The author uses imagination, and a depth of descriptive qualities to bring his characters to life. The life and culture of the period is presented smoothly as part of a story and in keeping with the research done by the author. His characters are not only believable but used in a skillful way to present the story line.

The author is Dr. Theckedath Mathew, the son of orthodox Christian parents. He grew up in a Hindu setting. He holds post-doctoral diplomas in Western Medicine. He also holds a doctorate in Eastern Philosophy. His specialty is cardiology, but he also ministers to the souls of people who want to hear him as a public speaker, television commentator, teacher and historian.

Parental aspirations for Dr. Mathew were directed at him becoming part of the Catholic priesthood. He attended Catholic schools but had some difficulty following the regimens imposed there and was expelled from at least one. He was an anti-Communist protester and spent some time in jail for those activities. Eventually he returned to college and gained his degree in zoology.

The joy of scholarship and research led Dr. Matthew to his work in following up references to the life of Jesus. He tracked not only those from the New Testament scriptures, but ancient texts from Egypt, Greece, Rome and Babylon. His novel reflects the results of that research. Joshua leads the reader into the life and times of two millennia previously. The expression of this author's beliefs is done in an intriguing and exciting manner.

The story of Joshua describes how experiences of the man formed his character and abilities. The tale includes experiences of healing, teaching and travel. The author presents detailed descriptions about the lands through which his character passes. These are historically accurate and provide an inkling of the tremendous amount of background material that was incorporated into his tale.

The prophet Joshua is portrayed as the first to stand up for the rights of women. This is linked to the biblical portrayal of Jesus standing up to a circle of guilty men who had brought a prostitute to Him to be stoned. Women of the time could be killed as a point of honor, mutilated, immolated or stoned. Other parts of the narrative describe resurrecting the dead, helping widows and the poor and promoting working people.

"Joshua the Odyssey" is a unique story. It is certain to be interesting to readers. The author's viewpoint is skillfully presented in a way that will challenge thinking of anyone who reads the work.

About the Author:

You should pay a visit to this informative website www.joshuatheodyssey.com t to read about Joshua the Odyssey. To make it easier for you, we strongly recommend that you check out this link http://www.joshuatheodyssey.com right away.


NRS Babu

Author, Newspaper Editor, Public Speaker. July 16, 2013

"Simplicity at its best"

It is superlative work that Dr. Theckedath Mathew has done by successfully trying to unravel the untold days in the life of Joshua as he calls him. The imaginative brilliance of the author reconstructs the misty mornings of those first century days of Christian history with intimate clarity. Simplicity at its best and straightness at its height renders this historical fiction eminently entertaining, and puts even real history to shame by its informative and enjoyable presentation.


Couples Counseling Boca Raton Articles

Joshua The Odyssey Is a great book for people of all faiths. Anyone who loves a good book will want to read Joshua the Odyssey of an Ordinary Man. It is not a Christian book that was made for Christians. Christians and anyone else who loves to learn about history and other people’s opinions will find this book a pleasant read.

Theckedath M Mathew MD, has written a book called Joshua the Odyssey of an Ordinary Man. The book is a novel and its focus is on the most talked about man in human history, Jesus Christ. Even though the name Yeshua was later translated to Jesus, we are talking about the same person. It is important to remember that even though languages and translations change, the person is always the same.

Those interested in knowing everything about Jesus of Nazareth will be very interested in this book. The book concentrates on times of Jesus life that are not mentioned in the bible. If a person ever wondered what led up to the Jesus that we are familiar with, they will want to read this book.

During Jesus time here on earth, his followers believed that he was the long awaited for messiah. They, as well as all believers of Christ, thereafter, believe that he lived and died so that mankind can have a chance of having eternal life with the Lord. There have always been critics to Jesus’s teachings though. Some have even said that Joshua was nothing more than a common criminal. This can be very offensive to hear for some Christians.

The main theme of the book is to find out who Jesus was. He talks about missing pages of the bible that greatly have affected a readers prospective of what the text is saying. These are the kind of thoughts world, and the people come alive as he proves his theory beyond doubt, step by step, leaving us amazed. This fascinating and absorbing subject has never been researched in such depth until now.

About the Author

Born to an Orthodox Christian family in a Hindu culture, Dr. Theckedath Mathew secured several postdoctoral diplomas in Western Medicine and a doctorate in Eastern Philosophy. As a cardiologist, he has lived and practiced in four continents of the world, which gave him the unique privilege of mending the hearts and touching the souls of several thousand fellow human beings. Author of the Treasures of the Heart, a nonfiction medical book. He is also a teacher, historian, public speaker, and television commentator. Although his profession involves fixing the broken heart, it was his passion to comfort the soul that inspired him to write Joshua: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man.

Joshua: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man
Publication Date: March 2013
Trade Paperback ISBN 978-0-9887130-2-4
Ebook ISBN 978-0-9887130-1-7
Available: Amazon, Lightning Source, Baker & Taylor & Ingram
Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at (972) 965-1007.
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/9/ prweb11158938.htm

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1490084#ixzz2h5MlXer7


An Extraordinary Work of Historical Fiction.

Joshua, the Odyssey of an Ordinary Man‘ is a fictional novel, but with great care and vivid imagination, author Dr. Theckadath Mathew gives us a glimpse of the 1st century world and the extra ordinary life of Joshua as a passionate and inspiring human being in real flesh and blood. He will captivate and motivate us even today as he did with men and women of his time. With deep knowledge of history, Theckedath pens down a compelling story of Joshua, the places he traveled, and people he met 2000 years ago. I kept on reading this engrossing, thrilling, and fascinating story, as I felt that I was travelling with Joshua during my recent air travel from Chicago to Kochi.

Dr. Mathew ‘s brilliant work, most certainly will be a valuable addition in the genre of historical fictions of English literature. I strongly recommend this book to our readers.


Violence Against Women Deep Rooted in Religions.

Although we have just concluded Sexual Assault Awareness month, it‘s more important than ever to continue to raise awareness about the sexual violence that women and girls must endure around the world. One of the keys to educating people worldwide is providing them with little known (and, yes, sometimes, controversial) knowledge and history about the roots of violence so they better understand where it came from and what to do about it.

Violence against women is an age-old practice, deep-rooted in many of the religious scriptures and traditions. In many, a woman is worth less than a man—she is essentially worthless. It is still just as much, if not more, of an issue in our current day and throughout many cultures across the globe.

The sad truth is sexual assault and the rape of women and children has always been part of the dark side of humanity. But of late, there has been an exponential rise in the intensity, frequency, and brutality of violence against women. With the wide use of cell phones and other digital media, pornography has become extremely widespread and has consequently resulted in diminished respect for women. Once upon a time, adult sex was the sole content of pornography, but now various heinous versions of sex and grotesque child pornography have become commonplace. What is the solution to this escalating sexual violence? This is an extremely difficult question to answer.

In the Taliban-lead provinces or in areas of extreme Muslims, the answer lies in the education and empowerment of women. The revolution should come from within, like that of Malala Yousafzai. The Taliban know this, and for them a girl going to a school with a textbook in her hand is a much more frightening sight than a drone circling above their heads with bombs ready to be dropped. In such areas, widespread use of digital media like Facebook for dissemination of ideals of freedom, women ‘s liberation, and democracy will have some effect. However, western countries going to war with these fundamentalist nations with the idea of bringing democracy and civilization in place of theocracy and tribal rules will have very limited value by experience.

However, the issue of reducing violence against women in western countries like the U.S. is an entirely different matter. The first things we must look into are the risk factors that evoke extreme violence against women and the situations in which a woman is in jeopardy. We are living in a new era where drugs and guns are plentiful, violence is on the rise, and women must always be on the lookout to avoid situations that could lead to violence; they must know to look for risk factors for sexual violence and to avoid those people, places, or circumstances.

Knowledge, understanding, and preparation are all key elements for women, as well as all those around the world who wish to put an end to the violence, to consider. After all, knowledge truly is power.

Dr. Theckedath Mathew, MD, was born on the Southwest cape of India. Mathew has several post-doctoral diplomas and has practiced medicine on four continents. An accomplished senior interventional cardiologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine, Mathew currently resides in Rochester, New York.


JOSHUA: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man, a New Book by Dr. Tim Mathew, M.D., is a Brilliantly Written Historical Fiction That Questions Whether Jesus Was the Son of God

There are many myths and missing pages in the Bible. Who was this man Joshua of Nazareth, really? Joshua the Odyssey is the epiphany for this long awaited mystery in human history.

THE LOST YEARS OF THE BIBLE

New Book Explores One Prophet‘s Plight to End Religious Injustice

With 2.2 billion believers, the Christian faith commands the majority of followers of all religions in the world. Joshua of Nazareth is thought to be the Son of God by those who believe, though some of his critics think that he was only a common criminal crucified on a cross. With eighteen years unaccounted for in the Bible, Dr. Theckedath Mathew began to ask himself, ―What is the truth; who is really telling the truth?

For over twenty years, Dr. Mathew pored over religious documents – dedicating time and talent, always fueled by passion – and pieced together his findings in what would become a book unlike any other: Joshua: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man.

It all began when a 13-year-old indignant Jewish boy, Joshua, got up in the temple and asked some questions of the rabbi… the boy was quickly evicted. He then witnessed the most repulsive execution of the Mosaic Law as his cousin Rachel was stoned to death because her in-laws believed she was not a virgin. Joshua ‘s visit to the Temple of Jerusalem didn‘t help – he found the House of God defiled, teeming with tourists and harlots. More than two thousand years ago, a young boy, dejected by the theocratic atrocities and disillusioned by executions, leaves Israel to embark on a journey in search of his ancestry and the meaning of man ‘s existence on earth: this boy was Joshua.

Joshua: The Odyssey of an Ordinary Man brings Joshua back to life. Step by step, Dr. Mathew has readers walk with Joshua through an 18-year journey as he encounters many powerful and influential places and people. Readers will embark on a breathtaking journey through Galilee, Judea, Egypt, Rome, Greece, Babylon, Taxila and beyond while meeting the great thinkers of the West and philosophers of the East.

―Jesus, the hero of this narrative work of historical fiction, is the most fascinating and influential philosopher to have ever walked the Earth, Dr. Mathew says. ―I want to dust off the years that are unaccounted for in the Bible and bring who this man really was to the forefront, in a time when religion has so much influence on our world.

In his riveting work of historical fiction, Dr. Mathew touches upon such topics as: