Helpful Score: 5
The first major and eminently readable book on gnosticism benefiting from the discovery in 1945 of a collection of Gnostic Christian texts at Nag Hammadi in Egypt. Pagels sets forth gnosticism's principles with a concise clarity. This book is stunning in its implications, a radical and yet accessible reconsideration of tbe origins of the Christian faith.
Ms/Dr Pagels first well-received title is all I expected. Her fair-mindedness comes through with flying colors, as does her deep committment to her field of inquiry and her Christianity. It's an easy read while being rather deep. You must think while reading it.
This book was not objective enough in my mind.
