The Search for the Twelve Apostles Mass Market Paperback – December 14, 1979

Whether or not one agrees with the author's conclusions (which he admits are best guesses, owing to the lack of substantiating documentation or evidence in most cases), this is nevertheless a fascinating and worthwhile read. As the author states, the book is more than a mere search for bones; rather, it is an honest attempt to determine the fate of the twelve apostles (as well as other persons whom the gospels and the Book of Acts mention). In each case, the author examines prevailing traditions and (if available) alternate possibilities. In some cases, such as those of Timothy (who became the patron saint of India) and James (who became the patron saint of Spain), it is clear that these apostles followed the Roman roads to reach those remote locations. In the case of Spain, we know from the writings of Paul that there was a community of exiles in Spain (Gaul); it is likely that there was also a similar community on the frontier with India. Why would these apostles have traveled to these parts? In order to obey Christ's command to take the gospel to "the uttermost parts of the world" and also to bring the gospel --- as Paul noted --- "first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." All in all, the book should stimulate one's thinking, even if one does not always agree with the conclusions. Yet, the author provides a decent case for the fate of each of these men.

I am 65 years old I remember reading this book when I was in my 20's as being a very good good to read since than I lost it. So I ordered another one. Its a good book to get and review. Its a keeper.

A good, readable presentation of lots of information not readily available elsewhere. The book of Acts records very little about what the twelve Apostles did after Jesus left the earth. This book shows how busy they were and how widely they traveled to spread the good news about Jesus. I am 63 years old, brought up in church all my life, and most of the information in this book I had never heard before.

This was a gift for my pastor who loaned out his copy and never got it back. He said he really liked the book and used it a lot.

ALTHOUGH THIS WAS BASICALLY WRITTEN IN THE 1970'S IT'S A VERY GOOD RENDITION OF THE KNOWN LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. I HAVE FOUND A COUPLE MORE RECENT PUBLICATIONS THAT I MAY CHECK OUT IN FUTURE BUT MCBIRNIE'S IS A GREAT PLACE TO SET A BASE OF KNOWLEDGE!!!!

Very interesting read. The author obviously traveled extensively and gathered a huge collection of legends and stories. Unfortunately there is little verification, but that's not his fault, it's the nature of the subject. This is the best gathering of information/legends/traditions on what became of the original apostles that I am aware of. Some of it is probably actually true.

To me, this book was written as more of an historical document or text book. It does not read like a novel. It is detailed, well researched and objective. Its excellant to me. This book is not all inclusive. I have read other books that shed light on other aspects of The Apostle's lives but this book provides and good base of information and knowledge for further reading. I esecially like all the personal accounts and the places Mr McBirnie visited, things he saw for himself and people he spoke with. There's a lot of information in this book.

I have always wanted to know what happened to the 12 disciples. I believe a lot of research went into this book. I found it very interesting.

I was looking forward to reading this book (not in chronological order but according to the feast day of whichever apostle was being celebrated) but was sadly disappointed and put off from reading any more when I came across reading this statement made by the author at the very beginning of his chapter on Matthew (chapter 10):"Matthew was a brother of James the Less and both were the sons of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14)."McBirnie, William Steuart. The Search for the Twelve Apostles (Kindle Locations 2265-2266). Tyndale Momentum. Kindle Edition.Going to the Bible it actually says the following for Mark 2: 14:"14 And when he was passing by, he saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom; and he saith to him: Follow me. And rising up, he followed him."Catholic Way Publishing. The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Kindle Locations 75272-75273). Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle Edition.Yes, Matthew's father may have been called Alpheus but to make an assumption such as the author makes is just plain wrong and extremely misleading. Alphaeus may well have been a popular name at that particular time and so there were probably many men who were called this and just because James and Judas Thaddeus who were apostles, brothers and actual cousins of Jesus had a father named Alpheus who was the elder brother of Joseph (who was the foster father of our Lord) does not make Matthew their brother or rather a brother of James in the biological sense which is strongly suggested by the author. James and Judas had two older brothers named Joseph and Simon but Matthew was not related to any of the apostles biologically…If the author can be so slipshod over quite a major thing as this then I really have no confidence in any of the statements he actually makes & I do not want to read a book full of errors & I cannot recommend reading this book to anybody because of this.UPDATE: to those who are seeking to learn a little more about the apostles I would recommend reading about them in "The Saints Collection" by Catholic Way publishing as this collection is comprised of 2428 saints with a few saints given for each day of the year according to the feast day of each particular Saint…I looked up their section on St Matthew the Apostle and In the first paragraph that they devote to him they state the following:"St. Mark calls him the son of Alphæus; but the conjecture which some form from hence, that he was brother to St. James the Less, has not the very shadow of probability."Catholic Way Publishing. The Saints Collection [2,428 Saints] (Kindle Locations 56724-56725). Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle Edition

The book sells itself as the culmination of 30 years of in depth research, finding obscure documents, personally exploring the paths that the apostles walked, even climbing a mountain to follow a rumour. Seemed as though it would be a fascinating and enlightening read.The actual book is not much like that. There are some interesting details that are given, and a some of the more interesting stuff is about where the apostles were buried, but when it comes to their actual journeys, there is much to be desired.Most of the obscure quotes come from fairly modern historians, who the author admits are using sources he has not seen. This means we don't know whether this information is trustworthy. So, if you're hoping for snippets taken from church fathers or non-Christian historians of the first few centuries, you're going to be left wanting.The other issue I have is that the author will often tell us "We know X happened in year Y and so...". However he gives us no evidence or reasoning to trust whether his dating is accurate, and in my own studies some of the dates he suggests are news to me. At the very least many of them are heavily debated.If you can pick it up cheap, it is worth a look, but it is far from the epic and detailed fountain of knowledge it claimed to be.

So this was a book commented on - by the author himself as well as others - as being a thorough, new, exact broad investigation into the lives of the Apostles and some of the other pillars of the faith.In stead, I found quotes upon quotes from other authors - up to a couple of pages long each - including reliance upon Medievel sorces, fairy tales and fables where each and every one perform miracles en masse upon kings and queens otherwise unheard of. And every one of the Apostles has been to Armenia, the Indian borders, way into Africa, everyone is buried in Rome, all the body parts said to remain in monasteries and churches are what they are said to be, and finally of course many, many of the Apostles all went to Britain and spent years proclaiming the Gospel there. No evidence of course, but of course it must be true, because some obscure writer around year 700 said so.Truly disappointing. Not one to keep, but to let go in the trash bin.

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Superb book.