The Word (published in 1972) - written by Irving Wallace

Irving Wallace was born in Chicago, to Jewish parents,Bessie and Alexander Wallace Who had emigrated from Russia. He completed his studies in California and started out as a journalist at a tender age of 15. He studied creative writing at the Williams Institute in Berkley and from the mid-30s he worked as a free-lance correspondent. In 1941 he married Sylvia Kahn; they had two children. Irving Wallace served in the air force during world war two and later collaborated in several movies as a writer. His first book “sins of Peter Fleming did not attract much attention. But his second book influenced by the Kinsey report was a best seller. He has been a prolific churner of best sellers and his books have been adapted as major movies. He died on June 29, 1990.
The Word published in 1972 works on the premise that Religion is indeed the opium of the masses. A multimillionaire undertakes the publication of a newly discovered Gospel of James. According to this Gospel, Jesus does not die on the cross but is buried alive. All his followers have dispersed and only James remain at his side. Jesus talks to him and prays for everybody and also for his adoptive father, Joseph. Then a fully recovered Jesus goes abroad to deliver his teachings. According to the Gospel of James, the death and resurrection of Jesus occurs in Rome 20 years after the crucifixion.



Steven Randall, an alcoholic, atheist lawyer is hired by George Wheeler to publish the new testament. He is facing opposition from skeptics, the prominent one being Maertin de Vroome. Steven's personal life is in shambles, as his wife being separated from him, his daughter caught plying drugs and expelled from school and he being the biggest disappointment for his clergyman father. Steven travels to Europe with his lover Darlene and meet eh movers and shakers who are involved in the publication of the new testament. The most important person he meets is Prof. Augusto Monti who is confined to an asylum and talks in riddles. Steven is unable get coherent answer's from him but gets two codes, that of a fish and a harpoon. As Steven goes deciphering this he meets Monti's daughter, the beautiful Angela who falls for him. Steven and Angela hit it off and become lovers.
But the biggest shock awaits Steven as he encounters Maertin de Vroome who insinuates that the Gospel is a work of forgery by a petty French thief Lebrun. Although initially skeptical Steven meets Lebrun who confirms the act of forgery. Steven rushes to stop the publication of the book and is thwarted by the powerful religious lobby. A disillusioned Steven retreats to more alcohol and obscurity. As Steven battles with his conscious, he is not able to do anything. He even finds his father taken in by the new Gospel. As the book comes to a close we find the moral and mental dilemma of Steven lighting up a new path and consciousness. This book by Irving Wallace may show shades of Dan Brown, but the message is completely different. You need to feel the faith and even a forged document can elicit passion and belief in a person's life changing it forever. A must read for all Wallace's fans.