About the book
Lew Wallace’s enduring epic, a tale of revenge, betrayal, honor, compassion and the power of forgiveness, set during the life of Christ, with an introduction from John Swansburg
At the beginning of the first century, Judah Ben-Hur lived as a prince, descended from the royal line of Judea and one of Jerusalem’s most prosperous merchant families. But his world falls apart when he is betrayed by his best friend, Messala, who falsely accuses him of an attempt to assassinate the Roman governor.
Convicted without trial, Judah is sentenced to slavery on a Roman galley, while his mother and sister are imprisoned and his family’s assets are seized. All seems lost, but just before boarding the ship, Ben-Hur has his first interaction with the Christ, who offers him water and hope. Their lives continue to intersect as Ben-Hur miraculously survives his time as a slave to become a charioteer, confront his betrayer, Messala, in an epic race, fall in love with the beautiful Esther, avenge his family, and become a follower of the Christ.
Ben-Hur weaves biblical history and a rich adventure plot into a timeless tale certain to entertain a new generation of readers.
Editions of Ben-Hur
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780062421234
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062465979
Read an Excerpt
Lew Wallace’s enduring epic, a tale of revenge, betrayal, honor, compassion and the power of forgiveness, set during the life of Christ, with an introduction from John Swansburg
At the beginning of the first century, Judah Ben-Hur lived as a prince, descended from the royal line of Judea and one of Jerusalem’s most prosperous merchant families. But his world falls apart when he is betrayed by his best friend, Messala, who falsely accuses him of an attempt to assassinate the Roman governor.
Convicted without trial, Judah is sentenced to slavery on a Roman galley, while his mother and sister are imprisoned and his family’s assets are seized. All seems lost, but just before boarding the ship, Ben-Hur has his first interaction with the Christ, who offers him water and hope. Their lives continue to intersect as Ben-Hur miraculously survives his time as a slave to become a charioteer, confront his betrayer, Messala, in an epic race, fall in love with the beautiful Esther, avenge his family, and become a follower of the Christ.
Ben-Hur weaves biblical history and a rich adventure plot into a timeless tale certain to entertain a new generation of readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ben-Hur about?
Lew Wallace’s enduring epic, a tale of revenge, betrayal, honor, compassion and the power of forgiveness, set during the life of Christ, with an introduction from John Swansburg
At the beginning of the first century, Judah Ben-Hur lived as a prince, descended from the royal line of Judea and one of Jerusalem’s most prosperous merchant families. But his world falls apart when he is betrayed by his best friend, Messala, who falsely accuses him of an attempt to assassinate the Roman governor.
Convicted without trial, Judah is sentenced to slavery on a Roman galley, while his mother and sister are imprisoned and his family’s assets are seized. All seems lost, but just before boarding the ship, Ben-Hur has his first interaction with the Christ, who offers him water and hope. Their lives continue to intersect as Ben-Hur miraculously survives his time as a slave to become a charioteer, confront his betrayer, Messala, in an epic race, fall in love with the beautiful Esther, avenge his family, and become a follower of the Christ.
Ben-Hur weaves biblical history and a rich adventure plot into a timeless tale certain to entertain a new generation of readers.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Ben-Hur?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Ben-Hur?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062421234
Is Ben-Hur part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Harper Perennial Deluxe Editions
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Ben-Hur?
Lew Wallace
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Ben-Hur is available as paperback(ISBN 9780062421234) and ebook(ISBN 9780062465979)
Where can I buy Ben-Hur online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Ben-Hur from below