Daniel Bar Jamin had but one all-consuming purpose in life—to help drive the Roman legions from his land of Israel. Patriotism was fired by personal revenge, for only Roman blood could repay the cruel death of his father and mother.

Danger and intrigue, the brutal raids with an outlaw band, the spying and the planning, the waiting and the hoping, these alone gave meaning to his life. It mattered not that his consuming hate should drive his sister deeper into the darkness of her mind, that he should sacrifice his friends as well as himself to the cause.

It mattered not that there was a Rabbi in Capernaum who was teaching a different lesson. Daniel plunged along his own way, heedless of the mute devotion of the huge slave, Samson, the loyalty of his friend Joel, and the love of Joel's sister, Malthace. Stamping out any instinct for tenderness or forgiveness in himself, he dragged them all toward disaster.

But Daniel's story cuts far deeper than the violence and suspense of the action and the brilliantly realized characters. The final climax and resolution bring a satisfaction that will never be forgotten. No one who reads this magnificent novel can fail to be moved by Daniel's tormented journey from a blind and confining hatred to his acceptance and understanding of love.

From the dust jacket