And Man Created God: A History of the World at the Time of Jesus    by Selina O'Grady Order:  USA  Can Picador, 2014 (2013) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch At the time of Jesus' birth there were many gods who elicited the veneration and worship of various individuals. Some of these religions were short lived while others thrived for centuries. In this fascinating book, Selina O'Grady explores the power of religious belief and looks at these nascent religions as they began to emerge. A central question that drives this narrative is why did emperors of the time choose the religious options that they did? Why did China's rulers focus on Confucianism? Why was a tiny Jewish cult led by Jesus eventually adopted by Rome's emperors? Why did Christianity grow so quickly to become the predominant world religion? The answer to these questions requires that one investigate the connection between politics and religion. This connection was relevant thousands of years ago and it is still important today. This remarkable book offers a compelling look at the time of Jesus and shows how what happened during that period had far reaching consequences. No matter if you are a believer or nonbeliever, you'll find much to think about as you follow this very accessible narrative. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews