Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was published in 1880 and became the best-selling American novel of all time until it was surpassed by Gone with the Wind in 1936.  Set at the beginning of the first century, the story’s eight books tell the life story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince from Jerusalem. His story alternates and intersects with that of Jesus, who is about the same age and from the same area.  As we begin he is accused of assassination and enslaved by the Romans, who also imprison his mother and sister and confiscate the family property.  While serving on a Roman galley during a battle Judah saves the life of the commander, who adopts and frees him. Judah, now a Roman citizen, vows revenge and trains as a soldier and eventually becomes a charioteer. The centerpiece of the book is a high stakes chariot race between Judah and Massala, a childhood friend turned Roman soldier and adversary. After his victory, Judah returns to Jerusalem, finds and frees his mother and sister and becomes a devoted follower of Christ. His sister and mother are cured of leprosy by Christ, and Judah witnesses his crucifixion. Ben-Hur has been called “the most influential Christian book of the 19^th century.  The 1959 film starring Charleton Heston was the most expensive film ever made at the time and one of the most successfully, winning 11 Academy Awards.