This book does not really live up to its title; it's not about the crucifixion. But let me start with the smaller problems.

The author wastes a chapter talking about the ACLU and others' efforts to remove the cross as an emblem in America. I would rather have seen that space devoted to talking about Jesus' life, the significance of the crucifixion, or something else. The cross is inadvertently reduced to a symbol, not an event. (He has chapters on why people wear crosses, chapters on the wisdom of God and the foolishness of secular humanism, and stuff like that, but none on the crucifixion itself.)

Women readers will have a hard time identifying with the book. For the most part, women in this book are somebody's "beautiful wife" rather than people. The worst example is the chapter dealing with homosexuality. It gives half a dozen stories and alludes to dozens more, but except for one use of the word "lesbian," all references are to men. (It even says many former homosexuals later become husbands and fathers.) That's a minor point, but it's a definite blind spot that will limit the audience.

Compelling as many of the personal stories are--the book's one true strength--the way they are used reduces Christianity to a means. I'm reminded of the facetious question, "If Jesus is the answer, what's the question?" because one chapter shows that prisoners who accept Christ stay out of prison, and other chapters similarly show Christ (or, rather, "the cross") as the only reliable cure for alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, and homosexuality. Each person "bows at the cross" and finds his life changed--but since the book has not dealt adequately with the crucifixion, its meaning has been trivialized into a quick cure for whatever I can't solve any other way. Probably God will use this book to bring people to salvation, but I wouldn't feel comfortable giving it to an unbeliever because of the way it turns "the cross" into a magic cure-all for deep-rooted problems rather than the method for reconciliation with a holy God.

The stories are powerful. But the book itself could have been strong if handled differently, and it's not.

I've loved (or at least liked) all the other Powers books I've read, which is to say all but a few early ones. I finally found this in a used bookstore for $1, which is more than the story is worth. I honestly don't know how it got published it is so bad. It's not worth paying a lot for to complete your collection. Just keep an eye out if you have to have it.

This is a bad book by a great author. Do yourself a favor by reading other Powers books first. Then skip this one altogether.

This is not Powers' best book. Quite the opposite, really. But it IS a fair, light read. I can't honestly recommend it to anyone but a hard-core Powers fan; his writing style does shine through at some points. If you see it used, pick it up, but do not base an opinion of Powers' writing on this book alone.