Pillar of Fire

The Promised Land #1

by David G. Woolley

Set in 601 B.C., the novel centers on a brusque, unsavory character from 1 Nephi, Laban, who has come into possession of Hebrew ancient texts (brass plates) and a mystical sword symbolizing Jewish lineage. After the war with Babylon, Laban has risen to Captain of the Guard and has ambitions to become king of Israel; opposing him are Lehi and Uriah, leaders of a sect who prophesy the coming of a messiah. Woolley interweaves biblical, Mormon, and fictional characters in this sprawling though effective tale, of great appeal to Mormon readers but likely to seem obscure to non-Mormons.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Religion, Lds Fiction, Historical, Church

523 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ryder Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a historical fiction prequel to The Book of Mormon. My mother and sister recommended this series to me and i'm really enjoying it. It is a good book to read no matter what religion you are.
It has a great story line that will get you reading every spare minute. The twists and turns in the story are great. The characters in the story will soon seem to be alive and it will be like you're in Jerusalem in 600 B.C.
This is a fantastic book and I highly recommended it to everyone wanting to read a good book. Thenext book is even better than the first so don't stop once you've read all four.

[Mommywest · Rating 5 out of 5]

601 B.C.—The Babylonians have come and gone, leaving Jerusalem plundered, weak, and broken.

The power hungry Elders in the city council have banished and murdered the prophets. Anyone foolish enough to voice their support for the prophets is labeled a "Rekhabite," a dissenter, a traitor worthy of death.

In the midst of this turmoil, Jonathan the blacksmith has moved his family from Sidon to Jerusalem, bringing with him knowledge of the new alloy, steel. Torn between heeding his wife's warnings and a fear of not providing for his family, Jonathan becomes a pawn in the hands of the Elders and Laban, the captain of the guard.

Aaron, Jonathan's crippled son, receives a blessing and a promise of healing, and is told that he will save the life of a prophet. When he is hired by the oil-merchant Lehi, Aaron's life changes forever.

So begins the first volume of The Promised Land series; a sweeping epic, telling of the incredible beginnings of the Book of Mormon.--Goodreads.com

I LOVED this book!! Brother Woolley's impeccable research and ability to tell a fascinating story have combined to create an excellent historical novel. He weaves the non-fictional and fictional characters together in a way that is very believable. The world of the Book of Mormon and its people came even more alive for me as I read, and I found myself hoping that the fictional characters were real. I think that the situations described in the book also parallel with many dangers in our day--of course, because the Book of Mormon was written for our day. Wonderful book!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is helpful to make what life was like before Lehi left to the Promised Land. I didn't realize how corupted the Elders in the City Council of Jerusalem were. It really opens your understanding of Jerusalem back in 601 B.C. I loved the Documentation of each Chapter. Lots to learn and very detailed. I liked and have read all three. David G. Woolley the Author had gotten sick after Volume Three and he just now announced that Volume Four "Day of Remembrance Volume IV" will be out September 2008 and Volume Five " Compass of God" will be out September 2009, I loved being put back in time of the Book of Mormon. Lots to Read.
Donna

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series!!! It brought the people in the Book of Mormon alive. I enjoyed learning that the climate of the times before Lehi left Jerusalem may have been like.

It took so long for the 4th book to come out that I thought David Woolley was never going to finish this series. I'm going to read this book over again so that I can remember what has happened before I read the 4th one.

This is a great story!

[Jere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the first 2 books of this series and just found out that there is a third which I will have to read. A historical novel with Bible and Book of Mormon characters (Jeremiah, King Zedekiah, Mulek, Lehi and his family, Zoram, Laban)in the story as well as fictional ones. I liked reading the historical notes after the story to find out just what part were actually factual. The series reminds me of The Work and the Glory.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and I learned a lot, too. It helped me understand the conflicts and background of Jerusalem during the time of Lehi. The characters really came to life for me - Lehi's dimples and green eyes, Laman and Lemuel's motives, Sam... I also better understood where Mulek came from. I read long into the night and I was motivated to read the Book of Mormon again with my newly gained perspective.

[Michelle Ratliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. I really enjoyed it. It took longer to read then I thought just cause I was so busy with other things and read another book during it.

It is a great fictional book tied in with actually events. It made me have a deeper love for the Book of Mormon and whay it was like. What amazing men Lehi and Nephi were. Now it is on to book number 2.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Promised land series, I am very picky when it comes to fantasy books that follow doctrine. David does such a wonderful job of it. I have leared so much with these books that I had no idea of before.
This is the book that I chose for our book club last month, and so far everyone is raving about it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read/listened to this book before. I really liked it, of course I liked listening to it better thanr eading it (but the narrator can by annoying).
It really helped to bring the Book of Mormon to life for me, even though it is a fictionalized novel.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction about Jerusalem during Lehi's time and I really enjoyed it. Good story and interesting facts. I love being able to relate to scripture characters and this helped me picture Jerusalem a little better.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I read this book, yet I really enjoy the scriptures coming to life in a Novel. I remember that it was an interesting book and now I have start the second in the series and am already hooked...

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I didn't know if I would like it after the first three chapter but I kept reading it and soon I fell in love with the characters. Not as good as Gerald N Lund's historical fiction books but it is up their on my books I've liked based on real events. Good way to learn about history I think.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical about this book my book club choose it so I read it. I was pleasantly surprised how much I actually enjoyed it.

[Kellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you love the Book of Mormon even more. It really brings some of the characters to life. You won't put this one down until you're finished

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book, can't wait to read the next in the series after I get back home from a trip to England.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better the second time. A coherent, fulsome narrative that connects the reader to the characters and seamlessly blends the fictional with the historical.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I WANT to read the next one. I will just add this to my list of "to read in the future"

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series of books. It really brought to life those people in the Book of Mormon. He gives you a list of Historical Characters and Fictional Characters this is very helpful.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very neat book series. The whole first book takes place before the first chapter in first nephi. It really helps you think about the book of mormon in a new light and makes it real.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. It's a new look at the beginning of Nephi's story. I totally and completely recommend this book to anyone and everyone who would like a "deeper" look into Nephi's life.

[Benji Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far it seems like a great book. I really enjoy the new perspective and looking at Lehi's family in a light I hadn't thought of before.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction, and using the Book of Mormon characters brings it to life for me. Excellent series.

[Lindabright1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great historical novel series that tells the behind the scene happings with Lehi in Jerusalem before the Book of Mormon.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty deep for me...I need to re-read!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his writing and thought the way he gave historical and geographic insights into a fictitious story was cleverly done.

[Sarah Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first three books a few years ago. Currently re-reading BEFORE I start book four,the lastest book in the series. This is a fun read.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to think about some of the historical background around the time of Lehi.

[Jason Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one and found the historical accuracy to be interesting with the different perspective on the characters of the Book of Mormon.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the historical aspect.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this again after having it collect dust on the book shelf. It's a page turner. I sure look for ward to picking it up again to read it. On to the sequel.