In the footsteps of Saint Paul - Edward Stourton

There have been many previous biographies of this elusive but vitally important Christian but none have so clearly emphasised the relevance of his experiences of conversion, strength of belief and faith to the contemporary political and social climate in such a fundamental way. The reader is taken in St Paul's footsteps from his birth in Tarsus in the first decade of the first century AD to his martyrdom in Rome more then 60 years later. Stourton's detailed research and lively, enthusiastic writing style provide insights into the experiences, education and background which helped shape this most pragmatic and inspirational of biblical figures. St Paul is developed from a shadowy New Testament figure to a truly flesh and blood personality.

Edward Stourton is a Presenter of Radio 4's Today programme and the weekly religious affairs programme, Sunday. He has been involved in news broadcasting since 1983, working for Channel Four News as their Washington Correspondent, the BBC as their Paris Correspondent and ITN as Diplomatic Editor. He presented the One O'clock News for the BBC for six years from 1993 before joining Today and has also produced and presented major TV documentaries such as Panorama, Assignment, Correspondent and, in 1997, a four part landmark series for BBC2, Absolute Truths.

'If you have ever been curious about Paul . . . but have never got beyond the first chapter of the dry books churned out about him by grey pedants in theological colleges, then Stourton is your man.'