Judas and Jesus is a tantalizing mélange of extrapolations from biblical texts. LeLoup’s imagination has created a brilliant juxtaposition of good versus evil that includes examination of the dichotomy of those who have let the certainty of their moral correctness overshadow their own tendency toward the immoral.

Judas and Jesus is far more than an interesting supposition of the possibilities of the motivations for Judas’ behavior. It is actually a cautionary prescient tale for this day and age of damning supposed killing by abortion and stem cell research while simultaneously killing thousands in an unprovoked and unjustified war. Someone should read this book to President Bush while providing diagrams and explanations in one-syllable words.

Everyone should read this book for the life lessons it presents. There is one caveat, however: only readers with an open mind will appreciate it.