The Man Nobody Knows
Encyclopedia
The Man Nobody Knows is the second book
by the American author and advertising executive Bruce Fairchild Barton
. Barton presents Jesus as "the founder of modern business," in an effort to make the Christian
story accessible to businessmen of the time.
When published in 1925, The Man Nobody Knows topped the nonfiction bestseller list, and is one of the best selling non-fiction books of the 20th century.
Barton describes Jesus as "the world's greatest business executive", and according to one of the chapter headings, "The Founder of Modern Business", who created a world conquering organization with a group of twelve men hand picked from the bottom ranks of business.
Since its publication, The Man Nobody Knows has divided readers. Some welcome the portrayal of Jesus as a strong character, whom no-one dared oppose and praise the use of familiar stereotypes to stimulate interest in religion, whilst others ridicule the suggestion that Jesus was a salesman. Critics have suggested that The Man Nobody Knows is a prime example of the materialism and "glorified Rotarianism" of the Protestant churches in the 1920s.
It was suggested that the book was written as "an apology for big business", however in his 2005 biography of Barton, The Man Everybody Knew: Bruce Barton and the Making of Modern America, Richard M. Fried maintains that Barton was no apologist - his primary motive for writing was religion.
Regardless of his motives for publication, Barton found himself the object of humour by some, and his book was lampooned by radio, magazines and in movies.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by the American author and advertising executive Bruce Fairchild Barton
Bruce Fairchild Barton
Bruce Fairchild Barton was an American author, advertising executive, and politician. He served in the U.S. Congress from 1937 to 1940 as a Republican from New York.-Biography:...
. Barton presents Jesus as "the founder of modern business," in an effort to make the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
story accessible to businessmen of the time.
When published in 1925, The Man Nobody Knows topped the nonfiction bestseller list, and is one of the best selling non-fiction books of the 20th century.
Synopsis
In this book Barton paints a picture of a strong Jesus, who worked with his hands, slept outdoors and travelled on foot. This is very different from what he saw as the "Sunday School Jesus", a physically weak, moralistic man - the "lamb of God"Barton describes Jesus as "the world's greatest business executive", and according to one of the chapter headings, "The Founder of Modern Business", who created a world conquering organization with a group of twelve men hand picked from the bottom ranks of business.
Controversy
Having completed the book in 1924, Barton initially experienced difficulty getting his work published, as the material was considered to be controversial. It was simply seen by some as wrong to compare Jesus to ordinary men.Since its publication, The Man Nobody Knows has divided readers. Some welcome the portrayal of Jesus as a strong character, whom no-one dared oppose and praise the use of familiar stereotypes to stimulate interest in religion, whilst others ridicule the suggestion that Jesus was a salesman. Critics have suggested that The Man Nobody Knows is a prime example of the materialism and "glorified Rotarianism" of the Protestant churches in the 1920s.
It was suggested that the book was written as "an apology for big business", however in his 2005 biography of Barton, The Man Everybody Knew: Bruce Barton and the Making of Modern America, Richard M. Fried maintains that Barton was no apologist - his primary motive for writing was religion.
Regardless of his motives for publication, Barton found himself the object of humour by some, and his book was lampooned by radio, magazines and in movies.