Peter the Apostle

By William Thomas Walsh

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Seldom in all history has mere man been charged with such an awesome responsibility as was delegated to the Prince of Apostles when Our Lord uttered these words. And it is the story of this humble fisherman, so curiously neglected by modern authors, that William Thomas Walsh tells so brilliantly.

Skillfully arranging all the scattered facts that the New Testament, tradition, and archaeological discoveries and patient historical research have revealed, he provides a vivid and dramatic record of the hot-headed, impetuous, devoted follow of Christ who thrice denied his Master and yet was chosen by Him to be the Keeper of the Keys and the head of His Church. Here is the long, painful, exciting journey travelled by the fisherman of Galilee as he is transformed from a figure of shifting sand to one of rock--Peter the Rock--martyred in Rome.

It is a glowing and inspiring picture, full of warmth and color, which reproduces the early days of the Church, the great figures of early Christendom and above all the towering colossus who became the Vicar of Christ on earth, the first pope.