This book started with twelve magnificent paintings, and the text was inspired by the contemplation of them. As author Richard Rohr says in his preface, "Glanzman's art is to reveal the very soul of an individual", so from each piece, came a chapter on the biblical character that is insightful and instructive. Though the title indicates that this book is intended for Christian men, it will enlighten everyone who reads it and reflects on the portraits and the words. The chapters begin with a short excerpt of scripture that applies to the person, and the twelve portraits are: Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Timothy, John the Evangelist, Elijah, Joseph, and Jesus.It starts with Abraham, a profile of a sun-weathered man, fearless and confident that God will be his shield, with a little ram in a corner, his horns caught in a thicket. The text begins with portions of Genesis 15, and continues with the concept of sacrifice throughout the ages, and the true sacrifice which is the surrender of the ego.Other favorites are David, pictured as youthful, tenderly looking after a lamb, who in turn has an air of peace and security; the text analyses the king, warrior, magician and lover archetypes.Timothy is the only one pictured who does not show power and toughness; Timothy is depicted as a slight and frail young man, and the text points out his strength of character, despite his lack of physical vigor.Elijah, the handsome, pensive profile that is on the cover, with the ravens who fed him flying through a deep blue sky.The portrait of Jesus is the reason I bought this book. The beauty and majesty of it is riveting, with eyes that seem to look into one's soul. I am sure it is a depiction of the Lord that will become a classic image for all time.Born in 1922, the art of Louis Glanzman has been shown with enormous success for many decades; I remember being so moved by his portrait of Bobby Kennedy in June of 1968, which was one of his 80 covers for Time Magazine. He has illustrated children's books, and done a marvelous series on opera, but this is his latest work, and I think his greatest.