Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ – Lew Wallace

"A man is never so on trial as in the moment of excessive good fortune."

Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince in Jerusalem, is betrayed by his Roman friend Messala and enslaved as a galley rower. He survives to seek revenge, culminating in a spectacular chariot race. His life runs parallel to that of Jesus of Nazareth, and his encounters with the Christ eventually lead him from a path of vengeance to one of forgiveness.

This historical epic was the best-selling American novel of the 19th century. It is a thrilling adventure story and a powerful religious drama that explores the conflict between Rome and Judea.