The figure of Mary Magdalene has fascinated and perplexed people for centuries. She is portrayed in the Gospels as a neurotic woman, possibly with a past, yet she is the first to encounter the risen Christ and he charges her with the responsibility of proclaiming the resurrection. She is therefore Christianity's first evangelist - a difficult concept for churches with exclusively male hierarchies who prefer to think of her as just a reformed prostitute. The belief that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus and that the Church has tried to suppress this truth was not invented in recent years but is almost as old as Christianity itself. This gives a grand tour through 2000 years history, art and tradition with surprises and discoveries all the way.

'Mary Magdalene, despite her importance to the life and ministry of Christ, is the most enigmatic and puzzling figure in the Christian gospel. In 'Mary Magdalene'Robin Griffith-Jones examines ancient sources to give us a comprehensive, scholarly and impressively researched account of her discipleship and continued influence on the history of the Church. I found this book more enthralling than any secular mystery and for the first time felt that I understood something of the character of this frequently misunderstood saint. Beautifully written and illustrated, Mary Madgdalene will be as fascinating to lay people as it will be welcomed by theologians and historians. I congratulate the Master of the Temple on a fine and timely achievement.' -- P. D. James * 2008 *

Robin Griffith-Jones is the author of The Da Vinci Code and the Secrets of the Temple. He is Master of the Temple Church in London and previously taught Biblical Studies and was a University Chaplain at Oxford.