This exploration of Jesus and the mysteries surrounding him is at once incredibly in-depth and barely scratching the surface.  It provides much-needed context about the circumstances surrounding the writing and compilation of the New Testament, as well as the people who wrote (and re-wrote) it and in what order.  Some of my main takeaways were that the Bible was not meant to be taken literally (full stop!), translation has erased the female God, and Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute.  Pagels is respectful of a variety of Christian traditions while asking tough questions, answering them to the best of her ability as a seasoned historian.