The Greatest Story Ever Told – Book Review

A revolutionary read, five stars  

The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eye Witness Account by Bear Grylls

Reviewed by Kate Veryard

The Bible. Probably one of, if not the most intimidating books I’ve ever read, and that’s coming from an avid reader, someone who persists and will re-read if necessary. However, as I Christian I have to admit that reading the Bible has been, at times, hard going, like it’s almost something you have to endure, you know, for all your sins… until I found The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eye Witness Account by Bear Grylls. Even if you’re not a Christian, hear me out. 

Firstly, each chapter is written from the viewpoint or eyewitness account of someone important in the Bible. Reading from the first-person narrative perspective or ‘I’ really enables you as a reader to become that person and experience life through them, making it so powerful. The reactions from those involved really makes you realise how astonishing these miracles were to have witnessed; especially hearing them from Doubting Thomas. Grylls has really respected these holy passages and yet transformed them into something, not just palatable but almost tangible.

Secondly, I love the consideration of Grylls and how he chooses to embrace the demographic of this powerful story. Jesus ,or Yeshua as he’s referred to in the book, was from the Middle East, as was Myriam (Mary), Ta’om (Thomas), Shimone (Simon) and so on… and I think Grylls has made the right decision (and I’m sure it was a conscious one) here to remove the anglicisation which we’re accustomed to.

Again, even if you’re not a Christian, it is astounding and uplifting to read how initially one man and a small following trekked across the Middle East associating themselves with the infirm, disabled, or others who were all living as outcasts, to spread peace and hope; something so many of us are still searching for in 2026.