The Year God Died: Jesus and the Roman Empire in 33 AD
By James Lacey
Bantam Books, 2025

In this sweeping chronicle, Lacey strips away layers of historical legends that grew over two millennia to reveal the vibrant and rich Roman world that Jesus of Nazareth inhabited. He introduces us to Roman leaders, both present and future, who shaped the republic, and explains how events in Rome drove events in Judea, forming a direct link to Jesus’ crucifixion. With new evidence and meticulous research, Lacey contradicts longstanding historical beliefs to uncover a more comprehensive and historically accurate context for the writings in the New Testament.

About the Author
James Lacey is a military historian, journalist, and the Horner Chair of War Studies at the Marine Corps War College. He was an infantry officer in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and worked as a journalist covering military operations. His books explore key moments throughout military history.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About the Festival
The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. With the help of our presenting funding partners — Delaware Humanities and The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | PenFed Realty — as well as our program and community partners, volunteers, and donors, the 2025 History Book Festival will be full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. 

Thanks to all of our donors, especially our education and outreach funding partners: Ronald Collins & Susan Cohen, Carolyn & Aaron Nayer, Jen Mason & Clare Hancock, and Browseabout Books. HBF authors visit classrooms in Delaware, and HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations.

Our Keynote event is presented by Griswold Home Care for Sussex and Kent Counties and Sally Mott Freeman & John K. Freeman; our Closing event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. Saturday’s Spirited Discussion, our gathering for attendees and presenters to celebrate and discuss their day, is presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence.

Special thanks to our Founding Program Partners for their continuing support: the Lewes Public Library, for event promotion and production, and Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Thanks also to the  Lewes Chamber of Commerce for event promotion, and the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.