St. Luke, author of the third Gospel and of the Acts, was with St. Paul in Rome and is referred to by him as "the beloved physician." According to tradition he was a gentile Greek. The shadowy figure evoked by these few phrases bursts forth technicolored and Toddeoscale in Taylor Caldwell's ["Dear and Glorious Physician"]….

Aside from any religious conviction, the scholar will deplore the book's heavy-handed reproduction of the period, while any lover of English will cringe at its lush overwriting. The depiction of Luke, Mary and Jesus as Nordic blondes has all the dignity and restraint of a theater poster. No doubt "Dear and Glorious Physician" will be a best-seller and will be bought by Hollywood for an "epic" production at an epic price.

Caroline Tunstall, "Taylor Caldwell's St. Luke," in New York Herald Tribune Book Review (© I.H.T. Corporation; reprinted by permission), March 15, 1959, p...