This short introduction to the apocryphal gospels is exactly what it says it is: an introduction. However, the book is detailed enough to allow the reader to get a clear impression of the subject, rather than the hazy feeling of reading a summary.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect with these "very short introductions", as it could have been anything. This one started with the question "what is a gospel?" and went from there through various apocryphal books. I was especially surprised that so much of the scholarship was fairly recent, and the information about how the books finally made it into the hands of scholars could have been the plot for an archaeological thriller. By the end, I had a good idea of what was in the various books, why people might have been interested in them, and ultimately, what their historical value was.

I probably won't read this book again, but I will absolutely read other books in the series, although I do understand that different authors may reflect different levels of quality. Since this is my first book in the series, I'll have to read more to decide.

Should you read this book? If you are at all interested in learning what the apocryphal gospels are, then yes. It isn't a huge commitment, and you will learn quite a bit.