Ben-Hur

The story recounts in descriptive detail the adventures of Judah Ben-Hur, a fictional Jewish prince from Jerusalem, who is enslaved by the Romans at the beginning of the 1st century and becomes a charioteer and a Christian. Running in parallel with Judah's narrative is the unfolding story of Jesus, who comes from the same region and is a similar age. The novel reflects themes of betrayal, conviction, and redemption, with a revenge plot that leads to a story of love and compassion.

Lew Wallace left school at 16 and became a copyist in the county clerk's office, reading in his leisure time. After working briefly as a reporter for the Indianapolis Daily Journal, he began to study law in his father's office. In 1846 Wallace recruited a company for the First Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, with whom he served in the Mexican-American War. His war experience consisted mostly of garrison duty.