You Will Be Peter's Early Praise

“My friend, Jerry Lathan, has long been focused on Peter. This novel is a product of his study
and determination to advance a deeper understanding of the humanity of the man, Peter, as well
as the enormity of his impact. This novel provides new insights into this incredibly consequential
life.”
“In You Will Be Peter, Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester have done something exceptional.
They take readers beyond the devotional and the doctrinal into the story of the greatest disciple. In Peter’s sorrows and triumphs, we enter the sacred the same way we enter our own lives—as a story. Lathan and Manchester’s unique talent in bringing alive daily experiences invites us to transcend what we think we know for a real encounter with Peter and with Christ. Their work takes us beyond scholars and saints to a world where we journey into the greatest story ever told and make it our own story.”
“There can be no doubt that Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester are gifted and talented
writers…and You Will Be Peter is a perfect example.”
“What a thought-provoking way these authors have made Peter come alive by asking the same
questions I ask myself every day: ‘What did Jesus ever see in me?’ and ‘He must have seen
something I either lost or can no longer see in myself.’ Even today, we as Christians must all ask
ourselves these same two questions. Great job! I look forward to your writings on all the
disciples.”
“I have spent my entire life as a Christian, yet I never had the insight into what it must have been
like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The novel, You Will be Peter, opened my eyes into the men
and women who ultimately shaped my faith. Thoroughly researched and biblically accurate, You
Will be Peter, is an exciting emotional roller coaster into the life of the man that became the
“Rock” upon which the Christian faith would be established. Unlike traditional scholarly works,
this book gives us a glimpse into the true man known as Simon Peter…a man familiar with hard
work who shared emotions like all of us ranging from compassion to anger…love to
despair. This is a fascinating read that will inspire anyone who is interested in learning more
about Peter and those disciples that would lead a movement that changed the world. Reading it
has made me a better man, husband, and father. The authors of You Will be Peter have done a
tremendous service to anyone desiring a better understanding of the origins of Christianity…for
that I am grateful!”
"Step into the captivating world of Simon Peter, the Everyman who defied all odds to become the
Founding Father of Christianity. In You Will Be Peter, Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester expertly weave history, faith, and redemption into an emotionally charged biography. With meticulous research and storytelling artistry, this unique perspective reveals the real person behind the legend—a journey of transformation that will resonate with readers for generations to come."
“Although I am a pastor, I am not a Biblical Scholar or Theologian. I found the overall telling of
You Will Be Peter to be very accurate, while also learning a great deal—lots that I can use in my
sermons. With the story being told from Peter’s direct point of view, I was able to internalize the
chief apostle’s passions and feelings. I loved the brotherly relationships—especially the four-man
fellowship—formed amongst the Apostles; how they shared many hardships that brought them
even closer. They are real characters in this story. You Will Be Peter also humanizes Jesus with
many smiles and even laughter, offering a fresh perspective on the Bible. I was happy to find that
I didn’t get stuck in the words. Instead, it was more about getting lost in the emotions. I read the
manuscript twice, learning new things the second time. I intend to read it again.”
“In ‘You Will Be Peter’ Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester bring to life Jesus’s first Apostle,
Peter. In this thoroughly researched and fully imagined volume, Peter becomes much more than
simply the character of often-told Bible verses. We meet him as a real person, with both his
virtues and flaws fully exposed. Written with all the immediacy of a novel, we meet the man as
he changes into the man Jesus needed him to be. It isn’t often such a monumental historical
figure is depicted so well as a living, breathing human being. This book does that and more.”
“YOU WILL BE PETER is pure inspiration! Lathan and Manchester expertly articulate this
biblical history, immersing the reader in the past. Walking alongside Jesus, chronicling the first
years of his ministry through Peter’s (Simon’s) point-of-view captures an entirely different
perspective of this humble yet majestic story. A truly moving testament, it is a compelling
narrative, inspiring the reader to live a Christ-like, more meaningful life. I couldn’t put it down
and when I had to, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I was moved to tears many times and I
already knew how the story ends. YOU WILL BE PETER is a story of belief, faith, love, and,
most importantly, the ultimate sacrifice.”
“I sometimes struggle when I read the Bible. Without an understanding of what the culture was
like, it is difficult for me to relate and understand. This wonderful story about Peter, Jesus’s rock,
and cornerstone of the church, was eye opening. It helped me to understand Peter and relate to
his actions and reactions. It brought him to life, he was not a perfect man, he struggled like we all
do.
You Will Be Peter follows Simon Peter from the time that he is called to follow Jesus until his death. It shows his uncertainties, how he struggled to understand Jesus’s teachings and his
jealousies over his fellow disciples. It humanizes his fears and denial of Jesus. It gives insight
into the era that he lived and how these times helped mold him.
I loved this story. It gave me a look behind the scenes of life during Jesus’s time on earth. It helped me to understand Peter, the man. He was just like me with all the same human struggles
and questions. It made me realize that God has a plan for all of us.”
“Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester have written a wonderful book. You Will Be Peter is the
story of young Jesus and his rag-tag group of apostles in the early days of his quest to change the world.
The reader walks with Peter as he leaves his wife, his home, and his life’s work as a
fisherman in the Sea of Galilee. Peter becomes a true believer and Jesus’ right-hand man. He
follows Jesus who is attracting ever growing crowds, performing miracles, and choosing the
band of men who will become his apostles.
Peter stumbles, fulfilling Jesus’ prophesy, and denies knowing Christ who is arrested by
the Romans, brutalized, and crucified. I felt Peter’s excruciating pain on a visceral level and
found myself rooting for the man’s redemption. I wanted him to find the light again, and become
the saint who would spread the word and build the church that has lasted for two thousand years.
Lathan and Manchester have found a way to make You Will Be Peter contemporary, relatable, and just plain wonderful. It’s a great story, and an amazing book.”
“You Will Be Peter is a dynamic way of reading through all four gospels. As we follow the
involvement of Peter’s interactions with the Savior, we receive the gift of learning the historical
background of where these events fit into the whole story. The words of Jesus are untampered
with, which means you are not engaged in a critical reading, but rather with the joy of
discovery. There are plenty of ‘aha’ moments on every page.”
“Simon Peter, a hard-working fisherman, didn’t know what to think when he was drawn to Jesus,
a carpenter from Nazareth. The pull to follow Jesus was strong enough to take him on a life-
changing journey of faith and self-discovery—a journey of life-changing events. Full of self-
doubt and emotional struggles, Simon Peter embarks on a path of danger, miracles, and spiritual
enlightenment, gaining apostles along the way who become family. He is tested to his limits of
faith and loyalty, following the Messiah and learning Christ’s teachings.
Can a mere fisherman become the founder of the Christian faith, even in the face of
Roman oppression, the backlash of the greedy and power-hungry Jewish hierarchy, and the non-
believers? Sometimes it is the lowliest of humanity who have the greatest faith and the power to
change the world.”

“Following the path of Saint Peter when he was a mere lowly fisherman to his role as founder
and head of the Christian church has been an incredible literary journey. Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester have brought to life the epic story of not only Saint Peter and the beginning of the Christian faith, but also the trials Jesus, his disciples, and the faithful followers had to endure. This relatable novel is so beautifully written; I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait to see You Will Be Peter on the best sellers lists.”
“I am familiar with the stories of Jesus and his disciples, but reading You Will Be Peter made me
feel like I was walking alongside them. Although Simon Peter had his doubts, for every doubt
came proof that Jesus’ word is the way of the Lord.”
“You Will Be Peter by Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester is a beautiful, well-written account of an ancient story written for modern times, and it is done perfectly.
The authors took me back in time, flawlessly with descriptive scenes, brilliant dialogue,
and emotions that touched my heart and at times had me wiping away a few tears. I was standing right there next to Simon Peter, pulled in by the writers’ words when he first met Jesus on the banks of the River Jordon, a young man in his twenties—and I never left throughout the three-year journey that the story takes us.
You Will Be Peter is a masterpiece of self-discovery, redemption, courage, and sacrifice. A must-read for all generations that will stay with you long after you have read it. You will come to adore and know Simon Peter just like I did.”
“Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester have written a profound and thought-provoking montage,
bringing in the history of Peter Simon's life in a fresh perspective with depth and heart. We can
each be a rock, too!”
“You Will Be Peter transports the reader back in time to experience the thoughts, lessons and
dangers faced by the Apostles who followed Jesus. Although their journey is not without pain,
we learn exactly what it took to bring Christianity into being. After experiencing You Will Be
Peter, our prayers take on a much deeper meaning and new appreciation of all that was sacrificed
for us. Above all, faith is the key. Read this amazing book!”
“You Will Be Peter takes us into one of the most well-known and relatable characters in the
Bible. We get to see not just his zeal and humanity, we're able to better understand ourselves as well. This is the kind of book where the characters come to life, and we're all better off because of it.”
“In You Will Be Peter, the reader is transported right into the heart of the story, becoming
Simon’s friend, even part of his family. The reader watches Simon struggle with his beliefs, as
the fisherman witnesses the world change before him. Following each step of Jesus’ ministry, I
was captivated by just how heart wrenching Simon’s life must have been, from his humble
beginnings to his triumphant restoration in Jesus. Simon Peter’s life is forever changed, as is
every reader who picks up this novel. I can easily give You Will Be Peter five out of five stars.”
“In You Will Be Peter, Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester tell the story of Jesus’ final years as
seen through the eyes of his disciple Simon. Regardless of your belief system, you will relate to
Simon, and Everyman who contends with questions, doubts, and awe as he joins the band of
brothers surrounding and supporting Jesus. Lathan and Manchester humanize Simon, allowing
readers to experience what he and his fellow apostles experienced – while bringing history to
vivid life. An absorbing read!”
“Lathan and Manchester’s epic telling of peter’s story chronicles his inner monologue and his
outward devotion with painstaking detail – faithful to the Scriptures. Pick up these pages and
journey in the shoes of the fisherman, from the shores of the Galilee to the Jordan Valley; from
the home of tax collectors to the garden of Gethsemane; from fishing nets to fireside, and
ultimately from the upper room to the upside-down cross. With expert craftmanship, the authors carve out a tale of hope, encouragement, devotion, and love from the Rock of the apostles.”