Jeff Miller, the Curt Jester, has rendered judgment on my new book, Signs and Mysteries: Revealing Ancient Christian Symbols.

I really learned a lot from this book and while I had a general idea of meaning of many symbols I found a wealth of details. For example I will never look at the Ichthys when I see it on someone’s bumper the same way. I knew how it came about and that it was a Greek acronym and often used in the early Church, but I had no idea about the Eucharistic overtones and some of the other theological depths involved. Being an ex-Navy Chief I was also pleasantly surprised to see how the anchor was another common symbol used and its meaning.

I need to have Lea Marie Ravotti illustrate more of my books. All my heroes of the blogosphere have reviewed this one enthusiastically.

Adrian Murdoch, late of Bread and Circuses (moment of silence, please), was first out of the gate with this capsule notice: “Mike Aquilina’s Signs and Mysteries provides a popular yet academically rigorous guide to symbols in the early church. The immediately accessible prose — which quotes thoughtfully from the church fathers, classical and Jewish sources — is complemented by generous illustrations. He has not only drawn on the obvious archaeological and epigraphic record, he has also delved into the fascinating world of Christian graffiti. An essential book to keep to hand when visiting early Christian sites.”

Then Kevin Edgecomb at Biblicalia wrote the kind of close-reading, sensitive review that every author (or artist) dreams of.

Happy Catholic is promising a series.

And now the Curt Jester himself.

A man could retire on such praise — if he didn’t have so many teenagers to feed.