Planned book edition
Paperback
The story in a printed edition for your shelf, your book club, or a friend.
A novel by Russ Duker
Before the World
Knew Him
Before the crowds. Before the miracles.
A family. A village. A life being lived.
The story behind the silenceWho was the boy
Who was the boy
before the world
knew the man?
The Gospels tell us that Jesus grew. What might those years have felt like inside the home in Nazareth?
Before the World Knew Him imagines the daily life between the boy in the temple and the man at the Jordan. There is bread to make, work to learn, a father to understand, and a sister who wants him to come home.
Through tenderness, laughter, temptation, and loss, this novel explores a fully human life sustained by relationship with the Father.
Read the opening pagesInside the world of the bookThe extraordinary,
The extraordinary,
in ordinary moments.
A household full of voices. The warmth of fresh bread. The ache of an empty place.
From Chapter 3
“Round enough, Hannah.”
“But that side is longer.”
“It will still reach your mouth.”
The Question He Brings Home
A first look at the writingOriginal AI-generated illustrations of fictional scenes, not historical photographs.
Faith, history & imaginationWritten with care.
Written with care.
Room for wonder.
This is a novel, not a claim to recover the missing years of Scripture. Recorded events provide its foundation; imagined conversations, relationships, and daily experiences give those years a human texture.
Jesus is portrayed as fully God and fully human. His growth unfolds through prayer, Scripture, faithful choices, and love received from the people around him. His childhood is not made effortless by private supernatural shortcuts.
Readers may recognize echoes of his later ministry and of James’ and Jude’s letters. Chapter notes distinguish Scripture, creative reconstruction, and interpretation, leaving discovery to the reader.
The book & beyondA story to keep.
A story to keep.
A story to share.
The manuscript is in progress. Explore planned editions and merchandise, and hear when they become available.
Planned book edition
Hardcover
A keepsake edition of Before the World Knew Him.
Planned digital edition
Ebook
The complete story, wherever you read.
Design preview · Front and back shown. Final garment colors may vary.
Wear the story
The Nazareth tee
A small emblem over the heart. The story, told larger on the back. A doorway, a winding path, and the village where it began.
Price pending
Adult sizes S–3XL planned. Fit and measurements will be confirmed before orders open.
Choose a color and size to request an availability update. No payment or preorder.
Publication dates, final formats, and prices have not been announced. No preorders are being taken.
The reader’s voice
What stayed with you?
Read an excerpt or an advance manuscript? Share an honest response.
The conversation begins here. No reader reviews have been published yet.
Reviews are moderated before publication. Email addresses are kept private.
Letters from the writing deskStay close
Stay close
to the story.
Occasional updates from Russ: new passages, the road to publication, and news about the book and merchandise.
A note to the authorI’d like to hear
I’d like to hear
from you.
Questions, comments, or something the story brought to mind? Leave a note below, or email russduker@gmail.com.