as one of the holiest and most important relics of Christianity, with millions of pilgrims traveling to see the precious cloth in Italy on the rare occasions it has been displayed. Yet despite its enormous global popularity, the Shroud's authenticity is not without question.

To address lingering uncertainties head-on, celebrated Catholic scientist Dr. Gerard Verschuuren explores and synthesizes the various scientific studies conducted on the Shroud --including those analyzing DNA, blood, carbon, pollen, textile, and anatomical issues -- as well as its storied history.

He then scrutinizes the motives of the individual scientists performing these studies, the assumptions they employed to arrive at their conclusions, and the instances in which they veered into areas outside the competence of the sciences.

After this exhaustive and highly satisfying analysis, Dr. Verschuuren reveals the reasons why he believes the Shroud of Turin to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ, the crucified Savior of mankind. And he celebrates it as a rare instance in which the science and faith communities can meet each other -- and agree.