Here's a lecture given by a pretty good Historian, at UNC Chapel HIll, regarding the veracity of Paul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsrqFmEPUnw&feature=related Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsrqFmEPUnw&feature=related Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsrqFmEPUnw&feature=related Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsrqFmEPUnw&feature=related Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsrqFmEPUnw&feature=related Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqYwpGtzYHc&feature=related Part 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqYwpGtzYHc&feature=related Part 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SctdyQ9fN6c&feature=related Part 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRRoRce4K6I&feature=related Part 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SctdyQ9fN6c&feature=related Part 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaF-9Jm7bcs&feature=related Part 11
And Merry Christmas to you too.