Immensely readable and digestible in just a few sittings, this book examines the complete history of ancient Israel--from Abraham to the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Offers highest-quality authorship from respected leaders in their fields. Provides numerous color and black-and-white photos, maps, charts, and timelines. Gives a broader sweep of history, starting at an earlier point and/or ending at a later point than other books on the subject. Adds and updates evidence, analysis, and insights of events, based on developments since the book's first edition. Perfect for adult study groups and Bible groups, and anyone who wants to learn more about Israel's history or needs a refresher course.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
The best I have read:
If you are looking for a history of ancient Israel. This is probably as good as you can get.
Totally awesome resource! So, so, SO helpful.:
I found this book to be fantastic prerequisite reading on Jewish history from Biblical to Rabbinic times. It provides the reader with a working background knowledge of a daunting timespan; even skimming it provides enough information for a satisfactory jumping-off point of Jewish scholarship. It reads like a textbook, though, so beware: this is not exactly pleasure reading.
Mind strain and eye strain:
This fact filled book is tough going. By telling the development of thought and how many theories were cast aside by subsequent research and writing, it makes me feel buffeted by waves, then thrown on the shore, out of breath. Just tell the best story you can, as clearly as you can, please. Sure, some parenthetical or footnote references to say that for a while "such and such" was thought, OK. But maintain the thread. Perhaps an editor doesn't have that latitude when dealing with a collection of world class... more info
Blindingly brilliant at best;Factually overwhelming at worst:
Having gathered works by renown scholars of the history and anthropology of Israel, Hershel Shanks created a masterpiece in Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple. The book itself is easily accessible to one who is unlearned in the history of Ancient Israel (as am I). It also is useful in an undergraduate college classroom setting - As it was used in a Biblical Archaeology class at my school. The only negative feedback I have on this book is that, by its very nature, it is far... more info
