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Asimov's Guide to the Bible
 
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Asimov's Guide to the Bible (Hardcover)

by Isaac Asimov (Author), Rafael Palacios (Illustrator)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 1296 pages
  • Publisher: Wings Books,US; Avenel 1981 Ed edition (13 April 1993)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 051734582X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0517345825
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 6.9 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 205,656 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Isaac Asimov thinks big; readers of his science fiction works are familiar with his grasp and mastery of scale, and how the individual stories unfold within the epic work. In Asimov's Guide to the Bible he utilises this skill to pare down and untangle the many intertwined threads of biblical history and mythology. He views this guide as a way to illuminate the world of the Bible by incorporating the secular aspects of history, biography, and geography into a deeper understanding. Asimov's Guide to the Bible is not a book to be read in continuum, but an indispensable companion to any journey through the Bible. Situating the writers of the various books of the Bible in time and space, Asimov gives its writings context and also explains how that context has morphed with time. While some of his conclusions and "qualified speculations" may challenge certain traditional assumptions, (like the assertion that there is no reference in the gospels to Mary Magdalene as a prostitute, rather she was a madwoman whom Jesus cured by casting out seven demons) his aim is not to tear it apart, but to flush out some of its mysteries, give it a context which the average reader of the Bible can understand, and therefore to make it more real. --Jodie Buller

Synopsis
Geographical and historical evidence illuminates the events and people of the Old and New Testament.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
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3 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Asimov brings his broad knowledge to this biblical review, 11 Jul 1997
By A Customer
If you have an interest in understanding the historical background, religious and political motives, fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecies, and vague allusions concerning the events and characters which fill the Bible; this secular review contains a wealth of knowledge as well as being entertaining. Each book of the Jewish Bible and New Testament are covered as well as several non-canonical books. The evolution of contemporary Judaism and Christianity thought can be traced through the mythical stories of genesis, the Yawists of ancient Israel, the influence of Babylonian, Persian, and Greek beliefs as well as the Babylonian exile and Roman persecutions which inspired biblical apocalyptic writings. Great watershed events such as the invasion and conquest of Canaan by the Hebrew tribes, the establishment of the Davidic dynasty by Samuel, the splitting of the Israel/Judah confederacy due to Solomon's policies in building the first temple, the conquest of Israel by the Assyrians, the conquest of Judah and destruction of the first temple by the Babylonians, the return from the Babylonian exile and construction of the second temple, the destruction of the second temple by the Romans, the life and crucifixion of Jesus, and the establishment of the Christian religion through Paul's efforts are all covered in this 1200+ page tome. Asimov's book reads like a historical novel which is more readable and easier to understand than reading the bible cold. After reading through this book, I feel confident in engaging my Christian and Jewish friends in discussions about the bible and in most cases, am more knowledgeable about their holy book than they are.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, enlightening, highly recommended., 28 Mar 1999
By A Customer
The amount of research that must have gone into this work is astounding. Paragraph after paragraph makes one stop and think, reading passages in the Bible that correspond to what Asimov has said, referring to other sources to see what THEY say. A mind expanding book, stimulating and informative... I've learned something new every time I opened it.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The No-Jive Bible Commentary, 13 Jul 1999
By A Customer
Asimov brings his erudition to bear on the world's best-selling book. Two volumes distill the scholarship of hundreds of Bible historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists, leaving a readable and understandable, concise, and relatively complete summary of the realities of the Bible. Appealing as a reference or as general reading, and despite its secular frame of reference, no anti-religious bias can be detected. Excellent.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly superb
This is a must-read for anyone who has an interest in the Bible and especially those who follow its teachings. Read more
Published on 3 Jul 2004 by N. DAVIES

5.0 out of 5 stars Are there no limits to Asimov's knowledge?
Is there any subject on which this man is not an expert? It's too bad he's dead, so he can't write another thousand books or so. Sheesh. What a man.
Published on 16 Mar 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY INTERESTING
A REAL PAGE TURNER,GREAT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE BACKGROUND OF BIBLICAL EVENTS.
Published on 11 Mar 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars I may be a Heretic if you want, but this book is greate!
You can call me a heretic for reading this, but this book is all that you need to truly understand the Bible. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything you should want to know about the Bible.
Good book. Very informative and interesting. Gives a sort of "behind-the-scenes" approach to the bible. Read more
Published on 29 Sep 1998

3.0 out of 5 stars Secular, but accurate enough when compared with lexicons.
Some people will be offended by the secularism but I cannot say it doesn't make a good additional commentary on the Bible, and can be used effectively with many of the post-KJ... Read more
Published on 17 Jul 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, as usual, from one of the finest.
If you are really interested in a critical and accurate review of the most misused book in history, the bible, the work and writing of Asimov, in these volumes as well as in... Read more
Published on 2 Jul 1997

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Dr. Asimov's usual subject, but excellent just the same
Dr. Asimov has written a highly readable and clear guide to the Old and New Testament. His style and prose help make the subject accessible to practically any age.
Published on 23 Jul 1996

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