O Books

This book is a good place to start studying Torah from a Christian perspective. The Old Testament IS Torah but it is so much more. Christians minimize the need to know the OT because they are taught that the word "Torah" means "LAW" which is then taken in to our Western minds to mean "Rules and regulations that restrict my freedom to do what I want to do with my life." If you read that definition and you have a personal relationship with God, you suddenly realize that God doesn't want to restrict our lives at all! HE wants to be part of our lives, but to have HIM ---a holy God -- in the midst of our lives, we must endeavor to be holy and to know how to be holy, you have to read the instruction manual, as it was, on how to have HIM in your life...and that manual IS The Torah! The Torah isn't something to be ignorant of, or to just take out on Sunday, Torah---should be a living study of God in our midest! HE should be the one guiding our steps and we should be drawn to His Side daily to find out how HE wants us to do that. Where does HE need you to be on this day. So this book is a good first step in beginning to study these things. The LAW isn't bad at all! God doesn't make a mistake! God is the same--yesterday, today and forever! We just have to be RE-deemed...or as the prefix indicates---drawn back to HIM and to understand how we are to do that, we need to study the Old Testament within its context--of history, culture, language, geography, archaeology, and even politics of His Time. We need to see HIM within the Scriptures that HE spoke! All the Scriptures that HE spoke were from the Old Testament and they were presented within CONCEPTS and not taken out of CONTEXT! "A text without a context, is wrong!" Learn to read the words and to hear the words as His Audience would have heard them. So, this is a good first step to your studies.

This is a great book! The Torah shape or Genesis shape of the scriptures is revealed well in this book. The Torah Story: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch

This is a great response to help postmodern people.

After having Dr. Schnittjer as a professor at Philadelphia Biblical University, I was extremely thrilled to obtain his book. It is one of the most amazing resources that I have ever read. It is not only an exhaustive resource but it is a visually pleasing book as well. What an amazing thing to have your life's work become a reality and be able to impact so many people's lives as Dr. Schnittjer has done!!

I have read the Bible five times straight through and find myself reading it again thanks to Dr. Schnittjer's excellent textbook. Written for the Bible scholar, it is readable by the average student and will inspire those readers to dig into the Torah like no other book I have read. It is honest in its approach and thoroughly enjoyable. It will challenge and stretch the reader. The exercises at the end of each chapter and the guide points throughout each chapter stimulate learning and comprehension. This is a must read for anyone interested in the foundational chapters of the Bible. If you are not an apprentice when you begin this book, you will be by the time you have finished it.

This book is easy to use by anyone who wants to understand or teach the first five books of Moses. Outlines, charts, and easy to read but rich information pervade the text. I can't stop taking down notes to use in my teaching ministry!

A TRACE OF SMOKE was fabulous! I stayed awake until almost two a.m. so that I could finish it. I didn't want to put it down. I have not read such a good mystery since THE DaVINCI CODE by Dan Brown. Finding a well-written book nowadays is difficult. They seem to be written so simply, and many are full of vulgarity and graphic violence. I am ready for the next book.

I really appreciated the colorful descriptions of the Smokies and the surrounding areas, as well as the true-to-life pictures you painted of the mountain people. Grandmother Dare made me think of my own family, especially my Granny (Mama's mother). As I read about Barbara's childhood, I thought of my own, growing up in the woods, climbing trees and building straw houses, feeding mud pies to my brother... so many fun memories.

I called Dad this morning and told him how much I enjoyed the book. He is anxious to read it.

Nicole Rodriguez, Dance Instructor

Dalton, Georgia

This is a start to finish thriller with just the proper tone to convey the action and the locale. Let's hope this is just a "first" novel!

A Trace of Smoke is a rather provocative story. It stirs your intellect, kinda keeps you on the edge of your seat. Yes, it is a mystery, a stirring one. All in all, it is a very good story.

I didn't start reading until shortly before my 65th birthday. That was sixteen months ago and since then I have read sixty-one (61) books - most of them by the heavyweights (Stephen King, Ken Follett, Dean Koontz, Jonathan Kellerman, James Patterson, John Sanford, Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child, Lisa Scottoline, the Left Behind Series, all of John Grisham's, and more). "A Trace of Smoke" is by far the most enjoyable book I've read so far. I can hardly wait for his next one. A couple more like this and this author will knock the big guns right off their perches.

This book meant a lot to me because my mother died from ephysema 17 years ago at the age of 50 (she had smoked 3 packs a day for many years). Mr. Bryson's story is within the realm of possibilty - knowing how the Tobacco Industry tends to operate (I think it's gutsy of him to "attack" them.) Another commendable thing I noticed is that he didn't use one swear word in the entire book. That's rare in today's society. In my opinion, authors shouldn't use profanity as a crutch! The story was thrilling without being gory. I very much look forward to reading his next novel.

I looked all over for a kids book about Henry Thoreau to use with my 3rd and 4th graders. They really enjoyed this story! I highly recommend it.

Wonderful book, my adult friends loved it as much as the children. Thoreau was cool 150 years ago and knew then what ignorant people like GW Bush will never know. This book should be read by everyone!!!

This is a beautifully illustrated and clever fictionalized account of Henry David Thoreau as a man who turns out not to be so foolish as his townsfolk think. His neighbors in Concord think he's crazy for not wanting what they want: more money, more property, more industry, more things. Their incredulity is heightened when he decides to live out by himself in a small cabin on the banks of Walden Pond. As told in this story, the townspeople and especially the mayor are threatened by this challenge to their lifestyle and decide to try and kick him out by enlisting a toothpick manufacturer to come in and cut down the trees in Walden woods. He changes their mind by telling his story -- or, as the authors suggest: by bringing his townspeople out of their cloistered lives and into the woods for an afternoon.

Of course this isn't exactly what happened -- there were some industries in the area but logging had been taking place in the Walden woods for a long time before Thoreau got there, and while some of the townsfolk thought Thoreau was crazy, none of them were threatened by his lifestyle and none tried to threaten him. Still, the essence of the story rings true, and the authors use of poetic license serves to indicate how much of a contrast there was between Thoreau's convictions and lifestyle and those of most around him. A very nice story, that would serve as an excellent brief introduction to the life of Thoreau for newcomers of all ages.

One minor caveat on the otherwise excellent illustrations: Thoreau is here depicted as tall and lanky, something like Lincoln, when in fact by all accounts he was short and lean but built.

"The Trouble with Henry" provides children with an accessible classic story expressing the trials and tribulations of individuality and fostering sensitivity to the environment.

What a refreshing story! My daughter and I loved it. From the beginning to the end, children (and adults alike) will be caught up in the wonderful imagery created and clever "sounding" words chosen by its author. By celebrating the spirit of the individual and appreciating the simplicity and beauty of nature, children are introduced to Thoreau in a delightful and marvelously illustrated way. The Trouble with Henry is bound to be a favorite, especially among younger readers.

What a wonderful story Dr.Asagba had told.The stories in the book speaks powerfully to us today about war,human rights,religious freedom and the devastation of oil exploitation in Nigeria oil states.And a fascinating story about how Sir.Ralph Moor,a British colonist succeded in turning public opinion against slavery and in making it illegal in Nigeria in 1901.

Victor Vann.

l have just finished reading The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family and this is a fascinating account of a royal family stories and events that will blow a readers mind.Not since Alex Haleys novel and roots was released years ago that another interesting book about the slave trade and slavery now come along.This is a history on a high scale,crucial to the story as it was to history is a child born to the daughter of Orholor,an African Chief and was revealed to have been fathered by Akeh a slave who was a favored member of the chief's household.The slave was burned alive by the chief for impregnating his daughter Princess Umerikube.This child was named Abeke by the chief and grows up in the royal household but was considered a son of a slave.What is remarkable about Dr.Asagba's undertaking is that this book is about a journey of discovery and a never-before told story of how Africans treated thier slaves during the slavery era.This is a very powerful and honest story and a must read book.

This book The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family is not only a comprehensive history of an African royal family as told by a modern-day prince,but an exciting story of a revolution that led to the assassination of Esezi l who was a dictator that ruled Okpe Kingdom from 1770 untill his death in 1779.The book also covered the slave trade and slavery by Aficans,and of the political intrigue of an ancient Urhobo kingdom of Okpe. At the end of the book, contemporary issues such as the Nigeria oil policy toward the oil state citizens which includes the Okpe people and the muslim-christian strife,and human rights abuses are addressed.As terrorism faces us today, this book presents a wealth of information on religious freedom and how the christians are killed by the muslim extremists in the predominantly muslim northern states of Nigeria for spreading christianity in that part of the region.And how the muslims are allowed to worship freely in Urhobo kingdom of Okpe.This book is very entertaining and enlightening on many of the topics and issues.A well documented history and powerfully written.

The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family is a book that describes the slave trade,slavery and wars in a royal kingdom of Africa.The author Dr. Asagba describes the war battle between two powerful African Chiefs Ojegba of Urhobo-Okpe and Olomu of ltsekiri in 1870 in regard to slave raiding in the Urhobo hinterland.And how Ojegba raided Olomu's trading canoes and freed the slaves.The author has written a remarkable history of his family that will takes the readers on a journey of a very rich Africa's past.This book is an essential reading for anyone also seeking insight into the early 20th century democratic system of government by an African monarch and the wonderful work and duty of HRM Esezi ll for his remarkable character and courage toward a constitutional monarchy of Okpe Kingdom.And the Untold stories of the royal members who were feminists that campaigned for womens rights to participate in the all-male council of Elders.The book also covered a brief history of the Nigerian civil war of 1967-70 and how the war caused postponement of the successor to the Okpe king HRM Esezi ll.A very rich book on the slave trade,slavery,wars and freedom in an African Kingdom of Okpe.

l have read this book and the story in it is a fascinating one.The author describes the beginning of his family remarkable journey by tracing his family back to the 1500 when the founding father prince lgboze,the son of the Oba[king] of Benin empire left the empire and founded his own kingdom.And lgboze had a son Okpe and his descendants are the kingmakers and ruling clans of the kingdom.The author had brought to light a very compelling Untold story of an African royal family role in the slave trade and as slave masters.Dr.Asagba describes how the slaves were used as soldiers and as plantation workers during the slavery era.He also uncovers and describes the Life and Times of Obodosike a slave once owned by his great-greatgrand father Chief Asagba and his treatment as a slave in the family.What began as a family history has become a history of an entire long,dark era.The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family is a colorful non-fiction historical book and briliantly written.

This book is very good, I have recomended Child of the Wolves (also by Elizabeth Hall) to my friend and she found out this other book in the libaray. She read it in a concert, (nauty nauty) but it was truely very good. It's the way Elizabeth Hall makes you think you are a part of the book or how she can express an animal's feelings.

GOOD, NO GREAT BOOK!

As a young child, I fell in love with the vivid images in this book, the bright colors of the undersea world between the pages. For children, 'Venus' offers a look at another world, with different values, morals, and priorities. Now, years later, I still have it, and still enjoy going back and reading it. I highly suggest this, especially for children who show even a slight interest in dolphins, or the ocean in general.

This book i found at a local book store and read it. It is my favorite book i have every read. It is so well written and a good plot. The resion I am on amazon.com and on this books page is to buy it hardcover and add it to me favorite book library. If you are thinking about buying this book buy it.

****
THE BEST BOOK REVIEW

Killer whales trap a herd of dolphins. They send two young dolphins to get help. They get trapped at a Sea World place and meet some friends.
I liked this book because it is exciting and you donýt know what will happen next. The characters were fun, protective, and brave. I liked all them. The setting was great. It was in an ocean where colorful reefs and fish live. It was easy to read and it was good. My rating for this book is four stars.

As a second grade teacher I am always looking for books to read to my class that can help them relate to the subject I am currently teaching. When looking for a book to read during our ocean unit I came across Venus Among the Fishes. My kids love it. When I stop reading for the day they beg me to continue. I warn the kids that several parts are sad and often I find my kids crying along with me. I have recommended this book to several co-workers and they have all thanked me.

I'm really glad I purchased the Wee Sing Nursery Rhymes. It even comes with sheet music! It seems that every song I learned in school is included, plus many more. Now I can pass this on to my son and daughter! Shipping was prompt, which is a bonus!

We were so glad to be able to buy this on CD. Our tapes were so old and really no equipment handy to play, especially in the cars. We played this over and over and over and sang and had a wonderful time going places. My granddaughters are 16 and 19 now and I loved the smiles on their faces when I gave them their very own CD. Thanks so much.

One thing I'd like to add to the other comments is that you might want to search inside the book to see the list of rhymes and lullabies as well as a sample of the notes for two of the songs which you can play on the piano if you like.

My three grown daughters remember all these songs from having the cassettes when they were little. Sometimes when we're all together, someone will break into spontaneous song from one of the tapes and we all join in. It brings back great memories from our many car trips. I still have the cassettes, but no cassette player, so it was time to upgrade for my 18 month old grandson. His mom has been singing these songs to him from Day 1. All these Wee Sing CDs will become a family treasure! You won't go wrong on any of them.

My Mom and I used to quote that every time we would go on a trip. This is easily one of the best Wee Sing tapes, now available on CD. My cousin recently had her 2nd baby and I bought it for him. And since my Mom had the NERVE to sell our original copy of this one in a garage sale, I just HAD to download it to my iPod before wrapping it.

The nursery rhyme part of it, is also set to a story of Georgie Peorgie, Jack and Jill, and Mary going to King Cole's Birthday party, and on the way meeting other Mother Goose Characters.

Here are some interesting facts and trivia on some of the nursery rhymes and lullabies.

THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. Originallly titled "JEMIMA," was written SURPRISE! SURPRISE! by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about his daughter about a time that she misbehaved. Everyone knows the first verse. But there are two other verses that are almost never anthologized.

One day she went upstairs while her parents unawares.
Sitting below were at their meals.
She stood upon her head on her little trundle bed,
and then began hurraying with her heals.

Her Mama heard the noise and thought it was the boys
A playing at a combat in the attic.
But when she climbed the stair and saw Jemima there
She took and she did Spank her most emphatic!

LUCY LOCKET If you own this product, you'll remember that the poem is sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle. What you may not know is that Lucy Lockett is the main tune and that the yankees got the melody for Yankee Doodle from Lucy Lockett.

GOOD NIGHT TO YOU ALL Isn't really a lullaby, but it was a round dating back to the 19th century often sung by quartets in hotels and such as a finale.

EARLY TO BED Was written, believe it or not by Benjamin Franklin. And was used as a way to get children to go to bed on time.

SWEETLY SLEEP Is a parody of a Czech Christmas carol called "ROCKING," which you will find on "Wee Sing for Christmas." Either song gets me in a Christmas mood no matter what time of the year it is.

All in all, this is a first rate recording and perfect for the young and the young at heart. So if you or anyone you know is about to have a baby, go ahead and buy it. You certainly won't go wrong.

"What Goes Around" starts off fast-paced and absorbing, and ends with a bang! David O'Neal's first book of power, love and war in this progressive series of four, won't disappoint. An action novel that also delves into relevant social and ethical issues, O'Neal uses his experience as an ex-marine to create this tightly-written drama about how an ordinary man can get caught up in circumstances beyond his control. The decisions that the protagonist, Doug Carlson, uses to cope with Mob aggression and control in the gambling lifestyle of Nevada are colored by writer O'Neal's unique insights into the warrior mentality from his military service in the Vietnam jungles. This series, which includes "The Pact With Bruno," "Choosing to Kill," and "Fool Me Twice," illustrates how possibly this "jungle" could inadvertently creep into our own backyards. I read all four novels back-to-back, and found them hard to put down. Very good reads!

Great plot, interesting characters, and a fascinating perspective on American life--then and now. The then, for O'Neal, is the Vietnam war. Now is the culture of contemporary California and Nevada--rich, violent, out of control. Battles with the Mob in the present alternate with intense flashbacks to combat, surfacing the confusion, grief, and rage, as well as the skills needed to overcome the guerilla attacks by made guys and their henchmen. It's jarheads vs The Sopranos, and the Marine Corps wins--by a whisker.

Slip into the realm of the Mafia as Doug Carlson begins his journey and pulls you along with him each step of the way. Feel the suspense, the thrill, the anticipation, the emotions, as they are written by David O'Neal in a compelling, can't put down novel. It is a novel you will remember forever.

Doug Carlson could be Mr. Everyman before his bump with a mob leader. Mr. O'Neal leads us on a deadly rollercoaster ride which transforms his character from a peaceful citizen to a deadly adversary. I can't wait for another installment of Doug C.

I read Dave O'Neal's second book, "The Pact With Bruno," first. Now I know why some reviewers are calling him the next Elmore Leonard. But you must read "What Goes Around," to know what makes Doug Carlson tick. The night has eyes. And O'Neal's books would make great movies.

Analisa is a woman of remarkable determination, faith and strength. I first met Analisa when she and Brian moved to our area shortly after completing her transplant and we worked together for several years in our church. My greatest joy was watching her regain strength followed by her and Brian receiving their two baby boys into their family. It has been a difficult journey for Analisa, but if you knew her, you would understand how and why she survived, as she is "tiny but mighty". This book is a great narrative and would be an inspiration to anyone who must undergo a bonemarrow transplant or any other difficult medical procedure. Where there is faith there is hope--and miracles. Well written and inspiring.

Analisa is a modern day hero with her strength and faith inspiring all of us to conquer our personal trials and heartaches in life. Her story and determination will always be a guide and inspiration to me throughout my life. Thank you Analisa!!

Anna's account of her ordeal is uniquely her own. Her account is pitch perfect-- an honest and uniquely personal telling of her grueling struggle both to live and to reclaim her life. She is everyman, or woman as the case might be, tempored in the crucible of personal struggle against overwhelming seemingly incontestable circumstance.

I must tell you that I know Anna and Brian personally, I know about her struggle with cancer and her effort to write about it. I often wondered if the world needed one more survivor book. If so, this is that book. You won't need to know them going in because you'll soon get to know them through their own eyes and in your own heart. You'll know yourself a little better too. Just be prepared to read for a while because once you start, you won't put it down. Paul Nielsen

This book is one of a kind! As amazing as it is riveting, the story Analisa tells of her journey through her bone marrow transplant will leave you breathless and unable to put it down. More thrilling and devastating than fiction ever can be, this autobiography will remind you of the many blessings you have in your life!

This book is filled with wise and wonderful words. Not only does it contain practical advice and guidance on how to survive a life-threatening illness, it also shows how relying on your spiritual faith can give you strength and help you heal. The author teaches us the importance of family and friends, and how their love and support is so vital in the healing process. This is a personal story that will provide the reader with great hope and comfort in facing adversity. It is a sensitive and powerful story that will inspire others who may be facing a similar challenge.

This is a must have book for adoption in Russia. It is well supportive of independent adoption. It covers the process of adoption in Russia in detail. The book also has a large section of Russian law, translated and explained, that is very helpful to adoptive parents. An excellent travel tool for Russian adoption.

This book is excellent. Especially for PreAdoptive Parents. Anyone who has already went to Russia can relate to much of this book. Whether you are using an Agency or Adopting Independently you should read this book. It tells all about what to expect from the laws and your dossier to what to expect while in Russia and Court. There is alot of information in it that I was not able to find anywhere else. The Laws of Russia are always confusing and the book explains them very well. If you are using an agency this book will help you answer some questions. You will have much more knowledge on what questions to ask your agency and what to expect. It helps make learning Russian words and phrases easy. If you want to learn anymore about the children in Russia this book is definitely for you. And let's not forget all the FAQ's, there all there, and we've all asked them. Good Luck and God Bless you on your Adoption.

For anyone who is interested in an indepth understanding of Russian Law and how it related to international Russian adoption, this is the book to read! Well written, well thought out, easy to use and very informative! Irina O'Rear has written an outstanding book that explains in detail how the law works in Russia and how it applies to adoption.

Did you know adoption in Russia is free? Did you know that the Russian Law DOES NOT require two trips? Did you know there is an appeals process for adoptions that are turned down by the judge? Do you want to know if you can request a specific child in a specific area, from a specific orpahage? Irina explains the whys and wherefores of the law, and how it applies to various adoption situations. She explains the adoption process, gives a list of documents commonly needed for a Russian dossier, and explains what is involved in the court hearing.

A well written, concise, and thorough book. A must read for anyone interested in adopting from Russia. A great place to get the right answers to some tough adoption questions.

This book is a MUST to read!! You will REALLY see where your money goes after reading it! I was quite amazed. However, compared to the other reviewers, I ended up using Alaska Adoption Agency. (Excellent company by the way!) We did a 2 trip region. (Khabarovsk) Was a great overall experience. For more info on adoption, I used to go to www.adoptionforums.com Great source for MORE updated info on what's going on with the adoptions these days!

A must read for anyone adopting from Russia.

From the introduction of the book: "This book has been written in order to provide the reader with basic and helpful information pertaining to Russian adoptions and Russian adoption law." There is no doubt that Irina O'Rear has managed to accomplish this in her recently published book.

Pre adoptive parents have many questions and MS O'Rear has managed to consolidate most of the answers to these questions into one book. A family going through the adoption process would be turning to this book daily to get valuable information. Some of this information can only be found in this book.

The book starts out with a general discussion on making a decision to adopt and specifically why to adopt from Russia. From there the author describes what to expect in Russia. This covers everything from how to dress, what to expect in the court hearing, and generally what to expect while sight seeing. There is a good description of the adoption process form the Russian side, which lets the parents know what is happening while they are anxiously awaiting an invitation to travel.

There is one section of the book, and I feel the most valuable section, where MS O'Rear translates excerpts of the Russian family law that pertains to adoptions. She also provides her expert commentary on each section of the law. In my work with Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FURA) I have repeat idly heard parents ask what the Russian laws says on certain issues. Now I have a resource that I can point them to for answers.

Besides the unique section on Russian law the author provides another unique section of useful words and phrases. Nowhere else have I seen a list like this. It is in English word order and the Russian translation is done using the English phonetic alphabet instead of the Russian Cyrillic. This is most helpful to those who don't know the Cyrillic alphabet.

For people looking for a resource and reference guide to help with a Russian adoption then this is the book for you.

very scholarly, but easily understood,; cogent discussion of how to understand the Hebrew Bible on its own terms, integrating science and archeology. a must have book.

Divided into five distinctive sections, this book provides an introductory look at the conceptual world surrounding the Hebrew Bible. The five sections are Comparative Studies, Literature of the Ancient Near East, Religion, Cosmos, and People.

The section on Literature of the Ancient Near East is is a good, although very brief, survey of the literature of the ancient near east including Egyptian, Sumerian, Akkadian, and Hittite. The author has included a good cross section of ritual texts, letters, chronicles, legal collections, hymns, wisdom literature, and prophecy.

The section on Religion is subdivided into The Gods, Temples and Rituals, and State and Family Religion. Here the reader is exposed to ancient thought on these subjects with the intent that they come to understand the common beliefs and practices well as beliefs and practices that differentiated them from each other.

The section on the Cosmos examines both the geography of the cosmos and the beliefs surrounding them. The section on the geography of the cosmos is excellent and includes an examination of the structure of heaven, the earth and the netherworld. I found this section to be particularly interesting and very informative with an excellent exposition on the Hebrew word "bara" and the functional aspects of naming.

The final section on People provides an excellent examination of the various concepts of creation of the human race as well as what it means to be human. It also includes a very good explanation of the interaction between the people and their religion including prophecy, oracles, and their perception of history as a nation. This section ends with a discussion of the beliefs about the future of the earth and what happens after death.

Throughout the book the author has included excellent side-bar sections offset in shaded boxes that further illuminate related ideas and concepts. These often contain some of the best and most interesting observations of the material if you are already somewhat familiar with the subject.

Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament provides a solid comparative study of the various literature from the ancient near east showing both commonalities and differences with the beliefs of the nation of Israel. The book clearly sets the culture of Israel in the Old Testament times alongside those of its neighbors and allows the reader to better understand the mindset of the time. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament is highly recommended.

First off I want to say that I audited a course by the author of this book, and read through the book throughout the semester. It is part of the core curriculum for an M.A. in New Testament or Old Testament Exegesis at Wheaton. I am a pastor who preaches regularly. This book has impacted my entire understanding of the Old Testament in a powerful way.

The logical format of this book gives the reader a simple and effective way to slowly enter into the worldview of ancient people. The author is very good at giving readers hinge concepts to help understand the distinctions between our worldview and their worldview.

The book categorizes ancient near eastern thought into topics that are actually enjoyable to read. Each topic could easily overlap with other topics, and Dr. Walton does a great job of separating the topics without distorting them (in my opinion).

This book tackles thorny issues that separate Evangelicals from Liberals in the land of scholars, without alienating either side of the issue. Walton's premise is that we should abandon the old approaches to Ancient Near Eastern Thought and simply understand what they believed, and how it was different from or the same as Old Testament thought.

One concept that emerges as the book develops is the idea that some Israelite prophets argued for the support of the covenant with God rather than for the reinforcement of the Kings authority (as the prophets of other cultures and sometimes Israeli culture did). This sets Israeli prophets who held to the covenant with God at odds with everyone else who prophecied in Israel and around Israel. Coupled with the exclusiveness of the Jewish religion, and the people soon became alienated from those around them and sometimes from their own religion or people.

Probably the most helpful aspect of this book is his excellent approach to comparative studies without labeling certain parts of the bible as extensions of other cultures or vice versa. His approach, when properly understood, is actually what both sides of the historical divide on this topic ought to be doing. I find it not only full of wisdom, but extremely helpful in preparing sermons from the Old Testament.

A nice companion to this volume is The Bible Background Commentary of the Old Testament. I think that this book shows you how to use the Bible Background Commentaries.

One criticism that I would like to mention is that some of the charts in this book are a bit difficult for me to understand. That's an area that the next edition may have to improve on. However, there are only a few pages like that and the rest of the book is really a very very good summary and introduction to Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament.

Some of the topics he covers include but are by no means limited to:

The Ancient View of the World.
The Ancient view of the heavens.
The Ancient view of Temples
The Ancient view of Omens and Magic.

I think he has around 13 topics in all. This book is well worth reading and if you plan to teach from the Old Testament over the years, you might want to pick up a copy for your personal library. It's packed with helpful references also.

Walton's book focuses on the similarities between the Ancient Near Eastern religious teaching with the Old Testament. He is careful to point out that similarites between the two doesnt necessarily imply that one is borrowed from the other. He emphasizes that they came to some similar conclusions based on their similar environments. This is a quite interesting take on this hotly debated subject.

His introduction to the book and introduction to Near Eastern literature is excellent.

However, while I will admit readily there are some similarites between Ancient Near Eastern religions and the O.T., Walton seems to see some similarities that I do not. He seems to be reaching quite a bit in those instances. For this reason, I gave it three stars.

The similarities between the two schools of religious thought are so few and far between that I feel a case could be made for coincidental similarities.

The book did however, accomplish what I thought it would accomplish. Regardless of the author's comments, the comparisons between the religions really emphasizes the distinctiveness of the O.T. For that reason, I am grateful for purchasing the book. Its something I have never doubted, but it certainly makes the chasm wider between the Ancient Near Eastern religions and the religion of the O.T.

Of course, the difference is one is real, and the others arent.

"The synthesis that I have offered is undoubtedly characterized by assessments that some scholars will judge to be misleading, premature, or even wrongheaded. ... Instead, I desired to sift through the information provided by the specialists who have diligently made the literatures and cultures of the ancient Near East available to us,..." John Walton.



Prologue to Hermerneutics:
Half a century past, when I read the Old Testament in the city where it was first translated from Hebrew, now then, in its cousin language Arabic, much of the biblical narratives seemed stories from an ancient mythical past to me, the young Psaltos. However, when I started to formulate inquisitive questions, the most refreshing though troubling replies came from my father, a specialist in comparative civil law, a professor in the French Lyceum and a former Viennese student in the European enlightenment milieu of the thirties, the young teenager was then introduced to comparative criticism through JH Breasted, Gardiner and Lang when I began to understand how ancient Egyptian viewed the world, the Old Testament becomes more clearly a book that stood "within its ancient context, while also speaking against it," in the words of Wheaton's J. Walton.

Renewal of Biblical Studies:
"The rediscovery of Egypt began in earnest in the eighteenth century AD and of Mesopotamia in the mid-nineteenth century AD. With the decipherment of the ancient languages, the tens of thousands of texts that were being unearthed began to be translated and analyzed. ... Initial studies were inclined to be defensive of the Bible, even if such a stance required the dismissal or distortion of the cuneiform texts. The flurry of activity in connection with the relationship of these texts to the Bible had reached a critical mass of sorts by the turn of the century; and, consequently, widespread attention was attracted by the series of lectures presented in 1902 under the auspices of the German Oriental Society and attended by Kaiser Wilhelm II."

Israel's Intellectual Milieu:
John Walton suggests three main roles that a comparative study could play in Hebrew Bible interpretation: critical analysis, defense of the biblical text, and exegesis. He focuses on exegesis and its particular importance for guarding interpretation against applying modern world-views. Walton offers a thoughtful introduction to ancient Near Eastern literature and the common milieu of 'cognitive environment' that rediscovers the world of ancient Israel. He evaluates concepts of ancient beliefs on gods, views on people and history, about religion, the cosmos, after surveying types of literature, after a survey of the interface between the ancient Near East and Israel, clarifying the analogies and non similarities between them.

Comparative Biblical Study:
This book provides an excellent introduction to the field of comparative Biblical studies and integrates many specialized studies by Coogan, Chavalas, Currid, Kitchen, Redford, and Yamauchi on Israel's neighbors. He makes use of extra biblical resources to enrich their understanding of ancient Israel and its Scriptures. This is very well explained by Peter Machinist, of Harvard University, "Comparisons between the culture of biblical Israel and the other cultures of the ancient Near East have long been a fundamental part of biblical scholarship, but more often than not, they have been presented in piecemeal, isolated fashion. In his new book, John Walton offers a much broader reach, giving us arguably the most extensive review of these cultural comparisons now available together with a serious meditation on what the enterprise of cultural comparison is all about in biblical study."

Analytical Book reviews:
- "... excellent survey of the interface between the ancient Near East and Israel. I especially appreciate his sidebars on 'Comparative Exploration,' which enable readers to 'zero in' on the comparative topic of their choice relatively easily."--Mark Chavalas, U. Wisconsin
- "... an important and useful guide to entering into some of the major worldviews and value systems found in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel. ..., bridges the gaps between ancient Near Eastern texts and the perspectives of the Bible." Richard Hess, Denver Seminary
- "Walton penetrates beyond the simple comparisons often made to bring back intelligence about the contexts and constitution of the ancient world, stressing the ideas Israel and its contemporaries held in common. Yet Walton repeatedly demonstrates how Israel's faith was distinct,..." Alan Millard, U. of Liverpool