People and Places of the Bible
Written by multiple authors, Everyday Life in Bible Times is a panorama of the main events, people, and places found in the Old and New Testaments. Though each chapter is written by different authors, the book is cohesive and consistent. Numerous maps, paintings, and quality photographs supplement the informative narrative; there are also several paintings from the Old Masters. Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Jesus, and Paul are the main subjects; these individuals are placed in the backdrop of the ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible. One chapter traces the progression of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires and their relationship to ancient Israel. Another chapter looks at the Essene sect and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The book was originally published with a map supplement entitled Lands of the Bible Today; this map contains a plethora of information in the form of descriptive notes. After reading this book readers will feel as if they have traveled to the Holy Land as well as places mentioned in the Bible. One problem with the book is that it was written in the 1960s and does not reflect the most recent developments in Biblical archaeology. Still, this book is an excellent portrayal of how the Bible story weaves through ancient civilizations and world history.