Customer Reviews

Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've read this book several times since it first came out. I've given 2 dozen as gifts and will give more as it is easy to read/comprehend. I think it should be required reading by every 6-12th grader in every school to try and balance the incessant/overwhelming dumbing down of our kids as relates to 'REAL' scientific inquirey and the foundational knowledge upon which our republic and civilization rests. You won't find this in public or school libraries because of the 'censorship' that goes on, and not by right-wingers, so you must get this in your own library. It's very thought provoking and if you read Nat. Geographic, etc. the known technology and many artifacts from past eras take on a whole new meaning.

"Adam and His Kin" by Ruth Beechick has given me a new look at ancient history. Where many historians think that it took man thousands or even millions of years to invent musical instruments or develop the ability to smelt metals, "Adam and His Kin" shows how men did these things in less than 1000 years after he was created.

Where much of "Adam and His Kin" is imaginary and supposition, it is biblically based. It showed me that Adam, Seth, and Noah could have kept their own written records. They did not need to depend on oral tradition to pass important historical information from father to son. It radically changed my interpretation of the book of Genesis.

This book stimulates the intelect of an adult and yet keeps the attention of a child. My 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son have enjoyed listening to this book.

Despite the fact that one person I asked did not care for this book I was convinced to buy it because it came so highly recommended by several home school curriculums. I have also read other books by Ruth Beechick and highly recommend them. These include "You Can Succesfully Teach Your Child," "The 3 R's," and "Home School Wars and Other Writings." Ruth Beechick is a very interesting and understandable writer.

Beverly S., a home schooling mom in Maryland

WOW! There were a lot of ideas in this book that I already had, and a few that were new to me, but the way that Ms. Beechick weaved together the Biblical account with history and made it easily readable was just amazing. I've read many books on this time period. Most of them are very scholarly, which definitely has it's place, but this was a quick, light, fun read, that was still jam-packed with lots of info. She also includes a great bibliography, so I can't wait to start researching more.

The author is very clear that not every theory about creation or the beginning of human history is used. And that's not the point. It is meant to be a novel of what might have happened. One does not have to buy every theory, but it is still extremely interesting because it "fills in the blanks" of what you might have wondered about the Genesis accounts. It makes sense and I think it makes an excellent companion to Bible study and ancient history study.

The Bible is the deepest, most intelligent, and powerful writing ever penned. Because it is such a profound book, parts of it may at times seem confusing. Many times I struggled through the pages of the Old Testament trying to comprehend the history. Sometimes I would give up, becoming weary of the long string of names or descriptions of who begat whom.

Why did God's Word have to be so difficult for me? I so wanted to be able to read the Bible and be as interested in its history as I was in the Tudor Era. Of course, I never dreamed that there was a book out there just for me.

When my Mom presented me with Adam and His Kin by Dr. Ruth Beechick I immediately devoured it. The story, the history, the Bible! Mrs. Beechick retells the story of Genesis like no other author has. I found myself intrigued and delighted as I read about Eve's heartbreaking struggle in the Garden of Eden, the tragic murder of Abel, the fascinating story of Noah, and even the tower of Babel.

It was like reliving history beside these amazing figures and the spectacular events which surrounded them. I could actually feel Eve's longing for the forbidden, I mourned for Noah as he was made fun of and taunted while he built the most amazing boat in the world, the boat that God instructed him to build.
In Adam and His Kin history comes to life and you experience what life was like thousands of years ago. In my opinion, this book is a masterpiece and I can give it nothing but the highest praise.

J.M. Age 14

The book reads like a narrative, starting with Adam and Eve in the Garden, ending with Abram leaving Ur. It was a refreshing way to read the unfolding of Adam, Eve, Abel, Cain, along with Noah and his son's lives. The author spices things up by inserting what she believes these people felt and thought.

" You won't die, " the serpent said. "God knows that when you eat the fruit your eyes will be opened and you will be as gods, knowing good and evil." The woman contemplated the tree. Its fruit looked pleasant and good to eat. Would it really mak her wise like God, knowing good and evil? She stepped in for a closer look. Then she picked a fruit. Turning it around in her hand, it seemed a small matter if she should taste it. Just one little bite. And so she did. At that moment, the spirit within her died. Its radiance faded, and she stood beside the tree feeling helpless and naked. The serpent quickly disappeared. He was not going to hlep her. "That deciever!" she exlaimed. She did know evil. That much of the serpent's words came true. And how terrible it was! Evil was inside her. Coul she throw asay the fruit? Could she cough up the bite and spit it out? Could she undo her act in any way? No, it was done. She couldn't restore her innocence. Adam must eat the fruit too. He must not leave her alone in this condition. Frightened and distraught, she ran to Adam, the remains fo the fruit still in her hand. Seein her pitiful state, Adam needed no explanation. Her confused words, her crying, her begging tore at his heart.

Though not EXACTLY what may have happened, it's not impossible something to this magnitude did occur. With Cain and Abel, Ruth Beechick writes:

As he shouted at his brother, a terrible idea came into his mind. "Come into my filed," he said. "Let us talk in privacy out there." In the field they continued talking until Cain suddenly rose up with one of his garden tools and killed his brother Abel. Cain had seen the death of animals, but this was the first death of a human. It was shocking even for hard-hearted Cain to see the dead body of his brother lying there...fastforwarding to after God cursed Cain, Ruth writes:

Cain said, "That punishment is more than i can bear." His voice sounded sorry now but it was sorrow not about his deed, only about his punishment.

Ruth also gives some nice information about our biblical characters. She notes tht Seth meant "appointed one." Later on she explains that Nimrod means "let us rebel.", which further illustrated Cush's revolt against God, describing Nimrod's purpose. The characters and where they migrate to, the names, etc are accurate. One has to keep in mind while reading that it's Ruth's interpretation on how the individuals feel or what they thought. It was a very quick read.

This important book gives children a Biblically accurate overview of the book of Genesis, told in a narrative style. Read this book to your children before you begin your study of ancient history.

This book was one of the materials needed for a section in "Green Book" for middle school English (which I teach). It's goal is to present Genesis in a more interesting way. I think it did an above average job of it, but still really probably isn't the most exciting reading material for children (the story tends to read like just a continuum of unconnected events that just keep going on, without every reaching the typical climax, and it's still got some parts that are heavy on the language of Genesis to the point kids might get bothered by it).

But the book did a great job of personalizing the Genesis story, and really showing how it applies to today. It's a book that's aim is to make Genesis easier to pick up for youth, and that is a greatly important purpose. It did a very solid job of remaining true to scripture, and was quite interesting to a few of my students.

Rather than get students reading the loose translations of the Bible (Living, etc), I think this is a good way to get them interested and involved. It's not a perfect book, but I'd recommend it!

Adam & His Kin is fantastic. Everyone in my family, from my 8 year old son to my 40-something husband is reading it. It is a great discussion starter. Dr. Beechick, keep up the good work!

What we liked most about this book was the way it made us think about the possibilities of what could have been happening over and above what the Bible story tells us. The book does such a good job of weaving it all together that we would reccommend reading the true account along with it so you will be able to sort the truth from the fiction. Though the book was very interesting it still could have been more riveting.