Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple [Paperback]

Hershel Shanks (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Biblical Archaeology Society; Revised edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880317540
• ISBN-13: 978-1880317549
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blindingly brilliant at best;Factually overwhelming at worst, November 10, 2002

By 

Matthew K. Minerd "The Coding Catholic" (Herdon, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple (Revised & Expanded) (Paperback)

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 to concentrated with facts. At times, you may feel very overwhelmed with the information presented. However, if you familiarize yourself with the general history of Israel by quickly reading through the book and then following that reading up with a more indepth reading, this book may serve you well. However, trying to remember all of the dates, names, and rulers at once is overwhelming. I recommend this to anyone who is even slightly interested in learning thoroughly about Ancient Israel and has little background in history during this period of time.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sound popular overview of research, August 28, 2000

By 

Micheal W. Palmer (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple (Paperback)

A collection of eight essays by recognized scholars in the field, this book provides an overview and interpretation of relevant archaeological work for the non-technical reader. Its popular style makes it well suited for undergraduate classes as well as lay readers unfamiliar with the history of Israel.

All of the essays have been revised for this second edition, and most have been significantly expanded. Much has changed since the first edition appeared in 1988, and the revised edition reflects those changes well.

The archaeological data and literary evidence available for some periods of Israel's history is far more abundant and diverse than for others. The essays reflect this variation in the available data, and the authors do a competent job of stating the evidence upon which their claims are based.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mind strain and eye strain, October 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple (Revised & Expanded) (Paperback)

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 scholarly authors.

Further, the book is printed in gray type so reading it is concurrently mind strain AND eye strain.

I'm sure in the hands of a good teacher, with discussion and re-reading, this book can be effective. My teacher says we can read it before or after the class discussion. I will need to read it before AND after.

But perhaps I'm spoiled. I just finished Richard Friedman's "Who Wrote the Bible" - an engrossing, absorbing story that carries you along. It is a wonderful "read" - at the other end of the spectrum from Shanks.

EOM