Ancient Palestine (Facets) [Paperback]

Gosta W. Ahlstrom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0800635728 | ISBN-13: 978-0800635725

One of the premier historians of ancient Israel provides an overview of the issues involved in reconstructing the history of ancient Palestine. He demonstrates how one must integrate the study of geography, climate, archaeological discoveries, demography, oral traditions, and written documents—both biblical and nonbiblical—in order to provide the fullest picture of ancient Israel’s experience.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

"The Bible is not a textbook in history, and it was never intended to be one. . . . What is regarded as history can only emerge from the result of the historiographer’s work. The task of establishing what happened in the past is the ideal, but it can be no more than an interpretation.."

About the Author

Gösta W. Ahlström was Professor at the University of Chicago. He is the author of A History of Ancient Palestine (Fortress Press, 1993), Who Were the Israelites? (1986), and Royal Administration and National Religion in Ancient Palestine (1982).

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800635728
• ISBN-13: 978-0800635725
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,455,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Middle East > Israel
  • #82 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Ancient > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An Intro and footnotes -- Zero History Content, June 20, 2004

By 

Ed Kirkwood Wilkerson "Dahgon D'Keeze" (San Antonio TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Palestine (Facets) (Paperback)

The big problem with this book is its misleading title:"Ancient Palestine: A Historical Introduction". Do you think you might get some history? Nay not so. This is merely 50+ pages of discussion explaining how difficult it is to get a true picture of ancient history. Good only for sending to a hard shell fundementalist who firmly believes every word in the Bible is gospiel truth. Lots of references to where the bible can't be historical accurate. Following what would be an introduction in a normal book, there is a page or two of one line chronological listings of historical periods. Thats it. If you think you are going to get a summary of Palestine History - you will be as shocked and disappointed as I was.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Waste Your Time On This, August 11, 2008

By 

Nathan Albright (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Palestine (Facets) (Kindle Edition)

This book is an example of what it means to be reading the sort of works your opponents write to each other smugly mentioning gross statements of error as irrefutable facts. This pathetic example of anti-biblical writing has brevity as its only and inconsiderable virtue, and is only capable of being enjoyed by those who have little knowledge and little belief in the Bible. The book contains almost no history about the Bible, and is mainly an anti-biblical philosophical tract devoted to minimalism. Even at less than a dollar (sold, ironically enough, by CBD) the book isn't worth its price.