Black Bible Chronicles: From Genesis to the Promised Land [Paperback]

P. K. McCary (Author)

Book Description

Series: Black Bible Chronicles | Publication Date: January 25, 1993

...vivid and forceful, it is also charming...people of every racial and ethnic background might benefit from reading this lively retelling of the stories DSAndrew Greeley, People Magazine

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12-Using contemporary urban slang, this unusual book retells a selection of stories from the first five books of the Old Testament. Stories from Genesis occupy half of the book; later chapters translate into ordinary language the various laws and counsel handed down by the Almighty. McCary abridges and retells the stories, but does not reinterpret them. (He does not, for instance, argue that the original Egyptians and Israelites were black, nor does he relate slavery in Egypt to the African-American experience). Many of the stories feature violence and sex, including incest, and the language is frank. This may attract some readers, and strike others as blasphemous. In any case, the book is certain to inspire controversy and discussion. Unfortunately, the use of slang is often inconsistent. Some of the expressions are already dated, and others are certain to date with the passage of time. A book such as The Way (Tyndale Pr, 1984), although it is written in mainstream, contemporary English, may better accomplish the goals enunciated in Andrew Young's foreword for this volume.
Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Siena College Library, Loudonville, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Black Bible Chronicles is an abridged audio edition of the best-selling book of the same title (American Family, 1993) that paraphrases the first five books of the Old Testament in black vernacular. It is a combination of urban street talk and 1990s street slang. Interpreter P.K. McCary's attempt "to make the Bible more relevant and meaningful and to empower today's kids with one of the greatest messages on earth" is successful on all fronts. Acclaimed actor Ben Vereen reads wonderfully, and his captivating rendition-that of a black preacher employing a staccato rap rhythm-is appropriate and entertaining. Vereen remarks that "this interpretation gives our youth a way to relate to God." Recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with collections in African American studies.
Ravonne A. Green, Emmanuel Coll. Lib., Franklin Springs, Ga.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: African-American Family Press; 1st edition (January 25, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156977000X
• ISBN-13: 978-1569770009
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God has more than one way to reach people..., January 24, 2004

By 

Frank Speaker (Buena Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Bible Chronicles: From Genesis to the Promised Land (Paperback)

I was delighted to find this Bible. I was raised as a Christian, but, truth be told, did not want to read the Bible. When I saw this version, I *wanted* to read it.
Don't let someone else dictate to you what you should read--least of all someone who tries to put a "proper" spin on things.
God is not about "proper"; rather, He simply wants you to receive His message. Legalistic "Christians" will never understand this, and that is their sad loss.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Word of the Lord does NOT return void! :-), December 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Bible Chronicles: From Genesis to the Promised Land (Paperback)

If your heart is filled with love for the lost, this is a really great way to spread the message! It breaks down so many barriers to the reception of God's word and wisdom.

As an unbeliever, this was the first bible I was actually willing to pick up. This book is the reason I got SAVED!!! I'm a white, middle-class woman who had such a chip on her shoulder against God, stemmimg from my messed up childhood, that you couldn't get me within 2 feet of a real bible or anyone proclaiming it's message. As a book junkie, I would cull through the self-help section doing an automatic rejection of anything that had a single bible verse listed anywhere within.

As God called me closer and I became more interested in "spiritual" things, this book caught my eye. I had always envisioned the bible as being very difficult to read, (and it can be unless the spirit guides you) and I certainly felt intimidated by it's sheer size. I also thought that every bible was as difficult to understand as the KJV.

The bottom line is that this street-friendly and entertaining edition of God's Word finaly enabled the Holy Spirit to work within me. Through reading God's Word, in a tough language that matched my own mood and my ability to comprehend, it opened up my hardened heart and I asked Jesus to be my Savior! (I now own several "real" bibles. I was not marred by any inaccuracies in this translation, only encouraaged to learn more about Jesus and the truth! As a Christian witness, what more can you ask for?

Regarding "the underbelly of the African-American society"; who better to hear the life-changing message of the Gospel? If this book can facilitate that, in even a round-about way, then glory and praise be to God and Jesus Christ!

Another great seeker book (which I found long after I was saved) is called The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus by John R. Cross, ISBN: 1890082147, published by Good Seed International and available here at Amazon! God Bless! ><>

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wrong, but funny., October 2, 2011

By 

MarcStinebaugh - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Bible Chronicles: From Genesis to the Promised Land (Paperback)

It may not be an accurate translation of the Bible, it may even be straight up WRONG, but it was pretty funny to read.