Complete Bible Handbook: An Illustrated Companion [Hardcover]

John Bowker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998

An accessible, inspirational guide that embraces the whole of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

The most important book in Western history, the Bible has had a profound influence on the religious, intellectual, and cultural life of societies throughout the world. The Complete Bible Handbook draws on the latest scholarship to form the most comprehensive and accessible guide to the Bible ever published. Every book of the Bible is outlined and explained, with the focus on key figures, events and teachings. Led by the respected scholar John Bowker, pioneer in the study of religions, The Complete Bible Handbook is an authoritative and inspirational guide written by a multidenominational team of experts that embraces both Jewish and Christian faiths. The commentaries are supported by more than 500 color illustrations, often casting new light on Bible stories. Location photographs and maps show biblical sites as they are today, and many important works of religious art are beautifully reproduced.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Genesis to Revelation, this handbook follows the Bible on a book-by-book basis. What makes this lavishly illustrated handbook so impressive is the use of five types of double-page spreads. The "Book" spread discusses the origin and significance of each book, with a brief summary of the key themes. The "Story" spread provides an inviting retelling of the main stories while also explaining why specific passages, characters, and events are so meaningful. "Background" and "History" spreads offer cultural contexts as well as fascinating historical facts that make the reading of the Bible all the more rich and satisfying. "Theology" enters into the mature arenas of biblical study, where interpretation and theory are deftly explored. The religious art and design are sophisticated and elegant--a welcome departure from the often cartoonish or overly ornate biblical illustrations. Yet the most praise should be heaped upon the multi-denominational team of authors that embrace both Christian and Jewish faiths. Together they kept this handbook credible, scholarly, and highly readable. --Gail Hudson

Review

...At the top of the stack of new offerings. -- Minneapolis Star-Tribune, December 1999

A splendidly illustrated companion for the Bible reader." -- Seattle Times/Post Intelligencer, Dec.6th

This handsome volume of 500-plus pages manages to be comprehensive, consice and useful. Paintings, photographs, maps, charts abound, and the articles, including sidebars, are uniformly readable and informative. Even the minor prophets are set forth with clarity. -- Parade Magazine, December 1999

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789435683
• ISBN-13: 978-0789435682
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,476,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most engaging Bible overview I have seen!, May 3, 2000

By 

Carter Mears (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Bible Handbook: An Illustrated Companion (Hardcover)

As an Episcopal Deacon-in-training, and someone who is involved not only in learning about the Bible, but also teaching and sharing that passion with others, I found this book to be a most engaging and absorbing overview of the Bible. Bowker is committed to perspective and insight as he guides us through centuries of history and spirituality. Frequently, he pulls away from the biblical texts themselves and gives us timely and important lessons on the culture, history and values of the people who shaped and wrote the Bible. His consistent and detailed approach to topics or books in the Bible (never more than two pages long) His abundant use of keys, art, charts and diagrams, and his references to other works makes me want to plunge in and read the Bible stories that I have read with new insight, and to take on those I have dreaded with a new understanding of my heritage and my God. For anyone with an ounce of interest in our Judaeo/Christian/Muslim mothers and fathers, and our historical and ongoing relationship with God, this book is a must!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is the ideal companion for the new Bible reader, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Bible Handbook: An Illustrated Companion (Hardcover)

The Complete Bible Handbook has been indispensable to me as I read the Bible for the first time. It's packed with clear explanations of each book and character in the Bible, plus background on the customs and history of each period. I have a fairly short attention span, so I particularly appreciate the concise, well-written descriptions -- I read them first to get the background, and then read the Scripture. I also appreciate the lavish illustrations. This book has helped me deepen and broaden my understanding of the Bible. I would recommend it to anyone.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pictorial guide which is just inspirational., May 6, 2001

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Bible Handbook: An Illustrated Companion (Hardcover)

The most important book in Western history is the Bible. It has had a profound influence on the religious, intellectual and cultural life of societies throughout the world. If you want to find the fascinating background information to the biblical world, look no further. This is the perfect illustrated companion to the Bible for adults. It embraces the whole world of Judeo-Christian traditions.

If you want a clear understanding to the most important teachings, there is also up-to-date scholarship to show the way. With more than 500 color illustrations, this is a stunning visual insight into the world of the Bible. Many important works of religious art are also beautifully reproduced.

Every book in the Bible is outlined and explained. The focus in on key figures, events and teachings. John Bowker is a pioneer in the study of religions. John Bowker was the Dean of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1984 to 1991. He has written many books including The Meanings of Death, An Introduction to Jewish Interpretations of Scripture and The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions.

This is an authoritative and inspirations guide, written by a multidenominational team of experts that embraces both the Jewish and Christian faiths. You may not agree with everything you read, but overall, this is an extensive collection of knowledge.

The book is divided into three main sections. The first deals with the Old Testament and The Hebrew Bible, the second deals with The New Testament and the third is Reference Section with an A-Z list of people and places in the Bible.

If you still want to read more about the Bible, an extensive bibliography will show you the way. At the right lower edge of each right-hand page there is a list of numbers for further reading. When you turn to the bibliography, the numbers correspond to the entries, which makes this extremely user friendly. The Index is comprehensive.

I especially enjoyed reading about the life of Jesus Christ. You will find a map of Palestine, reasons for Jewish dietary laws, the story of Noah and the Flood, a beautiful picture of Adam and Eve in the garden and a look at Heaven and Hell. If you are interested in learning about the fantastic imagery of prophets and apocalyptists, there is a section on the revelations.

I can highly recommend this book to you and it gets way over 5 stars in my opinion. Is there a job I can get where I just spend all day reading? If there is, I want it! This book has my full attention.

100 stars!

~The Rebecca Review