Biblica: The Bible Atlas: A Social and Historical Journey Through the Lands of the Bible (Hardcover)

~ Prof. Barry J. Beitzel (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

If ever there was a biblical reference tool that left the reader eagerly anticipating the visual feast on every page, it is the Bible atlas known simply as Biblica. The work of Beitzel (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) and an impressive team of contributors, editors, and designers, the volume is an oversize work that seems more suited for a pedestal or a coffee table than the shelf of a library. It offers approximately 650 works of art—a great number of which are paintings from artists like Caravaggio, Henri Laurens, and Pedro Orrente. The artwork depicts biblical scenes, ranging from Joseph’s encounter with Potiphar’s wife to St. Paul’s imprisonment, both of which span an entire page. The paintings are enough to make users forget about the maps they were originally seeking. The maps (around 125) are original, full color, and generally large enough to make for easy use, though they are often dwarfed by the artwork on adjacent pages. Not to be overlooked is the text of Biblica. Like most Bible atlases, the text has the feel of a biblical survey but does much more than simply paraphrase scripture itself. Its intent is to describe the history behind scripture in a readable and insightful manner. This history includes the period between Old and New Testaments, as well. The volume concludes with a “Bible Reference” section containing approximately 20 tables along with a bibliography and glossary and a scripture index, gazetteer, and general index. Although this atlas has no rivals in terms of its visual appeal, there are others offering more substantial cartographic content. The Carta Bible Atlas (Carta Jerusalem, 2002), for instance, contains twice as many maps as Biblica in less than half the size. It is the quality and quantity of the artwork that allows Biblica to stand out among other Bible atlases currently on the market. Its surprising affordability makes this atlas a worthwhile reference purchase for most public libraries, including those that already have several Bible atlases in their collection. --Wade Osburn

Review

"Biblica is a phenomenal work that incorporates the most recent archaeological findings and research, combining scholarly data with illuminating reference to the Bible's stories. It features more than 650 photos and illustrations plus 125 full-color maps of the region. Its extensive bibliography, gazetteer and numerous other reference materials make this a must-have for anyone with an interest in the Bible and its history."


—Scott Coffman, Louisville Courier Journal, Saturday, December 15, 2007

"Titanic Bible atlas, 575 gorgeous oversized pages, that takes you back to biblical lands as they looked back when, with context and useful tools galore."


—The Philadelphia Enquirer, Sunday, December 16, 2007

"…The biggest book in the gift pile has to be Biblica: The Bible Atlas from Barron's. An absolute steal at $50, this stone-tablet of a book—650 full-color illustrations, 125 original maps—is, at its subtitle says‚ ‘a social and historical journey through the lands of the Bible.' And it is full of surprises, such as pictures of oil derricks and even the Star of Bethlehem. This book is bound to be a favored holiday gift.‚”
—Michael Coffey, Publisher's Weekly, September 17, 2007

From the article “A grump looks for the happiest places”



“Biblica: The Bible Atlas. This awesomely ambitious atlas is accurately touted as ‘a social and historical journey through the lands of the Bible.’ It is truly heavy, weighing in at more than 9 pounds. The 578-page volume is a visual and educational treasure, lavishly illustrated with 650 full-color pictures of art - paintings, drawings, etchings, sculptures - and scenic photographs, plus 125 maps of important places, journeys, battles, political demarcations and more; meticulously compiled by an international team of writers, distinguished academics and Bible scholars. With this atlas in hand, we gain a deeper understanding of the lay of the land.”


— Spencer Rumsey, Newsday, February 10, 2008





From the article ‚“Bible-inspired gift books bring meaning to the holidays‚”





"Tracing ancient steps"





“For people who are not biblical scholars and who have not traveled to the area where the Bible stories took place, it‚’s sometimes hard to visualize exactly where these events occurred in relation to today‚’s world. Biblica:The Bible Atlas, by Barry J. Beitzel,

Professor of Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, is a massive and eautiful volume that places the Bible in geographical context.

"From the Garden of Eden and the flood through the great judges,kings and prophets, the life of Jesus and how the word spread after his death,Biblica details the history of Christianity through maps, works of art and text. A section on the geography and history of biblical lands pinpoints the locations of significant events and explains what life might have been like in those places during biblical times.

"Tables of the books of the Bible, the judges, prophets, kings, Egyptian rulers, apostles, even Jesus‚’ wondrous acts and the gospels in which they are located, as well as a glossary and Bible family trees, give readers a quick reference for details or a fascinating basis for browsing. Biblica is a complete education in the Bible and will illuminate any reader’s experience of the ancient text."
—Linda Stankard, Book Page , December 2007

From the ‚“LJXpress Special Edition: Reference 2008‚” e-blast newsletter



”It's hefty, but it's worth its weight. Handsomely produced, intensely informative, it's much more than an atlas. But let's start with the maps: there are 125 of them, far more than in recent offerings from Oxford or National Geographic. Almost all are physical maps and all are in color. Ranging from a full- to one-quarter-page in size, they often note terrain and, variously, climate, vegetation, and other criteria. Each labels the sites relevant to the related discussion (e.g., "Origins of the Judges of Israel"), and many offer small boxed pointers to the locations of particular biblical characters/narratives, (e.g., "Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch....")

“Readers and browsers will feast on 650 color art photos across the same size range as the maps and including far more than the usual Old and New Testament subjects. There are eight main sections: "Geography and History of Bible Lands" is followed by five sections tracing the Old Testament and its social, historical, physical, and archaeological context. Then come "The Life of Jesus of Nazareth" and "Spreading the Word." An early section acknowledges the "intermingling of history and faith," the very matter that can send mixed messages when contributors include a mix of theologians, historians, and archaeologists—26 contributors in total under editor Beitzel's oversight.

”On the whole, this book succeeds handsomely, especially for the informed lay reader, in treading that ground shared by history and faith. The OT is handled both as a Jewish text and a predictor of Jesus' coming. For the NT, Jesus and his disciples similarly are arrayed across earthly and resurrection considerations. The back matter contains "Bible References," e.g., tables of rulers and their dates; a bibliography, subdivided by the atlas's main sections (there are no web sources); a glossary; 12 pages of "Scripture References" to specifically quoted and not simply mentioned portions; a gazetteer, which is a geographical index rather than a geographical dictionary; and the index proper. Quotes throughout come from The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Standard Revised Version (2001). BOTTOM LINE: Given its size, this tome is absolutely ideal for library reference sections, where it will serve—even inspire—a broad array of readers, from biblical studies newcomer to the more informed, whether or not believers. Highly recommended for high school, public, and academic libraries."
—Margaret Heilbrun,Library Journal and libraryjournal.com, November 19, 2007

Biblica is a complete education in the Bible and will illuminate any reader's experience of the ancient text. -- Book Page , December 2007

Handsomely produced, intensely informative, it's much more than an atlas. Ideal for library reference sections. Highly recommended for high school, public, and academic libraries. -- Library Journal and libraryjournal.com, November 19, 2007

“If ever there was a biblical reference tool that left the reader eagerly anticipating the visual feast on every page, it is the Bible Atlas known simply as Biblica. The work of Beitzel (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) and an impressive team of contributors, editors, and designers, the volume is an oversize work that seems more suited for a pedestal or a coffee table than the shelf of a library. It is the quality and the quantity of the artwork that allows Biblica to stand out among other Bible atlases currently on the market. Its surprising affordability makes this atlas a worthwhile reference purchase for most public libraries, including those that already have several Bible atlases in their collection”


—Wade Osburn, Booklist, January 15, 2008



“…The biggest book in the gift pile has to be Biblica: The Bible Atlas from Barron’s. An absolute steal at $50, this stone-tablet of a book—650 full-color illustrations, 125 original maps—is, at its subtitle says, ‘a social and historical journey through the lands of the Bible.’ And it is full of surprises, such as pictures of oil derricks and even the Star of Bethlehem. This book is bound to be a favored holiday gift.”


—Michael Coffey, Publisher’s Weekly, September 17, 2007

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 578 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764160850
• ISBN-13: 978-0764160851
• Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 10.5 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,414 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book, but who's the audience?, October 18, 2007

By	N. Low (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered this book, sight unseen, because of the editor and the promotion as the most up-to-date Bible atlas. I was not prepared for the size and weight of the book - it is almost 10 pounds. The printing for this book is so lavish that I cannot see how it could be sold at the list price, much less the price that Amazon was charging. It is more like a coffee table art book than just an atlas. In fact, there are probably more paintings reproduced in this book than maps (of which there are plenty). There is substantial text to go along with the maps. Aside from historical background, much of this text is a retelling of the Biblical narrative. The text is written more for the layperson rather than the scholar. There is a full bibliography and other reference material in the back of the book.

I am mystified by the intended audience for a book of this size. A ten pound book is not an easy one to handle for casual reading. Someone interested in a display volume with a lot of artistic pictures is not going to need the latest and greatest maps. Someone with a more academic interest would want the maps with a more technical text, and much fewer paintings. If you don't mind the size of this volume, it is certainly worth five stars for value. The only question is whether you want this combination of features.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another Bible Atlas, October 15, 2007

By	MG (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

At first glance I thought I would really like this book. After looking through it and reading parts of this manouth (at almost 10 lbs and 580 pages you won't be carrying this under your arms) I was wrong, I love this book!

I found myself drawn into the maps and text and excellant writings. The feel of the glossy pages and beautiful art and graphics is impressive. I found the text and history to be fair and balanced. The text is broken up into very readable sections, but take note, you will find yourself drifting from the text to the graphics in no time. It is worth the price and the time to explore and take in all this book has to offer.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too big to review, December 23, 2007

By	Jason C. Wotherspoon - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book contains the writings of more than 20 professors or experts in the field. How can a normal person review this?

My mum is a pretty serious and devout Christian, reading a lot of scholarly books on the background of the Bible texts, plus she leads a Bible study group. She's pretty picky and choosey regarding books about the Bible.

I got her a copy for Christmas, and she thinks its great.