The Illustrated Guide to the Bible

This is one magnificent work. It covers the major themes of the Bible with detailed analysis and relevant sidebars so that anyone in a Bible study group or reading the Bible on their own can have a meaningful source of interpreatations. Each page is a new subject, which makes it simple to use. Pages can be read on their own or the entire book can be read. Bible verses are quoted on each topic so the reader is always aware of how the idea is being applied.This work is less than 300 pages, but it is so rich in detail that one will not be able to skim through it in a couple of evenings. Once you start reading, it is hard to put down and is hard to not read every word on every page. This book helps one gain perspective and context. At the end is a summary of each book, including the apochrypha. In the main text, non-canonical books like the Gospel of Thomas are mentioned, so the reader can rest assured the author put as much scope and thought into this work as was practical.Bible scholars, Bible study groups, general knowledge seekers, historians, philosphers, and many others will find this book extremely useful and user-friendly. Anyone disappointed in this wonderful volume is just not interested in learning.

This is a wonderful overview of the Bible illustrated with color art from down through the ages. Quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version, a translation which is favored by scholars for its accuracy. The comments are insightful, interesting and accurate. A great supplement to this book is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones. Numerous characters from throughout the Bible are pointed out who illustrate King Solomon's witty observations on human nature. Many of the riddles and mysteries of Proverbs are explored with surprising new answers. Proverbs are a treasury of God's wisdom and give practical applications of Biblical values in punchy memorable sayings.