The World's Greatest Story: The Epic of the Jewish People in Biblical Times

In this digest, Joan Comay skilfully overviews the Jewish Bible, in a clear and modern style. She also outlines the historic, social, geographic and archaeological background of events recorded in the Jewish Bible and the Apocrypha, , the post-Biblical writings that are important in both Jewish and Christian liturgy. Part One summarizes the Tanach (Jewish Bible), with notes of importance on the historic relevance, from the Creation to the rebuilding of the Second Temple. It also includes four stories from the 'Old Testament': Ruth and Naomi, Jonah and the Whale, Queen Esther and Daniel in the Lion's Den. Part Two discusses the Books of Law, Poetry, Wisdom and Prophecy. Part Three overviews The Apocrypha, discussing what they are, presenting four fascinating stories from the Apocrypha: The Blindness of Tobit The Three Young Guardmen Judith and Holofernes Susanna and the Elders Daniel in the Lion's Den And then the book charts an imformative and highly readable section on the Maccabeen Revolt. Part Four presents The Background including the Biblical Landscape, Canaan at the time of the conquest, the Near East setting and digging up the past- the science of archaeology, and it's very important role in unearthing the history of the Levant and proving the basic truth of the historic events recorded in the Jewish Bible, and the ancient link of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. The words recorded in the Tanach and Apocrypha are immortal- as Simon Maccabee's reply to an envoy from the Syrian Emperor demmanding Jewish land: "We have neither taken foreign land nor seized foreign property, but only the inheritance of our fathers which at one time ahd been unjustly taken by our enemies. Now that we have the opportunity we are firmly holding the inheritance of our fathers." AS relevent now as it was then. Illustrated by breathtaking photographs of landmarks from the Holy Land, and neighbouring areas, and beautiful artworks through the ages of the themes of the Jewish Bible ('Old Testament') and the Apocrypha.

Comay is an excellent writer who retells Biblical stories in clear and understandable language. She also is a storyteller of ability and her retellings make interesting reading. This book can be of aid to those who wish to get a general overall understanding of the story of the people of Israel in Biblical times. For the real deeper meanings, the complexities, the poetry of the language one has to of course focus on the Biblical text itself.