Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses

Intellectually written with attention to spiritual doctrines. Page turning photos kept the reader at once connected to the readings.

We all know the stories of Noah and his ark, Moses and The Ten Commandments and Abraham in the Promised Land. Now noted photographer Bruce Feiler takes us to the actual places where history was made. The photos --- intimate portraits, breathtaking vistas and fascinating panoramas --- are nothing less than astounding (and, in the case of the close-ups of the mummified Joseph, a bit shocking). From the heights of Mount Ararat (where Noah's ark landed) to the desert outpost in Turkey (where Abraham first heard the words of God) to the summit where Moses met His maker, Feiler puts a face on the stories that have long inspired the human spirit and kept man's faith alive. Thou shall not ignore this gem.

I don't think I've ever read a more delightful book on Biblical history. Bruce Feiler has done a remarkable job of creating an engaging, readable account of his journey through the first five books of the Old Testament. His actual physical journey takes him as close as possible to the original paths traveled by those famous Biblical characters from Abraham to Moses. The journey takes us across five countries, thousands of miles, into deserts, to the tops of mountains and into ancient cities and long forgotten sites. Along the way, he continually reads the accounts of these areas as set forth in the Bible intending to tie the story to his own physical presence at each location. His traveling companions, the people he meets and his vivid descriptions make the journey come alive. Most importantly, he reinforces his belief in the Bible as the living word of God. Regardless of your personal beliefs, reading this book will be a big plus in your life. I only wish I could have tagged along on this trip!

A rare book changes the way you live and experience the world. Walking the Bible does just that and more. It is gracefully written, hugely entertaining, and enormously thoughtful. It is filled with great thrills ... riding camels up Mount Sinai, standing on the very spot where Moses received the Commandments, tasting the salt pillars at Sodom and Gomorrah, crossing the Red Sea in a row boat, beholding the burning bush. Above all, it is a profound, deeply intelligent exploration of the Bible as a vibrant force in our lives and the world. Take the journey -- feel the desert wind, smell the Bedouin feasts, climb inside the great pyramids -- and soon, like the author himself, you will be transformed by the experience, even touched by the Holy Land and God.