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| The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures | 
 enlarge | Author: Michael D. Coogan
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $69.95
Buy New: $35.00
You Save: $34.95 (50%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (8 reviews)
Sales Rank: 389169
Languages: German (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 600
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0195139119
Dewey Decimal Number: 221.61
EAN: 9780195139112
ASIN: 0195139119
Publication Date: December 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-8 of 8 | | « PREV | | |
 Easy to read and full of good information November 8, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Coogan has assembled in one place an easy read and fact filled guide to Hebrew Scriptures. The resource is well organized in its approach to Hebrew Scripture and contains historical background material not found else where. A must for any serious scholar interested in studying Hebrew Scripture and knowing more about the historical times of the Hebrew Scriptures.
 Modern, balanced, informative, attractive January 24, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Coogan is one of the leading Bible experts, a co-editor of the Oxford Bible Dictionary with Metzger. His point of view is balanced, educated, a "real teacher's" approach.
The "Old Testament" book is a nicely done textbook. The maps reflect accurately the book discussion, the diagrams are clear and not very crowded, and the references at the end of each chapter are the best starting points for further exploration of specific topics. As the title indicates, this is an introduction (read: university freshman/sophomore level) to the history of the Old Testament, with an equal discussion of the literary merits of the book(s). The book can easily be read on one's own, because it is clearly written, and well organized. The chapters of the book are set up "historically", and there is an excellent discussion of the actual history/archaeology matching the Old Testament texts. The archaeological support for the Old Testament is superb; it makes you see the OT from a deeper, different perspective. I especially liked the fact that the book is balanced, and does not "interpret" theological points (that's up to each reader, I think).
The book is also very attractive, the print size reads very easily. To get the most out of the book, one would probably need a modern Old Testament translation (the Oxford NRSV with the Apocrypha would be ideal, or the Harper/Collins edition). I can easily see the book becoming a standard university textbook, just like Ehrman's New Testament textbook.
As much as I liked reading the book, I would love having a few more appendices. For example, a (brief) discussion of the Septuagint, possibly some commentary/interpretation from rabbinic sources, possibly discussion of the Qumran texts.
Coogan is a Winner! December 15, 2005
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Michael Coogan writes well and delivers the story of the Hebrew Bible with a good balance. He shows in clear language how to understand this text and the contribution of scholars of all traditions in this understanding. The introduction is very straight forward. The layout is very attractive. Pertinent illustrations show the connection of modern scholarship to our understanding of the text. The appendix on the canon is very clear and concise. This is an exciting read for anyone. This is the best introduction available for students of the Hebrew Bible.
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