Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
mdavids's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this.
Started a bit weak; I felt the pre-Jesus bit could've been more crisp distinguishing between history and legend. It's hard to judge the veracity of the old testament when the old testament itself is your primary source. It's a tough line to walk.
Where this book really shines is in tracing the history of Christian thought about the Bible from early days to now. The real epiphany for me was Armstrong's argument that the current opposing fads in Biblical interpretation (extreme literalism on the one hand, and textual/historical analysis on the other) both stem from the Enlightenment and its attitude towards text. Our framing of texts in terms of truth and fiction is modern.
I'm still puzzling through the ramifications of this, but it's the first time I've come across this argument, and it's stuck with me.
Overall a solid piece of Biblical history with some great insights. Recommended.
Started a bit weak; I felt the pre-Jesus bit could've been more crisp distinguishing between history and legend. It's hard to judge the veracity of the old testament when the old testament itself is your primary source. It's a tough line to walk.
Where this book really shines is in tracing the history of Christian thought about the Bible from early days to now. The real epiphany for me was Armstrong's argument that the current opposing fads in Biblical interpretation (extreme literalism on the one hand, and textual/historical analysis on the other) both stem from the Enlightenment and its attitude towards text. Our framing of texts in terms of truth and fiction is modern.
I'm still puzzling through the ramifications of this, but it's the first time I've come across this argument, and it's stuck with me.
Overall a solid piece of Biblical history with some great insights. Recommended.
matthewcpeck's review against another edition
4.0
Thank God/Yahweh/Allah for Karen Armstrong. In our current culture of overly aggressive atheists and primitive fundamentalists, Armstrong's writings on Western Religion are a sanctuary of sanity and clarity.
'The Bible: A Biography' is, just as its title promises, an account of the 'life' of the most discussed, argued-over, influential tome of them all. The first half runs through what we know of the history of the composition and origins of the Old and New Testaments, and the second half provides an account of its exegesis and interpretation by Jews and Christians from the beginning of the millenium to the present day. The fact that Armstrong attempts to cover all of this in less than 230 pages may frustrate some readers - some sections may seem rushed and some important subjects and figures given a scant couple of paragraphs. But there are centuries of literature and educational materials about the Bible out there for the reading, and this book is an accessible, continually fascinating and admirably structured introduction to a complex topic. Armstrong is incapable of writing a weakly worded sentence.
One of many interesting facts gleaned from this book: Pat Robertson-style Christian fundamentalism is actually a modern phenomenon. The bible scholars of centuries past understood that the Bible should not be taken literally. What happened?
'The Bible: A Biography' is, just as its title promises, an account of the 'life' of the most discussed, argued-over, influential tome of them all. The first half runs through what we know of the history of the composition and origins of the Old and New Testaments, and the second half provides an account of its exegesis and interpretation by Jews and Christians from the beginning of the millenium to the present day. The fact that Armstrong attempts to cover all of this in less than 230 pages may frustrate some readers - some sections may seem rushed and some important subjects and figures given a scant couple of paragraphs. But there are centuries of literature and educational materials about the Bible out there for the reading, and this book is an accessible, continually fascinating and admirably structured introduction to a complex topic. Armstrong is incapable of writing a weakly worded sentence.
One of many interesting facts gleaned from this book: Pat Robertson-style Christian fundamentalism is actually a modern phenomenon. The bible scholars of centuries past understood that the Bible should not be taken literally. What happened?
whiteknight247's review against another edition
4.0
Armstrong presents an amazing look into the history and pattern of the Bible, its origins, its pathway through time and how people have perceived the differences in theology as a result of the book. Very interesting and a very concise but well done book that makes you want to learn more and to understand all of the history and time that Armstrong put into it to understand the full complexities of her study.
chareltje's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
elanalewis's review against another edition
4.0
I finally finished it! Due to real life interruptions it has taken me a very long time to get through this book. Each time I had to restart it I needed to go back and get a running start again.
Nevertheless. What a helpful piece of literary material. Armstrong has been one of my favorite authors for years because of her unique angle into christian theology. The best part about the book was her continued threads of Judaism even as she continues to follow with the Christian narrative.
This book is not for everyone. A novice in theology is going to want to wait until they have some more foundational books under their belt before attempting this one. Armstrong goes at a fairly clippy pace and covers a vast space of knowledge.
Nevertheless. What a helpful piece of literary material. Armstrong has been one of my favorite authors for years because of her unique angle into christian theology. The best part about the book was her continued threads of Judaism even as she continues to follow with the Christian narrative.
This book is not for everyone. A novice in theology is going to want to wait until they have some more foundational books under their belt before attempting this one. Armstrong goes at a fairly clippy pace and covers a vast space of knowledge.
allthebookblognamesaretaken's review against another edition
2.0
Wavering back and forth between two and three stars. This wasn't just about the Bible, which is what the title purported it to be. Full review to come.
Rating: 2 Stars
Man, this book was dull.
Considering the fact that the topic is one of the most important books ever compiled, you'd think the history could be put together in an engaging way. It's not. There is a ton of information in this short volume, but it is so haphazard and random that I don't even recall anything I learned. My total lack of interest could also have to do with the fact that the author needs a thesaurus because she used the word 'exegesis' or a variant on every single page. It was the worst. You could make a drinking game out of how many times she uses it, and you would be hammered after the first third of the book.
Don't bother with this one.
Rating: 2 Stars
Man, this book was dull.
Considering the fact that the topic is one of the most important books ever compiled, you'd think the history could be put together in an engaging way. It's not. There is a ton of information in this short volume, but it is so haphazard and random that I don't even recall anything I learned. My total lack of interest could also have to do with the fact that the author needs a thesaurus because she used the word 'exegesis' or a variant on every single page. It was the worst. You could make a drinking game out of how many times she uses it, and you would be hammered after the first third of the book.
Don't bother with this one.
daynathegeek's review against another edition
4.0
In this book Armstrong covers the history of the Bible. Who wrote the books, and when? How did the canon get set? When and why was the Bible translated and printed? There are a lot of interesting insights on the political and social issues that affected the Bible, and how they in turn affect modern Christianity.
aaronj21's review against another edition
3.0
This volume was an interesting, brief history of the written texts that eventually became the Christian Bible. More than merely a history of the documents, the renowned religious scholar Karen Armstrong shows how text and reader have influenced each other back forth over time and how successive generations bring their own meaning to this book. It may surprise some readers to learn that taking every word of the Bible as literally true is a radical and very new concept. Historically speaking, the faithful have seen the Bible as a site welcoming revelation, interpretation, and sparking endlessly renewable insights into the issues of the day, not as a factual, literal document with a single, narrowly defined meaning to any given passage. Armstrong is a fantastically knowledgeable writer and she sums up even the most esoteric religious debates in ways the reader can grasp and internalize, even a subject like the Arian Heresy is handled succinctly in a few pithy pages.
However, despite Armstrong’s lively, readable style and mastery of her field, she shines as a writer in the hopeful and understanding tone she strikes throughout the whole book. Yes, she seems to say, religious history and doctrine are difficult subjects and yes, religious interpretations are used to justify all sorts or atrocities, but that isn’t all there is. The author consistently points out a common vein of compassion and charity in this and other sacred texts and speculates optimistically on how these compassionate elements may eventually win the day against narrow-minded, hateful interpretations of scripture. Though I myself am a nonbeliever, this line of reasoning nevertheless gives me hope for a less hateful future on this planet where the majority of people are still religious to some degree.
However, despite Armstrong’s lively, readable style and mastery of her field, she shines as a writer in the hopeful and understanding tone she strikes throughout the whole book. Yes, she seems to say, religious history and doctrine are difficult subjects and yes, religious interpretations are used to justify all sorts or atrocities, but that isn’t all there is. The author consistently points out a common vein of compassion and charity in this and other sacred texts and speculates optimistically on how these compassionate elements may eventually win the day against narrow-minded, hateful interpretations of scripture. Though I myself am a nonbeliever, this line of reasoning nevertheless gives me hope for a less hateful future on this planet where the majority of people are still religious to some degree.
froxis's review against another edition
1.0
This reads like a rant from an angry conspiracy theorist.
My version had no reference and the text did not call out original source or proof. There were a couple things assumed to be true that are directly from conspiracy sphere or have been out right explained by peer reviewed paper (Michael Heiser and the Polytheist in the OT).
My version had no reference and the text did not call out original source or proof. There were a couple things assumed to be true that are directly from conspiracy sphere or have been out right explained by peer reviewed paper (Michael Heiser and the Polytheist in the OT).
slsilver76's review against another edition
4.0
An accessible, if somewhat biased, overview of how people of faith have viewed, understood, and interpreted the Bible over time. A good introduction to the changing views of the Bible over time, and among different groups. She does tend to focus on marginal views at times to the exclusion of the dominant view. A quote from the epilogue perhaps sums up her approach and viewpoint best: "The modern habit of quoting proof-texts to legitimize policies and rulings is out of key with interpretive tradition....scripture was not really a text but an activity, a spiritual process that introduced thousands of people to transcendence." A worthwhile read for those struggling with understanding what the Bible is in our pluralistic and historically critical times. Also a worthwhile read for those with firmly rooted viewpoints about scripture that are willing to have their worldviews challenged by voices from other traditions and historical periods.