This is a good book that I can learn about the contributions of the Jewish people to the civilized world. I hope this book will edify others to acknowledge the heritage of Jewish tradition to the world. Thank you for making this book ready for us.

From the title you might think that this if a timeline of the birth and growth of Israel/Judah and how they dealt with the conquering of the Land of Israel and the history of the area. What is major body of the of the book is a summary of the Pentatuh (Five Books of Moses) and the writings of the Judges and Prophets. Later near the end of the book is discussion of cultural and the growth of writing, poetry, prophesy, the arts, etc.

The summaries of the Torah writings are in themselves interesting but there is very little comment on the meanings of the writings or adjustments to the historfical musing which are more fable then truth. I was hoping to get a more detailed description of what was the problem of the two Kingdoms of Israel and Judea as opposed to the biblical interruption by Adonai because the Hebrews had forgotten to follow the prescriptions that the Lord had put on them to ensure that the Covenant would be continued.

This is more of a primer for someone who has not previously read the "Old Testament" but I was disappointed that it didn't enlighten me with 'new' information.

Wow!! Thank you to Yale University Press for the ARC for the first volume of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization. It contains massive amounts of information about the earliest periods of Israelite culture. Archaeological and historical masterpiece. Every biblical scholar should own this volume. As a lay scholar I can't believe I stumbled upon this treasure.

This book focuses on the earliest known period in Jewish history, which is also covered in the Old Testament section of the Bible. The scholars anthologize bits and pieces of Old Testament writing to show different literary genres and bits of history, later sections also include historical documents pictures of items collected from archeological digs. Very interesting selection, especially for scholars interested in how archeological finds relate to Biblical descriptions of Jewish history.

This treasure of a volume will satisfy and inspire every curious and fascinated reader interested in Jewish culture and civilization. It is an absolute must-read!