The Bible's Cutting Room Floor by Dr. Joel M. Hoffman promises a fascinating look into the lesser-known stories and texts that didn’t make it into the Bible, offering readers insight into ancient history, culture, and the evolution of scripture. While the premise is intriguing, the book falls short in delivering a cohesive or satisfying exploration of these excluded texts.

Though Hoffman’s knowledge is evident, his writing often feels disjointed, with chapters that cover a range of topics but lack a unifying thread. The book sometimes veers off into complex academic territory without fully explaining terms or concepts, making parts of it hard to follow for general readers. Additionally, many of the insights or revelations aren’t as groundbreaking as the title suggests, and the analysis can feel surface-level or repetitive.

For readers already familiar with biblical studies, this book may feel underwhelming; for newcomers, it may seem overly complex without adding much clarity. While The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor does contain a few interesting tidbits, it ultimately fails to offer the accessible, compelling narrative promised by its premise.

Excellent overview of various writings that didn't make it into the canon. Highly recommended for anyone who wants done background in the history of the Bible. This includes a very helpful reading list in the epilogue.