Pocket Guide to the Bible: A Little Book About the Big Book

by Jason Boyett

Pocket Guide to the A Little Book About the Big Book

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Humor, Theology, Christian

191 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Seth Comfort · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading The Pocket Guide to the Bible by Jason Boyett and what a fun book to read. It is about the Bible and I did learn a few new fun facts. It was clear that Jason Boyett did a lot of research in order to pack this book full with so much information.

It starts off with chapter one: Biblicabulary - "A glossary of the Good Book"
Chap 2: Cast of Characters (A to J) - He gives us the major player of the Bible, plus some of the strange minor ones too.
Chap 3: Cast of Characters (K to Z) - same as Chap 2
Chap 4: What Happens, Part 1 - "The Old Testament at breakneck speed", this is a humorous wrap up of the OT
Chap 5: What Happens, Part 2 - "The New Testament at breakneck speed", similar to pt 1 but this time the NT
Chap 6: The Brief History of the Holy Writ - "A timeline", this chapter give a history of the Bible and how it came to be what we read today
Chap 7: Versions and Perversions - "A selective survey of translations", this chapter runs through the major players in the translation world and the types of translations
Chap 8: List Ye Be Smitten - "Biblical Flotsam and Jetsam", a collection of really funny, random and strange things from the Bible.

I would definitely recommend this book. It is full of humor and interesting facts about the Bible and the people of the Bible. Boyett does an excellent job with this book and making biblical theology fun!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to read this reference to the bible, old and new testament. I got it from the library, but I'm thinking about buying it. The author has a way of writing in modern jargon without being at all disrespectful or critical of the message of the bible. He gives a who's who, a what happens part 1 and 2 (old and new testaments), a history of the development of the bible as we know it, and finally what he calls flotsam and jetsam. (For instance, twelve biblical names that are still popular today, and twelve that aren't. Or a list of "seven lesser-know bible stories that probably shouldn't be told to children.")

[Brandy Shark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day I found this book at Barnes and Noble, I was thinking to myself: I wish I understood the Bible better.

The Pocket Guide is just that. It's a clear and concise look at the Bible. Descriptions of several of the major figures of the Bible, and what I liked best, summaries of each book of the Bible. It's unbiased and just gives you the facts of each book, along with a little dab of humor.

Of course, this isn't a deep and expansive view on the Bible, but it's certainly a great place to start if you want to understand more than just what you hear in church.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this summary report on the Bible. Mr. Boyett tried to keep it light hearted and some of the humor was a little too much, but all in all it was nice read. I will use it as a reference in the future and it is a good way to start kids and others not familar with the Good Book as to what to expect.

[Adam Lockhart]

Hilariously snarky. It is a great blend of humor and fact that makes for a quick, easy read. While it doesn't pretend to be a "take itself seriously" presentation of theology, etc., it will likely at least teach you one or two things you may not have previously known about the Bible.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a quick, hilarious run through the Bible. It has all sorts of information, including the characters, the books and the formation of the Bible.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handy little reference book about the Bible. My husband and I literally laughed out loud when we were reading it (the author is HILARIOUS)...and we learned a few things as well.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a funny little book. A great way to read non-fiction. I've since ordered two more of Boyett's pocket guides because this one was such a treat.

[Squirrely G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friggin' hilarious at-a-glance guide to all sorts of info about the Bible. Who's who, statistics, Old Testament in a nutshell, etc. NOT for the easily offended - openmindedness a definite plus!

[Andrea]

A non-threatening intro for those who have never dared read the bible, and a lot of laughs for those who have. Quirky. Entertaining.

[Dottie Fromal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious.