Eyewitness: Bible Lands

DK Eyewitness Books

by Jonathan N. Tubb

Photographs and text document life in Biblical times, surveying the clothing, food, and civilizations of a wide variety of cultures, including the Israelites, Babylonians, Persians, and Romans.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Christian, Reference, Picture Books, Middle East, Geography

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jonathan trained in Levantine archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology in London, and began his field career in Syria in the 1970’s, serving for eight years as assistant director of the Institute’s excavations at Qadesh on the Orontes. In 1984 he began directing excavations in Jordan on behalf of the British Museum, first at the Early Bronze Age site of Tiwal esh-Sharqi in the Jordan Valley and then, in 1985, at the nearby major site of Tell es-Sa’idiyeh, a project which is continuing to this day.

An expert on the Canaanites and Phoenicians, he is particularly interested in the Bronze and Iron Ages (c. 3400-300 BC), and is a leading authority on the pottery and metalwork of these periods. One of his special interests is the rise of historical Israel, and the historicity of the biblical narratives.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in order to have a better overall understanding of history (the history of the Bible, in particular). Also, I love the format of the DK books. The pictures are done nicely, and I love the little tidbits of information that go with each illustration.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching the latest season (4) of the excellent "The Chosen," and so wanted to know at least a little more about the various tribes, cultures and civilizations that inform Jesus' story and Jewish history - and this quite fit the bill.

A disturbing blend of high art and seemingly-endless violence, I alternately marveled and winced as I learned details of jewelry making, siege warfare, agriculture (never knew Palestine had both watermelons and apples!), battle-ax design…you get the idea. Yet somewhat hopefully, what survived through the ages in physical form* was the art - pottery, goldsmithing (granulation!), bead and glass work, and unbelievable ivory carvings such as the below:


(And sure, China was doing similar work at the same time, but I never knew the Middle East was equally skilled - just look at the latticework under the chairs!)

A nice, well-designed introduction to a fascinating and important part of history - and unlike a few of my other recent non-fiction reads, in a point size I can actually read!
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* Of course, what was also passed down in less physical form is, what - four thousand years of religious hatred and conflict? So there's that...

[Stuart Fear · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book you found in your school library which gave you a broad overview in a single paragraph and then collection of images with mixed descriptions.

The book is caught between being detailed and trying to be as simplistic as possible. Some descriptions are so simple it makes you wonder if it was even necessary, while others give you such a brief description you're still left none the wiser.

Not sure of the publication date but there are some factual errors, one which claims a story to be a myth which has never been proven.

So many better books out there, flip through this one for the pictures but not the text.

[Annie Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool things to reference, but also very biased and incomplete.

[David Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and detailed descriptions of people, items, places and events all the way thro to the glossary. Timeline is very good too. For many ages to read and pictures for those who cannot yet read.

[Brent Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say that Eyewitness Books are like passing through a museum. There's no strong, clear narrative exactly, but so many fascinating objects and chunks of knowledge. This book was no different. Recommended! I especially liked this one page which discussed the burial of a little girl who was interred with several very personal objects (presumably by family members). It really gives us a view of a tiny family tragedy taking place millennia past!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fundamentalists won't like it because it calls the story of Herod slaughtering babies a myth; Skeptics won't be thrilled by by the two page spread about Solomon's Temple that fails to mention there's no archeological evidence for it's existence. Generally though this book provides a religion-neutral look at ancient Egypt, Israel/Palestine, Mesopotamia and more.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I know these are supposed to be kid books but they are awesome! Great pictures and just enough text to make you want to learn more. Great choices for a beginning history reader or to start an older reader out in a new area. Every time I pick one of these up and read it I learn new things. Highly Recommended