The Historical Atlas of the Bible

by Ian Barnes

This is a fascinating exploration of the most influential collection of writings in Western history.  By placing the events and people described in the Bible into their social and geographical context, it seeks to provide new insights into the scriptures and illuminate a truly significant period in the development of Western civilization.

The authoritative, engrossing text is accompanied throughout with quotes from the Bible, showing the link between the historical events described and the scriptures.  There are 100 beautifully detailed maps illustrating the movements of people and the development of nations, and there are over 100 color photographs and illustrations of archaeological sites and artifacts.

This is a comprehensive account of what is undoubtedly the key book in the development of Western civilization.  As such, it is sure to be of great interest to believers and non-believers alike.

Genres: History, Religion, Reference, Nonfiction, Christianity

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Dave Heisley]

More like 3.5. My interest in ancient history started in Egypt and has spread. I thought this book would be a great way to learn about the peoples of the late bronze age and to learn about the bible from an "external" point of view. I'm an agnostic (or to you Christian's, a functional atheist)but I appreciate the deep folklore, mythology, and history contained in the bible. This appeared to be a rare beast: an objective (non-religious) view of the time of the bible with a lot of good maps and graphs. I couldn't resist.

I did enjoy it for the most part. It was fairly well written, although it wasn't real linear (OK, it was semi-thematically oriented). It certainly covered the middle east during the biblical era in detail, and I found the movement of tribes and peoples as well as the rise and fall of civilizations fascinating. It was also good to get the biblical take on history from an archeology point of view. I wasn't sure if it would hold my interest long enough to slog through it, but it wasn't too hard except for the section on Judges, which really drug on.

My only real grips were that it seemed to need serious editing and it wasn't quite "arms length" with respect to Christianity (which I guess had to be expected). There were multiple grammatical and spelling errors, but what bugged me the most was serious differences between various timelines, graphs, and the text. These were too numerous to count, but I'll give one kinda important example: the Israel timeline on p.372 shows Exodus at 1280BC, the Palestine timeline on p.375 shows Exodus at 1250BC.

still, I was glad I read it, if only so that when true believer family/friends discuss biblical fairytales, I can put them in the approximate historical context.

[Debi Emerson]

This book is based on the Bible & draws upon it for its narrative, but also uses contemporary to the period sources as well as archaeological finds to present an excellent history of the Near and Middle East.

I must have read an updated edition of this book as I noticed none of the editing & proofreading error mentioned in other reviews; normally, I am quite sensitive to such errors.

[John Coates]

Very interesting book that puts events of the Bible into historical and geographical context. Helps understand the development and spread of both Judaism and Christianity. Also gives some insight into the life and times of Jesus.

[Jules Axelrod]

An indispensable book describing the man geography, timeline and definitions of the Bible. It helps so much in the understanding of the long time period covered in the Bible and referenced in so many book and circumstances up to the present day.

[Brenda]

Interesting , the Bible put into historical perspective, a good way to understand the names, places and events and how christianity spread

[Holy Spirit]

220.9 BAR

[Mike Reidell]

Nice reference material for deeper research for the problems we all face still in this century.
Dynastic family , economic influence to gather more power all the vices along with the virtue's of the ruling elite lust for power.
Most of elite driving the 99% humans that want to pursue their own lives into insanely stupid situations they would not put themselves in normally.

[Brett Fox]

Information in this book is good but the editing it god-awful. I've casually looked over roughly 150 pages and found over twenty grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. It's not so bad that the it's unreadable but it looks sloppy and rushed; I wonder what the editor was doing.

[Don Gubler]

Excellent, puts the Bible into the historical context of what else was happening in the world and the connections and implications.