Asimov's Guide to the Bible Two Volumes in One: The Old and New Testaments

Although best known for his science fiction books and short stories and his factual science essays, Asimov was a polymath who dabbled in many areas. Although he was brought up in a Jewish family, as an adult he was a firm atheist, so he approaches the Bible as a historical novel, not as holy

scripture. Asimov explains how the stories came to be written and attempts to sort out fact from fiction.

Although the book is somewhat dated, since there have been a number of advances in biblical scholarship since it was published, it provides a clear explanation of the Bible for anyone who is interested in the Bible's historical underpinnings.

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LibraryThing member johnfgaines

Asimov was a prolific writer, but as he admits, not a Bible scholar. He largely parrots the liberal view of the Bible advocated by form critics in the mid 20th century. This book can be a valuable synopsis of Bible history, but must be read with discernment or it will leave the reader with more

confusion than understanding.

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LibraryThing member cbradley

If you want a history of the information found in the bible, this is a great reference. If you are looking for a theological perspective however, Asimov doesn’t even try to go there. This book can explain where things are, why certain practices were done, and what the meanings behind some of the

most important biblical events were. A good enough reference for understanding the bible in its historical context.

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LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind

A very good analysis of one of the most famous books in history from a rational, secular perspective, taking the time to correct events and fit the ones that existed within a more accurate historical chronology. Some information is slightly out of date due to recent archaeological discoveries, but

there is still very much to be learned from here.

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LibraryThing member Devil_llama

A good beginning introduction to the Bible, more focused on discussing the stories of the Bible than detailing all the scholarship, though there is a good bit of the scholarhip discussed. Asimov is always a good solid writer, and it is a pleasure to read him, as always.

LibraryThing member tuckerresearch

No theology and humanistic, minimalist, yet information-packed on history and the like.

LibraryThing member rampaginglibrarian

never thought of Asimov as a Bible expert, even though it wasn't as helpful as i had hoped.

LibraryThing member mykl-s

Asimov wrote about everything that interested him. His view of this famous book is enlightening.

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