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Title: The Complete World of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Complete) by Philip R. Davies, George J. Brooke, Phillip R. Callaway, Philip R. Davis ISBN: 0-500-05111-9 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: 01 June, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Wide-Ranging Introduction to the Scrolls
Comment: The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls by Bedouin at Khirbet Qumran in 1947 was one of the greatest archaeological finds in recorded history. Produced from circa 200 B.C. to circa 100 A.D., the Scrolls are a wealth of knowledge from the ancient Middle East during Biblical times. The convoluted story of their collection, translation and publication has taken over fifty years and filled dozens of volumes. To a noephyte student of the Scrolls this collection of literature can seem overwhelming. Many different threads of research weave the tapestry of the Scrolls' history, and adding to the confusion are the many publications which are filled with ill-advised conjecture, conspiracy theories, misguided research and the like. _The Complete World of the Dead Sea Scrolls_ provides a starting point, a lens through which to view and organize this body of research material.
Phillip R. Davies, George J. Brooke and Phillip R. Callaway, three of the most respected scholars involved in the research and publication the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, have combined their expertise to create the most complete introduction to the Scrolls imaginable. Here "complete" does not mean that the authors have included the entire body of knowledge available regarding the Scrolls, but refers to the fact that they have introduced the reader to every facet of the story of the Scrolls' discovery, research and history. _The Complete World of the Dead Sea Scrolls_ is an overview which introduces the reader to the many avenues of research regarding the Scrolls and provides an extensive "Further Reading" list to allow the reader to increase their knowledge in the areas of greatest interest to them, whether it be translation, archaeology, historical context, the meaning of the Scrolls to studies of Judaism and Christianity, etc.
With over 200 illustrations, numerous side bars, factfiles, timelines, etc., this book is a beautifully presented treatment of the Scrolls, and a must read for anyone interested in studying them. Organization is very much like that of a text book, breaking the subject matter into various sections rather than chapters, and reminds me of the various series that Time-Life used to publish. This is appropriate, since _The Complete World_ is a series which includes such titles as _The Complete Pyramids_, _The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt_, _The Complete World of Tutankhamun_ and _The Complete World of the Valley of the Kings_.
Rating: 3
Summary: Beautiful, bountiful, but fragmented & a little unfocused
Comment: First of all, let me state that this is a great book, beautifully illustrated, and chock-full of information about the Qumran scrolls. The problem, for me, is that it seems a little unfocused. As if someone said "Let's put together a book that is beautifully illustrated, with a lot of information about the Dead Sea Scrolls," but neglected to choose a theme, a direction, a message, a specific point of view.
The text lacks the continuity of thought that an introductory treatise should exhibit. It bounces around between introductory information, and technical information of interest to the scholar. The photos of the scrolls are exquisite, and the photos of the Qumran area are informative. Modern, researched illustrations clarify the contemporary world of the Qumran scrolls. But then, several medieval altarpiece-type paintings are thrown in, poorly researched by today's standards, and leaving one wondering why they're there.
The 'information-box' format is used throughout, and I always find these a little distracting. If you're following the main text, you can skip the info-boxes, and try to remember which ones you missed, so that you can go back and catch them later. Or you can interrupt your reading to check the box out, and then try to remember where you left off.
Furthermore, in an effort to be scholarly, some of the excitement that the scrolls should generate gets lost. And the print is tiny, and runs way over into the 'gutter,' making it uncomfortable and awkward to read.
Perhaps my bias stems from the fact that I am primarily interested in the scrolls from a Biblical persepective, and the bulk of the book is focused on analysis and speculation surrounding the non-biblical scrolls, which is as interesting as any sectarian church history, but not on a par with the history of the Bible's text.
Overall, an informative book well worth having, but not one that leaves you feeling fulfilled in your quest for an understanding of the importance and history of the scrolls.
Rating: 4
Summary: Good Intro to The Dead Sea Scrolls
Comment: A great way to familiarize yourself with the Dead Sea Scrolls. I like the layout of the text, examining the scrolls cave by cave. Many beautiful color photos, almost a coffee-table book, but more than just a photo album. For those hesitating to purchase this book because of Davies' involvement, I would suggest that his minimalist views on the historicity of the Bible are not a factor in this book. My only complaint - more than once, documents/scrolls were mentioned in passing as if the reader should already know about them, then, a few pages/chapters later, the document was explained in detail. Coupled with "Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls", the reader would have a good introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
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Title: The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls : Their Significance For Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity by James VanderKam, Peter Flint ISBN: 006068464X Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco Pub. Date: 26 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
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Title: The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English by Geza Vermes ISBN: 0140278079 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible : The Oldest Known Bible Translated for the First Time into English by Martin Abegg, Peter Flint ISBN: 0060600640 Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco Pub. Date: 22 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls: A Reader from the Biblical Archaeology Review by Hershel Shanks ISBN: 0679744452 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 July, 1993 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Nag Hammadi Library in English : Revised Edition by James M. Robinson ISBN: 0060669357 Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco Pub. Date: 21 November, 1990 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
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