Rating: 
Summary: good summary for the uninformed
Review: Davis does an excellent job of telling the stories of the Bible, mixing in scholarship and debunking myths. I go to church on Sundays and even lead our youth group there, yet I learned more about the Bible in this book than in four years of going to church regularly. A very good companion to the greatest book ever written.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent popularization of biblical scholarship
Review: A fascinating, unbiased, and easy-to-read analysis of the bible, unhindered by any presuppositions about the divine nature of the work.An emphasis is placed on understanding the biblical stories in light of current scientific and historical knowledge and against the backdrop of the legends, ideas, and understandings of the ancient near east. Biblical literalists will not be entertained, but the layman with an interest in how the bible came to be and how it influenced, and was influenced by, the people and places of its time, will find this book a delight.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book, I could not put it down.
Review: This book should only be read by those who have read most of the Bible. I thought the author should have given more refferences to his statements; otherwise, I think it a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: One Star is WAY too many!
Review: A truer title for a book has never been penned! Mr. Davies, rather than performing his own research, has relied upon generally discredited theory from the 19th century to shamelessly peddle a book to the generally uninformed masses who are seeking a higher truth. The theory upon which this book is based is known as "Form Criticism" and has been soundly shown to be the "bunk" that it is by numerous middle east archeological discoveries of the 20th century. After reading this "work," I read an extremely well-researched WORK by Josh McDowell, "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" Volume II. Anyone foolish enough to write or purchase "Don't Know Much..." should also read the book from McDowell. How enlightening true scholarship is when viewed next to Davies' book. At least I can credit Davies with an insightfull title!
Rating:
Summary: "Don't Know Much" Doesn't Deliver
Review: I have read the Bible studiously before and, as other reviewers have stated, I didn't get much out of "Don't Know Much." I want to make clear that I am anything but conservative and a fundamentatlist. The book does not seek to provide a basic understanding of the Bible and what it says. It does a fairly good job with the historical context. The author gives more weight to inconsistancies and controversies than seems reasonable in a book which is supposed to be an introduction. Over all, what appears to be the author's side of the controversy is always made to seem more reasonable. If I didn't know already, I'm not sure I'd understand after reading this book, that the Bible is the basis of faith for millions of people. Also Mr. Davis must have formed his opinion of Sunday School teachers from watching "The Church Lady" on "Saturday Night Live." I understand he is using us as a representative for incomplete and misinformation about the Bible some people got in the past. However, we are not all uptight, blue haired, little old ladies. After awhile the stereotype got to be just too offensive. Anyone who hasn't read the Bible before and reads this won't know what they are missing. Anybody who has won't get enough out of this book to justify the time it takes to read it. In the end this book is no more unbiased than the Sunday School teachers the author rails against.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely RIDICULOUS!!!
Review: this book is full of ridiculous assumptions and misleading (if not intentionally incorrect) arguments. VERY one sided. Not something I would recommend either to the liberal or conservative Bible scholar. There are MUCH better books on the subject... try reading them instead. Wish I could have given it "0" stars... but they wouldnt let me :(
Rating:
Summary: Rated M for mature audiences...
Review: Mr. Davis' book is surprising and thought-provoking, two things which can be uncomfortable when applied to religious tradition. This is an excellent book for people who want to learn more about the humanity of the Bible and who are mature enough in their faith to exercise critical thinking.
Rating:
Summary: Shoddy, shoddy, shoddy
Review: The only reason I gave this 1 star, was because 0 was not presented as an option. One need not be a Christian to recognize blatant disregard of established facts, elementary logic, and simple principles of interpretation. Were this book to be presented to me as a history (or literature) thesis project, I would give it an F.
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Summary: This book missed the boat
Review: While I enjoyed Davis' history books, his treatment of the Bible misses the boat (to put it in Noah's terms). While he states some of his finding are controversial, that's not a license to print pure poppycock (such as comparing Genesis to Greek mythology.) It's as if Davis is more interested in looking for controversy instead of simply telling a wonderful story. He does cover the main premises of the Bible very clearly and if he had just stuck to that it'd be an A+. I was going to send this back but want to keep it as an example of how not to study the bible. If the bible is real stuff written by real people (who are at times, real messed up) then I'd have to say Mr. Davis "don't know much about the bible." Instead, I'd suggest "The Message" by Peterson (available from Amazon.)
Rating:
Summary: Don't Know Much About the Bible is Wonderful
Review: Besides being blasphemous in some people's eyes, this book has everything needed for somebody who has never read the bible(like me). And, it clears up some of the common misconceptions.
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