Rating: 
Summary: the truth about the bible
Review: In this remarkable tome, isaac asimov provides a truly fine synopsis of the so-called "holy bible". Asimov correctly treats the bible as the work of primitive people, and not the divine word of a peevish sky god. he uses his profound knowledge of history and science to put the various books of the bible into proper perspective. religious fundamentalists capable of rational thought would benefit most from this book, as it exposes the bible as a hodge-podge of myths, fables and historical propaganda. if bible reading is ever made mandatory in american public schools again, this is the book that should be read!
Rating:
Summary: Are there no limits to Asimov's knowledge?
Review: Is there any subject on which this man is not an expert? It's too bad he's dead, so he can't write another thousand books or so. Sheesh. What a man.
Rating:
Summary: Good commentary on the Bible
Review: Isaac Asimov normally writes science fiction or about science. So, why would he have written a whole book about the Bible? Especially when you factor in that Asimov was an avowed atheist. The short answer has to do with two things, 1. He wrote about whatever caught his interest, and 2. the Bible is read by a lot of people who think that it gives them then answers to all questions, including questions having to do with science. Basically, Asimov was trying to show that the bible was written with certain ideas in mind. It does not answer all the questions of the world, like some right wing ideologs like to think it does. His commentary on the bible also goes to show what a lot of things really meant. Like Shakespeare, the bible can be a little difficult to grasp in the beginning. Certain words have different meanings than they do in general use. Place names are sometimes different today, then when the various books of the bible were written. Asimov goes a long to explaining a lot of those things.
Rating:
Summary: Educational -- Entertaining -- Even-handed
Review: Isaac Asimov was a true Renaissance man. He came to have an encyclopedic knowledge of seemingly everything worth knowing. He made his name as a science fiction writer, but his inquiring mind delved into all areas. In this work he turns his attention to the Bible, and the results are wonderful. His treatment is neither superficial nor hypertechnical; and his point of view should offend neither believer nor atheist. Many have written with greater learning on the subject, but few have made learning such great fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting notes on the bible.
Review: Many people have stated the late Asimov's beliefs and have indicated that this may have played a part in the slant of this book. The late Asimov was a human and there fore had many beliefs and ideas, none of which play a role in this book. He simply goes through the books of the bible and states as many factual comments as he feels comfortable with (certain about). The late Asimov was a scientist first and that is the beauty of this book... it is an unbiased view of the bible. While there are so many questions that I would have liked to be answered, I understand that by their very nature it was not his place to answer them. He stayed away from philosophy and dealt with the nuts and bolts. It is a good read for any bible scholar of any religion because of this manner of writing. I gave it a three leaning to a four because I rather like people taking shots at the big picture and without that Asimov's Guide to the Bible is little more than a reference book full of interesting notes and historical comments. If you want something more inspiring and challenging check out Frank Sheed's Theology for beginners.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: Mr. Asimov did a wonderful job of researching the contents of the bible with a completely fresh and unbiased perspective. He dispells the myth and fantasy and provides an accurate context for biblical study.
Rating: 
Summary: The basics of bible scholarship
Review: Ok, he was not Frank Moore Cross or E.P. Sanders. He took for granted facts that are now widely questioned (like Solomons' Israel's great power and wealth, or the crowd demanding Jesus' crucfixion). But in this book he gives you the fundamental basis of knowledge for really placing biblical books and events in their historical contest. His comments are a rare
example of clear and unbiased historical analysis. Though dated, is still a good introduction to biblical lore.
Rating:
Summary: great tour through the history of judaism and christianity
Review: over the past few years i've begun to critically evaluate my faith and position on christianity. as part of this "quest", i wanted to read a secular history of the bible to help me understand the historical context that the books of the bible were written in. this book fit the bill perfectly and was an interesting and entertaining read to boot. it took me a while to read (in small chunks), but i feel i have a much deeper understanding on the bible now. that said, asimov is an avowed atheist, and there is a clear bias against christianity. but that's fine- i don't mind having my beliefs challenged, and his points are food for thought. if i have any complaints, it's that asimov rarely cited his sources, and i would have liked to read some of those books as well.
Rating:
Summary: great tour through the history of judaism and christianity
Review: over the past few years i've begun to critically evaluate my faith and position on christianity. as part of this "quest", i wanted to read a secular history of the bible to help me understand the historical context that the books of the bible were written in. this book fit the bill perfectly and was an interesting and entertaining read to boot. it took me a while to read (in small chunks), but i feel i have a much deeper understanding on the bible now. that said, asimov is an avowed atheist, and there is a clear bias against christianity. but that's fine- i don't mind having my beliefs challenged, and his points are food for thought. if i have any complaints, it's that asimov rarely cited his sources, and i would have liked to read some of those books as well.
Rating:
Summary: great tour through the history of judaism and christianity
Review: over the past few years i've begun to critically evaluate my faith and position on christianity. as part of this "quest", i wanted to read a secular history of the bible to help me understand the historical context that the books of the bible were written in. this book fit the bill perfectly and was an interesting and entertaining read to boot. it took me a while to read (in small chunks), but i feel i have a much deeper understanding on the bible now. that said, asimov is an avowed atheist, and there is a clear bias against christianity. but that's fine- i don't mind having my beliefs challenged, and his points are food for thought. if i have any complaints, it's that asimov rarely cited his sources, and i would have liked to read some of those books as well.
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