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Summary: Read this book, go to hell :-)
Review: Finally, a book of Biblical criticism with a sense of humor! There are several long-winded books that show all of the inconcisticies and barbarities in the Bible, but this is the only one I've read that made me laugh out loud.It's packaged in a "quick reference" format, with icons in the margins showing the passages that are particulary gory, women-hating, wacky, etc. You can read the whole thing in a day, but you'll probably find yourself referring to it again. If you're looking for a scholarly disassembly of the Bible, this isn't the one to get. If you're looking for something that pokes fun at the most sacred of sacred cows, give it a try.
Rating: 
Summary: Satire, not Research
Review: So much for the religious fanatics that have "reviewed" the present work in question. Let's actually review it on a more substantive level. Not suprisingly, this book *will* prove to be a "real eye-opener" to those who are biblically illiterate. But to even the lay-student, Smith's book is readily displayed for what it is: political and ethical axe-grinding. So who is Ken Smith? A biblical scholar? An expert in Hebrew, Aramaic or Koine Greek? A credentialed historian? No. His only other written work extant is a travel book (written with another). He has no academic or scholarly credentials. But, to be fair, the book is simply a satire, motivated by personal, religious purposes; it is *not* a serious, sober critique of the Bible by any means. The purpose of Mr. Smith's book is [a] comedy and [b] provocation. It is not to provide a scholarly overview of the Bible. The book is little more than childish satire, abusive ad hominem, bigotry and an excercise in academic incompetence. I recommend that the book be read, if only to display the ignorance of its author. But don't buy it--check it out from your local library (they probably will not have it, so utilize inter-library loan).
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Summary: No women in Heaven? Woulden't that be Hell?
Review: The first time I read it I couldn't get through it because I was laughing too hard. This is an excellent tool if you want you college kid who is in a cult to start thinking. Use it sparingly enough to provoke thought. It is brutally honest and straightforward as well as hillarious.
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Summary: Very original review of the good book.
Review: Ken's book is humorous and entertaining. His observations are dead right, however. Ken needs to double the size of his book in its next print.
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Summary: A breath of fresh air!
Review: How rare and wonderful to finally see an intelligent, well-researched piece of CRITICAL writing on the actual *content* of the Bible. Biblical scholars have argued about authorship and other topics for years, but this is the first book I've seen that concerns itself with the actual contents AND is directed to the general reader. I was amazed and disappointed by some of the negative comments I've seen -- comments that suggest to me that those people never gave the book more than a casual glance. Smith used not one but FOUR different translations of the Bible in his research, and his commentary does not give any indication that he's a demon-worshipping subversive, or that anyone else should be either. Rather, he indicates only that it's important to read the Bible with your brain, rather than uncritically accepting all the spoon-fed platitudes that most of us are brainwashed with throughout our childhood.
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Summary: A MUST HAVE!!!
Review: All those NASTY litle passages of the Bible that the funides don't want you to know about. (Like how a husband can force his wife to have an abortion!!! (Numbers 5:11-31.)
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Summary: The book you won't find in your church anytime soon
Review: Just from the dedication alone I knew this tome was going to be hilarious: "For Uzzah the ox-cart driver who deserved better." Smith not only puts a humorous twist to many of the Bible's passages, but points out in all seriousness some of the more atrocious, vulgar, and nauseating verses eminating from the Christian God of "love." If you've read the Bible, this book is a must read because Smith gives us examples that each and everyone of us probably missed somewhere down the line. Smith ends his book with the following: "'...the time is near,' Jesus says in the Bible's final chapter. 'I am coming soon!' Two thousand years later, the faithful still wait." If history has been correct so far, today's Christians may be a little disappointed when he doesn't show up. Good luck, though! In the meantime, I have a life to live on this planet and I certainly hope Ken Smith has more books like this in him.
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Summary: Makes a great gift, too!
Review: Reading this book confirmed my suspicions I had about (when I was forced to read) the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as a kid. Scary...The Bible makes a great soap opera script! I love "Ken's Guide to the Bible." Finished it within a couple of hours, then bought another copy as a Christmas gift to a couple of friends. They loved the book, too.
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Summary: Actually I meant ZERO stars
Review: I have only read over it briefly, but it was enough. Ken Smith has written, without a doubt, the most ill-informed, simplistic, overview of the Bible I have ever seen, and that's not blowing smoke. He seems to use 1990's American cultural standards and imposes them on Ancient Jewish society. Do you think anyone pursuing a masters in ancient history who tries to interpret Ancient Roman or Greek culture through 1990's American eyes would even come CLOSE to being awarded their degree? I think not. The same must apply to the Bible. A gypsy with a ouija board and scrabble set could do a better job than Ken!!!! The only real use I can think of for "Ken's Guide to the Bible" is to supply the paper recyclers (helps save trees, you know). Then I can only hope the re-used paper from this book finds its way to some cigarette manufacturing plant instead of Ken's publisher (in these times that ought to mean something). The long and short? If you want REAL SCHOLARSHIP, LOOK ELSEWHERE
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Summary: The proof is in the reviews!
Review: Are you tired of "bible beaters"? Do you wish you could pull references from the bible to contradict what crap they spout out? If so, "Ken's Guide to the Bible" is perfect for you! He purposely puts the versus next to all of his comments which makes it perfect for all of you bible fanatics out there (so you can have fun comparing the "real" thing with his interpretations). So if you enjoy getting a few laughs in the name of the "lord", buy this book and enjoy. (Just watch out for those unfortunate lightning strikes.)
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