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Rating: 
Summary: The Enchanted Bible
Review: Here is the answer to all those who have vowed each New Year to read the Bible but can't get past Eve's pluck of the forbidden apple. In clear, charming prose that stays true to the rhythm of the Bible itself, the author tells all the great stories of the Old and New Testaments. Hurlbut's greatest triumph is the clarity with which he presents each story in the Bible's great continum. God tells Noah "I am going to bring a great flood of water on the earth, to cover all the land and to drown all the wicked people..." and finally you understand why those 40 days and 40 nights it rained like cats and dogs (to kill all the bad people who are God's first experiment with humanity on earth). Of Methuselah he writes "and we do not know anything about Methuselah, except that he lived to be nine hundred and sixty-nine years old, which is longer than any life of any other man who ever lived." Simple enough. Now we know how his name came to symbolize an aged man, and we need look no further for deeper meaning--it isn't there.
Rating:
Summary: The Enchanted Bible
Review: Here is the answer to all those who have vowed each New Year to read the Bible but can't get past Eve's pluck of the forbidden apple. In clear, charming prose that stays true to the rhythm of the Bible itself, the author tells all the great stories of the Old and New Testaments. Hurlbut's greatest triumph is the clarity with which he presents each story in the Bible's great continum. God tells Noah "I am going to bring a great flood of water on the earth, to cover all the land and to drown all the wicked people..." and finally you understand why those 40 days and 40 nights it rained like cats and dogs (to kill all the bad people who are God's first experiment with humanity on earth). Of Methuselah he writes "and we do not know anything about Methuselah, except that he lived to be nine hundred and sixty-nine years old, which is longer than any life of any other man who ever lived." Simple enough. Now we know how his name came to symbolize an aged man, and we need look no further for deeper meaning--it isn't there.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Wonderful
Review: Hurlbut's Story of the Bible has enchanted thousands of children in the decades since it was first published. It is unfortunate that it is so often overlooked in favor of newer "children's bibles". They are often canned broth compared to the rich stew found in the original text and made accessible by Jesse Hurlbut. Key points: 168 stories, roughly from 2 to 5 pages each, spanning virtually the entire Bible in chronological order.
One distinctive characteristic of Hurlbut's is the omnipresent pronunciation marks. Virtually every name of person or place is marked every time it appears. This can be off-putting at first. However, anyone who has tried to read the Bible aloud (especially any of the Old Testament) will come to greatly appreciate this feature. Suitable for readers of fourth-grade level and up (the pronunciation marks will help quite a bit, once they learn to use them), this work is a wonderful read-aloud for any age over about 5. If you take the time to read through this work, you will have a far better understanding of biblical history than the vast majority of adherents to the Christian faith.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Wonderful
Review: Hurlbut's Story of the Bible has enchanted thousands of children in the decades since it was first published. It is unfortunate that it is so often overlooked in favor of newer "children's bibles". They are often canned broth compared to the rich stew found in the original text and made accessible by Jesse Hurlbut. Key points: 168 stories, roughly from 2 to 5 pages each, spanning virtually the entire Bible in chronological order.
One distinctive characteristic of Hurlbut's is the omnipresent pronunciation marks. Virtually every name of person or place is marked every time it appears. This can be off-putting at first. However, anyone who has tried to read the Bible aloud (especially any of the Old Testament) will come to greatly appreciate this feature. Suitable for readers of fourth-grade level and up (the pronunciation marks will help quite a bit, once they learn to use them), this work is a wonderful read-aloud for any age over about 5. If you take the time to read through this work, you will have a far better understanding of biblical history than the vast majority of adherents to the Christian faith.
Rating:
Summary: Best Comprehensive Bible "story book" I've Ever Read
Review: Hurlbut's Story of the Bible was the first and best comprehensive "Bible story book" I read and re-read. As an adult it remains my favorite and now I am sharing it with my own children. Hurlbut's tells all the stories you remember from Sunday School as well as many that you may not know. It explains with clear and exciting language that is simple enough for children but also interesting for adults. It is almost like reading a thrilling novel, you can hardly wait to find out what happens next. I cannot recommend it enough.
Rating:
Summary: Family Tradition
Review: I read it when I was 7 years old. The best birthday present I ever got. I couldn't put it down because it was so interesting. It taught me the chronological order of all the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament in a way that made it go into long term memory. Years later, I took an "Introduction to the Old Testament" course my freshman year of college. Ninety-five percent of what I needed to learn for that course I already knew because of reading "Hurlbut's Story of the Bible"when I was 7. I got an A in the course! When my two children came along, I let them read "Hurlbut's Story of the Bible", and they have both gotten A's in freshman Bible class at their colleges. In summary, it is easy to read, is interesting to read, is written in chronological order, goes into long term memory,and is my top recommendation for the best Bible story book to give to children.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for Children and Adults
Review: I read this book as a child 35 years, ago and it was the one book I never wanted to put down. Now, I am purchasing several more copies for my nieces and nephews. I am so thankful it is still available. Mr. Hurlbut was a great story teller as he tells the truth from the Bible, and he did a fine job communicating to us the excitement and amazing Bible truths.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for Children and Adults
Review: I read this book as a child 35 years, ago and it was the one book I never wanted to put down. Now, I am purchasing several more copies for my nieces and nephews. I am so thankful it is still available. Mr. Hurlbut was a great story teller as he tells the truth from the Bible, and he did a fine job communicating to us the excitement and amazing Bible truths.
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