Holman Bible Atlas: A Complete Guide to the Expansive Geography of Biblical History

Rating:
Summary: If you haven't got it, get one
Review: Hands down, this is one of the best atlases I have seen of the Ancient Near East. And it presents the majority consensus of scholars today in terms of geographical distributions, routes taken, culture and history. Just reading the text alone is worth the price of admission. I must confess, though, that I am a map junkie and would loved to have seen more maps. As it stands, however, this atlas still makes an outstanding resource. I simply can't think of a better way to describe it. If you're a serious Bible student, or even a not so serious one, you should defiantly get one. Put it on your Christmas list or whatever, but pick up a copy.

Rating:
Summary: If you haven't got it, get one
Review: Hands down, this is one of the best atlases I have seen of the Ancient Near East. And it presents the majority consensus of scholars today in terms of geographical distributions, routes taken, culture and history. Just reading the text alone is worth the price of admission. I must confess, though, that I am a map junkie and would loved to have seen more maps. As it stands, however, this atlas still makes an outstanding resource. I simply can't think of a better way to describe it. If you're a serious Bible student, or even a not so serious one, you should defiantly get one. Put it on your Christmas list or whatever, but pick up a copy.

Rating:
Summary: Great Bible Study Tool
Review: I am also Dr. Brisco's student. I found myself going back to read and re-read portions of the text and maps as I do serious Bible studies. This has become a prized reference book to me.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent! The Best Bible Atlas Hands Down!
Review: I suppose I should preface this review by saying that I am not a former student of Dr. Brisco as the other reviewers were. Therefore, I can assure you that I don't have a prejudicial view of the work. But I can agree with the previous reviewers by guaranteeing that this Bible Atlas is, by far, the best in its class, offering extensive coverage of both the social and physical geography of Palestine and the Near East for a very afforable price. The grahpical quality of the maps and visual aids are simply stunning and unsurpassed by anything else out there. The only Atlas that comes close to this work is Zondervan's NIV Atlas Of The Bible by Rasmussen. Nothing else should even be considered. If you can have only one Bible Atlas, this is the one you want! Don't waste your time searching for anything better!

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent! The Best Bible Atlas Hands Down!
Review: I suppose I should preface this review by saying that I am not a former student of Dr. Brisco as the other reviewers were. Therefore, I can assure you that I don't have a prejudicial view of the work. But I can agree with the previous reviewers by guaranteeing that this Bible Atlas is, by far, the best in its class, offering extensive coverage of both the social and physical geography of Palestine and the Near East for a very afforable price. The grahpical quality of the maps and visual aids are simply stunning and unsurpassed by anything else out there. The only Atlas that comes close to this work is Zondervan's NIV Atlas Of The Bible by Rasmussen. Nothing else should even be considered. If you can have only one Bible Atlas, this is the one you want! Don't waste your time searching for anything better!

Rating:
Summary: worthy of reading in its own right
Review: The Holman Bible Atlas: A Complete Guide to the Expansive Geography of Biblical History is worthy of reading in its own right. It is a beautiful and super-informative volume. It is an invaluable tool for using while studying the Bible. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Atlas is laid out in chronological order. It begins taking a general look at the geography of the ancient Near East. It ends with the expansion of Christianity up to 300 AD. In between these two time periods, the Atlas follows the sweep of the geographical history of the Israelites and the early Christians.

Every Chapter is filled with beautiful pictures, informative charts and lists, and excellent maps. I found especially useful the cutaway topographical maps such as the one used to vividly show the course of Joshua's military campaigns.

As great as the maps and pictures are...this atlas has a lot more to offer. Each chapter analyzes the economic, cultural and religious practices common in the time periods being discussed. Side bar articles discuss some of these issues in an in-depth manner.

In this atlas I found clear, visual explanations of several Biblical topics that had previously been nebulous at best in my mind. The chart on page twenty-eight alone is worth the price of the book. It is the first chart I have ever seen that clearly explains the relation between the Solar Months, the Hebrew Names of Lunar Months, the Feasts and Rainfalls, the Agricultural Activities and Pastoral Activities in ancient Israel.

Another great feature of this atlas that I have found useful is the bibliography for studying the topics presented here in greater depth...now I have more books to read!

I give this excellent book my highest recommendation. Get a copy today.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent maps and photos
Review: The maps are colorful and detailed. The maps also give the viewer a good sense of the elevation changes from the hill areas to the sea-level areas. Different nations are highlighted in different colors, and viewers can see the empires land borders in the different time periods.

There are many photos of the land and archaeology items.

The book also gives detailed descriptions about what life was like in many of the empires, and how the empires were formed and grew.

If you are trying to decide whether to spend the extra dollars for this book: I believe the extras including the map details, land photos, and commentaries on the living conditions and empire developments make this book a much better value than some of the less expensive books, which I like...but the extra details in this book make it more than worth any difference in price.

Rating:
Summary: Great Reference
Review: This atlas deserves to become the "industry standard." Its color plates, maps, and extensive textual notes open up the world of the ancient Near East like no previous work. As a student of Dr. Brisco, I can tell you that his life long familiarity with and study of the environs and history of the Levant region shine through in this atlas. Students, academics, and pastors would be well served to invest in this magnificent resource by a top-notch scholar of archaeology and history.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent tool for serious study of biblical geography
Review: This atlas deserves to become the "industry standard." Its color plates, maps, and extensive textual notes open up the world of the ancient Near East like no previous work. As a student of Dr. Brisco, I can tell you that his life long familiarity with and study of the environs and history of the Levant region shine through in this atlas. Students, academics, and pastors would be well served to invest in this magnificent resource by a top-notch scholar of archaeology and history.