Archaeology and the Old Testament

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Summary: A clairified chronological review of the Old Testament
Review: Archaeology and the Old Testament is a fabulous compilation of events in the Old Testament for any newcommer to the study of Biblical Archaeology. It summarizes and places specific biblical events into the context of the period inwhich the event occured in a very "Non-Biblical" fashion (In otherwords - English!). A great book. However, some events are a little too summarized, and the reader is left with a few questions about what really happened. What is fantastic about this book is the way it brings together facts spread throughout the Old Testament and gives true relevance to the specific issue or event at hand (i.e., the story and history of Daniel!)

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Summary: Oh! So THAT'S what that means!
Review: I admit I'm a little biased towards this book - my father wrote it. But, this means I also know how much careful research and thought went into it, as well as the years of field-testing the lessons on unwary college freshmen. If what you want is a layperson's guide to the Old Testament from a conservative evangelical standpoint which takes the Bible as literally true and authoritative, this is your book. The jargon is kept to a minimum and there are many helpful illustrations and suggestions for further reading if a particular topic draws you in. It is meant to combine with John McRay's "Archaeology & the New Testament." Dad's made a life's work of demonstrating to students of all levels of expertise that the Old Testament is not frightening or inaccessible, it's full of stories about people just like you and me. This book fills a niche I don't think anything else does, and provides serious archaeology to counteract the incredible amounts of nonsense one sees about archaeology on TV. Wondering how David & Goliath REALLY stacked up as opponents? Buy the book!

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Summary: Title should be, "The Old Testament and some archeology"
Review: I am going to seminary and am reading this book as required for and archeology class. The book works from a chronological basis. Very readable, conservative, and generaly reliable information. Not much archeology! Mostly relates the Biblical narritive. Very weak on Jerico, Babylon, and Ur. Companion book by McRay is better by far!

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Summary: A Good Read For the Curious.
Review: Who would ever think that a textbook could be interesting? This textbook, which I studied during my Archaeology class taught by the author, focuses on the illumination of scriptures. Dr. Hoerth provides an excellent combination of archaeological interpretation and biblical interpretation suitable for anyone who wants to know more about the Bible. Students and curious readers alike will find an introduction to the techniques and methods of archaeology. The book points to a plethora of artifacts and digs that tell the cultural framework in which the biblical accounts take place. The text also deals with many liberal ideas in Archaeology, like the idea that Joseph did not live in Egypt or the idea that most of the Old Testament was written by the exiled nation of Israel, in a way that should leave people making such claims scratching their heads. Every main story in the Bible, from Abraham to the Birth of Christ (and even a chapter about the time before Abraham), are covered. The more interested reader, or any disinterested reader in need of sleep, will be satisfied with the abundant footnotes full of references and other notes from Dr. Hoerth himself. The only thing I did not like about this textbook was the lack of colorful pictures. . . so grump. But who ever said a book needs those to be good? Three cheers to Dr. Hoerth for writing such a fine text!

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read For the Curious.
Review: Who would ever think that a textbook could be interesting? This textbook, which I studied during my Archaeology class taught by the author, focuses on the illumination of scriptures. Dr. Hoerth provides an excellent combination of archaeological interpretation and biblical interpretation suitable for anyone who wants to know more about the Bible. Students and curious readers alike will find an introduction to the techniques and methods of archaeology. The book points to a plethora of artifacts and digs that tell the cultural framework in which the biblical accounts take place. The text also deals with many liberal ideas in Archaeology, like the idea that Joseph did not live in Egypt or the idea that most of the Old Testament was written by the exiled nation of Israel, in a way that should leave people making such claims scratching their heads. Every main story in the Bible, from Abraham to the Birth of Christ (and even a chapter about the time before Abraham), are covered. The more interested reader, or any disinterested reader in need of sleep, will be satisfied with the abundant footnotes full of references and other notes from Dr. Hoerth himself. The only thing I did not like about this textbook was the lack of colorful pictures. . . so grump. But who ever said a book needs those to be good? Three cheers to Dr. Hoerth for writing such a fine text!