The Handy Bible Answer Book

March 1, 2014

Prince, a public librarian, poses and answers 1,700 basic questions about the history and nature of the Bible ("What is the Bible?" "What are the names of the books in the Bible?" "What makes the Bible holy?"); each of its books, including the Apocrypha; how archaeological discoveries have contributed to understanding of the work; and the Bible and popular culture. The latter section covers everything from the "good book" and Star Trek and Star Wars to influences on stock-car racing, video games, and fashion. Biblical quotes are included when appropriate. VERDICT Scores of similar guides are available--Jeffrey Geoghegan and Michael Homan's The Bible for Dummies (Wiley, 2002) and Know Your Bible, by Paul Kent and George Knight (expanded ed., Barbour, 2013) are quality examples. While the content and quality of this new book's bibliography (not seen) will add to the title's usefulness to Bible study groups, and the quality of the index (also not seen) will help determine its "handiness" as a reference tool for general readers, it is a good, simple, nondenominational guide that will probably be most helpful for young adults starting to learn about the ancient work. [Prince is a reviewer for and contributor to School Library Journal, an LJ sister publication.--Ed.]--Marcia G. Welsh, Dartmouth Coll. Lib., Hanover, NH

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-An easy-to-navigate reference tool on the bestselling book of all time. Youth services librarian Prince condenses the contents of the religious tome into more than 1,700 frequently asked questions. Covering topics that range from how the Bible came to be (including its different iterations, translations, and editions) to how it has influenced popular culture (including Star Wars and Broadway productions), this concise work touches upon diverse subjects, common interpretations, and even historical and archaeological findings related to the book that has served as a cornerstone of Western Civilization. The chapters are divided according to how the text is commonly sectioned, Old Testament (Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom, and Poetical Books) and New Testament (Prophets, Gospels and Acts, Paul's Letters, Other Letters, and Revelations). An additional chapter discusses the Apocrypha and why these books aren't usually included in the King James Version but are still venerated by some Christians. The black-and-white illustrations and photos interspersed throughout add context, interpretation, and even humor to the already conversational tone of this work. Even though it has a slight Protestant bent, this is a primarily nondenominational text that can be used and read by anyone trying to tackle the overwhelming tome for the first time or for those who have many queries about it but are not sure where to begin. Readers won't have to look much further than Prince's well-researched guide.-Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2014
Employing a Q&A format and written from a Christian perspective, this work seeks to introduce one of the world's most complicated yet oft-read books. The majority of chapters address the books of the Hebrew Bible, the Apocrypha, and Christianity's New Testament. Remaining chapters provide answers to questions concerning biblical archaeology, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Bible and popular culture. Although no rival to academic commentaries or other reference tomes, this work can nevertheless serve as a first starting point for exploring the Bible. Recommended for large public and most academic libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)