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| Author: Thomas C. Brisco
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Category: Book
List Price: $29.97
Buy New: $19.78
You Save: $10.19 (34%)
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 18811
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 298
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.2
Dimensions (in): 11 x 8.7 x 1
ISBN: 1558197095
Dewey Decimal Number: 200
UPC: 634337039992
EAN: 9781558197091
Publication Date: January 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 A complete guide to the expansive geography of Biblical history May 23, 2008
23 out of 27 found this review helpful
"Holman Bible Atlas" is an immensely readable book supplying first of all geographical, then rising from it historical, political, social, economic and, most of all, theological foundations to the context of the Bible. Whether a layperson seeking this grounding or a more serious theological student, the reader will find that context here.
This atlas was required reading in a Survey of the Old Testament course I took several years ago. Because an atlas is a book of maps, this book, of course, focuses on ancient topography, agriculture, migrations, and a changing history. All things together combine to tell "the story of God's redemptive work in human history" (2).
The story begins with a land layout of the general area of the Ancient Near East, then the lens closes in on the geographic regions of Palestine, then life in the region, including weather, climate, crops, and what archeology has provided.
Then the writer, Thomas Brisco, pulls his lens way back to focus on the earliest people of this geography, then refocuses closer to the time of the Patriarchs, and specifically Abraham and his descendants through Joseph and his passage into Egypt. An examination of Egypt: geography and the dynastic history as they pertain to God's work that follows.
This pattern, adhering to atlas and map disclosures, predominates through the Exodus, Resettlement, the Kingdoms and kings and judges, rise of powers and loss of powers--all geographically revealed.
How does one use a Bible atlas? You can read it straight through as I did and thoroughly enjoyed. Or you can use the Table of Contents or Index for locating specific topics you are interesting in pursuing. Let's say you are studying the walls of Jericho. The TC gives me pp. 77-78 for information on Joshua and the suspected location of Jericho. I find a picture of Tell es-Sultan, possibly the ruins of Jericho. I don't find the story itself because this is an historical atlas, not a history book.
On page 40 is a map locating the settlement of the twelve tribes of Israel and the Levitical cities. On page 100 is a map showing the possible flight of David from Saul, who was intent on killing David, his God-appointed successor. On page 118 is a map of the two kingdoms: Israel and Judah.
(A side note: According to some sources my name Judy derives from Judah.)
Often colorful, the maps are clear and easy to follow. The photographs enhance the written description. Sidebars provide interesting anecdotes. The flowing and well-written narration is situated amongst a variety of visuals. "Holman Bible Atlas" is an inviting, informative trek through the rocky hills and green valleys into the paths of the past of the Bible Lands. Your ticket is in the book.
Excellent tool for serious study of biblical geography April 15, 1999
21 out of 26 found this review helpful
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.
Good Resource and the timeline is accurate, but you need to look closely at it. November 25, 2005
17 out of 19 found this review helpful
Having read one review here that indicated that this book made the all to common mistake repeated again and again in bibical timelines of puting the Great Flood around 2500 BC which is after at least 600 years of known Pharaohs in Egypt I decided to check the timeline in the Atlas out for myself.
I'm glad to report that this is not the case (or if it was that way then it has been corrected), but here is what I do see:
The timeline for the secular world begins with the Early Bronze Age and has its dates below the timeline. Up above this timeline is another representing bibical events. The bibical line has no dates below it which actually implies that the date is not known (which is the best way to handle the Great Flood), but if you just glanced at this page without looking at it closely your eyes could fool you into thinking that the numbers below the secular timeline were meant for both timelines, but this is not the case. Further out on the bibical timeline there is a break in time denoted then it begins dating bibical events starting with Abraham.
So they handled this issue perfectly, but presented it in a way which could confuse anyone who gave it a quick glance.
Otherwise this Atlas is very well done with plenty of maps and charts that would be helpful to either self-study or leading a study group.
Great Reference August 23, 2000
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
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. It provides great background into when I teach Sunday School classes on both New Testament and Old Testament. There are maps to make long stories short, such as paul's missionary journeys, Joshua's battles, etc. This has become a prized reference book to me.
Very helpfull March 11, 2006
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
I found what I was looking for. I love the presentation of the maps.
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