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This book is divided into two parts. The Book of Names is the reference section or, as the author calls it, "a biographical Scripture dictionary." The Book of Stories is a (fictionalized) retelling of lives of 56 women in Scripture. The Book of Names section is excellent. Women of the apocryphal/deuterocanonical books as well as the Old and New Testaments are included. Unlike other references, which divide the women into categories, this reference simply lists them in alphabetical order. If you know her name you can find the woman without having to know or figure out the category the author chose to place her in. The description of each woman is true to Scripture. Bible references are given as are cross-references (where appropriate) to other entries in the dictionary. The Book of Stories is somewhat problematic. It is a relief to read stories of Bible women that are positive in outlook and pious in tone. The feminist hermeneutics of suspicion that is the methodological basis of many books on Biblical women nowadays gets wearying and it is a refreshing change to read devout portraits of these women. Unfortunately, this author (about whom no biographical information is given) chose to go overboard and paint in a positive light even stories which are in the Bible to provide a bad example. For example, the book of Judges is intended to show how disastrously wrong things go when every man does what is right in his own eyes instead of obeying God. The story of the Levite and his concubine may be an honor code story, as the author would have it, but nobody's supposed to come out of it looking good--certainly not the Levite who would have been torn to pieces by the mob if he had actually, as this author has him do, stepped outside the house to tell the mob he was giving them what was closest to his heart, i.e., his concubine. So, while many of the stories are quite encouraging to women of faith, some have to be taken with more than one grain of salt. Be sure to read the Bible citations for the women in these stories so you know what is Biblical and what comes from the author's imagination and can make an informed judgment about how closely the author's imagination may approximate ancient reality. The book is not cumbersome in size and the typeface/font is pleasant to the eye.Read full review
I purchased these brooks for my lady. Mission group and they are excited to study and learn I think I may need 4 more
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Haven't read it yet but the reviews are very good. Very good value. Seen this book for many dollars more.
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Very informative, an excellent refine book for any Sunday school teacher or minister.
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This book makes it easier to track the women in the bible
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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