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Deborah Moggach's Tulip Fever takes place in 17th-century Amsterdam, where roguish Rembrandt wannabes like Jan van Loos are just waiting to fall into ticklish situations. In this case, a paunchy merchant named Cornelis Sandvoort wanders into the artist's studio, hoping to impress posterity with a portrait of himself and his young wife. Apart from the fat commission, which van Loos can use, there is the bride to consider. Beautiful and bored, Sophia is easily swayed by his youthful passion--but this time, the raffish van Loos actually falls in love with one of his sexual conquests. The two carry out their affair with increasing doses of rashness and deception, meanwhile becoming dependent on the complicity of a servant, the astonishing gullibility of the old man, and the fast cash to be made on the tulip-bulb exchange.
The plot of Moggach's 13th novel neatly matches the speculative frenzy of the period, careening from one improbable thrill to the next. It was, to be sure, a time of stunning economic lunacy, when a single Semper Augustus bulb could be sold for "six fine horses, three oxheads of wine, a dozen sheep, two dozen silver goblets and a seascape by Esaias van de Velde." The author expertly dabs in this sort of period detail, and her chapter epigraphs quote some charming 17th-century Dutch sources on morals and conventional wisdom. Indeed, it's these quasi-surreal touches--whales washing up on the coast, chimney pots toppling into the street, women rubbing goose fat into their hands--that make the lovers' overheated sentiments so plausible. "For centuries to come," the narrator says, "people will gaze at these paintings and wonder what is about to happen." Tulip Fever gives us the chance to do exactly that. --John Ponyicsanyi
Book Description
A tale of art, beauty, lust, greed, deception and retribution -- set in a refined society ablaze with tulip fever.
In 1630s Amsterdam, tulipomania has seized the populace. Everywhere men are seduced by the fantastic exotic flower. But for wealthy merchant Cornelis Sandvoort, it is his young and beautiful wife, Sophia, who stirs his soul. She is the prize he desires, the woman he hopes will bring him the joy that not even his considerable fortune can buy.
Cornelis yearns for an heir, but so far he and Sophia have failed to produce one. In a bid for immortality, he commissions a portrait of them both by the talented young painter Jan van Loos. But as Van Loos begins to capture Sophia's likeness on canvas, a slow passion begins to burn between the beautiful young wife and the talented artist.
As the portrait unfolds, so a slow dance is begun among the household's inhabitants. Ambitions, desires, and dreams breed a grand deception -- and as the lies multiply, events move toward a thrilling and tragic climax.
In this richly imagined international bestseller, Deborah Moggach has created the rarest of novels -- a lush, lyrical work of fiction that is also compulsively readable. Seldom has a novel so vividly evoked a time, a place, and a passion.
Customer Reviews:
17th Century Soap Opera.......2007-01-03
Deborah Moggach's Tulip Fever reads like a soap opera from the 17th Century: characters are on the surface, motives are obvious but hidden, and plots are far out. But, like many soap operas, it's an enjoyable, guilty little pleasure. Take it for what it's worth: a compelling and quick read, with a little geographical and historical education thrown in. In short, the book is worth the short amount of time you need to invest in it.
More of a a small hot flash than a true fever for this historical fiction fan.......2006-06-15
Tulip Fever is a kind of soap opera like historical novel, set in Amsterdam, when the city was the center of art and culture and beauty in Europe. As far as books like this one go it isn't bad, but I can't say I was overly awed by it.
This story is of a wife named Sophia with an older husband named Cornelis who falls in love with a painter named Jan van Loos who paints their portrait. Her only friend is her maid, Maria and she is hopelessly lonely. Desperate to somehow escape the comfortable but emotionally dead life she leads Sophie grabs at the chance to use Maria's pregnancy as a means of escape.
As I said, this book is very soap opera-ish. There are lots of elaborate plans, fortunes gained and lost, and a whole lot of tragedy. The setting of this novel is quite well done. Amsterdam comes alive as a city of elegant art and beauty everywhere. The tulip mania that gripped the city so badly is portrayed as a flirty business, dangerous to gamble on, but irresistible because of the beauty of the tulip in bloom.
What I didn't like about this book was the love story between Sophie and Jan. It felt extremely unconvincing. I hate stories where people talk to each other maybe once, exchange a couple of heated glances and then are all of a sudden deeply in love with each other. Because the love story doesn't pan out, a lot of the novel doesn't either. Sophie is also an unconvincing character. Not a lot of her actions make sense. Additionally the view point in this novel alternates a lot, from Sophie in first person, to everyone else, including sometimes Sophie, in third person. While I do think multiple view points were necessary for the story to be told perhaps the number of viewpoints could have been cut down on.
The really good part about this book was Maria, who had a real personality and a really convincing love and story.
Three stars in the end. If you like historical fiction you'll get some enjoyment out of this.
For more books on the tulip craze check out "Earthly Joys" by Philippa Gregory, which is about an English gardener and at one point in the book he falls in love with tulips.
A Tale that Blossoms.......2006-04-28
Appearing at first to be shallow, predictable, and simplistic, Tulip Fever blossoms into a rich tale of passion and deception. A full cast of characters that includes a maid in a difficult situation, a servant who can't be trusted, and a doctor with regrets, all play a role in the deception planned by the two lovers. Moggach acquaints us with the ambitions, dreams, passions and disappointments of the characters which enable the deception planned by the two lovers to stand a chance at success. Although the tulip trade is not the central focus of the book, Moggach skillfully weaves it into the tale along with the cultural mores and frustrations of Amsterdam society and draws a clever parallel between tulip fever and the risks that people are willing to take to achieve happiness. Despite what I would consider to be an implausible relationship between the characters, I found Tulip Fever to be fascinating look at human nature and what drives people to do astonishing things.
Nice cover art, but this book left me feeling flat.......2006-03-27
I am Dutch and lived in Holland until I was nine. I bought this book with high expectations. Yes, there are some echoes of 17th Century Dutch life in this novel. Yes, it touches on the tulip fever that left investors destitute when the bubble broke. Yes, one tulip bulb cost as much as a house.
But the plot in this book is basically about a love triangle between an artist, an old merchant, and his young wife. As a romance novel, the book is badly written. I can't imagine many men liking this book at all.
The title of this book is very misleading. I thought I'd learn a great deal about the tulip bubble that ruined so many lives. As it turns out, a high school research paper would have been more descriptive. I learned a little about 17th century Dutch artists, but not enough.
If you want to learn more about Dutch life and Dutch artists, read The Girl With the Pearl Earring or The Girl in Hyacinth Blue or The Coffee Trader.
This book didn't take long to read, and I bought it used through an Amazon discount bookseller, so I didn't waste much money either. (We Dutch are thrifty, something that does not come across in this book.)
My advice? Save your money and find this book at your local library.
Beoordeel geen boek door zijn dekking........2005-09-20
After reading such good books as "The Girl With the Pearl Earring" and "Hyacinth Blue", I'm afraid I found this book rather disappointing. I felt like I was reading a cheesy bodice ripper dressed up as an arty historical novel. Such a lovely cover too. What a pity!
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TULIP FEVER
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H2CLMQ |
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Tulip Fever
Deborah Moggach
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
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ASIN: 0099283050 |
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- Historical Drama
- Tulip Fever of the heart
- A great morality play
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Tulip Fever
Deborah Moggach
Manufacturer: William Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 043400779X |
Book Description
Seventeenth-century Amsterdam, a city in the grip of tulip mania and basking the wealth it has generated. Cornelis, an ageing merchant, commissions a talented young painter to preserve his status and marriage on canvas. At the sittings, as a collector of beautiful things, Cornelis surrounds himself with symbols of his success, including his young wife, Sophia. But as the portrait grows, so does the passion between Sophia and the artist; and as ambitions, desires and dreams breed an intricate deception, their reckless gamble propels their lives towards a thrilling and tragic conclusion.
Customer Reviews:
Historical Drama.......2004-09-26
Set in sixteenth-century Amsterdam, Cornelis Sandvoort hires a painter to portray him and his wife Sophia. But Jan van Loos, the painter, and Sophia start an affair, causing trouble. I liked how this had fast chapters, and I liked the Netherlands, but I found the novel not quite interesting enough. What can I say? I'm young and easily distracted! :-) (C)
Tulip Fever of the heart.......2004-05-15
I wanted to read this book because I've just moved to Holland and wanted to get insight into tulips, painters, Amsterdam, etc. Moggach has done a lot of research to weave in 17th century Amsterdam, how people lived, the different professions of the day, as well as insight into tulipmania. The tulip auctions were the beginning of futures trading. And markets are fueled by greed and fear. This story has a lot of twists and turns. To appreciate it, one must see it from the perspectives of different characters - which Moggach uses to title each chapter. See my extended personal review on http://www.analyticalQ.com/books/default.htm - link to http://www.bonjournal.com/entries/j040515.htm I am looking for more books like this - in English - about life in the Netherlands - to read and write a review.
A great morality play.......2004-02-12
This story is full of interesting facts about the beginning of the mercantile age. It is also a story about human greed and lust and the way such sins are our downfall. It makes a nice companion to Girl with a pearl earing.
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Tulip Fever
Deborah Moggach
Manufacturer: Chivers Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: 0754087751 |
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Tulip Fever
Deborah Moggach
Manufacturer: Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NUH45G |
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Fitness farm fever!(Tulip Time Scholarship Games): An article from: Jack & Jill
Manufacturer: Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
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ASIN: B0008E1FKW
Release Date: 2005-07-31 |
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This digital document is an article from Jack & Jill, published by Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc. on March 1, 2003. The length of the article is 728 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Fitness farm fever!(Tulip Time Scholarship Games)
Publication:
Jack & Jill (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2003
Publisher: Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc.
Volume: 65
Issue: 2
Page: 28(3)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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Fitness farm fever.(Tulip Scholarship Games ): An article from: Children's Digest
Manufacturer: Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc.
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ASIN: B0008GESWM
Release Date: 2005-07-31 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Children's Digest, published by Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc. on January 1, 2004. The length of the article is 442 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Fitness farm fever.(Tulip Scholarship Games )
Publication:
Children's Digest (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2004
Publisher: Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc.
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Page: 12(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Children's Digest, published by Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc. on March 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1129 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Fitness farm fever.(Tulip Time Scholarship Games in Indianapolis; Tulip Time spelling bee words)
Publication:
Children's Digest (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2004
Publisher: Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc.
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Page: 14(3)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Amazon.com
A lot of Dave Duncan fans let out a squeal at the end of Lord of the Fire Lands, the previous Tale of the King's Blades. (The Gilded Chain was first in the series, and Sky of Swords comes in third.) It seems that Duncan, in this ingenious, Rashomon-style series, had managed to kill off King Ambrose twice in just two books, and in a different way each time.
But this devilish author knew what he was up to, and Sky of Swords promises to answer all your questions. Just as The Gilded Chain jumped back and forth in time and Lord of the Fire Lands followed a concurrent tangent plot from Gilded Chain, Sky of Swords will likewise tie your brain in knots for a spell. (It should be stressed that all of these books are standalones, following different characters through overlapping timelines--you don't need to read them all, but each is much richer for having read the others.)
Swords picks up Fire Lands' crossbow-bolt-between-the-eyes finale somewhere around page 80. But this time we're looking through the eyes of Princess Malinda, this book's irascible (she is Ambrose's daughter, after all) but ultimately likable heroine. We learn about Malinda's bumpy upbringing, but Swords doesn't really get interesting until the aftermath of Ambrose's death, the ensuing threat of civil war, and the outcome of Malinda's trial for treason (which begins on page 1, but in true Duncan fashion, doesn't actually happen until near the book's finale). What's the best part of Sky of Swords? Not to ruin anything, but you've probably already read its conclusion--in the final pages of Gilded Chain. --Paul Hughes
Book Description
The mightiest swordsmen in the relm, are bound by magic to defend their noble wards...to the death.
The King's Blades
The unloved child of the unscrupulous King Ambrose,Princess Malinda learned at an early age to fight for what was rightfully hers. Now, with the Kings abrupt death, civil war has become her grim destiny. Making her uncertain way through the blood labyrinth of schemesand betrayals, Malinda can trust none but the Blades of the Royal Guard. But the Blades themselves are in grave peril. And the young Queen faces the most crucialdecision of her life: a choice that will either redeem her kingdom from chaos...or bring ultimate destruction down upon it, her Blades, and herself.
Download Description
The mightiest swordsmen in the relm, are bound by magic to defend their noble wards...to the death.
The King's Blades
The unloved child of the unscrupulous King Ambrose,Princess Malinda learned at an early age to fight for what was rightfully hers. Now , with the Kings abrupt death, civil war has become her grim destiny. Making her uncertain way through the blood labyrinth of schemesand betrayals, Malinda can trust none but the Blades of the Royal Guard. But the Blades themselves are in grave peril. And the young Queen faces the most crucialdecision of her life: a choice that will either redeem her kingdom from chaos...or bring ultimate destruction down upon it, her Blades, and herself.
Customer Reviews:
Ohh! That's what happened!.......2007-07-12
At the end of "Lord of the Fire Lands" Dave Duncan did the unthinkable for those of us with good memories for what happens in a series; he contradicted what he'd written in the first volume "The Gilded Chain." I know now that he wrote that the books were stand-alones that needed to be read as a set in order to put the discrepancies right, but I was highly annoyed with him at the time. "Sky of Swords" brought it all together!
Malinda, daughter of King Ambose the IV (who is suspiciously like King Henry VIII of England), is caught in a whirlwind of intrigue when her husband to be (the pirate king of Baelmark, Radgar Aelething) releases her from her unwanted political marriage only to murder her father minutes later. Her illegitimate brother Granville and others want the throne for themselves and all that stands between them and their ambition is the three year old king, Amby (Ambrose V), and Malinda who swears to protect her sickly younger brother.
As usual Duncan poplulates his world with familiar yet complex and quirky characters who have to go through extraoridinary cirmcumstances. This book is fast paced, and you have to pay attention. I would give it a 4.5 if I could. If you've read the "Gilded Chain" or "Lord of the Fire Lands" you have to read this one! Highly recommended.
Confused............2006-10-26
The reason I was confused is because I read "The Gilded Chain" first, so I knew there was a disconnect somewhere. And I'm not sure I like the way it was resolved....
Having said that, I must then go on to say that this is another masterfully told tale by Mr. Duncan. I was entralled by the intrigues and machinations that surounded the main character, the Princess Malinda. Even though she was the narrator, this really was a tale of the Blades as told by someone who was experiencing their loyalty and service. For that alone, it is worth reading.
But the story of politics and its common cousins, betrayal and war, also makes this worth reading. Duncan delivers a rich environment, well thought out, that can only get better the more I read it. This is a great book, even if I (personally) am not satisfied fully about the final resolution. My final judgement is very favorable.
Fantastic Conclusion to the King's Blades.......2006-04-08
Sky of Swords is the third book in the three book series titled A Tale of the King's Blades. Duncan says that they are all stand-alone novels telling a larger tale, and can be read in any order. However, after having finished all three books I think they should be read in the order they were published, as it added more to the story for me. So, with that said, the order I recommend is: The Gilded Chain, Lord of the Fire Lands, and then Sky of Swords. Since each book builds on the others, this order seems to make the most sense.
Duncan, has a knack for writing strong characters within a tight plot that flows with grace across the pages of his books. His action scenes are paced at breathtaking speed, and his political intrigue scenes are wrought with tension. This is one of the few books I have read that has pulled off a solid action plot with a solid political plot. It makes for a great read and one that I can easily see myself reading again down the road.
The plot of this book is mostly political. It starts with the `trial' of the Queen for various events that are recounted through flashback type sequences. The first time this happens it comes off as a little odd, but once the reader realizes what is going on it makes sense and flows well. The trial and flashbacks do not conclude until about 400 pages through the book. The flashbacks serve a huge purpose not only in this book, but also the overall series. It helps to paint the over all story. I would love to explain more of the plot, but I don't want to spoil anything for future readers. Suffice it to say, it's a great plot and one definitely worth reading.
The characters in this book are some of the most memorable I have ever read. Especially the character of Dog. I have rarely read a character that I cared about more than Dog. Wow. The other characters are equally as memorable. One thing I like about Duncan's works is that he is not afraid to kill off a character if it will serve a purpose in the book. While reading this, the characters were so well fleshed out with how they talk, how they act, that the reader will begin to care about them and be genuinely interested in them. Duncan does a fantastic job of balancing plot with character development and does so in a grand fashion.
Now, after all that praise for this book (and series), there was one thing I didn't like. I would love to fully explain it, but that would ruin a huge portion of the book. I will just say the ending didn't seem to fit with the over 1,400 pages of the three books combined. It seemed `wrong' and `not right'. I can't really say it any other way. I know the ending ties up everything from the other two books and odes a good job at it. But, I expected something different.
Over all, I would recommend these books to any fantasy fans looking to start a new series/author. Duncan does not disappoint and I can't believe I had never heard of him before. I will surely read his other three book series involving the Blades as well. Truly a fun series to read!
You can't stop this guy!!.......2005-04-27
This book provided an opportunity for the princess to be fleshed out and in the process it manages to tell a darn good story AGIAN!!
I feel lucky that I found David Duncan. I have read 5 of his books and I haven't hit a dud yet. Wonderful character development and it was great to see the events from the previous two books at another angle. He even manages to wrap up the contradictory ending and even though the way he does it has been done 1 million times Duncan makes it seem fresh and original.
Overall-Get this book even if you don't like Fantasy its just a good story.
clever, clever man!.......2005-04-06
Oh, Mr Duncan , you are a delight!! I was wondering how you would explain IT. I don't want to give anything away!
I have eagerly devoured every book Dave Duncan has ever written and never once been disappointed. He writes with wit and a devious mind. His racing action is entagled with humor, honor, sorrow and intrigue. This particular story was a masterpiece! I'm so glad that Malinda was fleshed out and understood. Too bad another understanding could not withstand the test of time. I'm going back in time to read all of the Seventh Sword books, they are great too (ofcourse). The Rap books were the first I read and I was hooked- They are hard to find - out of print. Thanks amazon for selling used and hard to find editions!
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Queens of Deliria
Manufacturer: Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000DILKR6 |
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QUEENS OF DELIRIA
Manufacturer: Star Bks.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Science Fiction & Fantasy
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ASIN: 0352396024 |
Amazon.com
For the maps alone, this book is worth it. Following 1,250 pages that describe and explain the people, places, terms, and events of the Bible from Aaron to Zurishaddai, the 16 spectacular maps detail the political entities and boundaries of biblical times, bringing the historic times to vivid life. A fascinating book, an impressive collection of scholarship, and a possession to cherish, the 188 contributors and five editors show what can be produced if you don't cut corners on excellence.
Book Description
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary puts the latest and most comprehensive biblical scholarship at your fingertips. Here is everything you need to know to fully understand the Old Testament, the Apocrypha, and the New Testament. An unparalleled resource, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary explains every aspect of the Bible, including biblical archaeology, culture, related writings such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Bible's influence on Western civilization, biblical history, theological concepts, modern biblical interpretations, flora nad fauna, climate and environment, crafts and industry, the content of individual books of the bible, and more.
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary features:
• Contributions by 193 noted experts on the Bible and the ancient Near East
• More than 3700 entries covering the Bible from A to Z
• Outlines for each book of the Bible
• 590 black–and–white photographs
• 53 color photographs
• An updated pronunciation guide
• 72 black–and–white maps
• 18 color maps
• Dozens of drawings, diagrams, and tables
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Companion Resource.......2007-06-03
I have found the HC Bible Dictionary to be a very helpful companion volume to the Bible, especially for "filling in the blanks" as a Sunday School teacher. It's well-written enough to be a good read by itself, meandering from definition to definition. I especially like how it concisely covers each book of the Bible, providing context and further information from what is presented in the introductory notes in the HC Study Bible.
Invaluble Research Tool.......2007-01-24
I actually purchased this from a bookstore back in 1988-89, then it was priced at over $100! I got it at a discount because there was a flaw in the binding. I wanted a Bible study resource that went beyond the concordances that were available at the time. Compared to some of the other Bible dictionaries that I've used this one reads more like an encyclopedia. It combines archaeological, anthropologic, and ancient historical data to give one a completely unbiased account of Biblical related facts. Another cool thing is the magnificent pictures of ancient artifacts spread throughout. I don't possess another reference book that comes close. I'm thinking of purchasing another because I've used this one so much in the last 20 years that it's starting to fall apart. It's worth the money.
Harper Collins Bible Dictionary.......2007-01-12
The book was in great shape, packaged well, and sent and delivered timely to make it a great experience.
A real find.......2006-11-06
This book is very easy to use. I am a minister and it has helped me with writing sermons and just understanding the Bible better.
great dictionary.......2006-07-01
The articles are precise and concise and give reference to other subjects. As a seminary student, I find this an invaluable tool in paper preparation. The editors have done an admirable job in preparing a volume that covers an inexhaustbly deep subject in a fair and complete manner.
Amazon.com
Harper's Encyclopedia of Bible Life is a casual yet informative guide to the people and places of biblical times. Completely revised from its original publication in 1944, the book is written for the layperson rather than clerics. It's a handy companion for students--or for anyone curious about the customs, languages, and social structures of the time. The authors, Madeleine S. and J. Lane Miller, are concerned with the very ordinariness of the era--exploring how people lived, the occupations they toiled at, and the kinds of homes they resided in. As with any record of this period, the information is derived from both subjective and objective sources, including archaeological evidence, historical manuscripts, and stories and narratives passed down through the generations.
The book is split into three distinct sections: "The World of the Bible" looks at the New and Old Testaments; "How the People of the Bible Lived" investigates day-to-day living; and "How the People of the Bible Worked" traces livelihoods--from craftsmen to soldiers, and even prostitutes. With over 150 illustrations and information on 74 biblical subjects, Harper's Encyclopedia of Bible Life is a mighty read.
Customer Reviews:
A Valuable Resource... Twice Over.......2003-06-16
Madeleine and J Lane Miller have written a valuable resource for the study of everyday life in Bible times. The blurb inside the dust jacket says that there are 74 subjects in 14 sections with 150 illustrations. There are sections on geography, homes, food, clothing, medicine, family events, the life of a nomad, the life of a professional, etc.
Let's say one is reading the story of David and Bathsheba. One might turn to the section on military life and read Soldering under David. There one might read that Saul was the first to establish a professional army in Israel rather than depend upon a militia. David added mercenaries to his army. In Israel mercenaries worked for wages but had no rights as a member of an Israelite tribe. A mercenary so totally belonged to the king that when a king died, like a concubine, a mercenary passed on to the king's heir. This raises the question to mind as to whether Uriah the Hittite was a mercenary along with other members of "the Thirty." One then might decide to read the section on Prostitutes. Prostitution did exist in Israel and there may have been temple prostitutes at Shiloh in the pre-monarchial period. Deuteronmic Law prohibited both male and female prostitution, but prostitution was a fact of life throughout the Ancient Near East.
Though the Millers have included a section on the Industrial Life, their book is lacking in discussing the economics of Bible life. There are no chapters on money or taxation. Even so I found this to be a valuable resource. When a favorite sister-in-law admired the book, I gave her my first copy. And then I missed the book so I went out and bought a second copy.
Good Cover.......2000-11-20
This book really has an excellent cover!
Book Description
A single-volume, authoritative, indispensable, illustrated reference for uncovering the meaning of the Bible, including the Old Testament, New Testament, and Apocrypha. Its innovative and highly readable format sets a new standard for excellence.
Customer Reviews:
Didn't meet my expectations.......2007-06-03
When I purchases this book, I was hoping for a lot more detail and insight than I found in the copius notes in my HarperCollins Study Bible. There's more, but I found that for me, this book was an unhappy medium between HCSB notes and more in-depth individual commentaries on the books of the Bible.
I rarely use this book now.
Worth My Money.......2006-10-20
I've read the Bible using both the Harper Collins Study Bible, and the JPS Study Bible, in addition to getting my degree in Religious Studies and the fact that there was still new and interesting information that illuminated my reading in almost every section is a testament to how much is contained in this book. It is extremely scholarly, but is still reverent to Christian & Jewish traditions. The essays in the introduction are wonderful, especially the one about how there is both diversity and unity in the Bible which is often overlooked by source & historical critical methods. It also finds the right balance between being deep enough for serious scholars and being written in a style that is approachable for the average person.
One of the Best Commentaries Available.......2004-06-03
I have a number of reference books that I use rather frequently for scripture study. Without a doubt, the two volumes I refer to most are THE HARPER-COLLINS BIBLE DICTIONARY and HARPER BIBLE COMMENTARY. I find these two volumes to be the most helpful tools for Bible study and homily preparation. The commentary is set up by biblical book and is divided into three sections: The Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha. Each book of the Bible has its own short commentary, based on chapter and verse of scripture. This volume also has short articles placed throughout the commentary on various subjects in the Bible. Each commentary and/or article is written by a biblical scholar and many of the authors are among the best known names in Biblical studies. Many of the entries also have small bibliographies so that readers can get more detailed information if need be. The Harper-Collins Bible Commentary is an indispensable tool for students of Biblical studies, people involved in preaching and teaching of scripture, and anyone interested in a more in depth look at the Bible.
Of all the commentaries available, the Harper -Collins is probably the most ecumenical. The scholars who contribute to the volume represent not only the best in Biblical scholarship, but a number of different faiths. The information is rather straightforward and does not represent any one faith tradition, but the information presented could easily be used in any denomination.
This is one of the best.......2003-06-28
I have loads of Bible commentaries, and this one is absolutely fantastic, and totally worth the price. It is different from many commentaries in its approach, in that the various authors focus almost exclusively on the texts as literature, an approach which, particularly in the Old Testament, yields hundreds of interesting and enlightening insights which just are not present in others, and frankly, which never would occur to you or me otherwise. I used it as a resource while teaching an Old Testament class last year and I quickly came to regard it as indispensable. It does not delve into historical or contextual issues much (for that, you should get the sister volume, the Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, which is also amazing, or perhaps the IVP Bible Background Commentary by Craig S. Keener), but is fantastic in its own unique way.
Some Christians are reluctant to purchase commentaries that are not written explicity from a "faith-perspective", but I have to say that although this is a scholarly work, I do not regard it as incompatible at all with a devout faith in the inspired nature of the writings discussed. It is true that the writers use the NRSV translation for their Biblical text and this is usually a big turn off for some folks, but if you can overlook that, you'll get a lot out of it. For the devout student looking to assemble a great resource library, this book might be coupled with a more theological, faith-based commentary (the AMG Concise Bible Commentary by Don Fleming is an excellent choice), and of course the HC Bible Dictionary I mentioned above. And while I'm on the resource library thing, I might as well also recommend that serious Bible students check out the English Standard Version translation of the Bible.
Anyway, the HC Bible Commentary is an invaluable, thoughtful, and penetrating analysis of The Bible. You'll never read The Bible the same way again.
A good single-volume commentary.......2003-06-18
The HarperCollins Bible Commentary, published in 2000, is a good volume to have sitting on one's shelf. So far as one-volume commentaries are concerned, this one is accessible, authoritative, and well conceived and written. 'The Commentary covers all of the Hebrew Bible, as well as the books of the Apocrypha and those of the New Testament, and thus addresses the biblical canons of Judaism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Its innovative format covers the books of the Bible in three ways.'
These three ways include general essays that set context (literary, historical, sociological, etc.), major sections of the Bible, and individual commentaries on each book.
This book is the product of a cooperative effort between HarperCollins Publishers (a major publisher in the field of biblical and religious material, both scholarly and popular) and the Society of Biblical Literature (the major academic group of biblical scholars, of which I am a member). The range of contributors is international in scope, as well as incorporating the views of scholars and researchers from many faith traditions and points of view regarding the biblical text.
The general editor is James L. Mays, professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. Associate editors include Joseph Blenkinsopp, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Jon D. Levenson, Wayne A. Meeks, Carol A. Newsom, David L. Petersen, and Gene M. Tucker - a list of names second to none in the field of biblical studies, and a testament to the authoritative nature of this book, as well as its depth and accessibility.
'The positions and approaches presented in this volume represent the mainstream of scholarship typical of the Society of Biblical Literature; eccentric and improbable positions are avoided. The individual commentaries and articles, however, do express the learning and judgment of their authors as scholars. As a result, the volume includes a rich diversity of biblical scholarship. Those who use this Commentary encounter the variety that characterizes the continuing work of scholarship on the Bible rather than the single approach of one school of interpretation.'
This is meant to be a companion to the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, a book widely used as in homes, libraries, churches and classrooms for background material and ready reference. I had always considered the Dictionary to be a companion volume to the HarperCollins Study Bible, one of the more authoritative and annotated volumes of the New Revised Standard Version around (because Oxford University Press dragged its heels at getting the NRSV out in their version, HarperCollins has managed to steal Oxford's old pre-eminence). This Commentary is designed to be a companion volume to any English Bible, not just the HarperCollins versions, and not just the NRSV.
The introductory essay talks about the Bible as a whole, its history and development, with particular attention given to the stages of writing and development. For those studious enough to have compared Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Jewish Bibles, one finds many things that are different - the order of the Old Testament, for instance, is not the order of the Hebrew Bible, hence it is inaccurate to call the Old Testament the Hebrew Bible, and vice versa. The ordering makes a difference. Also, the apocryphal books (and sections in canonical books) have an ambiguous relationship both with the Jewish and Christian canons. To this discussion, Fred Craddock (the author of the introduction) concludes that the canon serves a purpose, whichever canon one might be speaking of.
'The community of faith embracing the canon has said yes to certain books and no to others. Individual preferences among believers has not altered that fact. ... Each community in each generation does not create its own Bible. The church exists in time and over time with traditions and memories received and passed along. The closing of the canon ensures that the process will not cease and that no one will chop down the family tree, no matter how strange the birds nesting in its branches.' After illuminating essays, the commentary is arranged in general order by broad section: Biblical History (those books that give a narrative historical tone, Genesis - Chronicles); Psalms and Wisdom (included in this are the books of Job and Song of Songs); the Prophetic Works (the major and minor prophets); the Apocrypha (Catholic and Orthodox); New Testament Narratives (gospels and Acts); and Books in the Form of Letters.
My general practice is to disapprove of reliance on one commentary only. For depth and breadth of interpretation, one really needs to consult many different treatments of texts. However, for many, the limitations of time and finances prevent having a number of separate commentaries on individual biblical books, much less a range of commentaries on each one. I think that the HarperCollins Bible Commentary will be to those who are looking for insight and assistance in interpretation but haven't the resources for research a worthwhile volume as companion to their Bible.
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Harper's Bible Dictionary
Madeleine S. Miller
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
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Binding: Hardcover
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HarperCollins Bible Commentary - Revised Edition
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Harper's Bible Dictionary
Manufacturer: Harper & Brothers, Publishers
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Harper's Bible Dictionary
Manufacturer: Harper & Brothers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HMV4QU |
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