It's interesting to read the first edition now, more than fifty-five years later. At the time, texts discovered at Qumran and Ugarit were still new, and their import for our understanding of the Bible had not yet been fully worked through. It was also before the Six-Day War changed the contemporary political reality of this part of the world. As a result, this edition stands as a valuable witness to the time when it was issued. The maps are clear, although some detail is lost in the gutter whenever a map is spread beyond one full page. in addition to explanatory text printed adjacent to each map, there is an introduction by May giving historical background on Israel and surrounding nations. Following the section of maps, an essay by R. W. Hamilton gives an overview of archaeology and the Bible. All text matter is somewhat dry, but appropriate for the kind of book this is, and reflects a standpoint that represents the mainstream of scholarship at the time it was written. ( )

This Atlas is a great help to every reader of the bible It is a historical atlas witth not olny maps to show the physical geography but also showing the historical changes which came about - the rise and fall of empire, changes of names and appearance of new cities and villages. A beautifully presented volume.

This Atlas is a great help to every reader of the Bible. It is a historical atlas with not only maps to show the physical geography but also showing the historical changes which came about - the rise and fall of empire, changes of names and appearance of new cities and villages. Abeautifully presented volume.

The most recent advances in biblical, archaeological, and topographical scholarship have been incorporated into this long-respected work, bringing it up to date and making it essential for all students of biblical history.