Ideal for beginning students and readers of all faiths or none, The Original Story is a comprehensive and lively guide to the Hebrew Bible. This richly informative volume provides a complete introduction to Old Testament history, archeology, geography, and textual interpretation -- all at an accessible level. The core of the book explores central biblical themes, including the character of God, the human condition, ethics, human suffering, and God's relationship with the people of Israel. The authors further consider various topics such as prophecy, law, and worship in the Old Testament. The very readable text is complemented throughout by sidebars, fact boxes, maps, and illustrations. All features considered, The Original Story is one of the best guidebooks to the Hebrew Bible now available.