Despite the seemingly esoteric topic, the authors skillfully enliven daily life in the distant past, whether detailing...
History of biblical viticulture, from Genesis through the New Testament, and the role wine played in the "evolution of humanity from nomadism to a settled society.”
Butler, one of the first two Masters of Wine in America, and biblical scholar Heskett (Reading the Book of Isaiah, 2011, etc.) meld history with exegesis to trace the origins of wine as a drink initially reserved for royalty; a ceremonial ritual; a key ingredient in early Egyptian medicine; an economic resource contended in wars; a currency for soldiers; a symbol and metaphor for restoration and judgment, noted throughout the Bible in verses and parables that reference vines and vineyards; and perhaps most significantly, as a celebratory, substantial force that enables social and cultural connectivity. The authors also explore Persian, Greek and Roman influences on production methods and taste. Their attentive study of the Levant, the Fertile Crescent, surrounding areas, grape varieties, familiar figures and the international exchange forged through the wine trade amply contextualizes their own tour of wineries along the modern equivalent of the route taken by the apostle Paul during his third missionary journey (excluding a few locales). For the connoisseur, these later chapters provide a refreshing glimpse at contemporary winemakers, which are briefly introduced, along with the authors' assessments and favorites.
Despite the seemingly esoteric topic, the authors skillfully enliven daily life in the distant past, whether detailing amphoras or wine gods—a worthy complement to literature on agriculture in antiquity.Pub Date: Nov. 13, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-230-11243-8
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Review Posted Online: Sept. 5, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2012
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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