THE PROPHETS FOR THE COMMON READER

Companion volume to The Psalms... and again Mary Ellen Chase has captured the essence of the six men she has chosen- the issues that made them spiritual and ethical leaders of their people, and the convictions they voiced. One difference is marked:- for the reader of The Psalms for the Common Reader the history of Israel is indelibly impressed and provides a background for the times in which the prophets ived and taught. For those who start with this volume, there may be a sense of ncompleteness, although bit by bit, as the greatest of the prophets are studied against their times, pertinent facts of that history emerge. This however puts more demand upon the reader. The prophets chosen are Amos, Hosea, Micah, the two saiahs and Jeremiah -- and one would do well to have an Old Testament handy, as cross reference; location of selections quoted and comments made in context demand its accessibility. Her definition of prophecy will surprise the fundamentalist, s will her rejection of certain interpretations, her acceptance of others. But anyone familiar with a reasonable amount of Biblical exegesis, the presentation here has validity, vividness, comprehension and great beauty. Every aspect of the beliefs, the teachings, the lives of the men and the courage of their utterances emerge, with the additional full flavor and imperishable force and beauty of the words in which their prophecies were couched. A book for all faiths.