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Who's Who in the Bible by Jean-Pierre Isbouts

Thursday, March 25, 2021

 



Happy Thursday, My Lovelies!  Today I will be sharing with you a Bible reference book that is also a gorgeous coffee table book: Who's Who in the Bible by Jean-Piere Isbouts.  This book has been out for several years (2013), yet this is the first time I've read it.


About National Geographic Who's Who in the Bible: Unforgettable People and Timeless Stories from Genesis to Revelation

• Publisher: National Geographic; Illustrated edition 
• Hardcover: 384 pages 

Written by best-selling author Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Who's Who in the Bible is the ultimate reference guide to the men and women in the Bible, featuring more than 2,000 entries spanning Genesis to Revelation. From the author of In the Footsteps of Jesus and The Biblical World comes a vibrant family reference that brings to life the fascinating characters of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. From the fall of Adam and Eve to Judas' betrayal of Jesus, the key events of the Bible are expressed through the lives of hundreds of people. Told through exquisite art and artifacts, intriguing sidebars, and unique family tree features, this illuminating volume tells the stories of Biblical characters and highlights their greater meaning for mankind. Illustrated with lavish color photography and exquisite historical artwork, this reference runs chronologically, with each person listed by order of appearance. 


 

Purchase Link

 IndieBound

About Jean-Pierre Isbouts

JEAN-PIERRE ISBOUTS is the author of National Geographic's best-selling books The Biblical World and In the Footsteps of Jesus and the director of Charleton Heston's Voyage Through the Bible. He is a professor at Fielding University in Santa Barbara, CA.


My Review:

This book is beautiful, and it is very helpful if you need to look-up a biblical character.  It is large, so it is not easy to hold: It's easier to place the book flat on a table and read it.  Presented chronologically, each section (books of the Bible) features alphabetical entries of the people depicted in the books.  The maps and timelines are helpful, too.

What I love most about it is the art.  Some of the most beautiful Christian art is included.


Daniel in the Lion's Den 
c 1615 
by Pieter Paul Rubens
Daniel is one of my favorites, and this painting is unbelievable. 




Martha and Mary Magdalene
by Baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio 
circa 1598 
oil and tempera on canvas


I also like that the book goes into quite a bit of historical detail about everyday life including photos of artifacts. 


This page features treasures from the Roman Age.  The Romans appreciated Greek craftsmanship, but the Romans excelled at glassmaking, like the beautiful glass urn (lower right).


What I don't like about the book is that it doesn't explain the purpose for Christ (the Light of the World) and God's plan for humanity (salvation through Christ).  The section about Jesus was not as comprehensive as it could've been, so that was also a bit of a disappointment.  Also the dates in the book are BCE and CE: The irony is not lost on me because it is 2021 AD (anno Domini), the year of Our Lord.  Christ split time, after all!

I do recommend this book as a reference for the character entries, history (use discernment), art, and maps in spite of its lack of explaining the purpose for the Bible.




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Disclosure #1:  I am not certain that all of the timelines in this book are accurate because I'm not a historian.  Please read this and any/all biblical history and commentary with discernment. 

Disclosure #2:  I would like to thank the publisher and TLC Book Tours for gifting me this beautiful book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  



Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill


5 comments

  1. I think I may want this book! Pretty book weight. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks like a fabulous book RJ, and I know you are especially prayerful today after the storms and damage inflicted yesterday...🙏

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  3. Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love this- and those images are wonderful! xo Diana

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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