David Plotz

This book arose from a column/blog that David Plotz wrote for Slate.com, in which he took his first trip through all of the (Hebrew) bible. I found Plotz an amiable and relatable tour guide -- he and I are secular people, although Plotz identifies culturally as Jewish.
The author doesn't take the bible too seriously, doesn't gloss over the boring or barbaric parts, and therefore it's easy to believe him when he rhapsodizes about the chapters and really impress or please him. Plotz firmly show more believes that we should all read the "good book," if only so we can recognize the many ways in which is saturates our lives. (Also, what we think we know about the bible is often wrong: for instance, Job is not patient, his comforters are no such thing, and although God may speak to him out of a whirlwind, Job beats Yahweh at argument.)
All in all, an engaging read and a fine way to learn what's in the bible without choking on a list of "begat"s. My favorite Plotz joke: he notes that just as any fortune cookie can be made amusing by adding the words "in bed," any verse of Isaiah can be upgraded by ending it with the words "You idiots!" show less

They should replace the hotel bibles with this version, maybe put it in the john--it's great for a quick dip into old stories, ones you heard as a kid in bible school, but here with the real scoop, nothing dumbed down. Plotz is continually amazed that God could be so blood-thirsty, unjust, and down right nasty. Also, that he (Yep he's a guy) is a John Wayne style meat eater; you can cut the carbos in your sacrifices to him. You might start paying attention to his never-ending rules (food, show more sex, rituals) after you hear how many folks he does in for non-violent offences. show less

David Plotz's take on his first complete reading of the Old Testament is both entertaining and thought provoking. Like myself most people probably have not read the Bible in this way and as Plotz points out we all should, to get our own impression of what guides so much in the world to this day.

From hilarity to disgust all emotions are laid out in his reading and looking at it both critically and whimsically we come face to face with what boils down to some amazing absurdities of life as we show more experience it. Each of us will make a choice as to how much of what is here will guide or influence our own lives. For the most part what I read in this book validates my own skepticism. Yet as much as Plotz pokes fun and holes into the work he makes one telling conclusion on his read at the end. He states that as much as he dismisses in the writings he does experience a sense of his own heritage handed down over the ages as his forefathers reading the same passages. And there you have the power of religion and its grip. show less

David Plotz reads the Old Testament so you don't have to. He goes through every book in the Hebrew bible, discussing all the stories, themes, etc. that come up. He knows what he's talking about, but he's not too academic or serious about the thing, but reacts to it much as anyone reading it the same way would do. He's funny, a bit appalled and more at times, but no unrespectful (as I would be). If you've tried to read the thing and gotten frustrated and can't stay with it, this is a good show more place to start. show less