Herbert G. May (1904–1977)

It's interesting to read the first edition now, more than fifty-five years later. At the time, texts discovered at Qumran and Ugarit were still new, and their import for our understanding of the Bible had not yet been fully worked through. It was also before the Six-Day War changed the contemporary political reality of this part of the world. As a result, this edition stands as a valuable witness to the time when it was issued. The maps are clear, although some detail is lost in the gutter show more whenever a map is spread beyond one full page. in addition to explanatory text printed adjacent to each map, there is an introduction by May giving historical background on Israel and surrounding nations. Following the section of maps, an essay by R. W. Hamilton gives an overview of archaeology and the Bible. All text matter is somewhat dry, but appropriate for the kind of book this is, and reflects a standpoint that represents the mainstream of scholarship at the time it was written. show less

This Atlas is a great help to every reader of the bible It is a historical atlas witth not olny maps to show the physical geography but also showing the historical changes which came about - the rise and fall of empire, changes of names and appearance of new cities and villages. A beautifully presented volume.

I know it may seem odd to include the Bible here. I think a lot of people don't see it as something to read for pleasure. In college, I was surprised by how many of my classmates had never read it - and in consequence, missed a lot of meaning in the books we were reading. Though I also have a old leather King James version, I like this edition, particularly for the Apocrypha and the notes.

This Atlas is a great help to every reader of the Bible. It is a historical atlas with not only maps to show the physical geography but also showing the historical changes which came about - the rise and fall of empire, changes of names and appearance of new cities and villages. Abeautifully presented volume.