Stewart Perowne (1901–1989)

This reprint of Perowne's original 1956 biography of King Herod the Great is indeed very illuminating. He parses through the source material to give us a complete picture of pre-Christ King Herod. There were three distinct Herods, so his task was no easy feat. To complicate the matters further, each generation had an Antipater, an Astrobulus, and two Mariammes (all relatives). His history of Jerusalem in the years before Christ is well-written, but a little dense. Keeping a family tree and a map by the reader at all times should help. Herod's downfall in his later years is roughly analogous to King George III's during his final years. A decent read.

http://lifelongdewey.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/933-the-life-and-times-of-herod-th...… (more)