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The Bible

A Biography: Books That Changed the World

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About this listen

 As the work at the heart of Christianity, the Bible is the spiritual guide for one out of every three people in the world. It is also the world's most widely distributed book, having been translated into over 2,000 languages, as well as the world's best-selling book, year after year. But the Bible is a complex work with a complicated and obscure history. Made up of 66 "books" written by various authors and divided into two testaments, its contents have changed over the centuries. The Bible has been transformed by translation and, through interpretation, has developed manifold meanings to various religions, denominations, and sects.

In this seminal account, acclaimed historian Karen Armstrong discusses the conception, gestation, and life of history's most powerful book. Armstrong analyzes the social and political situation in which oral history turned into written scripture, how this all-pervasive scripture was collected into one work, and how it became accepted as Christianity's sacred text. She explores how scripture came to be read for information and how, in the 19th century, historical criticism of the Bible caused greater fear than Darwinism.

The Bible: A Biography is a brilliant, captivating book, crucial in an age of declining faith and rising fundamentalism.

Listen to more Books That Changed the World.©2007 Karen Armstrong (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc. Bible Study Bibles & Bible Study Christianity Middle East Middle Ages

Critic reviews

"Who better [than Armstrong] to recount the history of the Bible?...Intriguing." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Groundbreaking....Armstrong shows a depth of insight and transparent understanding of complex theological issues....[She is] simply one of the best writers ever on religion." ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant
I found the content of this book interesting, particularly discovering that over-literal interpretations of the Bible (inc' the creation stories) are a relatively recent development.

However, my enjoyment of the book was significantly spoilt by the appallingly robotic narration and strange, sometimes misleading, voice inflections. This made listening hard work. Consequently I've dropped at least one star from the rating I would otherwise have given.

Was the narration computer-synthesised from samples of Josephine Bailey's voice rather than the book being read normally? If so, I hope this isn't a general trend for Audible. (That said, I guess if it means we get access to certain books that would otherwise be unfeasible produce in audio form there's some benefit, but it's put me off a somewhat.)

Interesting book, spoiled by robotic narration

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would certainly recommend it to a friend who was interested in Biblical studies, or who just enjoys reading the Bible.

Any additional comments?

I learned so much from this book about how the Bible was made. It shows it as clearly a man-made work, written over several hundred years, written many years - often hundreds of years - after the events they narrate, and containing a lot that is simply invention. A great eye-opener.

Clear and no-nonsense history.

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Very disappointed by this. It sounds like one of those automated news summaries generated by a voice synthesiser. The narrator is just rushing through the text with no interest or understanding of it.

Sounds like it’s narrated by a computer.

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I found this enlightening, although as with some other "dense" factual books it can be hard to keep up with new terms and ideas. She has an agenda, which is to recommend a less literal reading of the Bible, which makes sense as she explains the background.

Whether you agree or disagree, you'll find it thought provoking and informative.

I struggled with the narrator at first (I thought she sounded like Alexa) but warmed to her as the book went on.

Whistle stop tour with a message

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I don't often write reviews but had to for this one. Fantastic perspective on the origins of biblical scripture and interesting suggestions on how it may be approached. I love Karen!

Karen Armstrong is the best at what she does.

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