Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses

This author was not particularly 'religious,' at least at the beginning of his quest to search out the places mentioned in the Old Testament. That fact should make his book less intimidating to those who seem to fear all things biblical. He writes in a non-biased, and definitely non-preachy way. This work is non-fiction, for those who need to know, and in its pages you meet fascinating people who wander into the path of the author's quest, and help him, sometimes without meaning to.I bought this because I am a student of the Bible and do believe what it says, but also because this work describes not only the places mentioned in the Pentateuch (the 5 books of Moses), but also introduces the people who live in these places now. Their opinions and beliefs concerning their homeland reflect a greater sense of the importance of this region than we can ever begin to understand here so many thousands of miles away in our brash, much younger culture. I also get a sense of why middle eastern peoples find our culture so puzzling and even ridiculous, in many respects. I had hoped to come away with a better understanding of our differences, and I believe I have. On some points I'd have to agree to disagree, but in many cases I understand better why we will probably always have points upon which we passionately disagree, to the point of bloodshed.I highly recommend this book. It will show you a land and culture you may never get to see firsthand on your own. This is very cheap armchair travel, well worth your time, very thoughtful and engaging. And the people you will learn about will stick in your mind a while.

This book is EXCELLENT. It has something in it for everybody no matter what your interest. There is a little history, archeology, anthropology, politics, bible commentary and commentary on world events all wrapped up into one document. This multi-faceted approach is a great way to talk about the middle east and the faiths that drive it. People there view it all interrelated and so do people of faith world wide. You can see that in this book.Bruce Feiler is an excellent writer. The book jumps from one angle to another to his personal experiences on the road very easily. The book reads like a novel. His intimate details about his travels makes things come alive. He describes things like his passage through customs in Egypt, the weather in the Sini, the environment in Turkey and other things. That vivid detail with juicy facts and insight about the first five books of the bible makes you feel the experience as he goes through it.This trip book makes the bible come alive. As you experience the land, the people, against the backdrop of today you get a new feel for the bible. You will gain a new appreciation for the first five books of the bible. A reader can understand even if you aren't a believer why people of faith are just that, people of faith.

I agree with some reviewers that Feiler is not a great prose stylist and that some of his descriptions of places and things are either overwrought or banal.However, I found the book fascinating as a secular Jew's face-to-face encounter with the chief document of his religion. Feiler certainly does not find a connection to the Divine in a blinding flash of insight, but he acknowledges, sometimes begrudgingly, that the biblical narratives are remarkably consistent with what archaeology tells us about life in the ancient Near East.Archaeology cannot prove the stories true, of course -- but many biblical critics have given them so little credence as to argue that they cannot possibly be accurate. Feiler's book, although not a scholarly work, should at least give pause to these thinkers.

I will never to my sorrow have the privilege of such a journey as this author made. But following him in print and with a background of Bible study myself I dared to insert myself into his adventures. Found myself using pen and highlighter i as I read.. Normally I am a speed reader; not this book! Had to slow down, chew on it in many places, and re-visit some as I went along. Great experience.

Bruce Feller is no one’s idea of a great writer; but he seized on the winning idea of walking in the geographic footsteps of the Hebrew Bible, and the book is a success. The success does not flow from his pen, but from the profound insights of his travel companion, renowned archaeologist Avner Goren. Without Goren, there would be no book. Goren has an almost mystical feel for the underlying reality of the Torah. He points out, for example , that in Genesis, God repeatedly says that his creation is good. This Goren points out unerringly, is an echo of previous creation stories which always poised creation as a contest between good and evil gods.Feller has made a cottage industry of this book. He may not be a great writer, but he’s a good businessman. Buy this book, not for Feller’s hype, but for Goren’s profoundities.

I was not sure quite what to expect when choosing this book but I gained far more than I thought from taking the journey through the geography and history of the Jewish Bible's first 5 books. It was gripping; the style was easy to read although dealing with complex historical, theological and political dimensions of the Middle East through its geography. I am a Christian and I have to say looking at what is, to me, the Old Testament through Jewish eyes has helped me understand the Biblical stories in greater depth. He does not, however, push a Jewish political view but manages to keep an objectivity which makes it accessible to all readers of any or no faith. There is no heavy religious "sell" it is a fascinating journey all can travel. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get a perspective of where the Bible fits into history of the middle east. He has such a lightness of touch that it doesn't feel you are reading a text book, it is indeed a gripping journey through Bible lands but more importantly a journey of a man trying to find where he comes from in terms of culture.

This book contains all the information I was looking for!

Great project, beautifully told. I enjoyed this book all along, reading it as a travel guide.I would however remove the last chapter as, from my point of view has nothing to do int his book.

Love this book. Am reading it at the moment and it really brings the first five books of the old testament alive. It adds an added dimension to Gods word.

Excellent

Whe I ordered it I didn't know what to expect. This is much better than I would have imagine. It is so detailled and it's so real. Because I have been to Israel myself, I recognize so many places that I even went to visit. This is a must see. I would give it a ten for sure.