The Story of the Bible

Peter Whitfield's accessible introduction to the Bible, aimed at the secular listener, approaches literary and theological material from historical and cultural perspectives. However, the contents of the brief audiobook are disappointingly narrow, with only a cursory overview of the range of the entire Old and New Testaments. The bulk of the material deals with the history of biblical scholarship and the influence of the Bible on Western--primarily Protestant--civilization. The highlight of the production is Oliver Davies's reading, in which he presents the material like a skilled Oxford don. Even where the contents are wanting, Davies's silken articulation makes for a listening experience that has both melodic elegance and a scholarly patina. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Starred review from April 15, 2011

The Bible: history or myth? And what is its central message? In this audio original, historian Whitfield (Darwin--in a Nutshell) attempts to address these questions and many more, drawing on the Old and the New Testament through to the apocalyptic Book of Revelation. That's quite an undertaking, especially given the confines of less than three hours, but Whitfield makes an impressively good start at addressing these issues, additionally tracing the Bible's influence on world literature, culture, and thought. While the gripping images, symbols, and stories depicted in the various iterations of the Bible are ever shifting, he argues, they always return to the same central message: the complex and tumultuous relationship between humankind and God. He develops this theory in an intelligent and compelling way, making it palatable to lay audiences. British actor/narrator Oliver Ford Davies (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace) does a magnificent job of using inflection to convey feeling as appropriate. Recommended for all listeners.--Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.