n this book, first issued in 1977, distinguished Old Testament scholars join forces to survey the history of the Old Testament period from earliest times to the Roman era. The present edition is a testimony to the book’s enduring value and appeal. In addition to the editors, contributors include W. Malcolm Clark, William G. Dever, Herbert Donner, A. R. C. Leaney, A. D. H. Mayes, Jacob Neusner, Bustenay Oded, Peter Schafer, J. Alberto Soggin, Thomas L. Thompson, Dorothy Irvin and Geo Widengren. This volume will obviously become a necessary tool for students and teachers of the Old Testament, and provide both alike with a substantial amount of reliable information’ (Society for Old Testament Study Book ‘It is well detailed, well furnished with bibliographies, and likely to remain a basic work of reference fora long time to come… It provides a kind of indispensable back-up work to set beside the currently standard histories of Israel’ (Epworth Review). Those who are interested in problems of Israelite history will find that it brings them up-to-date with the latest thinking; and students in particular will find invaluable its clear and cogent descriptions of those problems and the solutions to them which are currently being canvassed and debated’ (Church Times). John H. Hayes and J. Maxwell Miller are both Professor of Old Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.