Reading the Bible

REL Even though the Bible may be the world's most popular book, it is not necessarily the easiest to read and understand. For that reason, guides to the Bible abound. Walsh (Methodist Coll.) provides such an introduction, intended as a college textbook. His approach is literary critical rather than, for example, historical critical or redaction critical. After a general introduction to the Bible and to literary criticism, he shows one how to read the different books of the Bible with attention to plot, character, style, implied reader, and the like. He concludes with a chapter on the truth of the Bible and with helpful appendixes and a glossary. Walsh's arrangement and style make it easy for any reader, not just the college student, to approach the Bible with greater understanding. Recommended for most religion collections. John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Libs., New York-