New NG Book - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC S WHO S WHO IN the BIBLE: Unforgettable People and Timele Stories From Genesis to Revelation

WASHINGTON (Oct. 9, 2013)-From the bestselling author of In the Footsteps of Jesus and National Geographic's The Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas comes NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S WHO'S WHO IN THE BIBLE: Unforgettable People and Timeless Stories from Genesis to Revelation (ISBN: 9781426211591; on sale Nov. 5, 2013; $40; hardcover), a vibrant family reference that brings to life the fascinating characters of the Old and New Testaments.

From the fall of Adam and Eve to Judas's betrayal of Jesus, the key events of the Bible are expressed through the lives of hundreds of people. Each of the five chapters begins with a comprehensive historical overview that sets the stage for the events and characters that follow and details the political and historical forces at play. This overview is augmented with award-winning maps, stunning National Geographic photographs that lend the text a sense of place, and a time line that places the events in context. The chapters end with a comprehensive alphabetical directory of the characters that appear in that part of the Bible.

The first chapter, From Genesis to Deuteronomy, focuses on the five books of Moses and features expanded biographies of 20 key characters such as Adam and Noah. Dozens of additional biographical entries detail the lives of individuals such as Jethro the Priest, who created government standards that are still used by nations around the world. Alongside absorbing biographies, details on landmark events and in-depth sidebars provide answers to hundreds of fiercely debated questions, such as:

How did Abraham's family create the three dominant religions of modern day?

What happened to the mysterious Tower of Babel?

Who wrote the Torah?

How did Passover come to be?

Subsequent chapters begin with the settlement of Canaan (modern-day Israel) and end with the early Christian Church. Further biographies range from the biblical prophets to Kings Solomon and David to the apostles to Roman emperors such as Claudius and Nero.

From the conquest of Canaan to the fall of Jerusalem, the chapters present a thorough depiction of the complex politics, numerous prophets and the dissemination of a religion that would quickly expand across the world. Historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Josephus and Caesar Augustus are featured in special sidebars alongside ill-famed individuals like Hosea, the prophet who married a prostitute, and Lot, a citizen of Sodom and Gomorrah. Together, these men and women - from the great and good to the weak and evil - shaped the vivid history of the Bible and the most popular religions of modern day.

In true National Geographic fashion, exquisite art and artifacts, informative maps, intriguing text and a unique family tree are the threads that tie this illuminating volume together, revealing the stories of Biblical characters in chronological order and highlighting their greater meaning for mankind. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S WHO'S WHO IN THE BIBLE is an authoritative and engaging reference source and an ideal gift for any religion or history buff.

About the Author

Jean-Pierre Isbouts completed his doctoral program on archaeology and art at the University of Leyden and is currently professor of culture and media studies at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif. He has written several other books, including National Geographic's The Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas, From Moses to Muhammad and In the Footsteps of Jesus. Isbouts has also written four television programs that explore the legacy of the Bible, including the Hallmark television mini-series The Quest for Peace, which won the 2005 Gold Aurora Award and the 2005 DeRose-Hinkhouse Award.

About National Geographic Books

National Geographic Books creates and distributes books that inform, engage and entertain diverse audiences about our world. Annually, the group publishes more than 125 new books for adults, families and kids. Titles are available in more than 35 local-language editions. While photography collections, travel books, birding guides and atlases are a core focus of the Society's products, books on subjects as diverse as the human mind, history, world cultures and the cosmos are also produced. For more information, visit facebook.com/NatGeoBooks and nationalgeographic.com/books.

LINK:	http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/09/whos-who-bible-unforget...
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