From Eden to Exile: The Five-Thousand-Year History of the People of the Bible

David Rohl retells the history of the Old Testament, using the latest in archeological research and incorporating the revised "New Chronology" for the ancient world. The strength and brilliance of Rohl's narrative is his "New Chronology" for Egypt. The traditional chronology yields no evidence of the Jews' sojourn in Egypt, or the Exodus, or the Conquest, or even of the flourishing of the nation of Israel under David and Solomon. Rohl, based on new archeological and textual evidence, revises the chronology. He goes back and looks at the same places, but at different times, and finds countless confirmations of the details of the biblical account. His history of both Egypt and Israel is "satisfyingly supported by the stratigraphic record and colorfully enhanced by the contemporary texts of Israel's powerful neighbors. It provides a solid and ultimately believable historical foundation for the religious messages of the biblical text." The book is beautifully laid out and illustrated with maps derived from satellite photography as well as stunning photographs of ancient artifacts. It is also brilliantly written. Rohl has a knack for taking the details of archeology and explaining sophisticated concepts and analyses in ways that a layman can easily understand. The result is an engaging book that will change the way you think about the Bible.