The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible
"An erudite, elegant, and quietly impassioned plea" exploring historical and literary aspects of the Bible is "an easy, pleasurable read" (The Guardian).
In The Book of the People, acclaimed author A. N. Wilson explores how readers and thinkers have approached the Bible, and how it might be read today. Charting his own relationship with the Bible over a lifetime of writing, Wilson argues that it remains relevant even in a largely secular society, as a philosophical work, a work of literature, and a cultural touchstone that the western world has answered to for nearly two thousand years: Martin Luther King was "reading the Bible" when he started the Civil Rights movement, and when Michelangelo painted the fresco cycles in the Sistine Chapel, he was "reading the Bible." Wilson challenges the way fundamentalists—whether believers or non-believers—have misused the Bible, either by neglecting and failing to recognize its cultural significance, or by using it as a weapon against those with whom they disagree.
Erudite, witty and accessible, The Book of the People seeks to reclaim the Good Book as our seminal work of literature, and a book for the imagination.
"A work of genius." —The Times (London)
"Wide-ranging and richly stimulating." —Sunday Times (London)
"Wilson's delightful and unexpectedly moving book is characterized by intellectual humility." —New Statesman
1122714668
The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible
"An erudite, elegant, and quietly impassioned plea" exploring historical and literary aspects of the Bible is "an easy, pleasurable read" (The Guardian).
In The Book of the People, acclaimed author A. N. Wilson explores how readers and thinkers have approached the Bible, and how it might be read today. Charting his own relationship with the Bible over a lifetime of writing, Wilson argues that it remains relevant even in a largely secular society, as a philosophical work, a work of literature, and a cultural touchstone that the western world has answered to for nearly two thousand years: Martin Luther King was "reading the Bible" when he started the Civil Rights movement, and when Michelangelo painted the fresco cycles in the Sistine Chapel, he was "reading the Bible." Wilson challenges the way fundamentalists—whether believers or non-believers—have misused the Bible, either by neglecting and failing to recognize its cultural significance, or by using it as a weapon against those with whom they disagree.
Erudite, witty and accessible, The Book of the People seeks to reclaim the Good Book as our seminal work of literature, and a book for the imagination.
"A work of genius." —The Times (London)
"Wide-ranging and richly stimulating." —Sunday Times (London)
"Wilson's delightful and unexpectedly moving book is characterized by intellectual humility." —New Statesman
17.99 In Stock
The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible

The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible

by A. N. Wilson
The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible

The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible

by A. N. Wilson

eBook

$17.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

"An erudite, elegant, and quietly impassioned plea" exploring historical and literary aspects of the Bible is "an easy, pleasurable read" (The Guardian).
In The Book of the People, acclaimed author A. N. Wilson explores how readers and thinkers have approached the Bible, and how it might be read today. Charting his own relationship with the Bible over a lifetime of writing, Wilson argues that it remains relevant even in a largely secular society, as a philosophical work, a work of literature, and a cultural touchstone that the western world has answered to for nearly two thousand years: Martin Luther King was "reading the Bible" when he started the Civil Rights movement, and when Michelangelo painted the fresco cycles in the Sistine Chapel, he was "reading the Bible." Wilson challenges the way fundamentalists—whether believers or non-believers—have misused the Bible, either by neglecting and failing to recognize its cultural significance, or by using it as a weapon against those with whom they disagree.
Erudite, witty and accessible, The Book of the People seeks to reclaim the Good Book as our seminal work of literature, and a book for the imagination.
"A work of genius." —The Times (London)
"Wide-ranging and richly stimulating." —Sunday Times (London)
"Wilson's delightful and unexpectedly moving book is characterized by intellectual humility." —New Statesman

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780062433480
Publisher: Harper
Publication date: 02/27/2024
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 229
File size: 3 MB

About the Author

A. N. Wilson grew up in Staffordshire, England, and was educated at Rugby and New College, Oxford. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, he holds a prominent position in the world of literature and journalism. He is a prolific and award-winning biographer and celebrated novelist. He lives in North London.

Table of Contents

A Prologue 1

1 This Mountain 5

2 The Vulgate of Experience 32

3 Prophets 59

4 Holy Wisdom 85

5 Job 104

6 Living in a Metaphor: Psalms 123

7 The Rebirth of Images 155

Epilogue 193

Notes 197

Selected Reading List 205

Permissions 209

About the Author 213

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews