“All the six essays in the volume have some reference to the working of the amateur spirit in the world.”
| + | Nation. 80: 138. F. 16, ‘05. 940w. (Survey of contents.) |
“The six essays in this volume are very pleasing examples of what American writers can do in this branch of literature.”
| + | Spec. 94: 925. Je. 24, ‘05. 290w. |
Peters, John Punnett. Early Hebrew story: its historical background. [**]$1.25. Putnam.
“The substance of the book was delivered as lectures on the Bond foundation at Bangor theological seminary in November, 1903.... In chap. 1, ‘Introductory: literary and archæological,’ the author gives a simple, yet clear, sketch of his conception of the literary origin of the early books of the Bible, and a general view of the history of Palestine before the Israelitish occupation.... In chap. 2, ‘The formation of Israel: The origin of the twelve tribes,’ the view that a group of Aramean tribes settled among and absorbed tribes already resident in Canaan is worked out with considerable detail. In chap. 3, ‘The patriarchs and the shrines of Israel,’ it is pointed out that the stories of the patriarchs cluster about certain shrines.... In chap. 4, ‘Survivals—legendary and mythical.’ Dr. Peters gathers together a considerable residuum of material, which remains after one has subtracted from the patriarchal stories the elements representing tribal movements and sanctuary traditions, and in which survivals of myths or legends are probably to be found. Chap. 5, ‘Cosmogony and primeval history,’ deals with Gen., chaps. 1-11, which is analyzed into its various elements.... Chap. 6, ‘The moral value of early Hebrew story,’ forms a fitting climax to the whole.”—Bib. World.
“The book is written for the ordinary reader of the Bible, is unencumbered by erudite notes, is written in a clear and attractive style, and can be strongly recommended to the untechnical reader, who desires to learn how critical study affects the early books of the Bible. The book throughout bears evidence of wide reading. The marvel is that in such a work, where evidence is often scanty and much has to be supplied from analogies often remote, one finds so little from which to dissent. The work merits high praise and deserves a wide recognition.” George A. Barton.
| + + | Bib. World. 25: 313. Ap. ‘05. 790w. |
“The book is uncommonly readable.”
| + + | Critic. 47: 191. Ag. ‘05. 90w. |