Ancient Canaan and Israel: New Perspectives »

Golden (anthropology, Drew U., Fairleigh Dickinson U., Madison, NJ) presents a 4,000-year history of the Holy Land that incorporates new findings from excavations and shifts in the field's theoretical underpinnings. After introducing the ancient cultures of the southern Levant and resources for their study, he situates these cultures in geographic, economic, social, political, religious, material culture, and intellectual contexts. The author discusses current controversies, including "biblical archeology" as supporting modern political agendas. The well-illustrated volume includes a chronology, glossary, and an extensive reference list for further study by nonspecialists. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR