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Gods in the Desert: Religions of the Ancient Near East Paperback – October 16, 2010

by Glenn S. Holland (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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Gods in the Desert explores the fascinating religious cultures of the ancient Near East. From the mysterious pyramids, tombs, and temples of Egypt to the powerful heroes, gods, and legends of Mesopotamia, Glenn Holland guides readers through the early religions that are the root of many of today's major faiths.

Holland compares the religions of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria-Palestine, including Israel and Judah, from the Neolithic era through the conquest of Alexander the Great. He provides a historical survey of each region, then discusses the gods, the rulers, the afterlife, and the worship rituals. This accessible overview makes clear how these religions converged and diverged, and are intimately connected to many of the religions we recognize today, sometimes in surprising ways.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    340 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
  4. Publication date
    October 16, 2010
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    6.07 x 0.82 x 9.06 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0742562271
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0742562271
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

With so much contemporary attention focused on the Middle East, the time is opportune for a clear, well-written, up-to-date introduction to its earlier counterpart, the ancient Near East. Holland magnificently succeeds in providing such a work. . . . Holland's writing is free of jargon; all terms, including religion, are carefully defined, and the volume offers many aids, including maps, a time line, and glossary. . . . Highly recommended. ― Choice Reviews

I selected Gods in the Desert as one of the texts for my course in Middle Eastern Civilizations. There is no other book like it out there, and it is successful in distilling so much material into such a brief and accessible book. The writing is clear, avoids jargon, and really informs. It fills a real void in undergraduate texts. -- Curtis F. Morgan Jr., Lord Fairfax Community College

A valuable introduction for students and general readers alike. Glenn Holland’s accessible prose and carefully structured approach take the reader on an engaging journey through time across Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria-Palestine. His exploration of key themes, thoughtful treatment of celebrated primary sources, and judicious handling of history combine effectively to map out the religious and cultural landscape of these fascinating regions. -- Dexter E. Callender Jr., University of Miami

An excellent book. I like the scope. I like its readability. I like that he approaches topics related to biblical history without pressing 'red buttons' for my students, who tend to be theologically conservative. I'll definitely adopt this text. -- Robert Mullins, Azusa Pacific University

Survey books tend to oversimplify, but this book provides a nuanced presentation of ancient religious practice. If used for undergraduate teaching, this book would be useful as a resource, providing general descriptions of ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian religions. ― Historian

About the Author

Glenn S. Holland is professor of religious studies at Allegheny College. He is also the creator of the Teaching Company's popular lecture series "Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean World."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; Reprint edition (October 16, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0742562271
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0742562271
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.07 x 0.82 x 9.06 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

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Glenn Stanfield Holland

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top review from the United States

Kat
4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Research Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2014
Verified Purchase
In trying to understand the situation of societies as they applied to the Bible, I picked up
several political and religious books, this book being one of them. I gained a better view
of what the Word of God was up against in those times.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Robert Govaerts
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched and very readable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
The book is well-structured; Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria-Palestine receive each five chapters. I expected it would be a long and tiresome journey to get through it, but instead, it was a pleasant reading experience. The author writes very well in easy-flowing, efficient prose.
The book has provided me with insight in the ancient religious and cultural landscape of major regions of the Ancient Near East. The various religious myths provided the rulers with guidance and explained their authority; the myths could provide meaning to people's lives and to some extent gave them reasons for the ways things happened; for the struggles of humanity in the face of natural events. The chapters on Syria-Palestine obviously lead into a situating of various Old Testament texts in the search for meaning in a monotheistic context, which the author does very well.
Overall, an excellent book. What I would perhaps have liked is more detailed biographical information as regards the sources consulted at each point of the book. The author provides a list of works for further reading for each geographical area at the end of the book.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an outstanding study of a quite wide area ...
Reviewed in Australia on July 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is an outstanding study of a quite wide area, the ancient religions of Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and the Levant, beginning at the earliest times and carrying through until around the Roman empire.

Despite the breadth of the topic, Holland keeps the work tidily structured, an impressive feat in itself. It is scholarly and objective, but not oppressively dry.

The work requires focus and intense concentration but repays these handsomely.
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