Walking the Bible: A Journey Through the Five Books of Moses

Bruce Feiler's "Walking the Bible: A Journey Through the Five Books of Moses" is a book I heartily recommend. The book, and the essence of the story itself, is an evolving tale of one man's search for humanity through the ages. Taking the Hebrew Bible or Pentateuch, Feiler begins his adventure with a desire: he hopes to read the Bible and visit the spots where extraordinary things occurred. Feiler, with the help of his distinguished and brilliant guide Avner, travel throughout "Walking the Bible," getting to know the Middle East as the birthplace of the Bible. His descriptions are vivid and draw the reader in, as though Feiler is telling his story to a close friend.

It is amazing to chart Feiler's growth, spiritually and intellectually as he continues his quest, meeting many colorful and interesting people along the way. Most warming is how the closer Feiler begins to feel to the Middle East and how he understands the awe of the desert, the more he comes to believe in timeless truths found within the Bible, but possible to be used as universal ties within all of humanity.

Feiler's journey easily envelopes the reader, as his preconceptions are entirely turned upside down as he is immersed in an incredible wealth of information provided by literary scholars, archaeologists and historians alike. He meets people of all different religions, lifestyles and walks of life who have come to Israel and Jordan, among many other specific locations surrounding the sites he visits. A spectacular and engaging read for anyone interested in history, biblical literature, religion and Middle Eastern travel, "Walking the Bible" is a delight for the senses.