This handbook is drawn from the New Jerome Biblical Commentary with the full co-operation and help of the contributors and eidtors on whose work it is based. It makes available to general readers the background knowledge they need in a simple form, with the help of pictures and maps. The teaching of each book of the Bible is brought out in detail, and a highlight from each book is featured, to give a flavour of its style. The handbook includes a comprehensive index and contains 13 articles on relevant subjects from archaeology to fundamentalism. It is aimed at Bible study groups, school students and those interested in the Bible.