No book has been the subject of more comment and controversy or has had more influence on our culture and language than the Bible. But how did it become the book we know it to be? In this superbly written history, Jaroslav Pelikan charts its evolution from oral tales via Hebrew texts, Greek, and Latin translations, to its many different forms today, offering a new insight into the history of the last two thousand years. This is an enduring work of scholarship and a fascinating read.