This is the second of Feiler’s books I’ve read which follows his journeys to the middle east and the stomping grounds of the Old Testament. Feiler’s quest is both personal and journalistic, and the result is as much a story of transformation and encounter with the stories and characters of the Bible as it is an exploration of those historical places today, the people who live there now, and the deep connections they have to the land and the stories that shape their history and identity.
I found the strongest moments of the book to be those centered in the Sinai, particularly Jebel Musa (Mount Moses), aka Mount Sinai. These are places that most of us will never have the opportunity to ever visit, and Feiler is an effective guide.
These books are also an accessible way to become more familiar with the stories of the Old Testament, and in beginning to understand their connection and relevance to our contemporary world.