Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I R...
Like many Jews and Christians, David Plotz long assumed he knew what was in the Bible. He read parts of it as a child in Hebrew school, then at... read full description
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Mar 09, 2009
Eris
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David Plotz, a secular Jew, discovers a horrifying story while browsing the Old Testament in a fit of boredom during an infrequent visit to a Temple service. So horrifying that he is compelled to pick up the Book and read the whole thing to see what other horrors he has missed. This book is a chapter by chapter (mostly) synopsis of the Old Testament, with commentary and some biting observations. I found his play by play color commentary to be insightful at times, and did very much enjoy this wor
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Aug 03, 2011
The autor is not a bible scholar but his hilarious exegeses will have you laughing out loud. Excellent, fascinating read. Whether you are devoutly religious or not at all, if you have an open, curious mind you will enjoy this book. The author is smart and funny and the entire exercise was interesting. It's not the only book of its kind, but possibly the best balance between revealing and funny. The author doesn't take himself too seriously and is pitilessly honest. This book is not a detailed sc
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Jun 19, 2011
Lee
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100% recommended! This romp through the Hebrew Bible is much more than just fascinating and funny. It’s also engrossing, mildly irreverent, thought-provoking, disturbing--you'll love the Good Book whether you’re a believer or not. This is the Bible unveiled in all its grime and greatness. The characters in Genesis are especially unforgettable, from the story of Abimalech lusting after a 90-year-old woman (Sarah, Abraham's wife) to a diabolical mother-and-son plot to rob the simple-minded Esau of
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Dec 02, 2010
Jaci
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"Good Book is what happens when a regular guy--an average Job--actually reads the book on which his religion, his culture, and his world are based." He reports, chapter by chapter on Genesis through 2 Chronicles, and left me laughing through most of it. His Appendix is great--Useful (and Not So Useful) Bible Lists, including The Bible's Twelve Best Pickup Lines.
p.43: "Jethro, in short, designs the first judicial system, and it's a superb one. It's largely independent; it' More...
p.43: "Jethro, in short, designs the first judicial system, and it's a superb one. It's largely independent; it' More...
Jan 03, 2010
Mhgoblue
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This was a pretty interesting book. David Plotz is a secular Jew who's never really read the Bible before, but one day when he was bored he flipped it open and found the story of Dinah, which is pretty gruesome. Horrified, he wondered just what else is in there that he never learned in Hebrew School, so he resolved to read the whole thing. This book is his reactions, chapter by chapter.
I was certainly sucked in. His approach is sometimes more litereary, sometimes more religious, More...
I was certainly sucked in. His approach is sometimes more litereary, sometimes more religious, More...
Nov 04, 2009
Sharon
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David Plotz, a self-described secular Jew, picks up the Bible at a bat mitzvah and is horrified to read the story of Dinah in Genesis. He realizes that the stories he was taught in Hebrew school skipped over a lot. So he decides to read the entire Old Testament, word for word, to find out, as he says, "what happens when an ignorant person actually read the book on which his religion is based."
What happens is a hilarious, often cynical, sometimes thoughtful, often insightful More...
What happens is a hilarious, often cynical, sometimes thoughtful, often insightful More...
Sep 30, 2009
Martha
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I checked it out from the Mount Prospect Library, but I don't think I'd buy a copy.
The author does a secular book synopsis / review of the Old Testament. He is a non-practicing, non-Hebrew speaking Jew. He reads the entire book in one year, and examines his revelations and feelings.
If you pick it up, read the last chapter to get the gist of his thesis, which to me is valid: The Bible (usually referring to both Old and New Testaments) is the most important touchstone of More...
The author does a secular book synopsis / review of the Old Testament. He is a non-practicing, non-Hebrew speaking Jew. He reads the entire book in one year, and examines his revelations and feelings.
If you pick it up, read the last chapter to get the gist of his thesis, which to me is valid: The Bible (usually referring to both Old and New Testaments) is the most important touchstone of More...
Jul 01, 2010
Therese1974
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There are several aspects of this book that I enjoyed. Firstly, the humor. David Plotz is is laugh out loud funny. Second, his Jewishness. It is my experience that while both Jews and Christians can write about God with various degrees of piety, disbelief, or irreverence, Jewish writers seem much more comfortable arguing with God. I'm Catholic so I find this fascinating... and a bit thrilling. Writers in my tradition seem to maintain a more pious attitude unless they've turned their back on God
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May 06, 2011
Carol
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A few years ago I purchased The Bible Experience: Old Testament from Audible and then ignored it for a few years. Finally, I put it on my mP3 and 6 months laters I had listened to the whole thing. 66 hours. I picked up the Cliff Notes The Old Testament to try and gain some historical background. I picked up the Bible itself, not to read along while I listened (like I'm currently during with Ulysses), but to reread the many chapters that struck me. It was a long journey (I missed listening t
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May 08, 2009
Plotz does in this book exactly what the title says: he read the whole Bible (something that most Christians and Jews report never having done) and records his thoughts about each chapter. With caveats: The Bible he reads is the Jewish Bible, which ends at 2 Chronicles. He says he'll leave the New Testament to a non-Jew, but I would love to see a sequel or a revised edition that includes his impressions of the NT.
Plotz finds and is comforted by the moments of beauty in the Bible, bu More...
Plotz finds and is comforted by the moments of beauty in the Bible, bu More...
Sep 16, 2009
Chris
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Because I grew up in a religious environment, I find secular views on the bible interesting. David Plotz made the choice to read his Jewish Bible for the first time. This was a new experience for him as he had forgotten most of the things he learned in Hebrew School.
David writes this book in a chapter by chapter approach; the reader can see his understanding grow and his reactions change throughout the book. Many of his musings are notable, but two stand out: his acceptable name lis More...
David writes this book in a chapter by chapter approach; the reader can see his understanding grow and his reactions change throughout the book. Many of his musings are notable, but two stand out: his acceptable name lis More...
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Apr 11, 2010
kenpen
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4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. The author is Jewish so it only covers the Old Testament.
In a fluke move, the author picks up a Bible and reads the story of Dinah and is horrified by it. This is not the warm fuzzy Bible he remembers from teachings when he was young. So, he decides to read the entire thing to see what's really in there.
And goodness, is it crazy. We quickly jump in to Noah's story, which gives an example of how we usually only know the cle More...
I really enjoyed this book. The author is Jewish so it only covers the Old Testament.
In a fluke move, the author picks up a Bible and reads the story of Dinah and is horrified by it. This is not the warm fuzzy Bible he remembers from teachings when he was young. So, he decides to read the entire thing to see what's really in there.
And goodness, is it crazy. We quickly jump in to Noah's story, which gives an example of how we usually only know the cle More...
May 23, 2009
Natali
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One of the funniest books I've ever read. I loved it! Good Book is a summary of the Old Testament, told by David Plotz, an editor for Slate Magazine. It is his sincere effort to better understand the bible but his compendium is sarcastic, sardonic, and hilarious.
I enjoyed the first half a lot more than I enjoyed the second half but that is not really Plotz's fault. The first half of the Old Testament has a lot more action than the last half. Still, the writing is fun enough to keep More...
I enjoyed the first half a lot more than I enjoyed the second half but that is not really Plotz's fault. The first half of the Old Testament has a lot more action than the last half. Still, the writing is fun enough to keep More...
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Feb 23, 2010
Beth
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Back in high school, a friend of mine decided to read the Bible from the beginning. In solidarity, I started reading it, too. Man, I wish we had had this book!
As an adult, secular, American Jew, Plotz figured he was familiar with the Bible, and that that was enough. Flipping through the pages one day, though, he encounters the story of Dinah, and he realizes that he doesn't really know the Bible at all. So, takes on a challenge: Read the entire (Jewish) Bible, from Genesis through More...
As an adult, secular, American Jew, Plotz figured he was familiar with the Bible, and that that was enough. Flipping through the pages one day, though, he encounters the story of Dinah, and he realizes that he doesn't really know the Bible at all. So, takes on a challenge: Read the entire (Jewish) Bible, from Genesis through More...
Aug 11, 2009
Shani
rated it:
Disclosure: I actually listened to the audiobook -- for free through an Audible.com / Slate Political Gabfest promotion. With that said, this book actually lends itself quite well to being read aloud. Plotz, who has a rather nasal voice (reminiscent of Ira Glass's, but less staccato), is a pretty good narrator.
I initially read the Slate series that led to this book, Plotz's "Blogging the Bible," a few years ago. The book is similar to the series in that Plotz quite litera More...
I initially read the Slate series that led to this book, Plotz's "Blogging the Bible," a few years ago. The book is similar to the series in that Plotz quite litera More...
Dec 20, 2010
Brian
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Good Book is loose and freewheeling, lighted by the energy of the humour, contradiction and brutality of the Bible. On Isaiah: I love these catty biblical comments. They show God acting just as we would if we were God. The Good Book feels most real and most persuasive, when it's funny, mean and scornful. It reminds us that the Bible is not an idealization, but a book written by and about real people, who can be both scornful and kind, faithful and cruel, sarcastic and sweet -- as God can be to
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Apr 16, 2009
Lauren
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David Plotz is a writer for Slate, and I enjoy his stuff, so I had high expectations for this book. I enjoyed it, as I do any book about the Bible, but I wasn't completely blown away. Plotz is a smart guy and I think I was expecting more insight into all of the Bible stories. He admits right off the bat that he is only reading straight through with a fresh mind, knowing nothing, and that is a cute idea, but much is lost that way. I hope people don't read this book and think that this is all the
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Apr 30, 2009
Ricky
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Pretty funny and even yet disturbing look as David Plotz (Slate contributor, started 'Blogging the Bible') creates sort of a cliff notes version of the Bible leaving no stone unturned. We have everything from described straight rape, attempted gay rape, incest, sex with a dead brother's wife, sex with ones wife, sex with a neighbors wife, sex with a concubine, sex with a dad's concubine, sex with a prostitute, sex with in-laws, sex with animals,etc. Aside from the many sexual sub-plots in the Bi
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Mar 23, 2009
Deb
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A non-practicing Jew who is bored at his cousin's lengthy bat mizvah ceremony, pulls a Torah out of the pew and begins to read. By chance, he begins with the story of Dinah and is so horrified by the violence and death that he decides he had better read the whole Book. What follows is at turns hilarious, touching, challenging and thoughtful. Plotz has essentially written a reading journal and then let all of us in on it. Why does it seem that most of the women in the Bible are prostitutes? W
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Aug 17, 2010
Diana
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A Jewish man is determined to read through the Bible from Genesis to the end while seeing how his Jewish culture evolved and is connected with the past traditions.
Absolutely fantastic. So much of the provocative stuff is glossed over in the Old Testament, and so it's great to see someone with such a sense of humor point out the interesting bits while leaving out the snoozers (like the endless census information). I also found his viewpoint very unique--the author isn't overly religio More...
Absolutely fantastic. So much of the provocative stuff is glossed over in the Old Testament, and so it's great to see someone with such a sense of humor point out the interesting bits while leaving out the snoozers (like the endless census information). I also found his viewpoint very unique--the author isn't overly religio More...
Apr 07, 2009
Sherie
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When I read Newsweek's review of David Plotz' upcoming book, I knew I had to read it. I was dubious, as it made claims such as "hilarious, bizzare", all good enough adjectives to inspire me to read a book, but were they true? Turns outs, yes, the Newsweek reviewer knows his stuff (guess that why he works for Newsweek and not, say, Reader's Digest). Plotz goes through the Old Testament (Jewish version) and basically gives us the highlights as he sees them. He interprets away, asking
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Jan 20, 2010
Carmen
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This was an interesting read. He is funny, insightful and sometimes outrageous. I have read the entire bible twice, once when I was a teen for Confirmation and once as an adult when I was taking Art History classes. I was reminded of parts of the bible that I don't like and parts that I choose to skip. I was also reminded of why I don't believe every word to be true. I found his comments to be well rounded as he asked and researched other religions' ideas and philosophies. His book was not
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Aug 21, 2009
Kate
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This book was great. The author is Jewish, so for him, "every single word of the Bible" really means the Old Testament. He's a fantastic writer and he brings up so many great points and tons of questions that really test your faith. On top of that, he's really funny, and I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading. I think this would be a great book to read in a group, because it seems like it would lead to great discussions.
Who would have thought the O More...
Who would have thought the O More...
Jan 10, 2010
William
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It actually took me more than 100 pages to begin liking this book. Plotz, who is reading the "Old Testament" books of the Bible and making running commentary, is often bit self-conscious and often tries too hard to be funny. The Bible offers so much material (comedy, drama, horror, etc.), however, that the author eventually relaxes -- and his natural reaction to the shocking and charming things he reads can be interesting. An enjoyable way for us to re-read the Bible and have fun with
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Jul 17, 2009
Chris
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I'm not sure what the attraction is reading about someone else reading the Bible -- aside from the obvious, which is that Slate editor David Plotz is an entertaining writer and I enjoy what he has to say. But it does feel a bit like I'm reading (very witty) Cliff's Notes when I should be reading the original.
What makes this worthwhile is Plotz's reactions as a 21st-century unobservant Jew trying to make sense of an often barbaric ancient document. In the end, I think he gives the " More...
What makes this worthwhile is Plotz's reactions as a 21st-century unobservant Jew trying to make sense of an often barbaric ancient document. In the end, I think he gives the " More...
Jan 31, 2010
Janet
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If you know anything about the Torah or the Old Testament Bible, and you are not above poking fun at an ancient belief system, then this is the book for you. The author may not be an "authority" on the religious book on which his book is based, but he had me laughing out loud as I read it! Questions that have crossed the minds of many about how the actual lifestyles of our biblical "heroes" correspond to the lessons their stories are supposed to teach, have been put into an e
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Apr 20, 2011
Louise
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Entertaining and enlightening! Every once in a while I get the urge to read the Bible-- I mean REALLY read it-- but I can never get past all the "begats" and other boring bits. But Plotz managed it! I especially liked that this reading was done from an agnostic's POV, rather than an expert theologian's or literal-minded zealot's. My only complaint is that the "Bible" here refers to the Old Testament only; though agnostic, Plotz is culturally Jewish and he entirely leaves ou
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May 23, 2009
Michelle
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Interesting enough read - light, with a few surprised-author contemplations and "summary" about the OT and NT. I started out at the beginning with the the intention of reading it all the way through by by page 80 or so just wound up skimming certain excerpts. (If I owned this book I'd have taken my time in reading it more slowly, or over a longer period of time, but it was a library book and I couldn't maintain deep interest with a due date.) Tidbits of theology, certainly not necessar
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May 27, 2009
Nette
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Who knew the Old Testament could be so funny? Although this book, like the Bible itself, gets bogged down when it hits the boring minor prophets, most of it is very entertaining, and it would be a great companion guide for someone in Bible study. (If they didn't mind a little profane mixed in with their sacred, like the entire "Ezekial 25:17" quote from "Pulp Fiction.") I'm hoping the author will follow up with "Beowolf" or "The Canterbury Tales" or an
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Jan 06, 2012
Kerith
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As someone who has read the Bible numerous times, I read this with a grin on my face and enjoyed it very much. Plotz admits at the beginning that while he has gone to synagogue all his life and even went to an Episcopal high school, he has never read the Bible and intends to read it for the first time while blogging about the experience. I read most of this on slate.com when it was just a blog and the book is even more fun.
He takes the Bible straight and writes about what he finds in it, his More...
He takes the Bible straight and writes about what he finds in it, his More...
