The spiritual sequel to the Torah. Follows the rise and fall of the Jewish kingdom of Israel. I wouldn't be surprised if this contained the most violent Bible stories. Just like the Torah, this is not an easy text to read. Perseverence is rewarded however. The high points for me were, funnily enough, the two less-connected books of Esther and Ruth. They offered some needed heroics and compassion into what was otherwise a blood thirsty chronicle of murder, betrayal and peversity.