This is one of those books that I think everyone should read, openly and prayerfully. I am thankful to have stumbled across it in an Old Testament wisdom literature class, as it greatly deepened my understanding of these three books.

Kreeft has a talent for breaking even complex things down into an easy-to-understand format. Beyond just giving a broad overview of Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs, he delves into how they explore the age-old philosophical questions of human existence: Why was I created? Why is there suffering? What is my purpose? Along the way, he weaves in many references to classic literature and philosophy--from Hemingway to Freud, Dostoevsky to Sartre. These examples are well-chosen, as they illuminate the practical application and universal relevance of these biblical books. Kreeft explores the inspired texts from many angles, viewing them as embodiments of the three theological virtues or comparing them to hell, purgatory, and heaven. He talks about the dangers of endlessly philosophizing but never living and the importance of talking to God--even in frustrations--and not just about Him. Above all, he reminds us that it is the Answerer, not necessarily the answer, that we seek to all our deepest longings and questions. The culminating sections on love were beautiful and mind-blowing!

The fact that this book continually led me to examine myself and ask "Where am I on this continuum?" "What am I living for?" "Which philosophy am I practicing?" makes it one that I probably should reread often!

(There is just one thing that bothers me, rightly or wrongly, about Kreeft's style. He sometimes comes across as very cranky and jaded toward anything modern. I realize there are a lot of problems with the world in which we live, but historically there have always been problems. And perhaps it's not exactly the sentiment Kreeft expresses about our current age but the way he says it. Still, I strongly recommend the book as a whole.)