"Aramaic and Hebrew scholar Freedman vividly explains how and why scripture has been translated . The author is open about his populist aim--to tell 'the story of the translated Bible,' without being a lengthy comprehensive history that would appeal more to scholars--and he succeeds in achieving that goal . For those interested in the complex history of Bible translation, this is a must-read." -- Publishers Weekly "Stimulating and entertaining . His style of presentation is never tedious, so that readers will be able to cover extensive ground in what is a remarkable odyssey." -- The Times Literary Supplement "A fascinating account . [Freedman] is adept at untangling the complex history of bible translation . A complex and important story told in clear, non-academic language that should appeal to anyone with an interest in history or bible studies.

" -- Historical Novel Society "An entertaining, lucid look at the history of Biblical translations . This is a serious popular history and--unlike so many of the Biblical translations it discusses--has no particular religious agenda." -- Bookfilter "Throughout this history, Freedman explores controversies and challenges to authority. Offering a well-researched popular alternative to earlier work on Bible translation . Freedman distinguishes himself by demonstrating the concerns 'about authenticity and human emotion' that produced these texts." -- Choice "A biography of the Talmud--call it a bibliobiography--is welcome. Such a book could explain how the Talmud came to be and who reads it and why. Perhaps most important, it would explain to the uninitiated how to understand the Talmud's complicated logic.

Harry Freedman's The Talmud: A Biography addresses almost all of these subjects . Mr. Freedman writes with evocative brio." -- The Wall Street Journal on THE TALMUD "Freedman brings impressive research to the biography of a 2,000-year-old text that still excites scholars, inspires controversy and reflects turbulent events in Jewish history." -- Kirkus on THE TALMUD.