This is a comprehensive, fully illustrated survey of the world from which the Bible emerged -- its geopolitics, symbolic universes, and fascinating social and political organization. Stretching from prehistoric times to the rise of Islam, and from Mesopotamia to Rome, the book focuses primarily on biblical Israel and early Judaism and Christianity. Written by leading scholars, it discusses not only the political and military history and key events and personalities of successive eras but also their art, architecture, languages, political and legal systems, literature, and religion, incorporating the latest archaeological discoveries and state-of-the-art methodologies from historiography, biblical studies, sociology, and anthropology. Hundreds of colour and black-and-white photographs, line drawings, and maps of artefacts, reconstructions, and geographical locations help bring alive the cultures of the Near East and Greco-Roman world.

This collection documents the efforts of the Prison Communication, Activism, Research, and Education collective (PCARE) to put democracy into practice by merging prison education and activism. Through life-changing programs in a dozen states (Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin), PCARE works with prisoners, in prisons, and in communities to reclaim justice from the prison-industrial complex. Based on years of pragmatic activism and engaged teaching, the materials in this volume present a sweeping inventory of how communities and individuals both within and outside of prisons are marshaling the arts, education, and activism to reduce crime and enhance citizenship. Documenting hands-on case studies that emphasize educational initiatives, successful prison-based programs, and activist-oriented analysis, Working for Justice provides readers with real-world answers based on years of pragmatic activism and engaged teaching. Contributors are David Coogan, Craig Lee Engstrom, Jeralyn Faris, Stephen John Hartnett, Edward A. Hinck, Shelly Schaefer Hinck, Bryan J. McCann, Nikki H. Nichols, Eleanor Novek, Brittany L. Peterson, Jonathan Shailor, Rachel A. Smith, Derrick L. Williams, Lesley A. Withers, Jennifer K. Wood, and Bill Yousman.