Robert R. Cargill is an assistant professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Iowa and the author of Qumran through (Real) Time. He has appeared in more than a dozen television documentaries, including Finding Jesus on CNN and Bible Secrets Revealed on History, and was the host of National Geographic's Writing the Dead Sea Scrolls. He lives in Iowa City.
"Cargill serves the reader as both an expert guide and teacher. As a geographical, historical and archaeological approach to the formation of the Bible, he delves into difficult topics with humor and ease and without seeming to pander to any particular audience. Well worth reading." -- Biblical Archeology"An engaging journey into the Bible and archaeology from a new perspective: instead of starting with kings, prophets, or texts, the author starts with ancient cities in which so much was born - all the while combined with a lively personal account that puts flesh and bones on the tale." -- Richard Elliott Friedman, Th.D. author of The Bible with Sources Revealed"Behind the pages of the book most revered by Jews and Christians, Cargill transports readers to these ancient locales, illuminating the municipal dynamics that shaped the Bible. Readers skeptical and pious will learn much here about the history and archaeology of the Bible. " -- Booklist"A compelling read. Cargill captures the excitement of different times and places as he narrates the history of the major events and influences that derive from each location. For the interested layperson wanting an up-to-date introduction to biblical studies, this is the book to read." -- Eric M. Meyers, Ph.D. Bernice and Morton Lerner Emeritus Professor in Judaic Studies, Duke University"With heartfelt sincerity and timely humor, Cargill possesses the historical knowledge, command of biblical languages, and archaeological expertise necessary to successfully communicate the tale of the Bible's beginnings with a passion that highlights his love for the biblical world." -- Oded Lipschits, Ph.D. Professor of Jewish History and Director of the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University"The most original and entertaining approach to telling the story of the Bible that I've seen. This is both a delight to read and reliable in its scholarship. Anyone who wants to know how recent archaeological discoveries how have revolutionized our understanding of the Bible should read this book." -- William Schniedewind, Ph.D. Kershaw Professor of Ancient Eastern Mediterranean Studies at UCLA and author of How the Bible Became a Book"Professor Robert Cargill is among the world's most capable and impressive biblical scholars and archaeologists. The Cities that Built the Bible is without peer. Scholars and enlightened laypeople will want to have this volume in their personal libraries." -- Christopher Rollston, Ph.D. George Washington University, Dept. of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations"In an appealing narrative full of interesting discussions and asides, Cargill takes the reader on a journey over the lands and through the pages of the Bible. A must read for anyone wanting to learn more about the Old and New Testaments...and the cities that built them." -- Eric H. Cline, Ph.D., Professor of Classics and Anthropology, George Washington University"Woven through with insightful scholarship, humor, and the warmth of his own personal experience, Cargill will take you under the ground, into a cistern, across a border, and into closely-guarded archives to see things you'd never otherwise see, which allows you to see the Bible itself in new ways." -- James F. McGrath, Ph.D. Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature, Butler University"A riotous gazetteer, one filled with astute observations about the literal and figurative building materials that biblical authors mined from key cities of the ancient world. Readers will happily accompany their learned tour guide as they reconsider Near Eastern influence on the Bible and perceive its text from new perspectives." -- David Vanderhooft, Ph.D. Boston College"Cargill is a lucid and expert tour-guide, taking us from city to city to explain how and why the Bible is an extraordinary product of its material and urban contexts. The people, places, and peculiarities of ancient West Asia come alive in this exhilarating tour of the biblical past." -- Francesca Stavrakopoulou, D.Phil, Professor of Hebrew Bible & Ancient Religion, University of Exeter"After three decades of books that discuss how the Bible came into being, we have something new! Rather than focusing on textual or compositional history, Cargill explains the social settings that gave rise to the sacred books. Accessible and engaging...critical reading for all students of the Bible. Highly recommended." -- Andrew G. Vaughn, Ph.D. Executive Director, American Schools of Oriental Research"In a compelling narrative that sparkles with life, Cargill takes his readers on a thrilling tour through the cities that built the Bible. The expert guide leaves his readers longing for more. A wonderful way to deepen your knowledge of the Biblical writings, their historical context and the ancient world." -- Mark Goodacre, D.Phil., New Testament Scholar and Professor at Duke University's Department of Religion"Cargill uses archaeology, literature, and personal experience to help readers contextualize the biblical Mediterranean and gain a firm hold on the topography of the Old Testament and the New Testament. By tying the literature to the geography, Cargill has provided a fascinating, dynamic map for readers to navigate with." -- Sarah E. Bond, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Iowa"Catapults the reader from place to place in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean, and along the journey, the Bible comes to life as a real and complicated mess of texts written by humans with a variety of agendas. Eminently readable. Totally down to earth. And very much fun." -- Kara Cooney, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture, UCLA Dept. of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures"Mr. Cargill has done a great service for the field of religious studies. It is a new approach--examining the Bible from the perspective of its cities. After reading it, you may want to take a trip to visit some of these ancient sites and cities yourself." -- Association for Mormon Letters
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