I’ve had my eye on this for a little while; I know it’s been making the blog rounds where it’s been getting overwhelmingly positive reviews. So, when Hubby’s colleague loaned it to us a month ago, I jumped at the chance to skip the hold line at the library and actually read the book.
A. J. Jacobs is a man with a mission, crazy though it might be (especially for an agnostic, secular Jew): to live the teachings of the Bible — all of them — as literally as possible for an entire year. He grows a huge beard, he wears white, he dances with joy, he sacrifices an animal (well, pays to have one sacrificed), he prays… the list goes on.
It’s an ambitious project, as Jacobs soon finds out; he’s attempting to do in one year what most people don’t accomplish in a lifetime. But he’s game, almost naively so, to give it a try. And the result is a funny, fascinating, enlightening book.
Jacobs spends eight months of the year exploring the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, partially because he’s Jewish (at least by heritage) and partially because so much of the Bible (comparatively speaking) is made up of the Old Testament. It’s an interesting journey, full of bumps and starts and failures and revelations. I thoroughly enjoyed his journey with prayer; being reminded, in the process, of things that I could be doing better. I enjoyed his experiences with the weirder aspects of the Bible (like not wearing mixed fibers), and his
ultimate realization that sometimes you do things just because God asked you. I liked the New Testament part less, mostly because — and Jacobs admits that this is a problem — without believing in Jesus as the Savior, the New Testament isn’t as easy to follow. Still, he makes a go at it, exploring many facets of Christianity (including snake handlers… go figure) with an open mind.
It helps that Jacobs is a witty, engaging writer, as well as an honest and forthright one (well that is one of the commandments, after all). It’s an excellent read.
The Book Nut 
Oh, I’m so glad to have read your post. I had heard about this book before, and in the midst of everyday life, forgot all about it! I’m heading over to Shelfari right now and putting it on my to-be-read-shelf. Thanks for the review!
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Nice review, thanks. I read Jacobs’ The Know-It-All and greatly enjoyed it, but I felt this new project of his might be a bit too contrived. Might give it a try, now.
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I’ve heard of this one, but until now I didn’t know too much about it. It sounds very very interesting. Gonna have to see if I can ILL it from the college library. Thanks for the review!
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Hmmm . . .it sounds like one I would snub my nose at, but you make it sound pretty good. I’ll keep it in mind.
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I definitely look forward to reading this one someday. It sounds like an engaging and entertaining take on what could have turned out to be a very dry or preachy book.
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This had caught my eye. Thanks for the review so I can better make up my mind. I really liked Bruce Feiler’s Walking the Bible, but this is a completely different idea.
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My husband was telling me about this book. I’d be interested to read it and find out what his thoughts and feelings were after this experience.
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I’ve heard the buzz about the book, but your review sells it. I’ll put myself on the hold list.
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That’s heady praise, Pam (and the rest of you that I convinced…). Hope you like it. 🙂
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I have heard of this book quite frequently lately. I may just have to add to my every growing TBR. Thanks!
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