Apocalyptic Literature: A Reader

The world of apocalyptic literature can be both vast and confusing. To journey successfully through its complexities, it is best to have an experienced tour guide to direct you to the sites most representative of that world. In this way the new traveler can avoid dead ends, skip the fruitless excursions, and instead enjoy the ride. Reddish's introductions to the otherworldly writings of Judaism" including the "War Scroll" from Qumran and books such as "1 Enoch" from the so-called Old Testament Pseudepigrapha" as well as to the apocalyptic documents of Christianity, including the noncanonical apocalypses of Peter, Paul, and James, and related works such as the "Sibylline Oracles," are simply superb. Those wanting a more informed understanding of these centuries-old writings of hope and despair will not be disappointed."Reddish's selection limits the corpus to a range that can be covered in an undergraduate course. Charlesworth's "[Old Testament Pseudepigrapha]" edition will remain indispensable for the scholar and specialized student, but Reddish's presentation is surely more accessible to the nonspecialist."" John J. Collins, University of Chicago