The Heritage of Solomon: an Historical Introduction to the Sociology of Ancient Palestine

Abstract

THIS contribution to the “Descriptive Sociology“planned by Herbert Spencer, and continued by his Trustees, is the third volume of the new octavo series, and a welcome contrast to the earlier folios. But it seems to have been constructed round the Sociological Index (p. 395) of passages in the earlier books of the Old Testament, and consequently tends to lapse into minute enumerations of archaeological or administrative detail, reminiscent of Numbers and Deuteronomy rather than of Exodus. Much of the topographical and strategical material of the author's recent Joshua, Judges has, however, been incorporated, and a summary of modern critical hypotheses and interpretations of Hebrew traditional history. Perversely, however, Prof. Garstang “carefully abstained from using“other people's “books as works of reference“and consequently has made some mistakes from which better acquaintance with the literature might have saved him.

The Heritage of Solomon: an Historical Introduction to the Sociology of Ancient Palestine.

By John Garstang. (Herbert Spencer's Descriptive Sociology, continued by his Trustees, Vol. 3.) (Published for Herbert Spencer's Trustees.) Pp. xv + 439 + 4 plates. (London: Williams and Norgate, Ltd., 1934.) 20s. net.