Jesus: An Intimate Portrait Of The Man, His Land, And His People    by Leith Anderson Order:  USA  Can Bethany, 2005 (2005) Hardcover      Reviewed by Melissa Parcel Leith Anderson is a well-known Biblical scholar who has combined the four Gospels in the Bible into a chronological account of the life of Jesus Christ in Jesus: An Intimate Portrait Of The Man, His Land, And His People. The author explores motivations, background, culture, traditions and history, placing it all in context of the Biblical account. Sidebar notes clarify events, so that readers can understand the meaning behind the story. For example, when Jesus travels from one city to the next, the author explains the reason for taking certain routes, the culture of the particular city, and the possible motivation for traveling there. Bible verses are given a fresh perspective through this narration. I often shy away from biographies written by Bible scholars. Why? Because I am afraid either that they will be boring or that I won't understand the technical discussion. Anderson's book is neither dull nor too technical. I was captivated from the first page, and the book led me back to my Bible numerous times for additional clarification and confirmation. I think the mark of a good Bible-based book is that it does not replace the Bible, but leads you to it. This biography is written in layman's terms, without being over-simplified. Basic lessons are clearly presented. Whether you are a new Christian, a longtime believer, or are simply interested and seeking information, Jesus: An Intimate Portrait Of The Man, His Land, And His People is a biography that will enrich and enlighten. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews