"'A product of decades of thought, this is an old man's book - wise while verging on the sentimental, pared down yet also self-indulgent, sometimes belligerent or desperate - whose overarching message should resonate nevertheless with readers of all generations.' (Jackie Wullschlager, Financial Times) 'The book is invigorated by a passion. Bloom is evangelical on the genius of the King James Bible. He is excellent on the contribution of William Tyndale, "the authentic genius of English Bible Translation". He can be brilliantly perceptive on the "erotic magnetism" of Esther or flawed heroism of David. His brisk run through the prophets is fun and often convincing. "Jonah is a sulking, unwilling prophet, cowardly and petulant", he writes. "Elijah and Elisha are savage, Jeremiah is a bipolar depressive, Ezekiel a madman.'" (Hugh MacDonald, Sunday Herald (Scotland)"