Ancient Israel by Roland de Vaux, now considered by many to be a modern classic, offers a fascinating, full-scale reconstruction of the social and religious life of Israel in Old Testament times.

Drawing principally from the text of the Old Testament itself, as well as from archaeological evidence and information gathered from the historical study of Israel's neighbors, de Vaux first provides an extensive introduction to the nomadic nature of life in ancient Israel and then traces in detail the development of Israel's most important institutionsfamily, civil, military, and religious - and their influence on the nation's life and history.