Creation: The Story of Beginnings

I've long been searching for a book on the first eleven chapters of Genesis that offers in-depth insight into both the biblical and modern world. This is that book. Not a technical commentary, but a thorough and lengthy discussion that converses with Jewish and secular/Christian academic scholarship both modern and medieval. Fascinating and provocative. The author offers multiple approaches to each passage weighing the pros and cons of arguments new and old while debating and defending his own position. Copious footnotes cite scholarship from across the centuries and continue the discussion. Rabbi Grossman mines the vast riches of Genesis 1-11 proving why knowledge of these chapters is indispensable to our understanding of scriptures as a whole, for both Jews and Christians (though he is writing primarily to a Jewish readership). Rabbi Grossman exceeded expectations in elucidating the text in ways that went far beyond most cursory understandings. His later discussions of the nations (ethnic vs moral) and their specific relationship to the development of technology was stunning and revealing in its potential modern applications. Of course, the main point is about the transition of God's focus on the corporate world to a single family and nation who will call on the name of God and be a light to the world by doing what is just and right (Rabbi Grossman's has followup book on Abraham). Every aspect of Genesis 1-11 was opened up in almost visionary ways with perspectives that filled me good old fashioned awe for our Creator and his creation. A biblical page-turner from start to finish. The physical book itself is of excellent quality, nicely printed and bound, easy to hold and read, with a dust jacket over printed boards.