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	November 2003				Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ by Henri Daniel-Rops, Phoenix Press 2002. RRP $35
		Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ reviewed by Philip Blake
			I have always been fascinated by social history, and more recently some television programs have delved into the social life of former times. This revival of interest into how people lived during particular historical periods is both necessary and encouraging. I have always been fascinated by social history, and more recently some television programs have delved into the social life of former times. This revival of interest into how people lived during particular historical periods is both necessary and encouraging. This is not a new book! It was first published in France in 1959. Translated into English in 1962, it has become more readily available in its recent paperback format. The author, Henri Jules Charles Petiot was a distinguished French Academician and historian who wrote under the nom de plume of 'Henri Daniel-Rops'. The book is written from a Roman Catholic perspective, complete with Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, and its occasional Catholic biblical exegesis and French references bear witness to its origins. Every conceivable insight It is a scholarly work of nearly 500 pages (including references and index) and makes some demands on its readers; however, it is an exciting book which contains an absolute mine of information. I am aware of no other book which details in this kind of way how people lived at the time of Christ. Social stratification, food, money, housing, geography, trading and theological expectations are all part of the extensive survey. Every conceivable insight into the people of the land is explored. While it has to be said that the book was written before many of the technological advances that we today take for granted had arrived, its value is in no way diminished. It is impossible to have a right understanding of the events and words of the New Testament without comprehending and taking into account the patterns of thought and life at the time. This 'setting in life' is fundamental to our proper use of the Bible. It is a book worthy of being read right through in the first instance and then of being placed on the bookshelf for further particular reference.