"[An] excellent introduction to the Old Testament historical books... While deliberately not adhering to the style of a commentary, Hamilton makes incisive exegetical and interpretive comments at important junctures. The greatest value to his approach, however, is the synthesis of the whole, which helps the reader appreciate the strategy and literary skill of the composition as literature. Commentaries usually fail to accomplish this worthy objective... The book is an important addition to the literature on the Old Testament historical books. Hamilton has clearly done his homework and has packaged his findings in good prose and a coherent, readable style."Eugene H. Merrill, Bibliotheca Sacra