Books about Reassessing from Amazon.com

What if the Dead Sea Scrolls were not a product of an Essene Community at Qumran?

In this bold reassessment of the archaeological evidence of Qumran and other nearby first-century sites on the western shore of the Dead Sea, Professor Hirschfeld argues persuasively that Qumran is not the site of an Essene community hitherto thought to be responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Reassessing and marshalling the evidence (some of which was overlooked in earlier explanations of the site) with the skill of a detective reconstructing the scene of a crime, Hirschfeld reveals that Qumran was not the communal site of an impoverished and ascetic religious group, but the prosperous estate of an influential member of society. Bringing a new understanding to the textual evidence of the archaeology of the site during the Roman period as well as evidence from neighboring archaeological sites, Hirschfeld dramatically illustrates his arguments with more than 135 maps, archaeological drawings and reconstructions, as well as vivid photographs of the archaeological and geographic sites. A masterpiece of argument with lasting impact on our understanding of the origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls, this work will be discussed in academic circles for years to come and will be appreciated by all who are intrigued by the mysteries surrounding the ancient texts associated with Qumran. The implications of this new perspective for the scholarly understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls are earth-shifting.

"Qumran is a complex and puzzling archaeological site that is generally associated with the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Yizhar Hirschfeld, one of Israel's finest archaeologists, questions many assumptions that would make such an association necessary. By placing Qumran in a regional context Hirschfeld opens up other types of interpretative possibilities, and focuses in particular on the local economy and industries around the Dead Sea. This challenging study impresses by its clarity and methodological soundness. Hirschfeld proves himself adept at providing innovative answers to old questions. He uses his wide knowledge to show interesting parallels, provoking his readers to think about the site as the centre of an estate, as a complex of residential wings and industrial installations that he calls a `manor house', comparable to others in the region. This finely-illustrated and well-argued text will undoubtedly cause much debate and is a welcome addition to Qumran research." —Joan E. Taylor, History Department, University College London.

"Hirschfeld's description of the archeology of Qumran is so different from the influential accounts of de Vaux and Magness that it is sure to be controversial. Even those who are not persuaded by his assertions will appreciate his knowledge of the Judean context and the fine collection of photographs included in this book." —John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament, Yale University.
Price: $23.06 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Since the 1990s, Asia-Pacific countries have changed their approaches to security cooperation and regional order. The end of the Cold War, the resurgence of China, the Asian economic crisis, and the events of September 11, 2001, have all contributed to important changes in the Asia-Pacific security architecture. In addition to the traditional bilateral security arrangements based on the US "hub and spokes" alliance system, there has been an increase in multilateral efforts, including the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Shangri-la dialogue of defense ministers, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. But because of their varying membership, scope, and mandates, these new arrangements have suffered from a lack of coordination.

This volume reassesses security cooperation in the region in light of such recent developments as the emergence of new roles for existing institutions, the rise of new institutions, challenges to existing norms of regional interaction, increasing formalization or legalization of regional institutions, the reconstruction of modes of security cooperation that were once seen as mutually exclusive, and the creation of ad hoc and informal security approaches. The book examines how successful these new arrangements have been, whether there is competition among them, and why some modes of security cooperation have proven more feasible than others..
Price: $15.90 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Biblical archaeology has long been a discipline in crisis. "Biblical minimalists," who believe that the Bible contains little of actual historical fact, today are challenging those who accept the historicity of Scripture. In this volume Jewish and evangelical Christian archaeologists, historians, and biblical scholars confront the minimalist critique and offer positive alternatives. Bringing a needed scientific approach to biblical archaeology, the contributors construct a new paradigm that reads the Bible critically but sympathetically. Their work covers the full range of subjects relevant to understanding the context of the Bible, including proper approaches to scriptural interpretation, recent archaeological evidence, and new studies of Near Eastern texts and inscriptions. Contributors: Richard E. Averbeck Thomas W. Davis Daniel E. Fleming William W. Hallo Richard S. Hess James K. Hoffmeier Harry A. Hoffner Jr. David Merling Alan Millard Cynthia L. Miller John M. Monson Steven M. Ortiz Benjamin Edidin Scolnic Andrew G. Vaughn David B. Weisberg Edwin Yamauchi K. Lawson Younger Jr. Randall W. Younker Ziony Zevit.
Price: $4.97 [Notify me when price goes down.]

In February 1999 key players in U.S. foreign policy during the 1980s gathered in Washington to discuss the policies and initiatives undertaken by the Reagan administration to challenge Soviet power. The Fall of the Berlin Wall: Reassessing the Causes and Consequences of the End of the Cold War is a collection of essays based on presentations made at that historic event.

Richard V. Allen, President Reagan's first national security adviser, recounts the origins of the president's views regarding the Soviet Union and how it led him to reject the policy of containment.

William P. Clark, Reagan's second national security adviser, discusses the details of recently declassified documents, including National Security Decision Directives 32, 66, and 75, which established a policy designed to roll back Soviet power and weaken the Soviet bloc through economic warfare.

Fred C. Iklé, undersecretary of defense during the Reagan administration, describes the massive U.S. defense buildup and how it led Moscow to seek accommodation with the United States.

Edwin Meese, counselor to the president and later attorney general, explains the role that renewing U.S. intelligence capabilities and support for anti-Soviet forces ("the Reagan Doctrine") played in the strategy.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall offers a fresh perspective and new insights into the most dramatic international development of the second half of the twentieth century: the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

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Price: $13.09 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This book is an high-level examination of each of the major ideologies that have shaped political thinking, action and conflict Each chapter provides a critical overview of the current state of the major ideologies and a retrospective assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, developments and transformations of these ideologies over the past century..
Price: $42.94 [Notify me when price goes down.]