This is a brief but remarkably comprehensive overview of modern scholarly approaches to the study of the Five Books of Moses. It is arranged in such a way as to interest and enlighten both seasoned scholars and absolute beginners, and displays throughout a light touch and a refreshing familiarity with what is important today, from feminist, postcolonial and theological insights to the afterlives of the biblical text in Jewish, Christian and Muslim tradition and in art, literature and music, Up-to-date and perceptive guidance on further reading is provided at every stage. * John F.A. Sawyer, University of Edinburgh, UK * Over the past forty years, Pentateuchal studies has become more diverse and complex than ever before. The venerable Documentary Hypothesis has been replaced by an array of contradictory theories of the history of the Pentateuch's composition. Simultaneously, the variety of approaches for its academic study has increased exponentially by drawing on methods from other disciplines and new theoretical perspectives in the humanities. Anderson provides a complete, up-to-date and dependable survey of all these trends. This book is an invaluable guide to the contemporary study of the Pentateuch. * James W. Watts, Syracuse University, USA * A marvelous survey on the trends in the contemporary study of the Pentateuch. It is an introduction in the proper sense of the term, an introduction worthy of the name. Those who read this companion gain perfect guidance for further study. I hope that many students will take advantage of this opportunity. * Review of Biblical Literature *