Talking Donkeys and Wheels on Fire: Bible Stories That Are Truly Bizarre
J. Stephen Lang
Warner, Sep 2003, $12.95, 231 pp.
ISBN: 0446690678

This reviewer had no plans to read this inanely titled book, but fleetingly glanced at it over coffee. About an hour or so later, I finished a most entertaining biblical reference guide that is aimed at the younger set, but adults will enjoy it as testified by my spouse and adult son who subsequently read J. Stephen Lang's terrific work. The eighty-six stories come from the Old and New testaments and provide an intriguing looks at people and events that hook the audience. How can one not be curious about the raven who fed Elijah, Cain's wife, the link between food and religion, and Jacob falling for a similar switcheroo to that he and his mother pulled on his father. The collection is easy to read, and quite entertaining while educating. Perhaps the only objection by this reviewer is portrayal of Isaac as possibly not being impacted by his near death experience as a sacrifice. Of the three founding Fathers, he is the sole introvert needing his wealthy dad to find him a woman and then it was his cousin. TALKING DONKEYS AND WHEELS ON FIRE: BIBLE STORIES THAT ARE TRULY BIZARRE is fun for the whole family.

Harriet Klausner