The period covered by this history is one which often comes off badly in the standard histories of Israel. I may be omitted almost completely because the authors is concerned to take the story down only to the Old Testament period. Or only part of it may be covered, say down to the Maccabeean revolt. Or the treatment may be short and derivative, without saying much that is original. However, the period is an important one, for indicating not only the circumstances in which Judaism developed but also the background of the rise of Christianity. Although the sources are often scarce, much new work has been done here over the last twenty years, and a new treatment has long been overdue.