This will be an incomplete review, but how do you review something that is basically a reference work, not something you, as an ordinary Christian, would sit down and read from cover to cover?  My son Nathan recommended this book and added that it is written by probably the most noted Biblical scholar the church has ever produced, a professor emeritus at Abilene Christian, Everett Ferguson.  Because of that, one does not have to be quite so fearful about false doctrines that might ensnare him.  (Except you should always beware, at least a little, no matter who wrote it.)
            Mr. Ferguson covers the political history, society, and culture of both the Greeks and the Romans from the time of Alexander through the first century and a little beyond.  Then he covers Judaism just as completely from the time of the return from Babylonian captivity.  The table of contents is nearly as detailed as an index, and it is easy to find what you need.
            For example, in a class I was teaching recently, a student asked about the "lost gospels."  This book covers all the apocryphal books in the Judaism section, not just those few included in the New Jerusalem (Catholic) Bible, and gives you a brief synopsis of each book, along with the evidence (or lack of) about its origins and canonicity.  (And by the way, those books are not lost—scholars have known about them for years, in some cases centuries.)  When you finish you have no doubt that these do not belong in anyone's Bible.
            Another week someone asked about Gnosticism.  I found an informative section on that sect.  For one thing I learned that Gnosticism was not simply a Christian heresy.  It was a pagan philosophy with many versions taught by many people for many years, including Plato.  Gradually it made its way into the early church toward the end of the first century.  It is impossible to list unequivocally, as we tend to do in our Bible classes, what "Gnostics" believe because there are so many types.  However, he does manage to give eight "Characteristic Features," and in those you can see the things John, especially, was fighting in his gospel and epistles.
            Of course this book is not necessary to understand how to please God and make your way to Heaven.  Only one book can do that and it needs no help.  However, the discussions here clearly point out the cultural "baggage" that first century Christians had to overcome, and studying it is a good reminder that we must do the same.  When I hear about Christians who believe the USA is "the kingdom of God," or who are so "rights oriented" that they have no idea what yielding to a brother even means, I know we need that reminder.  And learning what those ancient brethren were surrounded with on a daily basis can make us try harder to make a suitable application to ourselves.
            I have no doubt that this book will come in handy for years to come.  My husband will also use it, I am sure.  It might make a good gift for yours. 
          This is the third edition of Backgrounds of Early Christianity, expanded and updated.  It is published by Eerdmans.
 
Dene Ward

I discovered this book several years ago and there is probably not another I pick up so often.  Alfred Edersheim was born in Vienna in 1825 to Jewish parents.  He was well-educated in both secular subjects and the Talmudic traditions of his parents.  As a young man he was converted and became a Presbyterian minister, then a missionary to Romanian Jews, and finally a vicar for the Church of England in Loders, Dorset.   Since he was a scholar in both Jewish and Christian tradition, including all the Biblical languages and life in first century Judea, he was in a unique position to shed light on the scriptures.
 
As usual with a book written by a man, I rely on him mainly for background: history, geography, and social and religious customs.  He does have some peculiar beliefs, such as the absolute conviction that Jesus was born on December 25, but the information he gives on the Jewish lifestyle totally outweighs such problems.  Keep your eyes open and you will be fine using it.  Just being able to put these people in the context of their beliefs and customs has changed completely how I view some of the events of the gospels.  I feel like I really comprehend what was happening—the tension and even danger in the air at times. 
 
One caveat:  this book was written in the 19th century so the language can be daunting.  Sometimes you will read several long, almost tedious, paragraphs to get to a nugget of gold, but it is worth it.  In the back of the book is a scripture index.  Rather than having to wade through interminable text, simply look up the passage you are interested in and you will find the page(s) you need to read. 

This book is considered such a classic that even more than 100 years later, you will find reprints.  (Of course, this also means that some of the material is dated.  You might want to read it alongside a more recent volume, e.g., Tenney’s New Testament Times or even more recent, Ferguson's Backgrounds of Early Christianity, to make sure that later archaeological discoveries have not changed scholars’ understanding of a certain custom.)  The latest reprint, a big blue one-volume affair, unfortunately has several typos in it.  However, I have never had any problem figuring out what it was supposed to say, and occasionally, after a long period of hard study, you will find some comic relief.  Take for example, the mention of Martha in Luke 10, preparing for the visit of the “Great Rabbit.”  Someone relied a little too much on their Spell Check!

I also have three other of Edersheim’s works which I use not as often, but enough to justify their expense:  The Temple: Its Ministry and Service; Sketches of Jewish Social Life; and Old Testament History.  All of these books can be found on Amazon.com for as little as $7 each, depending upon how much you care to spend and the condition of the book.  Christian Book Distributors (if you are a member) has the four-pack for a reduced price.  It is worth the membership dues.  In fact, I pay the membership price and then order for friends, which is perfectly acceptable.

Two other Edersheim books I do not have, but have just recently heard of are Prophecy and History in Relation to the Messiah, and History of the Jewish Nation After the Destruction of the Temple Under Titus.  Since I have never used them I cannot give a recommendation, but based upon my experiences with the others, they might be worth checking out.
 
Dene Ward