The Bible is the world's best-selling book. Its role in Western (and world) culture is unparalleled. But how did this seemingly random assortment of ancient texts become so popular? In this Compact Guide Martin Manser and Debra Reid lead a tour through the making, content, and contemporary relevance of the Bible. With chapters covering the world of the Bible as well as a book-by-book breakdown that includes the stories of the Bible's most famous characters, this is a perfect introduction for readers who are new to the Bible, or those who have read it many a time - but just want to better understand how everything fits together.