In presenting portraits of this theologically significant era from biblical narratives in the books of Joshua and Judges regarding the formation of ancient Israel, the meager subsequent literary sources, and archeological reconstructions, Fritz (1938-2007), a biblical scholar (U. of Giessen) and archeologist, poses questions and hypotheses about the historiography of narratives in the Deuteronomistic History. The volume includes timelines, a map of Iron Age Palestine, and drawings from archeological digs. This is a translation of Die Entstehung Israels im 12. and 11. Jahrhundert v. Chr., published in 1996 by Kohlhammer GmbH Stuttgart. Brill publishes the hardbound edition. Annotation 2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
