This author was not particularly 'religious,' at least at the beginning of his quest to search out the places mentioned in the Old Testament. That fact should make his book less intimidating to those who seem to fear all things biblical. He writes in a non-biased, and definitely non-preachy way. This work is non-fiction, for those who need to know, and in its pages you meet fascinating people who wander into the path of the author's quest, and help him, sometimes without meaning to.I bought this because I am a student of the Bible and do believe what it says, but also because this work describes not only the places mentioned in the Pentateuch (the 5 books of Moses), but also introduces the people who live in these places now. Their opinions and beliefs concerning their homeland reflect a greater sense of the importance of this region than we can ever begin to understand here so many thousands of miles away in our brash, much younger culture. I also get a sense of why middle eastern peoples find our culture so puzzling and even ridiculous, in many respects. I had hoped to come away with a better understanding of our differences, and I believe I have. On some points I'd have to agree to disagree, but in many cases I understand better why we will probably always have points upon which we passionately disagree, to the point of bloodshed.I highly recommend this book. It will show you a land and culture you may never get to see firsthand on your own. This is very cheap armchair travel, well worth your time, very thoughtful and engaging. And the people you will learn about will stick in your mind a while.