-
The Year of Living Biblically
- One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $13.46
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Drop Dead Healthy
- One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs tackles his most challenging experiment yet: a yearlong mission to radically improve every element of his body and mind - from his brain to his fingertips to his abs. First, he had to tackle a complicated web of diet and exercise advice, most which is nonsensical, unproven, and contradictory. Second, he had to consult a team of medical advisers. And finally, he had to subject himself, over the course of two years, to a grueling regimen of exercises and a range of diets and nutritional plans.
-
-
A comic tries a little of everything
- By Niall on 04-14-12
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Thanks a Thousand
- A Gratitude Journey
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author A.J. Jacobs discovers that his coffee - and every other item in our lives - would not be possible without hundreds of people we usually take for granted: farmers, chemists, artists, presidents, truckers, mechanics, biologists, miners, smugglers, and goatherds. By thanking these people face-to-face, Jacobs finds some much-needed brightness in his life. Gratitude does not come naturally to Jacobs, but he sets off on the journey on a dare from his son. And by the end, it’s clear to him that scientific research on gratitude is true. Gratitude’s benefits are legion.
-
-
Become more grateful
- By Robert I. Maccuspie on 11-26-18
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Lamb
- The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
- By: Christopher Moore
- Narrated by: Fisher Stevens
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Verily, the story Biff has to tell is a miraculous one, filled with remarkable journeys, magic, healings, kung fu, corpse reanimations, demons, and hot babes. Even the considerable wiles and devotion of the Savior's pal may not be enough to divert Joshua from his tragic destiny. But there's no one who loves Josh more (except maybe "Maggie," Mary of Magdalan) and Biff isn't about to let his extraordinary pal suffer and ascend without a fight.
-
-
Blasphemus or righteous?
- By Timothy on 08-19-08
-
It's All Relative
- Adventures Up and Down the World's Family Tree
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs has received some strange emails over the years, but this note was perhaps the strangest: "You don't know me, but I'm your eighth cousin. And we have over 80,000 relatives of yours in our database." That's enough family members to fill Madison Square Garden four times over. Who are these people, A. J. wondered, and how do I find them? So began Jacobs' three-year adventure to help build the biggest family tree in history.
-
-
ok book
- By katie on 12-18-17
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
The Puzzler
- One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life
- By: A.J. Jacobs, Greg Pliska
- Narrated by: A.J. Jacobs
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The New York Times best-selling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles: why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world.
-
-
Maybe better as hard copy?
- By Donna Meagle on 10-09-23
By: A.J. Jacobs, and others
-
Know It All, Volume 1
- By: iMinds
- Narrated by: uncredited
- Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
iMindsJNR’s Know-It-All collection presents 36 iMindsJNR knowledge grabs, to kick-start the journey of learning for young minds. Each five-minute Junior MindTrack is a self contained title of entertaining information, with an engaging soundtrack. Featuring six titles from each of the six main categories of knowledge for those aged 7-14 years, including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Maths, The Arts and History.
By: iMinds
-
Drop Dead Healthy
- One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs tackles his most challenging experiment yet: a yearlong mission to radically improve every element of his body and mind - from his brain to his fingertips to his abs. First, he had to tackle a complicated web of diet and exercise advice, most which is nonsensical, unproven, and contradictory. Second, he had to consult a team of medical advisers. And finally, he had to subject himself, over the course of two years, to a grueling regimen of exercises and a range of diets and nutritional plans.
-
-
A comic tries a little of everything
- By Niall on 04-14-12
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Thanks a Thousand
- A Gratitude Journey
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author A.J. Jacobs discovers that his coffee - and every other item in our lives - would not be possible without hundreds of people we usually take for granted: farmers, chemists, artists, presidents, truckers, mechanics, biologists, miners, smugglers, and goatherds. By thanking these people face-to-face, Jacobs finds some much-needed brightness in his life. Gratitude does not come naturally to Jacobs, but he sets off on the journey on a dare from his son. And by the end, it’s clear to him that scientific research on gratitude is true. Gratitude’s benefits are legion.
-
-
Become more grateful
- By Robert I. Maccuspie on 11-26-18
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Lamb
- The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
- By: Christopher Moore
- Narrated by: Fisher Stevens
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Verily, the story Biff has to tell is a miraculous one, filled with remarkable journeys, magic, healings, kung fu, corpse reanimations, demons, and hot babes. Even the considerable wiles and devotion of the Savior's pal may not be enough to divert Joshua from his tragic destiny. But there's no one who loves Josh more (except maybe "Maggie," Mary of Magdalan) and Biff isn't about to let his extraordinary pal suffer and ascend without a fight.
-
-
Blasphemus or righteous?
- By Timothy on 08-19-08
-
It's All Relative
- Adventures Up and Down the World's Family Tree
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs has received some strange emails over the years, but this note was perhaps the strangest: "You don't know me, but I'm your eighth cousin. And we have over 80,000 relatives of yours in our database." That's enough family members to fill Madison Square Garden four times over. Who are these people, A. J. wondered, and how do I find them? So began Jacobs' three-year adventure to help build the biggest family tree in history.
-
-
ok book
- By katie on 12-18-17
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
The Puzzler
- One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life
- By: A.J. Jacobs, Greg Pliska
- Narrated by: A.J. Jacobs
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The New York Times best-selling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles: why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world.
-
-
Maybe better as hard copy?
- By Donna Meagle on 10-09-23
By: A.J. Jacobs, and others
-
Know It All, Volume 1
- By: iMinds
- Narrated by: uncredited
- Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
iMindsJNR’s Know-It-All collection presents 36 iMindsJNR knowledge grabs, to kick-start the journey of learning for young minds. Each five-minute Junior MindTrack is a self contained title of entertaining information, with an engaging soundtrack. Featuring six titles from each of the six main categories of knowledge for those aged 7-14 years, including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Maths, The Arts and History.
By: iMinds
-
My Jewish Year
- 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew
- By: Abigail Pogrebin, A.J. Jacobs - foreword
- Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Although she grew up following some holiday rituals, Abigail Pogrebin realized how little she knew about their foundational purpose and contemporary relevance; she wanted to understand what had kept these holidays alive and vibrant, some for thousands of years. Her curiosity led her to embark on an entire year of research, observation, and writing about the milestones on the religious calendar. Whether in search of a roadmap for Jewish life or a challenging probe into the architecture of Jewish tradition, listeners will be captivated, educated, and inspired by My Jewish Year.
-
-
Excellent read!
- By PrettyBookworm on 10-22-22
By: Abigail Pogrebin, and others
-
The Guinea Pig Diaries
- My Life as an Experiment
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Best-selling author and human guinea pig A. J. Jacobs puts his life to the test and reports on the surprising and entertaining results. He goes undercover as a woman, lives by George Washington’s moral code, and impersonates a movie star. He practices "radical honesty", brushes his teeth with the world’s most rational toothpaste, and outsources every part of his life to India—including reading bedtime stories to his kids.
-
-
Entertaining but hard to listen to.
- By Rikki on 09-12-12
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Lessons in Chemistry
- A Novel
- By: Bonnie Garmus
- Narrated by: Miranda Raison, Bonnie Garmus, Pandora Sykes
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
-
-
Making my 3 adult daughters read this
- By Teresa H. on 04-07-22
By: Bonnie Garmus
-
God's Monsters
- Vengeful Spirits, Deadly Angels, Hybrid Creatures, and Divine Hitmen of the Bible
- By: Esther Hamori
- Narrated by: Lisa Larsen
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Traditional interpretations of the creatures of the Bible have sanded down their sharp, unsavory edges, transforming them into celestial beings of glory and light—or chubby, happy cherubs. Those cherubs? They're actually hybrid guardian monsters, more closely associated with the Egyptian sphinx than with flying babies. And the seraphim? Winged serpents sent to mete out God's vengeance. Demons aren't at war with angels; they're a distinct supernatural species used by Satan and by God. The pattern is chilling. Most of these monsters aren't God's opponents—they're God's entourage.
-
-
Will leave you wondering if Christian Media was Dooped
- By Chris Lane on 11-21-23
By: Esther Hamori
-
A Year of Biblical Womanhood
- How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master'
- By: Rachel Held Evans
- Narrated by: Amanda Opelt, Daniel Evans
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Year of Biblical Womanhood is an exercise in scriptural exploration and spiritual contemplation. What does God truly expect of women, and is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Come along with Evans as she looks for answers in the rich heritage of biblical heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor.
-
-
What is the thesis?
- By Tayo Oyinda on 09-20-20
-
American Idolatry
- How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church
- By: Andrew L. Whitehead
- Narrated by: Andrew L. Whitehead
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Power. Fear. Violence. These three idols of Christian nationalism are corrupting American Christianity. Andrew Whitehead is a leading scholar on Christian nationalism in America and speaks widely on its effects within Christian communities. In this book, he shares his journey and reveals how Christian nationalism threatens the spiritual lives of American Christians and the church.
-
-
Inspiring & clarifying
- By Christine on 11-08-23
-
The Complete Audio Holy Bible - KJV
- The New Testament as Read by James Earl Jones; The Old Testament as Read by Jon Sherberg
- By: Topics Media Group
- Narrated by: Jon Sherberg, James Earl Jones
- Length: 75 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
James Earl Jones (New Testament reading) and Jon Sherberg (Old Testament) combine their incredible vocal talents in one of the most critically acclaimed Holy Bible recordings ever. These two lush baritone vocals are the perfect complement to one another. Mr. Jones’ skilled and resonating reading has been hailed as one of the greatest New Testament recordings of all time. Combined with Jon Sherberg’s powerful and passionate delivery of the Old Testament, this beautiful audio rendition of The Holy Bible will leave your heart full and spirt nourished.
-
-
Navigation Nightmare
- By World Harvest Worship Center on 05-05-19
-
How to Be Perfect
- The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question
- By: Michael Schur
- Narrated by: Michael Schur, Kristen Bell, D'Arcy Carden, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most people think of themselves as “good", but it’s not always easy to determine what’s “good” or “bad” - especially in a world filled with complicated choices and pitfalls and booby traps and bad advice. Fortunately, many smart philosophers have been pondering this conundrum for millennia, and they have guidance for us. With bright wit and deep insight, How to Be Perfect explains concepts like deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, ubuntu, and more, so we can sound cool at parties and become better people.
-
-
Some philosophy, lots of politics
- By NJDad on 02-02-22
By: Michael Schur
-
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
- A Song of Ice and Fire
- By: George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taking place nearly a century before the events of A Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R. R. Martin's ongoing masterwork, A Song of Ice and Fire. Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne, there were Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve, but ultimately courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals - in stature if not experience. Tagging along is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg - whose true name (hidden from all he and Dunk encounter) is Aegon Targaryen.
-
-
What separates Lloyd from Dotrice
- By Pusang Tulog on 10-14-15
-
Mere Christianity
- By: C. S. Lewis
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mere Christianity is C.S. Lewis' forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books, The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity brings together what Lewis sees as the fundamental truths of the religion.
-
-
A Classic That Gets Better & Better With Time!
- By Tim on 05-14-05
By: C. S. Lewis
-
The 13th Gift
- A True Story of a Christmas Miracle
- By: Joanne Huist Smith
- Narrated by: Joanne Huist Smith
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the unexpected death of her husband, Joanne Huist Smith had no idea how she would keep herself together and be strong for her three children - especially with the holiday season approaching. But 12 days before Christmas, presents begin appearing on her doorstep with notes from their "True Friends." As the Smiths came together to solve the mystery of who the gifts were from, they began to thaw out from their grief and come together again as a family.
-
-
materialistic
- By Amazon Customer on 12-22-16
-
This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared
- The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation
- By: Norman Fischer - foreword, Alan Lew
- Narrated by: Allan Robertson
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared, author Alan Lew has marked out a journey of seven distinct stages, one that draws on these rituals to awaken our soul and wholly transform us. Weaving together Torah readings, Buddhist parables, Jewish fables, and stories from his own life, Lew lays bare the meanings of this ancient Jewish passage. He reveals the path from terror to acceptance, confusion to clarity, doubt to belief, and from complacency to awe.
-
-
One of my reg reads every year.
- By Leah Esther Kershman on 08-03-21
By: Norman Fischer - foreword, and others
Publisher's summary
There are 700 rules in the Old and New Testaments, A. J. discovered - some wise, some general, some contradictory. Some from Jesus, some from prophets, some from God. A. J. assembled a board of spiritual advisors: rabbis, ministers, and priests, some conservative, some of them "one four-letter word away from excommunication", who would provide guidance and advice throughout his journey. But the journey was, by necessity, arbitrary. DIY religion.
In The Year of Living Biblically, A. J. explores the Bible chronologically, from the Old Testament (crucial, given the 10 Commandments) to the New Testament (crucial, given America's powerful evangelical movement and its literal interpretation of the Bible) and lives the Bible on every level. He obeys the 10 Commandments, he is fruitful and multiplies (A. J.'s wife had twins during his year!); he remembers the Sabbath and keeps it holy. But he also obeys the oft-neglected rules, such as avoiding clothes of mixed fibers and refraining from shaving the edges of his beard (Leviticus 19:27). So, throughout the year, A. J. is commonly mistaken for a member of ZZ Top. Or Moses.
This is a look at religion today through one man's totally arbitrary, deeply funny, journey. In A. J.'s hands, The Year of Living Biblically is also fascinating and irresistible.
Critic reviews
"A.J. Jacobs has written a - how else to put it? - Good Book. Let me take my review from the original, Psalm 2, verse 4: 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.'" (P. J. O'Rourke)
More from the same
What listeners say about The Year of Living Biblically
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- Jonathan
- 12-04-07
Excellent... But tongue in cheek
You should be warned that this book is a cross between a documentary and a comedy... he does some pretty outlandish stuff. I would compare it to the "Super Size Me" movie, where there is a very real and relevant theme, but it is taken to the extreme for entertainment value.
This story was funny, endearing and had no problem keeping my interest. I felt the author/narrator is extremely well-spoken (compared to the other audio books I have heard). The story had a good flow... although I felt the ending was slightly weak. I could relate to his and his wife's feelings and difficulties throughout.
If you are looking for a very serious look at religion in contemporary society, this may not quite hit what you are looking for. If you are looking for an entertaining story about a secular guy who tries to learn about and incorporate select parts of the old testament into his life (often to the chagrin of his wife) and relate to its teachings, you'll like it. And if you are somebody like me who grew up secular and has tried to become more religious, you will definitely be able to relate.
Some of the other reviewers complained about it not containing enough on Christianity. The book is focused only on the old testament (this is stated in the books online summary), and the author is jewish, so much more weight is definately given to the jewish view of old testament laws. He does have some christian advisors and devotes some, but not a majority, of time to christian perspectives and values... Just don't expect the whole book to be based on christianity or jesus' teachings.
If you are looking for a funny and interesting piece on relating to the old testament, this book is fantastic. Just be clear what the book up front.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Michael T.
- 04-18-08
Too short!
While the hook is "What happens if you try to follow all the rules in the bible", the author really is a man who want to be a better person (just like he wanted to be a smarter person in his previous book) who uses the bible as a guide. Note that the author begins relatively non-religious, and he does not really "find" religion, so this is not a devout handling of the material. The book is generally very funny, but is poignant in parts. It took a bit to get used to the author's reading (I had liked the reader on his first book), but he adds the right touches without feeling like he was acting the book.
My only regret is that it is abridged: I enjoyed it enough that now I either have to get the book to see what I missed, or wait for an unabridged reading and go through it again.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CHRIS
- 10-26-11
Its ABRIDGED! Buy the book if want the whole story
To all the reviewers complaining about the short shrift the New Testament gets, I say read the dead tree version for the full story. Overall worth one credit, but I could do with less talk about the author's OCD routines and issues.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- C. Ward
- 10-28-07
A Wasted effort
I found this book very weak, and rather than an interesting look at the bible and what it might actually teach via the bible , or an funny look at Christianity, I found a book that was more akin to a bar bet (see Brian Zembic) , the author is continually opting out of items he "is just not comfortable with" including apparently the whole of the new testament, which is covered in about 2 minutes, wherein he states he isn't comfortable dealing with the figure Jesus, so pretty much opts out of the whole of the new testament. I found the book to be full of cop outs, and just generally weak.
Thankfully it is blessedly short.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Carolyn
- 10-14-07
Thoughtful, humble and funny
I thought this book would be different when I bought it. Turns out--it was better than I expected. Although it was written with a generous dose of humor, it was, in fact, good humor. What could have been a lampoon of religion, turned out to be a sincere effort to understand the ancient text that captivates so many. The author relates a lot of honesty, humility and even tenderness in his experience. I was impressed by these things, and even inspired, at times. Tucked into this text is a lovely reminder that tolerance and acceptance of the beliefs of others is far nobler than derision. Thanks, A.J., I needed the gentle reminder! Perhaps you do too. You'll enjoy this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Derrick
- 11-04-07
weak effort
This book is a huge disappointment. I purchased the book with the expectation that I would be following the authors radical transformation to "live biblically". Instead I get a story about a guy who grows a long beard and "tries" not to lie. The author gives the indication (both through the title and the forward) that he is going to live the bible literally. In the book he practices the bible tradition of stoning by dropping a store purchased pebble on a the foot of perceived sinner. The author takes the bizzaire stories of the old testament, like the attempted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham and then attends a public chicken slaughter party as his "equivalent". So how does the author live the bible as litterally as possible? Well he tells the readers that he has sex with his wife to "be fruitfull and multiply" and he brings a fabric analyist into his home to ensure he has no blended clothing. When it comes to the new testament the author declares that he simply cannot accept that Jesus Christ is God. OK, well that's the fundamental message of the entire New Testament. So aside from following a few Jewish traditions (which millions of Orthodox Jew do every day) the author makes pathetic attempts to "follow the bible as literally as possible" and instead sums up his learnings with a generalized "it's good to have tradition but nothing is true or certain" philosophy. How unimpactful. Sorry to have read it. Should have read the other poor reviews on this site first.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- A. Baker
- 10-06-09
It was a nice idea...
I got this book because it sounded like an interesting idea. Almost anything biblical interests me. However, the author's voice hits me like Sarah Vowell's voice hits some people. (I don't mind Sarah Vowell's voice.) Jacobs' voice got on my nerves. I stopped listening to it at about the 3/4 mark. He's got a very "this was very cute and clever of me" tone to his voice, which I started to hate. I don't know how his wife puts up with him. It's probably a better read than a listen. It is an interesting experiment.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Mark
- 09-23-09
Interesting but disappointing
This book was only OK for me. I was hoping to get a perspective of what it might mean to follow the Bible as literally as possible. This book did that for me...sort of.
For many of the obscure biblical laws, there was simply no explanation for the laws other than they were commanded by God. It seems we simply are not meant to know why.
There were two disappointing aspects of this book for me:
1) With the exception of the author's trip to Jerry Falwell's church and a short discussion with one of his pastors, there really was no treatment of the New Testament. The author did grasp the question of whether living the New Testament was genuine if one did not accept Jesus as one's personal Savior. I don't think there was an adequate attempt to answer the question.
2) It was more an expose of Orthodox Jewish culture and tradition and its relationship to the Old Testament biblical law than anything else.
These points aside I do think it provide credibility to understanding and interpreting the Bible from its cultural and historical context.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Kaeli
- 01-13-08
Really following the word of God...
The man who read the entire Encyclopedia Britinica in one year takes on another amusing task (thereby making me wonder, yet again, how his wife puts up with him). A. J. Jacobs uses a year of living as close to Biblically as possible as a way to examine his own agnosticism, the faith of the masses, and his everyday life. This book is funny, the writing is sharp and the plot leads to alot of introspection on the reader's part as well. It is interesting to consider some of the rules in the Bible, and to consider why we follow some and preach on them so heavily and yet ignore others. I do think Jacobs needs a little more information about the New Testament, but it's still a good overview.
Since the author does the naration, you can be sure that everything is emphisized correctly. He is a great storyteller-both in print and out loud.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Amazon Customer John V
- 10-30-07
Educational and entertaining
The idea was a great one. The implementation was pretty good. The topics discussed were humorous and the writing was entertaining. I am not sure if this is abridged or unabridged but it seems like he left out a lot of the year. I understand he can't put EVERYTHING into the book, but I felt like I was missing something. Throughout the chapters I was entertained and wanting more and for it to build and hit a climax. It never really did, the ending was a little disappointing though interesting. I also felt he could have dealt more with the New testament. Though most of the "rules" are set in the old, he seemed to skim over the new saying he would deal with that in the last 4 months of the year, but it was a very short part of the book and I feel he could have learned even more by dealing with that part.
Overall a good "read". I am not sure the author was the best choice for the audio, but I always like when it is the author who reads so I guess that is OK.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- David Kinsella
- 07-26-15
Thoroughly Enjoyed It
As a former Fundamentalist I could relate to this on so many levels. great read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- ganiyu
- 11-03-12
Fantastic.
Fantastic book. Riveting.
Full of wonderful insight and hilarious humour.
Couldn't put it down.
Well done A J JACOBS
A British journalist is doing something similar.
Look it up in the guardian:
The Book of Rachel
As a Christian, Rachel Held Evans was intrigued to find out what sort of advice the Bible could offer a wife in a modern relationship. So she decided to take its instructions to women 'hyper-literally' for a year. Interview by Hannah Booth
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- fcarouge
- 06-18-22
Brilliant
Very good narration. I was curious as I was raised catholic but have been atheist for a while.
This book is also a take on moral phylosophy. Makes you think deeply, and also entertains you.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- TD
- 04-28-20
Loved it!
Loved the content and loved the way it was written (and read). Super interesting! It was nice to hear how he walked and maneuvered through his journey. I was definitely hooked. It was also funny in some parts! Very enjoyable read/listen!! God bless!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr Jeremy J Osborn
- 06-24-17
A good read
Often funny, informative and occasionally bittersweet this is a good insight into what it might be like to follow what you can of the bible. I like the idea of doing things that eventually leads to being. Don't swear and become less angry.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Darragh Woods
- 01-25-15
Interesting story
This is a very interesting idea for a book. It is well read. It looses one star because it just wasn't as captivating as some audio books I've listened to. I did listen through and I did learn a few things but I wouldn't listen to I a second time.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- LISA
- 02-09-14
Things you never knew
If you could sum up The Year of Living Biblically in three words, what would they be?
Thought provoking, crazy, informative
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Year of Living Biblically?
The fact that there is a rule for ultra Orthodox Jews about wearing mixed fibres!
Any additional comments?
Thought provoking and challenging, while maintaining humour
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lachlan Rocca
- 08-22-19
A must listen
Hooked till the very end. such a perfect point of view for this type of book. Lovely work, A.J
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Adam
- 03-04-18
The perfect guide and personal journey.
Read and described as if you are there in the year long journey. a good start for those interested in the bible.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
The Puzzler
- One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life
- By: A.J. Jacobs, Greg Pliska
- Narrated by: A.J. Jacobs
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The New York Times best-selling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles: why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world.
-
-
Maybe better as hard copy?
- By Donna Meagle on 10-09-23
By: A.J. Jacobs, and others
-
The Know-It-All
- One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Cantor
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Early in his career, A.J. Jacobs put his Ivy League education to work at Entertainment Weekly. He emerged five years later knowing which stars have fake boobs, which stars have toupees, which have both, and not much else. This realization led Jacobs on a life-changing quest: to read the entire contents of the Encyclopedia Britannica, all 33,000 pages, all 44 million words.
-
-
Fun, and even informative
- By James on 10-22-04
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Drop Dead Healthy
- One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs tackles his most challenging experiment yet: a yearlong mission to radically improve every element of his body and mind - from his brain to his fingertips to his abs. First, he had to tackle a complicated web of diet and exercise advice, most which is nonsensical, unproven, and contradictory. Second, he had to consult a team of medical advisers. And finally, he had to subject himself, over the course of two years, to a grueling regimen of exercises and a range of diets and nutritional plans.
-
-
A comic tries a little of everything
- By Niall on 04-14-12
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
It's All Relative
- Adventures Up and Down the World's Family Tree
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs has received some strange emails over the years, but this note was perhaps the strangest: "You don't know me, but I'm your eighth cousin. And we have over 80,000 relatives of yours in our database." That's enough family members to fill Madison Square Garden four times over. Who are these people, A. J. wondered, and how do I find them? So began Jacobs' three-year adventure to help build the biggest family tree in history.
-
-
ok book
- By katie on 12-18-17
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Thanks a Thousand
- A Gratitude Journey
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author A.J. Jacobs discovers that his coffee - and every other item in our lives - would not be possible without hundreds of people we usually take for granted: farmers, chemists, artists, presidents, truckers, mechanics, biologists, miners, smugglers, and goatherds. By thanking these people face-to-face, Jacobs finds some much-needed brightness in his life. Gratitude does not come naturally to Jacobs, but he sets off on the journey on a dare from his son. And by the end, it’s clear to him that scientific research on gratitude is true. Gratitude’s benefits are legion.
-
-
Become more grateful
- By Robert I. Maccuspie on 11-26-18
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
My Jewish Year
- 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew
- By: Abigail Pogrebin, A.J. Jacobs - foreword
- Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Although she grew up following some holiday rituals, Abigail Pogrebin realized how little she knew about their foundational purpose and contemporary relevance; she wanted to understand what had kept these holidays alive and vibrant, some for thousands of years. Her curiosity led her to embark on an entire year of research, observation, and writing about the milestones on the religious calendar. Whether in search of a roadmap for Jewish life or a challenging probe into the architecture of Jewish tradition, listeners will be captivated, educated, and inspired by My Jewish Year.
-
-
Excellent read!
- By PrettyBookworm on 10-22-22
By: Abigail Pogrebin, and others
-
The Puzzler
- One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life
- By: A.J. Jacobs, Greg Pliska
- Narrated by: A.J. Jacobs
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The New York Times best-selling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles: why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world.
-
-
Maybe better as hard copy?
- By Donna Meagle on 10-09-23
By: A.J. Jacobs, and others
-
The Know-It-All
- One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Cantor
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Early in his career, A.J. Jacobs put his Ivy League education to work at Entertainment Weekly. He emerged five years later knowing which stars have fake boobs, which stars have toupees, which have both, and not much else. This realization led Jacobs on a life-changing quest: to read the entire contents of the Encyclopedia Britannica, all 33,000 pages, all 44 million words.
-
-
Fun, and even informative
- By James on 10-22-04
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Drop Dead Healthy
- One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs tackles his most challenging experiment yet: a yearlong mission to radically improve every element of his body and mind - from his brain to his fingertips to his abs. First, he had to tackle a complicated web of diet and exercise advice, most which is nonsensical, unproven, and contradictory. Second, he had to consult a team of medical advisers. And finally, he had to subject himself, over the course of two years, to a grueling regimen of exercises and a range of diets and nutritional plans.
-
-
A comic tries a little of everything
- By Niall on 04-14-12
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
It's All Relative
- Adventures Up and Down the World's Family Tree
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A. J. Jacobs has received some strange emails over the years, but this note was perhaps the strangest: "You don't know me, but I'm your eighth cousin. And we have over 80,000 relatives of yours in our database." That's enough family members to fill Madison Square Garden four times over. Who are these people, A. J. wondered, and how do I find them? So began Jacobs' three-year adventure to help build the biggest family tree in history.
-
-
ok book
- By katie on 12-18-17
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
Thanks a Thousand
- A Gratitude Journey
- By: A. J. Jacobs
- Narrated by: A. J. Jacobs
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author A.J. Jacobs discovers that his coffee - and every other item in our lives - would not be possible without hundreds of people we usually take for granted: farmers, chemists, artists, presidents, truckers, mechanics, biologists, miners, smugglers, and goatherds. By thanking these people face-to-face, Jacobs finds some much-needed brightness in his life. Gratitude does not come naturally to Jacobs, but he sets off on the journey on a dare from his son. And by the end, it’s clear to him that scientific research on gratitude is true. Gratitude’s benefits are legion.
-
-
Become more grateful
- By Robert I. Maccuspie on 11-26-18
By: A. J. Jacobs
-
My Jewish Year
- 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew
- By: Abigail Pogrebin, A.J. Jacobs - foreword
- Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Although she grew up following some holiday rituals, Abigail Pogrebin realized how little she knew about their foundational purpose and contemporary relevance; she wanted to understand what had kept these holidays alive and vibrant, some for thousands of years. Her curiosity led her to embark on an entire year of research, observation, and writing about the milestones on the religious calendar. Whether in search of a roadmap for Jewish life or a challenging probe into the architecture of Jewish tradition, listeners will be captivated, educated, and inspired by My Jewish Year.
-
-
Excellent read!
- By PrettyBookworm on 10-22-22
By: Abigail Pogrebin, and others
-
A Year of Biblical Womanhood
- How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master'
- By: Rachel Held Evans
- Narrated by: Amanda Opelt, Daniel Evans
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Year of Biblical Womanhood is an exercise in scriptural exploration and spiritual contemplation. What does God truly expect of women, and is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Come along with Evans as she looks for answers in the rich heritage of biblical heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor.
-
-
What is the thesis?
- By Tayo Oyinda on 09-20-20