The Ark Before Noah

“A gem of a book.” —The New Yorker

“Fascinating. . . .If you’re interested in the history of religion, or detective stories—because this is definitely one—check out The Ark Before Noah.” —NY1

“[E]ngaging and informative. . . . Finkel is an enthusiast and shows evident delight in bringing this find to the wider public.” —The Wall Street Journal

“[T]he charged thrill of Finkel’s chase permeates the book — the pages don’t just join dots, they supply new pieces for a beautiful, Bronze-Age jigsaw-puzzle. . . . Consistently scholarly and droll, Finkel’s writing is also eccentrically vivid. . . . It is a joy, at times laugh-out-loud funny. . . . The antediluvian past of the Middle East might seem arcane but this book demonstrates its relevance. . . . Thank God there are still men who can translate [these ancient] messages.” —The Times

“A serious book, but rarely a heavy one: in a sprightly good-humoured way, Finkel communicates the thrill of true scholarship. . . . This book does more than change the way we imagine the sources of a Bible story, however. It rescues cuneiform from its dusty place in the museum basement. . . . Fresh and exciting.” —Sunday Times

“[Finkel’s] conclusions will send ripples into the world of creationism and among ark hunters.” —Guardian

“Beguiling. . . . [Written] with great wit and warmth. . . . Finkel is a master at deciphering these ancient cuneiform clay tablets, but this book is far more than a fine piece of detective work: it is a humane work of scholarship that enlarges the soul.” —Observer

“Self-described ‘wedge reader’ Finkel is a scholarly and often witty guide to the antediluvian civilization and our shared lineage. . . . Finkel’s happy primer on historic Mesopotamia is, on the whole, wonderfully rewarding.” —Kirkus Reviews