The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are often overlooked by both readers and preachers - much to everyone's loss. Ezra and Nehemiah deal with a crucial period in the history of the biblical community. In Ezra and Nehemiah, readers view the rools of much that is familiar to Christians and find a message of God's faithfulness to the ancient covenant community that gave birth to both Judaism and Christianity. Here, readers may find comfort as they look to God's ongoing presence in the midst of their own times of confusion and struggles for survival. Bos believes that although the book of Esther raises questions that have no easy answers, its core issues are as important today as they were then. She identifies these issues, including prejudice, sexism, and patriarchy, and in the process demonstrates the book's value for our lives today.