As It Was Written is a ""first book"" about the Bible that presupposes no previous knowledge. In seventeen chapters--eleven for the Old Testament and six for the New Testament--every book of the Bible is discussed. The origins and message of each book are told against the background of the history of Israel and of the Church. The main focus is on the Bible's meaning for the Catholic Christian reader today. A final two chapters discuss the Bible as ""God's book"" (inspiration, the truth of the Bible) and ""the Church's book"" (the canon, Scripture and tradition, the magisterium, the Bible in the life of the church). Each chapter includes study questions for individual reflection or for group discussion. A list of suggested titles is also offered for further reading. Author Justin Taylor believes that there is a hunger among Catholics for the Word of God. ""They want to read, study and pray the Scriptures, by themselves, or with others."" As It Was Written is for all those who want such guidance in understanding the Bible, its history, its background, and, above all, its message. Justin Taylor, SM, received his PhD in history and was a research fellow of Downing College. He has taught in the Marist seminary and novitiate in New Zealand and has written a number of articles and books on history, Scripture, and theology. Recently he has been studying at the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem.