Discovering the city of Sodom : the fascinating, true account of the discovery of the Old Testament's most infamous city /

The chronology of the Bible is not certain or exact. However, Collins (dean, Coll. of Archaeology and Biblical History, Trinity Southwest Univ.) and Scott (The Mormon Mirage) feel that a strong argument can be made for the identification of an archaeological site for Sodom, using the geographic clues provided in the Bible. They explain that the dating of the archaeological remains at the site must fall into the "ballpark" time frame given in the Bible and that the artifacts must correspond to the correct time period. These criteria were used to show that the site of Tal el Hammam, in Jordan, could be the biblical city of Sodom. This fascinating argument includes archaeological evidence of mass and sudden destruction of the city. Sean Runnette's capable narration makes for an enjoyable listening experience. VERDICT This book will appeal to archaeology and biblical history buffs. Recommended. ["Although it provides the reader with insight into the practice and theory of archaeology in general and biblical archaeology in particular, Collins's work will be contested in the academy. Recommended for general readers, particularly those with an interest in archaeology or biblical studies," read the review of the Howard: S. & S. hc, LJ 5/1/13.-Ed.]-Joanna M. Burkhardt. Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Providence (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The story of the author's claim to have found long-lost Sodom, the world's most wicked city. Following the path of Abraham, Lot and Lot's unfortunate wife, as directed primarily by Genesis, Collins (Dean of the College of Archaeology and Biblical History/Trinity Southwest Univ.; The Defendable Faith: Lessons in Christian Apologetics, 2008, etc.) places the ancient, prototypical sin city on the eastern side of the geographic flatland surrounding the Jordan River before it feeds into the Dead Sea. As those who have read the Bible know, the Sodomites, evil in charitable and financial matters as well as more lewd practices, were obliterated by a celestial catastrophe. Writing with the assistance of co-author Scott (Latter-Day Cipher, 2009, etc.), biblical archaeology maven Collins fixes the event in the Middle Bronze Age at a site in today's Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan called Tall el-Hammam, where he and his crew have been digging for years. There, well north of the spot unfortunate Sodom has been located by others, they discovered the foundation walls of a considerable city and some peculiar artifacts. Moreover, there appears to have been no evidence of life for an intervening 700 years. There was not much else, but it was enough to convince Collins that a cosmic event was visited there four millennia ago, just where awestruck Abraham could have seen it. If only on the strength of Collins' personal conviction that he's found the right place with the right date, architecture and artifacts, many readers may be convinced, too. Others may want to wait for more. Collins punctuates the impassioned narrative with overly novelistic "backstories" mostly depicting "Dr. C." (an appellation he seems to enjoy) in a kind of Indiana Jones mode. Scripture and science meet in a pop-archaeological text; Scripture prevails.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.