The Wisdom Books
by Robert Alter · first published 2010
67% recommend33% neutral
Presents a modern translation of the Books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, and provides annotations and commentary for each verse.
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The "only thing" worth reading from the The Bible are the "Wisdom Books". Robert Alter's translation The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes: A Translation with Commentary is pretty good.
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗I have not read his work on Ecclesiastes (The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes), but Robert Alter's other translation projects have been excellent. He tries to not just translate the sense but also the 'feel' of the text, which can be a real challenge…
on “Chasing After Wind: Reframing the Book of Ecclesiastes” ↗…Wisdom/Insight/Life Advice wherever it comes from is always valuable. It is up to you to tease out the kernel of knowledge from the chaff of religiosity. I am no Christian, but i found Robert Alter's The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes quite interesting and would advice you to a study of the same.
on “Obituary for a quiet life (2023)” ↗I am not a Christian and hence wanted to know whether there were any books of wisdom (not stories/accounts etc.) in Christianity and came across a good book by Robert Alter titled The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes: A Translation with Commentary which you may also find interesting.
on “Ask HN: What book had a big impact on you as a child or teenager?” ↗> The "only thing" worth reading from the The Bible are the "Wisdom Books" From the perspective of Wisdom you're probably right. From the perspective of the modern Christian Faith I'd include the complete New Testament. From the perspective of historical reference (I know…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗