A New Bibliographic Resource on the Book of Esther

I have just received details of the following book, which may be of interest to some:

Edith Lubetski and Meir Lubetski, The Book of Esther: A Classified Bibliography. Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-905048-33-5. pp.288.

This comprehensive bibliography to scholarly works on the biblical book of Esther contains over 1900 references. It includes titles of books, collected works, Festschriften, theses, journal articles, essays in collections, encyclopedia and dictionary articles, and online material. It is a classified bibliography, arranged in three categories-commentaries, biblical chapters and verses, and subject headings in alphabetical order.

The scope of the bibliography is international, and its focus is on research from the last hundred years. Scholars, students, clergy, and librarians — among them literary scholars, sociologists, historians, linguists, art historians, feminists, and Christian and Jewish scholars — will find this unique volume an indispensable resource and stimulus to further research.

Edith Lubetski is Head Librarian, Hedi Steinberg Library, Yeshiva University, New York. Meir Lubetski is Professor of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature, Baruch College, City University of New York.

REVIEWS

The authors of this bibliography have given us a marvelous work, one composed with great industry, patience and skill. Its broad coverage, including older commentaries that might not be so well known, will make it a most valuable resource to both scholars and students. Also, the authors have carefully brought out the multiple topics in a work, not always clear from its title, and have greatly facilitated the researcher’s task by giving full listings under each subject, without the need for cross references. It’s a bibliography fit for a queen!

Peter Kearney, Library of Congress Hebraica Team, retired

The Book of Esther is, to say the least, enigmatic. Of all the biblical texts recovered amongst the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls, there is no trace of Esther. Indeed, the rabbis of yore argued over its inclusion in the biblical canon, for how can it be a holy text if God and God’s Name are absent? Yet this small book of the Bible has inspired scholarly exegetes and popular novelists, as the Lubetskis demonstrate in this exemplary bibliography of two-hundred and eighty-six pages. I daresay it sets a standard that others will have to match. And, Deo volente, would that others attempt to tackle the remaining twenty-three books of the Hebrew Bible!

Philip E. Miller, Director, the Klau Library
Hebrew Union-College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York

Past President, the Association of Jewish Libraries, 1982-1984

The Lubetskis have created a comprehensive and thoughtfully organized bibliography of Esther scholarship. It will undoubtedly be a valuable tool in all areas of Esther studies.

Professor Michael Fox, University of Wisconsin

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