The Dead Sea Scrolls [Paperback]

Here's a good book for newcomers to the subject. Its chief shortcoming for others is that it's too short. That is justified, in part, by the fact that his long, two-volume documentary history is on the way, drawing on interviews with many of those involved with the scrolls as well as archival records. In the meantime, this brief intro is in some particulars, such as who had which Cave One scrolls when, more detailed than some other recountings of the discoveries. The glossy pages include some good photos. After the discoveries story, Fields surveys the texts and their significance, mostly in clear, straightforward prose. One can quibble here and there. He underestimates the legitimate frustration of second temple period historians before the scrolls all became available; before then, some editors would respond to inquiries and some would not. Who were the two Hebrew U. librarians (p. 19) who failed to recognize the antiquity and importance of the scrolls? Do we know there were 9th and 10th century discoveries in the area (p. 35, perhaps alluding to Timotheus and al-Qirqisani, mentioned in the Timeline on page 108) or possibly two writers aware of the same set of uncoverings? Page 90: "...we know nothing precisely of the original leader of the Dead Sea Sect." To be brief, that's false. He was Judah the Essene. (For evidence, see "Jannaeus, His Brother Absalom, and Judah the Essene," available online.) The scrolls are ineluctably--dispite efforts (not by Fields) to deny--associated with the Essenes. Of course, not all the scrolls were composed by Essenes, but several certainly were. Some even include the Hebrew origin of "Essenes," where they call themselves 'osey hatorah, the true observers of torah--a claim plainly disputed by members of other streams of Judaism, and, likely, by Paul. Though there is no evidence of Christianity at Qumran, the book may well underestimate the influence of Essene teaching and practice on some varieties of early Christianity. "Yahad" is probably better translated as "community" than "group." Typos: pesherim (p.83) should read pesharim; Fitzmeyer (p. 128), Fitzmyer. The back cover blurb (perhaps not written by Fields) includes slightly misleading questions: "...Who has them [scrolls] now? Are some hidden away? Were there conspiracies to suppress some scrolls?..." I'm not suggesting any scrolls were suppressed, but that controversy is not addressed at any length. Similarly, the scroll fragments now in private hands are dealt with only slightly. But the main thing I have to say is: please hurry up and give us the Long History.

I have read many books about the Dead Sea Scrolls. The scrolls swirl with controversies and can be the stuff of conspiracy and sensationalism in the wrong hands. This little volume is probably the best summary of the scrolls' contents and also achieves the best balance in handling the many questions surrounding their interpretation. Critics should not berate this volume for its brevity. It achieves what it sets out to do - provide a short history of the scrolls discovery, translation and interpretation. Those critics should await Fields' 2 volume magnum opus in the near future. Frankly, I appreciate having someone so informed on the subject to provide a guide through what can be a minefield of varying opinions. Through interviews with the principals and from being allowed access to the files of those who have departed, Fields re-constructs the shadowy early history of the scrolls. He doesn't seem to question the accidental discovery of the original scrolls although many of us think that the "innocent" Bedouin goatherds were actually exploring the caves illegally and later invented the romantic story of the stone tossed into what became Cave One. We are indebted to Fields for the detailed chronology he has laid out - both in the narrative and later in a timeline in an appendix - of what happened and when in the aftermath of the discovery. For this contribution alone, the book is well worth the price. If you want a balanced description and interpretation of the scrolls, this is the book to get. It is helpful not only for beginners but for scholars who will find some fresh insight from Fields' thorough research. We look forward to his two volume history, if this is any indication of what it will be like.

The Dead Sea Scrolls -- A Short History is gave me a clear, succinct introduction and explanation of the greatest historical discovery of the 20th century. Terrific.