What to read after A History of Israel?

Doubts concerning the historicity of the early Old Testament books have arisen largely from the assumption that, since many centuries elapsed between the time of the events and the time the narratives describing them were committed to writing, the value of the written documents was questionable. Dr. Bright demonstrates that the validity of this assumption is now challenged by the findings of modern archaeology, which has brought to light not only the sites of many ancient cities but also thousands of ancient texts. Together these findings illuminate the patriarchal age in a manner hitherto considered impossible, and the author shows to what extent they may be held to authenticate the personal existence of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Throughout all these centuries the distinctive features of the Israelites was their religion; and their history, unlike that of any other nation, is primarily a theological history--a fact that is attested both by the nature of their contacts with other peoples and by their own estimate of themselves. Buffeted and beaten by the dynasties and empires that rose and fell around them, they were distinguished neither in number, military might, nor moral excellence. They were never quite engulfed, and through their severest trials they always remained mindful of being the custodians of the divine promises to mankind.