Page 26 - November-December Together

TOGETHER NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021
The Red-haired
BOOK REVIEW Archaeologist Digs Israel

by Amanda Hope Haley

Reviewed by Miriam Mathie.

The hobbits of J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the part of the journey showed the divide
Rings are not the only people who take between Israel and Palestine. This
second breakfast. According to Amanda was beneficial to the reader as she
Hope Haley in her book, The Red-haired informs us of both sides of the story and
Archaeologist Digs Israel, it is one of the handles it well without any sign of bias.
pleasures they get after 5 a.m. rises for It encouraged readers to think about
excavations. However, if you’re looking these things, not only based on Israel and
for a book all about the hobbit habits, Palestine, but also on society - locally,
this may not be the book for you, even nationally, and worldwide. Haley’s dad
though it is just as delightful. Packed full sums this up perfectly, saying: ‘If either
of information and Biblical references, side is driven by passionate hatred, then
Haley manages to leave readers gasping peace is unattainable.’
for more details of her travels throughout Towards the end of the book, Haley
Israel and Palestine – from hot sweats in details the chaos of her journey with
the airport to the heart of why she ‘digs’. warmth and sincerity, contrasting the
At the beginning of The Red-haired busy streets with the calm atmosphere
Archaeologist, Haley’s personality is of her favourite small business and the
immediately clear as she merges her stark reality of the Holocaust Museum
humour and passion for archaeology in she visits. She utilises this as a perfect
her journey from America to Israel. In way to sum up her thoughts whilst
talking with Haley, I too felt like I was on the trip, leading her to be where
alongside her in the areas she describes she is nowadays. She talks about
so well in the book; from the stress of how, as Christians, we should take
running through crowded streets and up every opportunity to dig and be
getting caught in traffic to the stillness curious. We should want to know more,
and awe of seeing some of the most understanding other ways of thinking,
amazing sights in the world. other religions, and other cultures to
strengthen our own beliefs in God –
Readers are taken on a journey alongside ISBN 9780736980937/Harvest House/Amanda Hope Haley/ and best of all, do this completely and
Haley and her family, beginning with PB/224 pp/£12.99 wholeheartedly in love.
some of the Philistinian places she has
visited in the modern-day area of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. One Matthew 22 :37-38 says: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart
place that she mentions fondly is Ashkelon, which she helped excavate and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and
for the first time at age twenty-two: ‘In the Iron Age, Ashkelon was one greatest commandment.’
of the Philistines’ capital cities – and a Canaanite stronghold before that In short, it is safe to say that, as a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed reading
– so I was studying Israel’s rival civilisations’ who were surrounding and Amanda Hope Haley’s The Red-haired Archaeologist Digs Israel. From
interacting with them as the Old Testament was being written. Learning young adults to those young at heart, this book is a great way to get
about those foreign-to-Israel cultures helped me better understand the started and excited about biblical archaeology. Whilst it is not an action-
temptations the Israelites faced in the region and the potential motivations packed Indiana Jones lifestyle or just idyllic second breakfasts like the
behind some of God’s commands and laws.’ hobbits from the Shire, it shows a balanced insight on Haley’s passion and
encourages us all to get involved.
She goes through each step of her trip with close reference to the
Bible and the biblical characters and stories that readers will associate ‘ -this book is a great way to get started and
with each place, whilst pairing it to recent excavations done by Haley
herself or by her fellow archaeologists. Despite being different from the excited about biblical archaeology.’
Hollywood scenes of The Mummy and Indiana Jones that are my personal
knowledge of archaeology, the The Red-haired Archaeologist kept me
just as engaged, especially with the grey boxes of external links which Amanda Hope Haley holds a master’s
degree of theology studies in Hebrew
encouraged readers to find out more – a useful tool in fact-based books Scripture and Interpretation from Harvard
like this!
University, and hosts The Red-Haired
I particularly enjoyed chapter eight where Haley described her family’s Archaeologist podcast.
experience of Hebron, which is nestled in the Judaean mountains. This
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