Book excerpt: Designed to bring the wisdom of centuries to a wide audience, this illustrated Hebrew Bible includes 40 selections from the Torah and 35 from Prophets and Writings. It collects compelling stories from this ancient text which are retold in lyrical, accessible language. The volume is illustrated with reproductions of illuminated manuscripts, ancient artefacts, synagogue mosaics and paintings by Renaissance masters an others, including William Blake and Marc Chagall.