The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

A.J. Jacobs spends an entire year attempting to adhere to every rule found in both the Old and New Testaments. He adopts a literal interpretation of over seven hundred laws, ranging from the famous Ten Commandments to obscure mandates regarding clothing and grooming. Jacobs grows an unruly beard, refuses to wear clothes made of mixed fibers, and carries a portable stool to avoid sitting where an "unclean" person has rested. He negotiates the logistical challenges of stoning an adulterer with pebbles and tithes ten percent of his income while consulting with rabbis, ministers, and fringe sects to understand the historical context of these ancient scripts.

This memoir attracts readers interested in the intersection of religion and modern secular life. It serves those who enjoy experimental journalism and want to see how ancient dogma clashes with the reality of an urban environment like New York City. Readers finish the book with a better grasp of the distinction between religious fundamentalism and cafeteria-style spirituality. They gain a practical perspective on which biblical traditions remain culturally relevant and which become absurd when decoupled from their original time period.

Balanced in tone; an easy read.

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