Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

A woman's tale: an introduction to the book of Ruth -- The exiles -- Amid the alien corn -- The winning of Boaz -- At Bethlehem's gate -- What means this tale? -- Tamar -- Understanding Esther: an introduction -- Party time in old Persia, or lessons on how to run an empire -- The substitute -- Prologue: the night of the assassins -- The man who would not bow -- The war commences -- In the valley of the shadow: looking into the abyss -- Interlude: the theater of the absurd -- Esther triumphant -- Reversing the engine -- Judgment day -- Thou shalt not forget! -- The dark vision -- The hidden hand -- Thinking outside the box.

"This work examines the lives of Naomi, Ruth, Tamar and Esther. Each woman is depicted without a dominant male companion and featured in the Bible's more secular texts. The author evaluates each character's role as a female protagonist, and demonstrates how each story represents an innovative view of religion and a revisionist evaluation of women's roles"--Provided by publisher.