In An Introduction to the Medieval Bible, Frans van Liere sets out to accomplish two tasks. His primary goal is to provide a concise introduction to a topic of bewildering breadth and staggering complexity. Along the way he hopes to correct prevailing misconceptions regarding “The Medieval Bible.” Read seriatim, the book begins with the Bible as a book and proceeds through textual criticism and commentary to broader cultural adaptations. It argues that “The Medieval Bible” is not a single book or even a single idea, but rather a protean set of material, intellectual, and culture practices always subject to revision. Specialists in the fields of book history and medieval biblical criticism may find van Liere's arguments pedantic, or even reductive, but they would do well to consider the purpose of the book. The aim of a book like van Liere's is to provide an entryway to a complex and intimidating discipline. The merit of such a book rests less in its immediate interventions and more in its capacity to foment and enable further study. In this respect, van Liere succeeds admirably. Each chapter provides a sketch of an aspect of “The Medieval Bible.” Frequently, van Liere supplements his broad narratives with an exemplary case study. His discussion of Haimo of Auxerre's commentary on Jonah (113-116) in “Medieval Hermaneutics” is especially insightful. Perhaps most useful to the more advanced student are the selected bibliographies, which conclude each chapter. Ultimately, this book is—as introductions ought to be—more useful than revolutionary. Having taught portions of this book to undergraduates, I can happily affirm that several of the dreaded course evaluations singled out van Liere's book as particularly useful. Final assessments of van Liere's work, however, will depend on the quality of scholarship it inspires in the next generation.