Review of Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick

Since my last child has graduated, I am enjoying the privileged of reading a number of books that I have long wanted to but never did. In this case, it is rereading an old favorite.

Today I want to tell you about Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times by Ruth Beechick.

This book is based on the stories in the Book of Genesis and is set in those Ancient Biblical Times. I have read that book dozens of times. I have read the stories contained in this book hundreds of times, going back as far as my own childhood. In spite of this, Ms. Beechick tells these stories in such a wonderful way that I almost felt like I was being introduced to these stories for the first time.
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I love the story of Creation. I admire the intelligence Adam demonstrates when he names the animals. I acknowledge that it was sad that Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden because of their sin. However, not until I read the account of these events in Adam and His Kin did I experience so much depth of emotion in my reaction.

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If you read through the Bible and pay close attention to the genealogies each time they are listed, you come to realize people were alive during the times written about in the book of Genesis. Ruth Beechick doesn’t stop there. She uses her beautiful imagination to paint a picture for us of the events and relationships that happened so long ago, but led directly to the world we live in today.

There are many Biblical theories about the origins of earth and man as well as about ancient history and geography. Some theories have already been proven impossible. Other theories are unlikely. I did find that not all of Ms. Beechicks descriptions of the condition of the earth before and after the Great Flood exactly coincide with my understanding of these times. That said, I did not find these differences significant in the value of the book. This is an excellent resource. What she did well in that section of the book is show how different the world was for those eight survivors and how this difference deeply impacted their lives.
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One thread that was followed through the entire book was the writing of the book of Genesis. Moses has been given credit for compiling the actual book, but where did he get the information? He got it from writing left behind by Adam, Noah, his sons, and even Terah. This lovely book shows how.

Adam and His Kin serves as a superb resource for understanding how things began and how they changed at different pivotal moments in ancient history like Adam and Eve’s fall, Abel’s murder, the Great Flood, and the Tower of Babel. I asked each of my children to read this book as part of a study of the Old Testament. It helps me in my own understanding of ancient times. I suggest you read this book. It will deepen your understanding of and appreciation for the Book of Genesis.

Blessings! 
​Laura Nolette

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