This book is an important, though slightly dated, contribution to understanding the OT in its ancient Near Eastern context. It is also quite useful for addressing a range of attacks on the integrity of the OT.
Prof. Kitchen was for many years an Egyptologist in the UK, but his training and contributions extended into biblical studies. His book is reproduced by his permission here.
This is the best news I’ve heard all week, thanks for bring it up!
Mike,
Have the ensuing 50 years since publication of this work seen a major advancement in understanding of the text? I saw where Kenneth stated most the ANE literary discoveries had not yet been shared across the disciplines at publication date.
sure, even in Kitchen’s own (much larger) work:
https://www.amazon.com/Reliability-Old-Testament-K-Kitchen/dp/0802803962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487651590&sr=8-1&keywords=kitchen+old+testament
And others have gone beyond certain points as well. But it’s still an important book.
I’d also recommend James K. Hoffmeier’s books on Israel in Egypt and in the Sinai.