In this comprehensive little book, Andrew Cort brings to life the history and legends of the twelve hundred years between the conquering of the Promised Land and the birth of Jesus. It includes the stories of Saul, David, and Solomon, the building of the Temple and the origin of the Freemason legend, the fate of the Ten Lost Tribes, the miracles of Elijah, the Babylonian Exile, Queen Esther and the Purim Festival, the influence of Aristotle and Epicurus, Judah Maccabee and the story of Chanukah, the building of the second Temple, the canonization of the Hebrew Bible, Caesar and Cleopatra, the Roman oppression, the origins of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, plus much, much more. The book can stand alone as a fascinating account of these years, or it can be read as a companion volume to the author's major work on mythology, religion, and culture: 'RETURN TO MEANING: The American Psyche in Search of its Soul'.