Many see the Book of Esther as a contrived folk-tale--little more than an engaging fiction serving as the rationale for an enduring, light-hearted celebration. The Anatomy of the Book of Esther turns that common misperception on its head by presenting evidence for the book's veracity based on Persian, Greek and Jewish archaeological, historical, midrashic and scriptural sources.The volume includes an introduction that sets the historical context as well as the full Hebrew text, its English translation, preliminary and final blessings, hymns and a unique line-by-line commentary. This volume is suitable for synagogue or academic use as well as for individual study.