ABOUT THE BOOK: Do you ever use the word "ruth" for someone's positive human quality? Get sensitive to "ruth" as you scour the biblical book named Ruth. The Up-to-Date, Long-Ago Biblical Book of Ruth describes a long-ago romance and will assist you in cultivating greater respectful treatment of others in tough times. If you long to be a person of character, this material can nudge you in that direction. Whether you are a pastor, teacher, or first-time Bible reader, this book will furnish you with grist for your thoughts and actions. It is also a model for preachers who engage in Bible exposition. This book can help you assess personal relationships, evaluate work situations, understand cultural differences, mirror God's concern for immigrants and other marginalized people, imbibe greater commitment, and siphon hope amid hopelessness. In short, it's good for what ails you (or doesn't ail you). **** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Jim Townsend has a master of theology degree from Dallas Seminary and a Ph.D. from Fuller Seminary. He served as resident Bible scholar for Cook Publishers for over twenty years and pastored churches in Illinois and Tennessee. He also performs Christian dramas.