The major monotheistic religions of the world--Judaism, Christianity and Islam--have certain elements in common, particularly in their scriptures concerning the beginnings of life and the early history of human beings. This shared beginning is compellingly revealed in this reference work.

Part One traces the development of the earth and its inhabitants from a scientific viewpoint. Part Two features an introduction to the Tanakh, information on the Torah, and its authors, and other influences on the Jewish religion, followed by actual scriptures from the Torah. Then a section each is devoted to an explanation of the Catholic, Protestant and Fundamentalist Christian interpretations of these stories, citing scripture as appropriate. Part Three affords a Muslim perspective with excerpts from the Sirah. The appendices offer useful resources from these traditions.