The best books to help you truly understand the Bible from beginning to end

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m passionate about helping people see the incredible beauty of God’s unfolding plan of redemption and restoration that unfolds in the pages of the Bible. In the Old Testament, this plan is hidden in mystery and symbolism. But then in the New Testament, this great mystery is unveiled in all its glory, and the symbolism emerges from the shadows and steps into the light! For the past 15+ years, it has been my great honor to read the Bible with people for their very first time and help them watch this great mystery unfold. These books do that very same thing!


I wrote...

The Essence: A Guided Journey of Discovery through the Bible

By John Pasquet,

Book cover of The Essence: A Guided Journey of Discovery through the Bible

What is my book about?

I get it. The Bible can seem like the strange accounts of ancient people in distant lands that make no sense at all. But it really isn’t. It is a mystery, though—but not an unsolved one. Jesus is the key that makes sense of it all.

The Essence will take you on a personal, guided journey of discovery through the Scriptures to see how it all fits together from beginning to end. You will see Jesus as the Offspring of the woman, the Passover Lamb, the Bread from heaven, the Water from the rock, the Shepherd’s Shepherd, the Suffering Servant, the Virgin’s Son, and so much more. By the end, you will understand the Bible far more deeply than you ever imagined possible!

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus: Who was the Man? What was the Message?

John Pasquet Why did I love this book?

First of all, I really love this book because it has a great title. But the content is just as good.

The Bible records that on the day of His resurrection, Jesus approached two disciples on their way to a town called Emmaus but prevented them from recognizing Him initially. So, it was Jesus who was the stranger on the road to Emmaus. Then, Jesus Himself explained to them how Moses and all the prophets were fulfilled in His own death, burial, and resurrection.

This book attempts to present what Jesus could have said to them on that day. It is recommended for anyone, regardless of their knowledge of the Bible.

By John R. Cross,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*Now with links to video content online!It’s been called “the most misunderstood book in history.”Wars have been fought in its name, scandals have been precipitated by it, politics shaped and reshaped at its word. Theologians have both defended and reviled it. Skeptics have done the same. If you are a typical member of the human race, you have often been perplexed by all the “fuss” surrounding the Bible. The question remains, “What does it really say?”Here is a book that explains the greatest of Bible themes clearly and logically. Rather than focusing on one part—and missing the whole—the author chronologically…


Book cover of The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread: Revealing the Power of the Blood of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation

John Pasquet Why did I love this book?

I found it very difficult to put this book down!

The author takes you on a journey of discovery through the Scriptures from beginning to end, focusing on the scarlet thread that runs through the whole story. The book is a very quick read, filled with incredible insights and symbolism that unveils the Bible’s central message in all its beauty.

This is also recommended for anyone, regardless of their knowledge of the Bible.

By Richard Booker,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Every Story is About Him

A single, scarlet thread runs through the entire Bible, weaving a beautiful garment of salvation from Genesis to Revelation. This thread shows how the Old and New Testament fit together to tell one complete story.

This sacred thread is the blood covenant Jesus made with God for you.

Uncover the miraculous story of Jesus’ sacrifice, as it is powerfully and prophetically woven through the Scriptures beginning with the covenant rituals, Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses and the prophets.

With three powerful new chapters, this expanded edition of the classic bestseller, The Miracle of the Scarlet…


Book cover of The Emmaus Code: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament

John Pasquet Why did I love this book?

I enjoyed this book because it was such an exhaustive look at how Jesus is foreshadowed in symbols, types, and prophecies in the Old Testament. No stone is left unturned as he shows how “all roads lead to Christ” and how Christ is revealed in every single book in the Old Testament.

It is very intriguing, well-researched, presented very logically, and contains many great insights. It is not, however, a quick read, but more academic in its presentation.

I recommend this book for people who are already pretty familiar with the Scriptures and want to deepen their knowledge of the Bible, particularly of the Old Testament.

By David Limbaugh,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Emmaus Code as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A New York Times Bestseller!

In the 2014 New York Times bestseller Jesus on Trial, David Limbaugh made a case for the Gospels as hard evidence of the existence of God, drawing on his own spiritual journey from skeptic to believer. Now, in The Emmaus Code, Limbaugh unlocks the mysteries of the Old Testament and reveals hints of Jesus Christ's arrival through all thirty-nine Old Testament books.

The key to the secrets of the Old Testament, Limbaugh argues, is the crucial New Testament encounter between the risen Jesus and two travelers on the road to Emmaus. With that key, and…


Book cover of The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses

John Pasquet Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it was such an easy read, but still somehow managed to really capture the whole story of the Bible.

The author also did something that was really unique. After the first chapter, he began to write a summary of the entire Bible. Then, at the end of every other chapter, he simply added to it. By the end, the reader is left with a very concise, but complete summary of the Bible. That was quite ingenious!

Recommended for anyone!

By Chris Bruno,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Helping readers grasp the overarching story line of the Bible, this concise resource explores 16 key verses that serve as "turning points" in the biblical narrative, highlighting God's sovereignty, glory, and grace throughout his Word.


Book cover of Ancient Treasure: Old Testament Gems

John Pasquet Why did I love this book?

What I enjoyed most about this book was that it was quite thorough but also very conversational in its approach and easy to read.

Though the author takes you through almost every book in the Old Testament, it doesn’t really feel like it. It feels more like you’re just listening to someone over dinner share with you what they are learning in the Scriptures. She doesn’t try to impress you with her vocabulary or theological jargon. She just shares her thoughts very clearly. Still, it is very informative and has really great insights.

Recommended for anyone!

By Sandra Julian Barker,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ancient Treasure as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Readers are saying: "I couldn't put it down! You made it come alive. Love the pictures which give special visuals! Love also the extra info and historical references." What do you think of the Old Testament of the Bible? Does it seem boring? Old and dusty? Intimidating? Like a fable? This book can help you get over those negative misconceptions. The Old Testament is alive and exciting! Its truths apply to our lives today and its relevant to our current world. This book of Ancient Treasure contains Old Testament Gems – key stories from the beginning of time in Genesis,…


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Book cover of Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

Ethan Chorin Author Of Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Story-lover Middle East expert Curious Iconoclast Optimist

Ethan's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Benghazi: A New History is a look back at the enigmatic 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, its long-tail causes, and devastating (and largely unexamined) consequences for US domestic politics and foreign policy. It contains information not found elsewhere, and is backed up by 40 pages of citations and interviews with more than 250 key protagonists, experts, and witnesses.

So far, the book is the main -- and only -- antidote to a slew of early partisan “Benghazi” polemics, and the first to put the attack in its longer term historical, political, and social context. If you want to understand some of the events that have shaped present-day America, from political polarization and the election of Donald Trump, to January 6, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russian expansionism, and the current Israel-Hamas war, I argue, you need to understand some of the twists and turns of America's most infamous "non-scandal, scandal.”

I was in Benghazi well before, during, and after the attack as a US diplomat and co-director of a medical NGO. I have written three books, and have been a contributor to The NYT, Foreign Affairs, Forbes, Salon, The Financial Times, Newsweek, and others.

By Ethan Chorin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On September 11, 2012, Al Qaeda proxies attacked and set fire to the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, killing a US Ambassador and three other Americans.  The attack launched one of the longest and most consequential 'scandals' in US history, only to disappear from public view once its political value was spent. 

Written in a highly engaging narrative style by one of a few Western experts on Libya, and decidely non-partisan, Benghazi!: A New History is the first to provide the full context for an event that divided, incited, and baffled most of America for more than three years, while silently reshaping…


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