Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The story of Noah and the flood continues to fascinate, but many details are lacking. Opinions are divided, with some even regarding the story of Noah as some kind of children’s tale. In the process, they risk missing the deeper implications of divine planning and intervention. Robert John Popoff combines the biblical account with scholarship and science in Noah: The Story We Were Never Told. The scriptures are reviewed in three parts: from the world before the flood, to the events that followed, and the new world that transpired. It describes a corrupt nation, in which the Nephilim featured prominently. Against the Creator’s wishes, His sons had married the daughters of men, producing a hybrid species. He grieved and resolved to remove humankind, but Noah was spared and tasked with renewal. Contrary to popular belief, the flood was not a punishment, but an act of love aimed at regeneration. The book describes the world that preceded the flood, and the logistics of building the ark. Other practical issues are explored, such as the origin of the flood water and where it went. Conditions on the ark were difficult, from the sounds, smells, wave motion, monotony, cramped quarters, and caring for the animals, to friends left behind. Noah provided the link between the old and new worlds. When the waters subsided, the task of rebuilding began.

Robert John Popoff seeks to bring clarity to a significant event in our physical and spiritual evolution. He presents a credible and comprehensive analysis of what occurred, using what he describes as informed assumptions. The author does not claim perfection or that every question has been answered. He explores several themes. The more obvious is to shed light on the actual events that took place before, during, and after the flood. The most significant is to examine the relationship between YHWH (God) and the human race. The author provides thought-provoking interpretations of how this has evolved, which elevates this work to a level far beyond being an account of the flood. Painstakingly researched, Noah provides texts in Hebrew, with translations and interpretations. Noah faced a corrupt society that is all too familiar, as the traits of the Nephilim persist. The impact of Noah on modern theology is still apparent in the major religious traditions. After three thousand years, the story that began with Noah has not yet ended. The writing is eloquent and the conclusions thought-provoking. The timelines presented are particularly interesting. The work is rounded off with an appendix, epilogue, and extensive endnotes. An index covers the entire Christian Bible and the Quran, with notes for further study and reflection. This book provides an epic read that will enthrall biblical scholars and a wider audience.