Here's what's brilliant about this book - it places the parables in the context of the people the parables were spoken to, revealing elements of their meaning that has become lost over the years. This book is really worth the price of admission - if you're a writer, it's invaluable, if you're a human being living in a culture were Christianity has any relevance whatsoever, it's insightful and enlightening. But be forewarned, if you're a devout looking for a feelgood book about happy sunny kittens, this isn't for you.