Planting and Reaping Albright

Planting and Reaping Albright, Volume 1, examines the social formation and ideological practices of William Foxwell Albright. This biography explores how the Johns Hopkins linguist and archaeologist, alongside a loyal group of students known as the Albright School, shaped the direction of mid-twentieth century biblical studies. Burke Long investigates how these scholars, including figures like Frank Moore Cross, Jr. and John Bright, functioned as a sociological phenomenon. The text treats the field of biblical studies not as a collection of objective facts, but as a culture shaped by social interactions and shared ideological goals.

In Planting and Reaping Albright, Volume 1, the author utilizes private letters and interviews to reveal the political machinations embedded in historical knowledge. This work of biblical criticism and history analyzes how the Albright School sought dominance within American scholarship. By exploring the assumptions of these scholars, the book provides a deep look into the intersection of archaeology, politics, and Old Testament interpretation.