'The book is immensely readable; although it is clearly the work of a scholar, its abundant learning is firmly directed to practical ends. Often, when dealing with a point such as the real purpose of an obscure parable, or the authenticity of a probable late gloss, two or three theories are quoted and examined; the discussion is always scrupulously fair, but in every case Dr Hunter leaves the reader in no doubt that he feels that one answer is better...