bookAssociate Professor of Hebrew Bible Jacob L. Wright has received a second honor for his most recent book, David, King of Israel, and Caleb in Biblical Memory (2014, Cambridge University Press). The American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) has announced that Wright is the recipient of the 2015 Nancy Lapp Popular Book Award. The prize is awarded to the author of a book that offers “a new synthesis of archaeological data intended to reach a broad audience of scholars, students, and the general public.”

The book’s first nod was an honorable mention in the theology and religious studies category at the 2015 PROSE Awards, administered by the Association of American Publishers to recognize excellence in professional and scholarly publishing that emphasizes pioneering research.

In the book, Wright compares the function of the biblical accounts of King David to the role war memorials play over time, examining national identity, statehood, power, and the human condition.

ASOR is a non-profit organization that supports and encourages the study of the cultures and history of the Near East. View a list of all ASOR award recipients.