Specialists in medieval manuscripts and those interested in the rich cultural history of medieval Spain will welcome this history of Hebrew Bibles by Kogman-Appel (Jewish and Christian art, Ben Gurion U. of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel). Kogman-Appel compares the Bibles' illustration, which is almost exclusively ornamental and non-figural, to decoration used in Islamic manuscripts produced in medieval Spain. She then expands the discussion to an analysis of the cultural milieu that existed for the Jews who produced the Bibles in a Christian-ruled area, discussing the impact of the former Muslim presence there. Lengthy analysis is devoted to the production of the Bibles, including the workshop practice and scribal traditions. The volume is well illustrated with b&w plates. First published in Hebrew in 2001; Davidson's translation includes revisions and additions by the author. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)