The discovery and decryption of Ugaritic cuneiform tablets in the 1920s has given scholars an insight into the development of alphabetic writing and the origins of biblical poetry. In this book, based on his Schweich Lectures given in 2007, Professor Dennis Pardee describes the origins of the cuneiform alphabetic writing system developed in Ugarit some time before 1250 BC, the use of alphabetic writing at Ugarit, and gives a comparison of Ugaritic and Hebrew literatures

"...reading it from cover to cover is a journey into several fascinating areas of linguistic, epigraphic and literary study." - Philippa M. Steele, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Pardee's work in this book is that of a consummate specialist dedicated to the refinement and explication of his field. The book is lively and readable ... The book succeeds well at targeting a broad demographic: it will be understandable to the neophyte, engaging for the interested nonspecialist, and informative for the specialist." - Jeremy M. Hutton, Review of Biblical Literature