Instruct: Classify a given Amazon review as either positive or negative.
Query: Historical fiction at its best

I purchased this book hoping to get a feel for what post-exilic life was like for the Jews. I knew the basic historical dates and events, but I wanted to learn more about this relatively unknown period of Jewish history.Sandgren's book met all of my expectations. The stories are clearly based on accurate historical research, and they are well-written. They emphasize the life of the people rather than the decisions of the powerful. The author also ties the stories together in the epilogue by highlighting certain themes that emerge from the narratives.If a reader wants to learn more about the background or find suggestions about where to do more historical research, the endnotes will provide all that the reader wants. Another helpful feature is the detailed timeline at the end of the book.This is historical fiction at its best.