Even for the dedicated reader of the Bible, understanding the cultural context of the New Testament, with it's myriad cultures and opaque politics, is a challenge. Wright and Bird have created a wonderful resource both to understand the layers of culture that serve as the context of the New Testament, along with a primer for understanding the context and argument of each book in the New Testament Canon. I have found this book very helpful in this regard and I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of and to interpret the New Testament.