The purpose of Wright's study is to trace “the evolution of the depictions of Baruch ben Neriah . . . from the biblical materials through the early Jewish and Christian texts and traditions that either mention Baruch or were allegedly written by him” (xi). The book succeeds admirably. In three main chapters, Wright collects and analyzes most of the material about Baruch from the first mention of him in Jeremiah as the prophet's scribal assistant to works as late as 3 Baruch that picture him as a recipient of apocalyptic visions. A fourth chapter contains traditions about Baruch in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim sources into the Middle Ages.
