José Saramago, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998, describes the bible as "a manual of bad morals," and a "catalogue of cruelties and of the worst of human nature."

Saramago latest book "Cain", retells the story of Adam and Eve's first-born son in a light-hearted, irreverent tone.

According to Saramago, there is nothing "divine" in the Bible. And although "Cain" has offended the Church, it won't offend Catholics, he said, because "they don't read the Bible."

http://www.alternet.org/story/143685/

By the way I am now reading "Of Men And Muses"

Rook has written a book about how the assumption of a priori historical jesus escaped a secunda facie examination by many scholars because rather then risking their professional verisimilitude they more or less adopted a hands-off approach with the jesus character.

I highly recommend reading

Of Men And Muses