In this book, Nickelsburg places a number of non-canonical books into their historical setting. He begins with a brief history of the Return and the Dispersion then goes on to explain how numerous books came about as a response to the Dispersion, the wake of Alexander the Great, the Romans and Herod the Great, and on through the Second Revolt. Consider that the Book of Judith may tell the story of the time of Nebuchadnezzar but its many parallels describe the times of Judas Maccabeus. Or the DSS commentary on Habakkuk probably shows that when the Maccabeans tampered with the priesthood not all of Israel was solidly behind them.
For many readers Nickelsburg _Jewish Literature_ will open up new ways to read and understand ancient Jewish writings.