Essential Talmud by Adin Steinsaltz (1984, Paperback, Reprint)

A general introduction to the beliefs, attitudes, and methods of the sacred text by which the Jewish people have lived and survived through the ages by a renowned Israeli rabbi, scholar, and teacher. An Amazon reader says: "Having read around the subject of the Talmud, I realised I didn't know my Mishnah from my Midrash and I sought a book which would tell me exactly what the Talmud was, its history and an overview of its contents. Essential Talmud does that very well, putting the Talmud into context and charting its development and its importance to the Jewish people and their identity