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  • Jerusalem

  • The Biography – A History of the Middle East
  • By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 25 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (291 ratings)
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Jerusalem cover art

Jerusalem

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
Narrated by: John Lee
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Summary

Jerusalem is the universal city, the capital of two peoples, the shrine of three faiths; it is the prize of empires, the site of Judgement Day, and the battlefield of today's clash of civilizations. From King David to Barack Obama, from the birth of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to the Israel-Palestine conflict, this is the epic history of 3,000 years of faith, slaughter, fanaticism, and coexistence.

How did this small, remote town become the Holy City, the 'centre of the world' and now the key to peace in the Middle East? In a gripping narrative, Simon Sebag Montefiore reveals this ever-changing city in its many incarnations, bringing every epoch and character blazingly to life. Jerusalem's biography is told through the wars, love affairs, and revelations of the men and women - kings, empresses, prophets, poets, saints, conquerors, and whores - who created, destroyed, chronicled and believed in Jerusalem.

Drawing on new archives, current scholarship, his own family papers, and a lifetime's study, Montefiore illuminates the essence of sanctity and mysticism, identity, and empire in a unique chronicle of the city that many believe will be the setting for the Apocalypse. This is how Jerusalem became Jerusalem, and the only city that exists twice - in heaven and on Earth. Read by John Lee.

©2011 Simon Sebag Montefiore (P)2011 Random House Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Jerusalem

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Rolls Royce Production

At a number of points throughout "Jerusalem" I found myself thinking "How did he learn all this stuff and how is he managing to set it down in such a readable way?" The scope of the period covered by Simon Sebag Montefiore; the birth of civilization in the fertile crescent to the current day; presents real problems. The thing could just become a survey of historical events; it could get bogged down in detail or leave the listener dissatisfied by seeming to skim over crucial events. He avoids all of those pitfalls partly by opting to tell the story of Jerusalem through a number of families who shaped its history. So we get a gallery of intriguing and in some cases very obscure characters who are all fascinating company and who help to give a sense of the story barrelling along while also allowing Montefiore to slow down when he thinks it necessary and really explore a topic.

The city and it's buildings also feature with a satisfying level of detail about where the remains of ancient buildings can still be found in sometimes hidden corners of contemporary Jerusalem. As we get nearer to the modern day the author offers what seems like a fair and balanced account of the claims and behaviours of the various groups who still tussle for control of the city as a whole and the religious sites within it. I'm not religious so I just wanted this aspect of the book to feel like it was treating all parties with a bit of respect and so it did. The other way he grips the listener is through consistently excellent writing.

In addition to the absolutely excellent book itself praise is also due to John Lee, who narrates and the producers. Lee manages some pretty daunting pronunciations well throughout; he's clear as a bell and sounds like he's actually reading the book rather than just reciting it thoughtlessly. It's always nice when good narration makes a positive contribution to the listening experience.

Highly recommended. Sorry I can't give it 6 stars.

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28 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • JJ
  • 23-07-19

Book is fabulous cannot get on with the narration

Have this as an actual book and it is excellent like all by the author. The problem is the narration. The narrator has a weird inflection in his delivery putting stresses in odd parts of sentences. Also delivers the book like a Hollywood movie ad. Totally wrong would be so so much better if Simon Sebag Montefiore had narrated it. Returned the audible file few hours in

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Jesusalem

A well written, read and invaluable history.
A story that unwittingly is enacted not only within those city walls but with implications, tensions that reverberate though our lives so far away.
The meaning of the history is emotional and terrifyingly put. Great book. Should be part of all educational curriculum.

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8 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

interesting & informative despite flaws

I did really enjoy the book for the most part, it's well written, informative and the narration is fitting and really well done. However there are some glaring historical mistakes as well, which the author should have known, especially in relation to the history of Christianity. I would also say that unfortunately the authors anti-Christian bias shows through out the book, I don't know to what world view he holds, but I would expect the author of a book like this to at the very least try to be neutral and objective in matters of religion since especially in relation to Jerusalem it's a very sensitive issue. However, in this case the author really failed at it and let his personal views come through in an unfitting manner for a serious historical work, which is a real shame since the book is otherwise really quite good and I have enjoyed other books by the same author. I still rated it 3 out of 5, but if you are a Christian or view Christianity in a neutral manner, prepare to be disappointed in how it's portrayed in this book.

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6 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Full of unnecessary venon against the Bible

I really thought I would love this but constant scepticism or outright slurs against the Bible and faith left me cold. For example, why was it necessary to refer to the Christian belief of The Virgin birth as dogma? Repeatedly the author seems gleeful in claiming much of the Bible cannot be true . Referring to recent archeological proofs he almost sounds astonished when he states, "surprisingly the discovery proves the Bible account is true" The style of the narrative seems at times to be spoken list of events and the mechanical intonation of the narrator adds to a disappointing listen. Returned the title.

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5 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Informative but clear anti-theistic bias

It’s very interesting when outlining specific historical events and characters, but despite the author’s claim of his not attempting to judge the truth or error of the Bible, he spends a lot of time deliberately undermining scriptural accounts - and demonstrates bias by assuming that scriptural accounts are untrue, while never presenting evidence that supports this view. He comes from a viewpoint that believes the Bible cannot be true, believers are deluded and Jesus was a pretender, so not an enjoyable book to read for Christians, and presumably not Muslims or Jews either. It doesn’t bother me that the author holds this view, but the regularity with which he misunderstands simple scriptural events, and conjectures wildly in other areas undermines my confidence in everything else he writes.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting but ultimately too long

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

There was a lot in this book that was interesting and informative but it somehow couldn't hold my attention for long periods of time. In small chunks I found it worthwhile and I never felt like giving up on it but often took a break from it. As a result, it took me a lot longer than usual to get through it.

Would you recommend Jerusalem to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. I might suggest it to a friend who had an interest in the subject but I don't think it would inspire anyone if the interest wasn't already there.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

I had no problem with John Lee's narration It suited the subject.

Did Jerusalem inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

I started off being very interested but as the book went on, each episode seemed to be dealt with in the same way and at a similar pace. It is a long book and my interest steadily waned. I always listen to unabridged versions but perhaps, in this case, I would have been better making an exception.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Vitally important book

If you have any desire to understand the current situation in the Middle East this is a great place to start. Seeing how the region has changed over the centuries helps to tie together very complex strands that are otherwise impossible to appreciate. This is a work of incredible breadth, staggering research and yet retains charm by way of delightful excursions and meanders. There are so many great characters brought to life that will provide you with the impetus for further research. 25 hours well spent!
A note on the voice, I wasn't that happy with it from the sample but it grows on you and he does a great job.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Comprehensive and interesting

Of my limited experience, Jerusalem is one of my favourite cities and I am interested in the history of Israel. This is a good book but I expected it to be great and it dragged a bit in places. I have had enough of the narrator's style having listened to at least two of his longer performances in the recent past.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I think the key to an audiobook is the Narrator, John Lee brings this book to life.

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1 person found this helpful