Jerusalem

The Biography – A History of the Middle East

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Jerusalem

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore

Narrated by: John Lee

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Summary

A new, updated, revised edition of JERUSALEM: THE BIOGRAPHY, the wider history of the Middle East through the lens of the Holy City, from King David to today.

The story of Jerusalem is the story of the world.

Jerusalem is the universal city, the capital of two peoples, the shrine of three faiths; it is the site of Judgement Day and the battlefield of today's clash of civilisations. 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? Drawing on new archives and a lifetime's study, Montefiore reveals this ever-changing city through the wars, love affairs and revelations of the kings, empresses, prophets, poets, saints, conquerors and whores who created, destroyed, chronicled and believed in Jerusalem.

A classic of modern literature, this is not only the epic story of 3,000 years of faith, slaughter, fanaticism and co-existence, but also a freshly-updated history of the entire Middle East, from King David to the twenty-first century, from the birth of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the Israel-Palestine conflict and the wars of today. This is how Jerusalem became Jerusalem - the only city that exists twice - in heaven and on earth.©2011 Simon Sebag Montefiore

Simon Sebag MontefioreJohn LeeWeidenfeld & Nicolson

Civilization

Europe

Historical

Israel & Palestine

Medieval

Middle East

Military

World

Middle Ages

Africa

Imperialism

Judaism

War

Iran

Ottoman Empire

Refugee

Winston Churchill

Royalty

Holocaust

Crusade

Ancient History

Civilization Europe Historical Israel & Palestine Medieval Middle East Military World Middle Ages Africa Imperialism Judaism War Iran Ottoman Empire Refugee Winston Churchill Royalty Holocaust Crusade Ancient History

Critic reviews

A brilliant and balanced narrative that consistently views Jerusalem as the capital city of two peoples and three faiths

Astounding, ambitious and triumphantly epic (Tom Holland)

Magisterial . . . Montefiore has been preparing all his life to write this particular book. He steers a clear path through the religious animosities and political intrigues, adopting a strikingly apolitical tone

Excellent . . . It explains beautifully the competition for cramped real estate of the three monotheistic religions in this place that feels once again like the vexed navel of the world. It will make you appreciate the blessing and the curse of this city (Matt Frei)

Spectacular. Montefiore really tells you what the life of the city has been like and why it means to much to everyone . . . You fall in the love with the city and it breaks your heart that people can't make peace over it . . . It's a treasure. It's a wonderful book (former President Bill Clinton)

An epic and utterly absorbing study of a city whose modern religious, political and ethnic rivalries can be understood only in the context of its preceding 3,000 years of history. Montefiore writes with tremendous verve, sensitivity to historical controversy and an exceptional eye for the entertaining detail (Books of the Year)

A wonderfully vibrant account . . . Balanced, fair and above all colourful, Montefiore's narrative does justice to every religious tradition and confirms his reputation as one of our finest popular historians (Dominic Sandbrook, Books of the Year)

The must-read history . . . a master work (David Sexton)

Packed with fascinating and grisly detail, a gripping account of war, betrayal, rape, massacre, sadistic torture, fanaticism, feuds, corruption, hypocrisy and spirituality. Montefiore's narrative is remarkably objective. A reliable and compelling account (Antony Beevor)

Read the book from cover to cover. There is never a dull page (Charles Moore)

Ambitious and arresting . . . A powerful achievement, erudite without pedantry, and intimate with the complex archaeology . . . at once a scholarly record and an exuberantly written popular tour de force (Colin Thubron)

A fittingly vast and dazzling portrait of Jerusalem, utterly compelling from start to finish

Outstanding, superbly objective, elegantly written and highly entertaining

Simon Sebag Montefiore's history of Jerusalem is a labour of love and scholarship... a considerable achievement... he has a wonderful ear for the absurdities and adventurers of the past... totally gripping... vivid compelling, engaged, engrossing, knowledgeable

Compelling and thought-provoking...Working on an immense chronological and thematic canvas Sebag Montefiore does his subject more than justice. He narrates the terrible history of Jerusalem vividly and graphically... fascinating but ghastly.

It is a gripping read, told with verve and fluency, and explains why Jerusalem, like a living person, has touched the heart of so many cultures, East and West, for so long

Most relevant

An amazing journey through time of Jerusalem. The most interesting and special place on earth. I’m a Christian and this is a good book to get greater detailed knowledge of Jerusalem through the ages. Extremely well read. Very easy to listen to. Very well written as well. I would recommend this book to anyone.