Jerusalem: The Biography

The author has amassed a staggering amount of detail in this impressive work of scholarship. It is not a catalogue of dry facts, but is instead a page-turning account of the often very bloody story of a place that figures prominently in the history of the Middle East and three of the great religions of the World. The story is told through the lives of one dynastic family after another that gives the book a sense of continuity as power shifts back and forth among different factions and religions. I knew that there had been savage times in Jerusalem, but hadn't realize that they had been an almost continuous fact of life for the inhabitants. The huge number killed over the millenniums is jaw-dropping.People have lived in the area for over 7000 years, but the book takes up the story with the birth of Judaism and names familiar from the Old Testament. Inevitably the narrative is inextricably linked to the histories of the three religions for each of whom Jerusalem is the spiritual fountain-head. The author is even-handed in his accounts of the good and bad characters among the Jews, Christians and Muslims. He won't be popular with fundamentalist Christians, who believe that the Bible is the unequivocal word of God, as he points out the inconsistencies among the Gospels. I'm not qualified to comment on the other two great religions, but am struck by how much common ground there was among the three faith-systems in their early days and how subsequent adherents have introduced much of the doctrinal conflict.A book that scholars will appreciate with its prodigious detail, and plethora of footnotes and appendices, but it's also a book that can be enjoyed by layperson, such as myself, who are interested in getting a flavour of the history of Jerusalem, without absorbing the immense amount of detail and strings of unfamiliar names that are soon forgotten, because it's a roller-coaster of a narrative centering on the people who shaped the story. There are lots of photos and, at the back of the book, helpful diagrams of the family trees of the different dynasties, plus plans of the city and maps of the region at at different times in history.I found the last few chapters of the book, covering the last century and half, particularly interesting as they gave me greater understanding of the present-day conflicts in the Middle-East and what drives the protagonists in their mutual suspicion. I happen to be re-reading  Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich  at the same time and the section of the Montefiore book dealing with the Middle-East during and after the Second World War dovetails very neatly giving a view from the Middle-East.

I came to this book as an Arab reader, growing up with songs, poems, and books written about beloved Jerusalem, but never have I come across a book offering such a luxurious detailed and honest view and at such a scale! Written with remarkable neutrality and taking us through the diverse and rich history of the most disputed and news making region in the world! This comprehensive, and unpatronising treatment of Jerusalem's past is neither overwhelmingly scholarly to gloss over the gory (and fascinating) details, nor too hurried as to miss out important facts. Simon Sebag Montefiore combines the rare talent of total political and cultural understanding with a great and most eloquent narrating skill!"Jerusalem, the Biography" is a new sort of History, written as a biography, through the people who made Jerusalem, starting with King David and ending with Barrack Obama, over a span of 3000 years. Each section is about a person who, made, destroyed, believed in, or fought for Jerusalem, some are ordinary people, some are monsters and dictators. There is massacre, siege, blood, violence, but also beautiful poetry.The story of Jerusalem, is truly (as the author expressed) the story of the world, as well, of the Middle East, of religion, of holiness, of empire! I was thrilled to read about one of the greatest philosophers, the Arab historiographer "Ibn Khaldoon", about Suleiman the Magnificent, Caliph Muawiya, Saladin Dynasty, Druze princess and angelic voiced Singer "Asmahan", the Hashemite (Sherifian) Dynasty, and most exciting to read was some poignant poetry by Nizar Qabbani.One can read it as an adventure story, or as an explanation of why the Middle East is what it is today, I felt infused with great knowledge, one that I could never acquire if I read a thousand books. The book offers correct answers and honest background of many of the issues of the region today such as, Israel vs. Palestine, America vs. Iran, written without an agenda, and with remarkable impartiality. And I must not forget the most fascinating details over the Apocalypse-the End of Days.To fit such a swathe of history into a 650-page-turner is a bit of an art form in itself. The book also offers wonderfully informative illustrations and photographs, family trees, and even maps.I thoroughly enjoyed three of Simon Sebag Montefiore's previous books (or rather masterpieces), but this has to be my most enjoyable read of a history, I have no words to do the author nor the book justice, well-paced and absolutely gripping, this book is a treasure -trove, and I highly recommend it for all readers of different faiths, political, cultural backgrounds, well versed in the Middle East or not.

Given that Jerusalem remains the most contested city on earth, sacred to 3 major religions and at the very heart of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, a well-produced and widely available new study should be a cause for rejoicing and to a considerable degree this is so. If you are looking for an introduction to the city and its 5,000 years of history written by a learned largely impartial author with some good illustrations you will be well pleased with this book. Montefiore is a sure-footed guide with a deep knowledge of the sources, but who writes in a very entertaining style so that the colouful characters who have injected romance, poetry, violence, sex and even comedy are painted larger than life adding an important counterbalance to the bitter fighting and political intrigue that typify much of Jerusalem's history. Montefiore is very effective at demonstrating how for so many Jerusalem is an ideal not a reality and that many of those who claim ownership of particular holy sites know little of their real and often hugely complex histories.For those readers who are looking for a more detailed and penetrative analysis of the city there may be a degree of disappointment. Montefiore has chosen an all encompassing, chronological approach which means he is trying to cover 5,000 years in 500 pages. Obviously the result is a very superficial study in many ways. The first two thousand years pass in a jumble of names, tribes and places which defy clear understanding. Key periods such as the time of Suleiman get 3 pages and even the period from 1948 gets only 23 pages. There is also little new in what Montefiore has to say about the future of the fabled city. Yet this remains a good read which will be thought provoking to all and encourage many to extend their reading further.

This is one incredible read for those who love history or are interested in Jerusalem. It takes the reader from the beginning and founding of Jerusalem all the way into current times and examines the character of differing cultures and people who ruled the city or had influence over it.The characters and personalities are sketched magically by the author and their differing legacies are explored in detail.It’s over all effect on the reader is powerful and lends deeper understanding and appreciation for the City and her complicated past.

El libro y las condiciones en que llego fueron las esperadas. Muy satisfecha con mi compra.

This book is a masterpiece of literature. I could fill a dump truck with all the books I have read. If I had to pick 5 of my favourite books of all time. I would include this book.

The book is sales by Goldstone- books and is arrived in a miserable, really ordinary condition! Books in this condition belong in the trash and not sale via Amazon! Now I have to send it back and to pay self the sipping costs!

Molto ben scritto