Jerusalem

The Biography – A History of the Middle East

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore

Narrated by: Andrew Sachs

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 Andrew Sachs

(p) 2011 Orion Publishing Group©2011 Simon Sebag Montefiore

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

The very definition of epic!

What a sweeping moving story of a city like no other on earth. Jerusalem is at the center of three world religions and has undergone so many changes, only an epic telling of its history can convey its significance and Sebag Montifiore does it masterfully!

Interesting, captivating and informative

Simon Sebag Montefiore's 'Jerusalem: The Biography' tells the story of Jerusalem through the ages, starting from its hidden beginnings to its place in present day Palestine and Israel. Montefiore's writing style keeps the reader interested, while the content captivates you. This city has a story that needs to be heard.

Spanning three millennia Montefiore's treats Jerusalem as a Israelite, Jewish, Pagan Christian, Muslim, Crusader, Mamluk, Ottoman and International City. The material is vast, yet Montefiore is able to weave together a gripping account of the many phases and faces of the holy city through time. It is difficult to keep your mind wrapped around all the facts shared in this book.

There is one thing that did hinder me, and for which I do not have a solution. Due to the vastness of Montefiore's subject matter, while using most of the time the newest insights into the founding of the different faiths, like Christianity, Judaism and Islam, he tends to be uncritical towards some of the sources, especially when using the Old Testament/ Hebrew Bible to describe the beginnings of this city. At times he seems to be at the forefront of what secular scholarship says about important characters, while at other times he seems to be completely ignorant and almost parrots the ancient sources like Josephus and even when it suits, the Gospels. This brings a mix-up of perceived fact and that which is actually fiction. One wonders at times what to believe and what not.

That said, I couldn't find any clear preference for a specific group of people that laid claim to Jerusalem over the centuries. His bringing together of a vast array of sources to paint the biography of this spectacular city, helps the listener to see the bigger picture of how the puzzle of politics surrounding the city in various era fit together. His explanation of Herod's role within the Ancient Near East and how he fitted in with Anthony and Augustus is just one example.

I found the later parts of the book (the founding of the State of Israel etc.) more difficult than the earlier parts. What became clear is how complex the issues surrounding Jerusalem has become. The book also challenges your own prejudices and traditional stance towards the holy city.

Andrew Sachs does a superb job in reading this book. He has an easy to listen to voice.

The book comes highly recommended.

Excellent

An amazing history of Jerusalem - well worth the listen. I enjoyed it a lot

Interesting but worldview bias is quite evident

Possibly by reason of limited historical documents, some big events were glossed over or hardly mentioned, and then extensive detail gone into on other trivial discussions between ’nobodies’.

Poetical license was evident by author postulating his bias and belief.

I come away feeling that a lot was fiction by virtue of it not being objective and allowing the total factual narrative to present a true history. I feel that there is falsehood in omission.

I am a Christian

Chopped

There's an unabridged version of this book which is much better at explaining details. Jerusalem is not a city that can be summarized.