Jerusalem

The Biography

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore

Narrated by: Andrew Sachs

Jerusalem lies at the centre of the world, the capital of three faiths, the prize of many conquerors, the jewel of many empires, and the eye of the storm of today's battle of civilisations. But the city lacks a biography. It lacks a secret history. Simon Sebag Montefiore's epic account is seen through kings, conquerors, emperors and soldiers; Muslims, Jews, Christians, Macedonians, Romans and Greeks; Palestinians and Israelis; from King David via Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Herod, Caesar, Cleopatra, Jesus and Saladin, to Churchill, King Hussein, Anwar Sadat and Ariel Sharon. Their individual stories combine to form the biography of a city - a gritty, dramatic, violent tale of power, empire, love, vanity, luxury and death, bringing three thousand years of history vividly to life.

©2011 Simon Sebag Montefiore (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Limited

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Possibly by reason of limited historical documents, some big events were glossed over or hardly mentioned, and then extensive detail gone into on other trivial discussions between ’nobodies’.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

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

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.