Reviews (1)

Postponed Trip
Because of the attack on Israel, we decided postpone our tour. The book looks very interesting, but right now it is irrelevant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Israel    3. Middle East - Israel    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Middle East / Israel   

Reviews (11)

Beautiful, Detailed, Easy to Use...What More Could You Want?
My husband and I were in Jerusalem in May 2006. I took DK's Jerusalem and the Holy Land guidebook, which includes tons of beautiful color photos and maps. My husband took the more academic Oxford archaeological guide, The Holy Land. At most points of interest we'd draw out our respective books and consult them, comparing what each one had to say. After a day or so I began to get the distinct impression that my darling assumed his book would be much superior to mine, which is obviously aimed at the average tourist. As the days went by, though, he had to concede that the DK guide was as good, or perhaps better, than the Oxford book. The maps are excellent. Also, for a book that contains so many illustrations, it still packed in a ton of helpful detail and is beautifully written. The information on history and culture is also excellent. All this, and yet it is very compact and durable, so is ideal for toting around.
the information is very useful
The colourful photos are good for travellers to have a preview before they have the journey. The information is very useful that I learn a lot and know more about the history, culture and daily life of the Holy City.

Packed with details in concise summaries, easily portable
I am a big fan of DK books! I have used this book with pleasure on two recent trips to Israel and plan to use it again on my next trip. It was such a hit that my colleagues have borrowed it as well. It fit easily inside my medium-sized purse. Each of the major tourist areas is detailed in a 1-2 page spread, which is packed with lots of info, beautiful photos and maps as applicable. I was able to learn all I needed to know about currency, traveling within the country, regional food/wine, security, etc. The Via Dolorosa and Old Jaffa maps were particularly useful. The map of down-town Tel Aviv did not cover enough area, but local maps were available in my hotel for free and purchase. It does not contain the particulars on hotels and restaurants that are typical of a Fodor's guide. However, if you are traveling with a tour group, then you won't need this detail as most of your trip will be prearranged. Due to security precautions, you probably will want to get restaurant recommendations from a hotel concierge anyway. This book is also a great visual tour for someone who wants to experience Israel but is unable to travel there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Guidebooks    3. Israel    4. Jerusalem    5. Middle East - Israel    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel / Middle East / Israel   

Editorial Review

Bruce Feiler's latest book combines now familiar elements into his own peculiar, delightful alchemy.Any particular page may be found effortlessly weaving together strands of theology, biblical exegesis, physical exploration, history and personal reflection as Feiler continues his journey of discovery, looking at the common roots of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.The Middle East has become a more dangerous place since the writing of his first book in this vein, Read more

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Reviews (18)

Illuminating History
Enlarged my understanding of Biblical history and provided background for todays problems in that part of the country. Everyone needs to read.

Sign of our times
Today, our culture scoffs at believing the Bible, as a result it is not at all fashionable to actually read it. So, unsurprisingly, it is a sign of our times that this book's many mistakes would go unnoticed by the vast majority.
Traveling Thru Time
I thoroughly enjoy reading Bruce Feiler's journeys in the Bible lands and his insights.It doesn't matter that he is Jewish and I am a Christian.I learn so much about the Old Testament it makes me want to research the Bible further and gain my own perspective using this book as a useful tool.
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Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Bible    3. Description And Travel    4. General    5. History    6. Iran    7. Iraq    8. Old Testament    9. Palestine    10. Religion    11. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    12. Religion / Bible / General    13. Bargain   

Reviews (8)

Great book if you need to learn Hebrew quickly
I don't know how much I would have liked this book if I was learning Hebrew from afar, but a few years ago, I found out on two week's notice that I was going to Israel for six months.I had to get a workable knowledge of Hebrew in a short period of time.I carried the pocket pal card and the grocery card everywhere, and the flash cards were great.I like the style of the workbook - it is fun and entertaining.You definitely need the discipline to repeat things to learn much, though, as with any language learning.I clearly don't know Hebrew well enough to know about inaccuracies, but it was great for me, teaching me the basics very quickly.

For best results use in conjunction with Pimsluer tapes
The book is very good, it makes the learning process fun, the stickers and flashcards are great, too! Also constantly writing the words allows you to learn the spellings better than you would with other language learning tools. I am new to learning hebrew and I found this book quite helpful. Although I must agree some of the words are transliterated incorrectly (how do i know? I spent a few months in Israel). Anyways what was most effective to me was using this book as a suppliment to the Pimsluer languge learning tapes. Since the tapes usually come with no text supliment but generally cover the same material as this book, the two compliment eachother quite nicely. Using the tapes will also overcome the transliteration problems since you will HEAR the words being spoken (it will also help you nail down the accent). Also the book will help you understand what they are saying on the tapes more correctly (sometimes the speaker doesn't say the words as clear as you would like.)
Always a Variance
I have been a student of Biblical Hebrew for over 3 years.But I've also investigated modern pronunciation.Interestingly, one will not find any consistency (I've found about half a dozen modern variations, both for consonants and for vowels, a total of about 12 pronunciation systems).A living language by definition means constant change and dialects existing side by side.Read more

Subjects:  1. Conversation and phrase books    2. English    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. Hebrew    6. Hebrew language    7. Language    8. Self-instruction    9. Travel / Middle East / Israel    10. Jewish studies    11. Language & Linguistics    12. Middle East - Israel    13. Travel   

Reviews (2)

An excellent reference on the Arab-Israeli conflict
This little volume is one of the best books ever written on the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is almost all maps.
Incredible Resource About the Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Arab-Israeli conflict is a fiercely debated topic with numerous accusations constantly being thrown back and forth. For someone just beginning to study the Arab-Israeli conflict, it can be overwhelming. This book is a collection of maps drafted by a professional cartographer to show the real dimensions of treaties, ceasefires, boycotts, and other historical moments in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - General    2. History    3. History & Theory - General    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Asian / Middle Eastern history    8. Atlases    9. Middle East    10. Peace studies    11. Political science & theory    12. Reference / Atlases    13. World history: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (3)

Self- serving mendacious drivel
There are two kinds of critics. One tries to look at the objective reality, and make criticisms which might be useful, and lead to improvement. The other is biased, and so distorted in judgment that simple facts are turned upside down to make the case. Reinhart is the latter sort. Most recently she has been broadcasting the out- and - out fiction that Israel intended to occupy Lebanon and used the kidnapping of its soldiers there as pretext for doing so. In fact the Israel is already out of Lebanon, would never have gone in had Israel not been attacked by Hizbollah.
A Brilliant and Timely Book
Tanya Reinhart's detailed account of the tragic Israeli aggression against the Palestinian population is courageous and timely. This thoroughly referenced book is a must for anybody who wants to understand what is really happening in Israel and Palestine. With the Israeli propaganda machine saturating the media with misinformation this book provides an insight on the actions, true intentions and expansionate policies of the current and past Israeli governments.
Trash
I could not find anything positive to say about this useless book.
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Subjects:  1. 1993-    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. Government policy    4. International Relations (Specific Aspects)    5. International Relations - Diplomacy    6. Israel    7. Middle East - Israel    8. Occupied territories    9. Palestinian Arabs    10. Political Ideologies - General    11. Political Science    12. Political Science (Specific Aspects)    13. Political activity    14. Politics / Current Events    15. Politics/International Relations    16. Sharon, Ariel    17. 21st century    18. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    19. Palestine    20. Political Science / General   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Reference / Maps    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel / Middle East / Israel    5. ASIA    6. Israel    7. Jerusalem    8. Maps    9. Maps, charts & atlases    10. Middle East - Israel    11. Reference    12. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (2)

A world without Jews
For those who wish for a world without Israel or Jews, this is the guide for you. All the land between the Jordan River and Med. Sea is called Palestine, in effect wiping Israel off the map. Iran would be proud!

Rich land and people
Palestine is a thick and juicy travel book. It is rich in the arts, in architecture, in culture. It is a journey through history, through the land and the people of Palestine and Gaza - with an array of visual feasts in Azar's photography.
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Subjects:  1. Gaza Strip    2. History    3. Israel    4. Israel - History    5. Middle East - General    6. Palestine - History    7. Palestinian Arabs    8. Social life and customs    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (2)

Thebook is reflecting the reality in a distorted mirror
The writer thought she has written about Israel.But actually she has written just about the things that her narrow perception has caught. Thefact that she is very bright misleading to conclude she is reflecting thereality.

a challenging account of an individual arab-israeli relation
I was simply amazed by the courage of Sana Hasan and admired her. I wouldbe very interested to talk to her and ask her about some details in herbook that especially influenced me. E.g. the mental pressure on her whileshe was living on the kibbutz - sharing the room with her israeli lesbianfriend. I'd be happy to discuss the book with anyone interested. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Hassan, Sana    6. Israel    7. Jewish-Arab relations    8. Biography: general    9. International relations    10. Islamic countries    11. Non-Classifiable    12. Travel writing   

Reviews (5)

A must have for pilgrim travel to Israel
This is a wonderful little book that contains scriptural references for virtually all of the traditional Christian sites in Israel. It is invaluable to take along when viewing the various religious sites so that their biblical mention can be easily found and read. When I lead tours to the Holy Land, this book is one of three that I advise visitors to consider taking with them (the others are, "Holy Land" by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, and "The Millennium Guide for Pilgrims to the Holy Land", by James H. Charlesworth.

AN OUTSTANDING WORK
As a traveller to the land of Israel twelve times I have been privileged to see first rate the expertise that went into the pages of this book and I have had many positve comments from those I have shared the book with. Apreacher's son describes the part on the "Ark of The Covenant" asan exceptional writing done by an expert in her field. The book is a mustfor anyone going to the Holyland.

Great Guide
This is a handy little guide book that could travel with you as you visit the sites mentioned.It lists the history of each place and other interesting facts.It has several useful lists of information at the backof the book. Mrs. Crown-Tamir knows her stuff and has put together auseful, inexpensive guide. I found myself wishing for a large foldout mapto see all the places named, however that would probably make the book tooexpensive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Biography - New Testament    2. Bible - Topical Studies    3. Description and travel    4. Gazetteers    5. Israel    6. Jordan    7. Middle East - Israel    8. Palestine    9. Reference    10. Religion - Biblical Studies    11. Travel / Middle East / General    12. ASIA    13. Guidebooks    14. Jesus Christ    15. Journeys    16. Middle East    17. Middle East - General    18. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    19. Travel    20. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful and comprehensive.
This is incredibly comprehensive coverage of the founding of the present state of Israel and as such, is unique. The correspondents have clearly got their fingers dirty, by digging down to the real issues behind the present state. I read this in conjunction with Richard Patton's incredible "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years".Having been brought up in a largely Christian culture, Patton's book about the man we call Jesus was wonderfully enhanced by the political background provided by Brinkley et al. This book should be read by anyone interested in thetroubled Middle East. It is a work that will stand long after its authors have shuffled off their mortal coil! Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Atlases - Historical    4. Historical Atlases    5. History - General History    6. Israel    7. Maps    8. Middle East - Israel    9. Reference    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history    11. Historical geography    12. Maps, charts & atlases    13. Palestine    14. Reference / Maps   

Reviews (3)

Really added perspective to my trip!
This book DID give me lots of insight into the culture and people of Israel.I read it on the plane before I arrived, and felt it made my trip much more insightful.The book tells you things that don't often come up in conversation that really shed light on Israel.
Very Dark....
I bought this book recently and sent it back immediately!There was a lot of unappropriate information (not to mention pictures) enclosed within the pages.I am going to Isreal with a group and was looking for something a little bit more biblically based.This was not what I was looking for.

Narrative heavy, less detail than others
Though I'm familiar with the subject, it's been a while since I visited Israel, so I decided a couple of tour books were in order.This one, though full of nice pictures and descriptions, has less detail than I was looking for.The sights covered are cherry-picked with no info on a lot of places.The places chosen for description have a lot of info.A good first guide, but don't expect the depth needed for a return trip. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Israel    3. Middle East - Israel    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides   

Reviews (4)

Just one question!
Having spent some ten years in Libya,I found this to be an enjoyable, and very readable book on a most significant, though generally overlooked area of Greco-Roman antiquity. There is still a vast amount of excavation needed, and politics have not helped.There is one point on which I should take issue, however:The author refers to the city of 'Lepcis' in Tripolitania. Either she knows of an alternative spelling, or this is a serious typo. To my knowledge, she is referring to the city of Leptis Magna.

Fascinating topic marred by poor photos
The Roman ruins of Libya have been seen by very few Westerners in recent decades. They are in a remarkable state of preservation. The enormous basilica of Septimus Severus at Leptis Magna, while a ruin, looks like it could easily be put back together to it's former glory. The excellent state of preservation is due both to the desert climate and to the near complete absence of tourism. Eric Newby writing in "On the Shores of the Mediterranean" describes the difficulties he went through in arranging a visit under the Quadaffi government. This book was produced by Italian archaeologists who remarkably have been able to continue their field work during Libya's current international isolation. The book is marred by the poor reproduction of the photos. The pictures are almost all underexposed with muddy shadow areas, flat highlights and an overall lack of contrast. A pity but the book is still worthwhile for a look at sites that most people will never be able to see.

Roman Civilizations-Buried by Sand
This book is magnificent.The first 180 pages are devoted to the western province of Tripolitania, where ruins of the Roman cities of Sabratha, Oea(present-day Tripoli),and Leptis Magna are located along the NorthAfrican coastline in the Gulf of Sirte. The next 50-odd pages cover theeastern province of Cyrenaica toward Egypt where the Greco-Roman cities ofCyrene, Apollonia, and Ptolemais are found.Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. Ancient - General    3. Excavations (Archaeology)    4. Extinct cities    5. History    6. History - General    7. History: World    8. Libya    9. Middle East - Israel    10. Photography    11. Romans    12. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Africa    13. Travel - World/Africa    14. ASIA    15. Africa    16. Ancient Rome    17. Asian / Middle Eastern history    18. Classical Greek & Roman archaeology   

Reviews (17)

Important issue, shallow observations
It's a shame that this is the only widely known book about the Israeli-Arab population. It's a shame that Nathan thinks she has to turn her back on Israeli society and slander it to get a truthful image of the so-called "Other Side." It's a shame that she takes her personal experience as universal, whilst remaining unaware of her own exoticising and condescending views towards both Israeli-Arabs and Israeli-Jews, at times appearing to mimic Dian Fossey's "Gorillas in the Mist." It's a shame she resorts to such gross generalizations as: "Individualism is highly prized in many societies, but not in Israel, where the instinct of the herd prevails"(pg. 56). It's a shame that all her good intentions amount to a shallow, biased book and it's a shame I spent my hard-earned money on it.

Living uninvited in someone else's house
Susan Nathan is a British Jew, once a ardent supporter of Zionism. She was brought up believing in the Israeli dream, but when she decides to actually move to Israel and finally connect with "her roots", she discovers to her great dismay that her country is built on a pack of lies.
In depth, and realistic
Susan Nathan does a great job at simply reaching out to the Palestinian population of Israel and lending an ear. Most of the book is not actually her story, but the retelling of the surreal stories of her palestinian neighbors. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the conflict on a sociological level. The Palestinians have a lot to say, and it's about time they were voiced.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Ethnic Sociology    5. Israel    6. Middle East - Israel    7. Multiculturalism    8. Palestinian Arabs    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Pluralism (Social sciences)    11. Political    12. Social Situations And Conditions    13. Social conditions    14. Tamra    15. Tamra (Israel)    16. Travelers    17. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (4)

Good but outdated
This book is does an OK job describing activities for kids, but it is VERY outdated.Israel is changing rapidly and this book is in need of a new revised edition.It lists places like the Dolphinarium as a place to take kids.The Dolphinarium was turned in to a disco years ago.
An outstanding guidebook to a remarkable land
Barbara Sofer is one of the most knowledgable writers on everyday life in the land of Israel. In this outstanding guide she pays special attention to the attractions which will be especially appealing to families.
Excellent guide for parents taking their children to Israel
We used this book every day of our 2 week trip to Israel with 3 children aged 1-8.Our friends then borrowed the book for a 3 week trip with 5children aged 6-16.The sections of the book are broken down by geography,with handy maps to assist you in setting up your schedule, whether yourhotel is in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tiberias or Eilat.The greatest benefitsof the book include the phone numbers of the tourist sites as well as thehours which each location is open.The author even recommends ideal hotelsand activities based on your children's ages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships / Activities    2. Guidebooks    3. Israel    4. Middle East - Israel    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Asia / General    8. Activities    9. Family    10. Family Travel    11. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (6)

Beautifully Written and Provocative
Coming Together is a vast improvement over Home to Stay. The writing is absolutely beautiful, the ideas provocative. The heart of the book is Gordis's account of his family's adjustment to life in Israel, beginning at the tail end of the Second Intifada, when the Gordis family is kept awake in its Jerusalem home by gunfire at night, and terrified by suicide murders that take place in their favorite haunts, and ending with mild optimism when the evil Arafat finally passes.
A Must-Read for Jews Inside & Outside of Israel!
"Coming Together, Coming Apart" is a must-read for Jews both inside and outside of Israel. An American family who makes the big decision to take their commitment to the ultimate level by making Aliyah finds their pre-conceived notions, idealistic concepts and religious faith tested by terror in their own backyard. How they cope with fear, how they learn to live with the uncomfortable ambiguity that is life in Israel, how their own internal family dynamics are strained and strengthened is a story that should not be missed.
Must read book
I have read all of Daniel Gordis' books.Each one is extremely meaningful and thought provoking.The latest one, Coming Together, Coming Apart is a must read for anyone who cares about Israel,anyone who cares about humanity anyone who is a parent, or anyone who is a child.Very few books, that I will openly laugh, cry and make you think.It covers the period of two years, ending in October 2005 and is essentially the memoirs of Gordis, who emigrated to Israel from Los Angeles with his children.Especially in light of the current events, it helps one understand the day to day life that Israelies face, the challenges they face, and their love of life and their hope.Once you pick the book up, it is difficult to put it down.I cannot recommend it enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1993-    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Influence    8. Israel    9. Jews    10. Jews, American    11. Middle East - Israel    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Social life and customs    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    16. Biography: historical   

Reviews (2)

Some wonderful photographs from a helicopter
"This is the land.Without words.A thousand forms, a thousand colors, watercourses, highways, domes, twists and turns.You can see the fissure line, the skyline, the lightline, and the watershed line."
I had to buy 2
I bought one as a Bat Mitzvah gift. My Israeli friend liked it so much I bought a second one for him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections Of Photographs    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Photo Essays    4. Photography    5. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Middle East    6. Travel - World/Middle East   

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Greece    3. Israel    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Turkey   

Reviews (2)

Fun read on a solemn subject
The writing is clever, with the right zest of irony. The book is sparkling, with the right cocktail of erudition, trivia bits, political analysis and text criticism. My intention was to browse this short volume just to find the dates and facts I needed, but I found myself reading it almost cover to cover (chapter 10, "Archeology and Imperialism", was too English-centered for my taste, and the last chapter, "The Temple is ours!", failed to teach me something new).
Two Gods.Two Goddesses.One Temple Mount.
There is plenty of information about the Temple of Jerusalem in this short book.We see a plan of the Temple Mount in the time of the Herodian Temple, as well as a plan of Herod's Temple itself.And we see a plan of the earlier Solomon's Temple.
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Israel    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Social History    11. Temple of Jerusalem    12. Temple of Jerusalem (Jerusalem)    13. ASIA    14. Ancient World    15. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    16. Travel / Middle East / Israel   

Reviews (1)

Worth every cent, every square milimeter
Do not be disappointed by the fact that I am reviewing based on a Portuguese, Brazil published translation based on the third edition of the then called Macmillan Bible Atlas. I know the kind of Bible books I buy from Amazon. The book is worth every cent in its third edition, every square milimeter of visual information you get. How better won't it be on the new fourth?It could only be better (Perfect it would then be!) if based on satellite images like those from the NET Bible (www.bible.org...),the only reason why I do not give it five stars! But for sure, within the scope of it's original project, it is worth! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - General    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bibles    4. Religion    5. Religion - Biblical Studies    6. ASIA    7. Israel    8. Palestine    9. Travel / road maps & atlases