Jerusalem cover art

Jerusalem

The Biography

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Jerusalem

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
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About this listen

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 World Middle East Middle Ages Royalty Ancient History Africa Imperialism Iran Winston Churchill Ancient Greece Crusade War
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Most relevant  

Would you listen to Jerusalem again? Why?

Yes - over and over - to pick up on some era or some point I may have missed earlier. Love listening to it in background of whatever I'm doing at time.

Excellent to gain some understanding.

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I wish I would've listened or read this book before traveling to Israel and Jordan.

A must listen if you're Jew, Christian or Muslim.

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Would you listen to Jerusalem again? Why?

Yes - Montefiore describes so many intrigues and atrocities, I really need to read it again to get more of it straight in my head. But before I read this book again, I need to read some Jane Austen or PG Wodehouse to recover.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jerusalem?

I found the story of the Crusades particularly interesting, though also horrifying for the way both sides gloried in the grisly deaths of their opponents.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Sachs – was your favourite?

He didn't exactly perform characters - this is history.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me feel quite sick at several points. If I were a cryer I'm sure I would have cried.

Any additional comments?

I am again highly impressed by Montefiore's grasp of history and his narrative skill.

Gripping story of a famous city

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Fascinating history of Jerusalem. I look forward to reading the unabridged edition some time soon.

Fascinating history

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The book reading was amazing. I felt i was in a theatre. It was my fault that I couldn’t listen continuously and the break in between made it harder for me. But I would probably read/listen one more time.

Fascinating read if you are a history leg

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