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Jerusalem

The Biography – A History of the Middle East

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Jerusalem

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
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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 Civilisation Europe Historical Israel & Palestine Medieval Middle East Military World Middle Ages Royalty Ancient History Africa Imperialism Iran Winston Churchill Ancient Greece Crusade War
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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
All stars
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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