A Historical Tour of the Holy Land

This is a beautiful book with many photos and maps. It gives a good history of the area and the sites. It is too large to carry in a purse but easily fits in a small daypack or tote so could be carried for a reference. It's a great overview before you tour and a lovely keepsake. It's also a beautiful, informative book if you never get the opportunity to visit the Holy Land.

Concise clear , logically layed out - and very interesting. Fills in large gaps most of us have .Highly recommended

Beautiful book!

well written and an interesting read

short easy history and great pics.

In this concise book, Beryl Ratzer who is a veteran Israeli tour guide, aims to give the reader a brief tour of Jewish history while bringing it to life. I must admit, having being convinced to buy this book with that in mind, I had high expectations, thinking it would be a book that I would be unable to put down. In my mind it would have more of a feel of a story being told, which is what the history of the Jewish people is about. While very interesting and readable, it felt less life-like and more factual at times. If that would have been how the book was initially advertised, it certainly would have fulfilled its purpose as it gives a brief but very succinct synopsis of Israel and its different periods during its fascinating history. The book is arranged chronologically over 12 different eras culminating in a chapter on the State of Israel where all the wars Israel has had to endure for survival are covered up until up until "Operation Cast Lead".Through its succinctness, Ratzer arguably comes into her own, by managing to condense 6000 years of history into 160 pages while at the same time providing the reader with plenty of information to digest. The book is made colourful and `user-friendly' by its numerous illustrations, tables, maps and period quotes which the author attempts to use to bring the book into life. In particular, the clear and informative tables along with the majority of the maps being colour-coded, enable the reader to focus on the narrative more easily.The photographs of the historical sights along with the accompanying text add an extra dimension to the book for those interested in visiting the places concerned. Although not a travel guide, it is indeed a valuable resource to take along due to the brief but informative synopses of events outlined by Ratzer that have taken place around the land of Israel.

One cannot overlook the fact that this is a very biased book and a very short one too, as a muslim reading the book I felt that i was attacked whenever the author had a chance to do so. I was especially angry that she included Holy War as a kind of a Jihad, there is no such thing in Islam as Holy War! Jihad means a way to God, which most importantly is achieved by morals and helping the poor and struggles in Life.Also I was expecting to find more about the muslim period in Israel/Palestine, more than 1400+ years written in very few pages!!Biased, un detailed, the author seemed to copy And paste the information “with some organizing done”.

This is an enjoyable read and interesting outline of Jewish history linked directly to locations you can visit. The historical aspect is not too in depth but if you are not familiar with the history of Israel this is a great primer. Very good resource to have with you if you are in Israel or as a guide for planning an itinerary there.

I bought this on the recommendation of a friend as it gives great insight into the holy land with lots of photos. It does neither. The book glosses over history and has few useful pictures. If you know anything about the holy land and the history of the Jewish people don't waste your money this book will add very little to what you already know.

Those seeking an overview of 6000 years of history in 156 pages will appreciate this lavishly illustrated book.Those seeking directions to the places referred to, detailed about them, or even a hint as to where some of them are, will be disappointed.

I have a copy , this is a present for a good friend living in the UK.