7.21.2012

 

Jerusalem: The Biography

by Simon Sebag Montefiore, 544 pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: A

An impressively beastly tome in size, this "biography" is surprisingly easy to read. Numerous chapters of history are further broken down into titled subsections so there's frequent places to pause, in addition to very readable prose. I believe Montefiore largely succeeds in recounting the complex history of the city, relying on archaeology and primary sources where possible. I also think he does a fair job of portraying the events of more recent history (British Mandate, Six Days War, etc.) objectively. Thoroughly recommended as a primer for understanding today's Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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