Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides) [Paperback]

Kate Poole (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2000

The guide that shows you what other travel books only tell you!

Flanked by Africa, Asia, and Europe, the Holy Land encompasses Israel, Palestine, and parts of Jordan and Egypt. Jerusalem is the walled city at its center divided into three parts: Modern Jerusalem, The Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, and the Old City -- the Old City is made up of the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter. Experience the Western Wall, Hurva Square, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and many other important sites. With more than 800 full-color photographs and detailed street-by-street maps DK's Eyewitness Guide: Jerusalem and the Holy Land details the history and beauty of this land from the Sea of Galilee to the Negev Desert. Whether you're visiting St. Catherine's Monastery or exploring the coral reefs in the Red Sea, this one guide is the only reference you will ever need.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: DK Travel; 1st edition (March 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789451700
• ISBN-13: 978-0789451705
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Israel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Guidebook, June 26, 2000

By 

Gabriel Fisher "Israel Lover" (Brick, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides) (Paperback)

This book is a wonderul way to get acquainted with the Holy Land. Even after 25 trips I learned a number of things and picked up some tips for my next trip over.What makes this book so stunning is the incredible photos, diagrams and artists conception. You see it! You are there. There is as well all kinds of practical information on services In Israel as well as information on Jordan. For anyone going, thinking about going, or just going on a mental tour this is the book.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Quick Reference!, February 16, 2002

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides) (Paperback)

This book is a rare treat. I've had the Dorling Kindersley guide for San Francisco for quite some time now, and have always found it colorful and helpful. But I am not a frequent traveler, so it never occurred to me that a travel guide might be useful for other things than trip planning. As usual, it takes a friend to give you something you would never have bought for yourself. Now that I have this little guide to the Holy Land I don't understand how I ever did without it.

These guides are beautifully made for their size, and will outlast most of the disasters that plague the serendipitous. Illustrations, maps, and diagrams are many and all easy to read, even for one with eyes as bad as mine. Sections on history intersperse deep dives into the land, its sights and points of interest. While some of the history is oversimplified, the descriptive information is clear as a bell. It is impossible to turn more than a few pages without coming up with a list of must sees and things to do.

The largest part of the book covers Jerusalem thoroughly (136 pages). Smaller sections then introduce the Holy Land overall, the Coast and Galilee, the Dead Sea and the Negev, Western Jordan, and the Red Sea and Sinai. Whew! Quite a lot! There are also good references on hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It finishes up with a handy survival guide. All in a moderate size that is perfect for a backpack or tote bag. My only complaint it that the publisher did not provide any blank pages for notes.

So what does a non-traveler such as I want with such a volume. The truth is that it is a marvelously handy reference for anyone who has an interest in biblical history, archeology, or religion. Its maps, pictures and very complete index make it useful for getting enough quick information to bring ones reading or research to life. It would be just as useful for a modern history or politics buff. What is nice, is that it isn't a weighty, encyclopedic tome, but instead is lightweight enough to carry along with one's research materials. This is the perfect present, not only for the traveler, but the scholar or dreamer as well.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide which shows what other guides just tell about..., May 6, 2001

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides) (Paperback)

If you want to see the world, these eyewitness books are almost as good as traveling. This book has over 800 full-color photographs taken especially for this guide. They show you Jerusalem and the Holy Land at its best.

You will find detailed and accurate street finder maps which give you instant access to each district. The unique cutaways and floor plans are fascinating and help you explore public buildings so you don't have to purchase other guides. The "survival" guide shows you how to use local currency, public transportation and telephones.

The cafes, hotels and restaurants listed are in all price ranges. On the front and back covers, there is a flip out flap which gives information on the color coded pages and symbols used in the book. This is quite handy.

I could not help thinking that this book would be invaluable for those interested in the politics of the regions discussed. Too often we just see a snippet of news and a flash of video and we have no idea where the action is taking place. This book explains the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter and the Armenian Quarter. You will know where the Dome of the Rock is and were the Western Wall is located.

The guide begins with a introduction on how to use the guide and then gives an introduction to Jerusalem and The Holy Land. If you want to know the history of the region, that is also included. You will find information on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Religious holidays are fully explained and this makes this book invaluable for writers as well.

You can visually take a walk called the Via Dolorosa, which is said to be the path Jesus took from where he was tried to Calvary. Countless pilgrims walk the route.

If you are heading to the Holy Land, there is also a section of what to buy. I would personally look for the beautiful Armenian Ceramics and the Bedouin fabrics. I already order the Dead sea products from a company called ONZE and I see that this book also explains the vast range of creams, soaps and salts available. It is the best skincare line I have ever personally used and is good for use in dry climates.

This book has it all and is visually stunning. Now I truly do want to visit the Holy Land. This is the best guide I have ever seen.

~The Rebecca Review