Customer Reviews

Jerusalem and the Holy Land: The First Ecumenical Pilgrim's Guide

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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Judge McCormick does an outstanding job of providing a most helpful tool in preparing one to travel to the Holy Land. He does this in several ways: 1) By delineating clearing the difference between a "Pilgrimage" and just taking a vacation trip. This is a spiritual journey. 2) He notes the wonderful variety of religious traditions that converge in Israel and ways to get in touch with the wealth of these traditions; 3) Has THE most helpful listing of ways to be brought "up to speed" prior to traveling to the Holy Land to maximize the experience; and 4) I agree wholeheartedly with his comments about the value of booking with a tour company which provides Christian guides for Christian groups. As a pastor who has led two tour groups to the Holy Land in the last 14 years, I find this book an excellent choice in preparing spiritually for this trip of a lifetime. Thanks!

I read this book in preparation for a 2007 trip to the Holy Land and have recommended it to others in our small group who are making preparation for this journey. Reading James McCormick's book helps me understand that this is not just another vacation and I can be more than just a tourist. This is a pilgrimage to a special place and preparation begins in the mind and heart to truly understand what the Holy Land offers. I particularly enjoyed the way he is able to capture the point of view and expectations of people from other faith traditions. He describes why Orthodox believers and Protestant believers will go to Israel with different anticipations.
This book is a great tool and inner journey before the actual journey begins. I now am even more excited about our trip than I was before the reading the book and see this as pilgrimage and not just a vacation.

If you are going on a guided tour to the Holy land, this book will give you a good overview of what you need to know and will help you get the most out of your trip.

If what you need are details that will equipt you to make a visit on your own, the book is just about useless. Stick with the Eyewitness and Jerome Murphy-O'Connor Oxford Guide.

Jim McCormick writes a book that explains in detail the actualities of what to expect in a visit to the Holy Land. Jim is able to explain what to look for, what one will see and the significance of each site that he visited. Jim takes an armchair visitor so clearly to the sights that we who cannot make the trip in person, don't really need to. We can 'see' the sights and feel the emotional bond through his keen, hazel eyes and marvelous heart and mind. It is a book that, I feel, everyone who has an interest in the site of Jesus's birth and life, should read, and read again. It is a literary success in the finest tradition.