The Jerusalem Scrolls (The Zion Legacy, Book 4) [Hardcover]

Bodie Thoene (Author), Brock Thoene (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2001

"One is watching history unfold when reading the Thoenes' work." (Houston Chronicle)

"Fast-paced, often riveting action . . . scenes that rival those of James Michener." (New York Post)

With sales of more than seven million copies, Bodie and Brock Thoene's works of historical fiction have topped bestseller lists and carved a lasting place in the hearts of their readers.

The first three books in their beloved Zion Legacy series began with the sweeping saga of Jerusalem's explosive history of 1948. Now, the Thoenes return with a novel that is unique to the series—a riveting story within a story that transports readers from the war in 1948 back in time to the first century A.D. In The Jerusalem Scrolls, Moshe Sachar, the leading strategist for the Jewish forces, follows the dying wishes of an elder and escapes to a secret tunnel under Jerusalem where sacred scrolls are kept. Instructions tell him to open a particular scroll first, and when Moshe sits down to read he becomes immersed in an extraordinary biblical tale. With dramatic portrayals of events and characters from the Bible and a rich backdrop, The Jerusalem Scrolls is a superb, spellbinding novel. Its magnificent storytelling, historical authenticity, and moving love story will fascinate the Thoenes' growing legion of fans as well as lovers of historical and religious fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Prolific authors Bodie and Brock Thoene have earned a loyal readership for their fictional sagas of Jerusalem's stormy history. In The Jerusalem Scrolls, the fourth book in the Zion Legacy series, the husband-and-wife team surprise readers with a new spin, creating a story within a story and swapping time periods. It's 1948 when the tale opens, and flames are engulfing the Jewish Quarter. The battle for Old City Jerusalem is lost. Moshe Sachar and Alfie Halder escape the chaos through a secret passageway that leads to a cavernous, subterranean library, where the most sacred Jewish texts lie safely hidden. As Moshe prepares for their long confinement, he finds a tightly rolled papyrus scroll inscribed with the names Miryam and Marcus. He reads, and the scene shifts to the first century A.D., where a love story unfolds. Faithful fans of the series may have to stretch a bit to make the transition from following characters they've come appreciate to enjoying this diversion to a biblical epic. But the Thoenes have the skill to pull it off. Their ability to craft a historical novel and their careful attention to detail and description have resulted in sales of 6 million copies of their books in print, and eight Gold Medallion awards. --Cindy Crosby

From Publishers Weekly

The Thoenes continue their Zion Legacy series (Jerusalem Vigil; Thunder from Jerusalem; Jerusalem's Heart) with the fourth installment. Ambitiously plotted to encompass two different settings, the novel opens in 1948 in the midst of violence and strife, as Jewish Jerusalem falls to Arab forces in Israel's war of independence. Haganah commander Moshe Sachar takes refuge in a secret, underground chamber and examines a hidden biblical-era text. The text's narrative which occupies most of the rest of the novel concerns the stormy romance of a Roman soldier, Marcus, and Miryam, a young Jewish widow. Their story captures the turbulence and swirl of ancient Israel and details the rise of Yeshua, the mesmerizing preacher from Nazareth. The authors' basic New Testament narrative isn't excessively artful, but the well-researched historical detail and smooth prose paint an evocative picture. The stories of personages large and small Yeshua, Herod, Pontius Pilate, Yochanan the Baptizer, as well as Miryam's long-suffering nurse, Tavita; Marcus's loyal aide, Carto; arch rival Vara; and the sympathetic Roman politico Felix are effectively woven together. The novel's Christian slant may or may not be to readers' tastes, and the occasional lapse into Exodus-like purple prose ("She willed him to remember, to awaken in the night and long for her") only detracts. But the authors are successful at what they set out to do, and perhaps the two settings ancient and modern Israel aren't so divergent after all. (Oct. 1)Forecast: The Thoenes have more than six million books in print, and their latest should draw the usual Christian crowds.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1ST edition (October 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670030120
• ISBN-13: 978-0670030125
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive and Stylish!, March 6, 2002

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Jerusalem Scrolls (The Zion Legacy, Book 4) (Hardcover)

Forget for a moment this is the fourth book in a series. Forget you've been following characters whose lives are enmeshed in the drama of mid-1948 and the struggle for Israeli independence. For 250 pages, imagine you are discovering the incredible back-story to this modern conflict in Jerusalem.

The Thoenes break new ground here, jumping back two millenia to unravel the story of Mary (Miryam) Magdalene and her connections to the life of Jesus (Yeshua). I've admired the Thoenes ability to recreate the era of the 1930's and 40's, but to see them jump to 30 A.D...Wow! The transition is seamless. I was quickly transported to the troubled times and life of young Miryam and her centurion lover. I found myself caught up in the story and surprised at the ease with which the authors slipped fiction into the historical framework. In these pages, the Thoenes do wonders, making the lives and relationships of those represented in the Gospels come alive. They breathe fresh perspective into this oft-told tale and make it wholly believable and accessible for a modern reader.

From what I understand, the next book or two in The Jerusalem Legacy will continue the biblical back-story. (This book ends at the point of Jesus meeting with the woman caught in adultery.) Although I wish the Thoenes had finished their present series and made the story of these scrolls into its own entity, I'll certainly look forward to the continuation...of both. While remaining true to the known facts and to the spirit of the Bible, the Thoenes delve into the hearts and minds of those who later became known in the Scriptures. I'll never see Mary or the centurion or Caiaphas the same. Through "The Jerusalem Scrolls" they've become living, breathing people. With style and great sensitivity, this book shows once again why the Thoenes are one of the best writing teams going.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Novel from Amazing Writers, November 12, 2001

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jerusalem Scrolls (The Zion Legacy, Book 4) (Hardcover)

Taking a break from the 1948 storyline of the rest of the series, this book tells the story of two people during the first century. Miryam is a lonely widow and Marcus is her centurion lover. Because of her relationship with Marcus, Miryam has been outcast from her family and community. Slowly, she is sinking into depression. Marcus, meanwhile, must struggle with keeping the peace in this foreign land while avoiding his nemesis Vara. From Capernaum and Nazareth to Caesarea Maritima and Jerusalem, the Thoenes weave a story full of political intrigue and personal struggle. In the midst of this, our characters come in contact with the preacher Yeshua of Nazareth. Will Miryam and Marcus let Him help them, or are they truly beyond hope?

When I first learned this book would take a break from the 1948 storyline, I was disappointed. But I decided to give the book a far reading. I'm glad I did. The Thoenes have proven once again what wonderful storytellers they are. This novel combines several Biblical stories with the fiction for a powerful tale of grace and mercy. I was moved to tears several times while reading.

My only disappointment was that the story ended so soon. While I hope the next novel continues with Moshe, Rachel, David, Ellie, Alfie, and the others, I would love to see a stand-alone novel about these characters. There is certainly room for more.

I am curious to see if they will work this story into the overall storyline somehow, or if the prologue and epilogue will be the only connection with the rest of the series.

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. Their storytelling will enthrall their fans, and new fans will quickly be won over. It is my favorite of their books to date. Buy it and read it today.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an incredible way to introduce Jesus..., April 1, 2004

By 

Lisa Lundin "spiritguidedwoman" (Quincy, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jerusalem Scrolls: A Novel of the Struggle for Jerusalem (Zion Legacy) (Paperback)

This was my first introduction to the Thoenes - in the middle of a series - but it turned out to be a great place to start! This has been an incredible book!! The Thoene's are magnificent writers who weave a story with many memorable characters that leave you wanting for more. I am amazed at how they were able to include so many characters without my getting confused with all the information they supplied me with. You are first introduced with the situation being Jerusalem in 1948. Then you are taken back in time to the days of Jesus. However, you are not introduced to him in the traditional sense. You are given a behind the scenes look at people who witnessed his acts, a Roman soldier named Marcus and a Jewish woman named Miryam. It is their story that weaves throughout the book along with others. Don't hesistate to buy this book. It is worth the investment!