Knopf Guide to The Holy Land [Paperback]

Knopf Guides (Author)

Book Description

Series: Knopf Guides | Publication Date: November 21, 1995

Completely revised and updated

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Knopf Guides' The Holy Land is an exquisitely illustrated guide to that part of the world held holy by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Covering the Sinai, Eilat, Beersheba, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Masada, and the area around Tiberias, including Upper and Lower Galilee, the Golan, Nazareth, and the Jordan, the book is a rich mixture of history, culture, and sightseeing tips. The first five chapters cover nature, history, arts and tradition, religions, and architecture. The following two chapters discuss how the Holy Land has been depicted in art and in literature. The next six chapters divide the area by region, each taking the reader on a beautifully illustrated tour of the landmarks, historical events, and modern-day people. At the back of the book are specific itineraries such as "The Holy Land in Three Weeks" or "Jerusalem in Three Days" along with lots of practical information on everything from how to catch a bus to how to make a phone call. The Holy Land is a book that's as much fun to look at as it is to read.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1st American ed edition (November 21, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679762019
• ISBN-13: 978-0679762010
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 4.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have guide for visitors to the middle east!, January 28, 2000

By 

Michael McDaniel (Kirkland, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knopf Guide to The Holy Land (Paperback)

This guide is beautiful, complete, and truly in-depth. For example, there is a fold out section showing the route Jesus followed carrying his cross. It notes all of the details including where he fell, where certain icons are -- everything you could want to know. The Knopf Guide also will make a great souvenir of your trip.

Contrary to what another writer has said here, this book certainly recognizes Israel. As the Lonely Planet guide points out, there is much in dispute about this area, and it's easy to offend one group or the other. Any attempt to present a balanced view of history and of the three religions which center their faith here must tread carefully with names and facts. The Knopf Guide excels in this area.

I'd recommend picking up the Lonely Planet guide for details of accomodation and travel facts, but for the history, architecture, birds, animals, fish, sacredness, and gradeur of the area, this is definitely the book to get!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary guide, all that's needed for The Holy Land, December 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (St. Louis, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knopf Guide to The Holy Land (Paperback)

My family and I recently returned from a trip to Israel. We found the Knopf guide an extremely valuable resource. The historical perspectives, maps, illustrations, photographs, and drawings enhanced our enjoyment of our trip by enabling us to focus and anticipate the key aspects of our travels. This guide shines above all the other guides by providing all the necessary practical travel information that you would expect from even the most basic of guides, but where it really excels is by presenting all this in a comprehensive and yet visually stimulating format. By seperating itineraries of The Holy Land into regions you are able to prepare for your trip well in advance and then enjoy the whole region, even if you didn't get to see all of the stops along the way. This is the only guide you need to take, save your money for souveniors

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide book for those who want to understand what they see, September 12, 1999

By 

Charles Barlow ([e-mail]) (Tiberias, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knopf Guide to The Holy Land (Paperback)

This book is so good that when it was taken away from me at the Syrian border (for having Hebrew in it) I ordered another copy. The Holy Land is a wonderfully literate and detailed little book that could form the basis of a course at Oxford.

You might also want to bring another guide that deals more with pedestrian, but very important, things like where to eat, shop and stay. The Knopf guide is what you want when you go to the Dome of the Rock.

When in Jerusalem I recommend the American Colony Hotel (an Oasis).