Customer Reviews

A Pilgrimage to Palestine (America and the Holy Land)

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It has been my privilege to read the original book in its earlier edition published by Chautuaqua Press. Fosdick used the geographical features of Palestine as a starting point to describe the people, culture, economy, politics, etc. of the time. He was an astute observer and very deep and sensitive thinker. His writing is easy to read, even for the modern reader, and paints word pictures in the reader's mind while still imparting quite a bit of solid information (current population mix of different groups, etc.) Through the reading of this book, the reader is not only able to learn about "facts" but is also given information with which to ascertain relationships and interconnectedness at the time of Fosdick's journey (@1926) that is still pertinent and applicable today. It is far different than the usual book on the subject since it was written PRIOR to all the changes that ensued at the end of WWI. Anyone interested in world affairs today or in historical happenings in the Middle East would find this book a "must read." My only question would be whether or not Fosdick himself wrote the 1949 edition of this book represented here or if someone else edited/rewrote it on his behalf. Fosdick himself would be difficult to rewrite; the man is incredibly talented. I cannot imagine changing one word of the original without losing some of its relevance. I am glad to see this book available for modern audiences since everyone is not so fortunate as to find an original copy on a sale table at a flea market.