Stones of Jerusalem: A Novel of the Struggle for Jerusalem (Zion Legacy) [Paperback]

Bodie Thoene (Author), Brock Thoene (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zion Legacy | Publication Date: February 25, 2003

The latest novel from bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene continues the extraordinary story of faith and love in the first century a.d. that they began in their previous book, The Jerusalem Scrolls. The Old City has fallen and Moshe Sachar, the courageous Israeli leader, remains hidden in an underground tunnel, guarding the ancient sacred scrolls that tell of his people's long, heroic history. Following an elder rabbi's instructions, Moshe opens a scroll and again becomes immersed in the ancient biblical tale of Marcus, the Roman centurion, and Miryam, the troubled young woman he loves. Combining superb storytelling with an enchanting historical setting, this thrilling episode presents the gripping plight of a striking cast of biblical characters amid a rich tapestry of romance and intrigue.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

It's hard to believe that this series, begun with a bang in 1999, is already up to Book 5. This installment continues the story of The Jerusalem Scrolls, as Moshe Sachar contemplates a crumbling document he has discovered while hiding in a secret tunnel during the 1948 war for independence.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This is the fifth installment in the best-selling Thoenes' Zion Legacy series about the founding of modern Jerusalem, but in The Jerusalem Scrolls [BKL Ag 01], the fourth entry, they jumped back 2,000 years to tell their version of the ministry of Jesus. They continue that "flashback" here with the story of Miryam, who experienced the worst sort of misery before coming under the influence of Yeshua. Now she prospers in the faith, founding a home for the poor and abandoned--particularly unwed mothers. Marcus Longinus, the Roman centurion and Miryam's old lover, slowly turns to conversion, in the process rediscovering Miryam as a radiant Christian. Marcus becomes the Good Samaritan of Yeshua's parable, saving the Sanhedrin Nakdimon (Nicodemus) from the bandit and would-be revolutionary bar Abbas (Barabbas), in a merging of biblical stories with the necessities of plot. Both Marcus and Nakdimon seek out Yeshua to bring reports back to Pilate and the Sanhedrin, respectively; others, like three woebegone children, seek him out in order to be healed. Yeshua appears in the last third of the novel, a stirring presence not entirely bound to verses in the Gospels. As the narrative ends, revolution is brewing, pointing to at least one more novel to conclude this historical aside. In fact, the trilogy within the series, if that's what it turns out to be, is a more compelling narrative than the framing story that encloses it. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142001880
• ISBN-13: 978-0142001882
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,101 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 More Stories from the Life of Christ, April 10, 2002

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stones of Jerusalem (Zion Legacy) (Hardcover)

Picking up where The Jerusalem Scrolls left off, this book starts on the night of Purim. It's been six months since we last saw these first century characters. Marcus has been in the wilderness searching for rebels, but has been called to Jerusalem for the holiday. After the trouble caused by Herod, he's relieved to head back to Galilee to observe Yeshua for Pilate. But he's not the only one. Also searching are Nakdimon of the Sanhedrin, El'azar, notorious rebel bar Abba, and the orphan Avel. When they find Yeshua, things start to heat up even more.

Once again, the Thoenes have written a moving novel that shows God's love and grace at work. They weave Biblical stories so seamlessly into the narrative it's almost a shock when they appear. In doing so, they offer a fresh insight into these familiar tales from the life of Christ. The characters, as always, are well developed and bring the story to life. I especially love their portrayal of Jesus. You can feel his love and compassion flow off the page. While this book has a moving and satisfying conclusion, they have also left things open for another novel in this time period.

While not quite as powerful as the previous book, it's still a compelling story worth reading. I'm enjoying this break in the main story line of Israel's war for independence and am looking forward to seeing what the next book holds.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars again!!!, April 1, 2004

By 

Lisa Lundin "spiritguidedwoman" (Quincy, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stones of Jerusalem (Zion Legacy) (Hardcover)

It's amazing how these writers continue to create a piece of work that is so incredible. The story of Marcus and Miryam continues as more of Jesus and his story unfolds. In this edtion more fascinating characters are introduced to help in creating a picture of what life was like for those who witnessed Jesus and his miricales. As I read along, I felt like I wanted to be in their shoes. I wanted to witness these miracles for myself as I never before have. In this way, the Thoene's really outdid themselves in producting a quite memorable book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Woven Tales, Read Luke First, July 9, 2007

By 

Julie (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stones of Jerusalem: A Novel of the Struggle for Jerusalem (Zion Legacy) (Paperback)

Having been broken in by the last book, I was all braced for a first century soap opera...and got it. Yet this time, it was less painful and more fun a transition.
Still not a huge fan of these ancient history books. Avel takes the place of the young Arab boy from the first 3 books, so far as emotional searcher goes. The accounts of Jesus's miracles in the gospels are nicely brought to life and woven into a wonderful story with fictional characters. I highly recommend reading one of the gospels before reading this book, that way you can know which account's they're alluding to.
One cannot accuse Miryam of being a flat character at least in book 4...the changes wrought in book 4 were deep, and she proves it in this book. Now she's slightly skewed as the do-gooder, but the point - that the changes wrought by her encounter with Jesus were radical - is well made.
I'm not sure what certain words Jesus spoke to Marcus ended...the book just sort of ended before they were fulfilled. Odd. Anyway, a nice summer read.