Jerusalem and the Holy Land (DK Eyewitness Travel Guide) (Hardcover)

by Dorling Kindersley (Author) "THIS GUIDE helps you to get the most from your visit to Jerusalem and the Holy Land, by providing detailed practical information..." (more)
Key Phrases: Tel Aviv, Dead Sea, Holy Sepulchre (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This award-winning travel guide to Jerusalem and the Holy Land covers all major sights and resorts throughout Israel, plus Petra in Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula. There are also special features that tell the story of the Holy Lands and the sacred sights of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Information is given to aid in the exploration of the Jerusalem's fabled Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, the Holy Sepulchre, the garden of Gethsamane and the lost city of Petra.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd (April 6, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0751311790
• ISBN-13: 978-0751311792
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,512,449 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Guidebook, June 26, 2000

By	Gabriel Fisher "Israel Lover" (Brick, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Paperback)

This book is a wonderul way to get acquainted with the Holy Land. Even after 25 trips I learned a number of things and picked up some tips for my next trip over.What makes this book so stunning is the incredible photos, diagrams and artists conception. You see it! You are there. There is as well all kinds of practical information on services In Israel as well as information on Jordan. For anyone going, thinking about going, or just going on a mental tour this is the book.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Quick Reference!, February 16, 2002

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Paperback)

This book is a rare treat. I've had the Dorling Kindersley guide for San Francisco for quite some time now, and have always found it colorful and helpful. But I am not a frequent traveler, so it never occurred to me that a travel guide might be useful for other things than trip planning. As usual, it takes a friend to give you something you would never have bought for yourself. Now that I have this little guide to the Holy Land I don't understand how I ever did without it.

These guides are beautifully made for their size, and will outlast most of the disasters that plague the serendipitous. Illustrations, maps, and diagrams are many and all easy to read, even for one with eyes as bad as mine. Sections on history intersperse deep dives into the land, its sights and points of interest. While some of the history is oversimplified, the descriptive information is clear as a bell. It is impossible to turn more than a few pages without coming up with a list of must sees and things to do.

The largest part of the book covers Jerusalem thoroughly (136 pages). Smaller sections then introduce the Holy Land overall, the Coast and Galilee, the Dead Sea and the Negev, Western Jordan, and the Red Sea and Sinai. Whew! Quite a lot! There are also good references on hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It finishes up with a handy survival guide. All in a moderate size that is perfect for a backpack or tote bag. My only complaint it that the publisher did not provide any blank pages for notes.

So what does a non-traveler such as I want with such a volume. The truth is that it is a marvelously handy reference for anyone who has an interest in biblical history, archeology, or religion. Its maps, pictures and very complete index make it useful for getting enough quick information to bring ones reading or research to life. It would be just as useful for a modern history or politics buff. What is nice, is that it isn't a weighty, encyclopedic tome, but instead is lightweight enough to carry along with one's research materials. This is the perfect present, not only for the traveler, but the scholar or dreamer as well.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide which shows what other guides just tell about..., May 6, 2001

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Eyewitness Travel Guide to Jerusalem & the Holy Land (Paperback)

If you want to see the world, these eyewitness books are almost as good as traveling. This book has over 800 full-color photographs taken especially for this guide. They show you Jerusalem and the Holy Land at its best.

You will find detailed and accurate street finder maps which give you instant access to each district. The unique cutaways and floor plans are fascinating and help you explore public buildings so you don't have to purchase other guides. The "survival" guide shows you how to use local currency, public transportation and telephones.

The cafes, hotels and restaurants listed are in all price ranges. On the front and back covers, there is a flip out flap which gives information on the color coded pages and symbols used in the book. This is quite handy.

I could not help thinking that this book would be invaluable for those interested in the politics of the regions discussed. Too often we just see a snippet of news and a flash of video and we have no idea where the action is taking place. This book explains the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter and the Armenian Quarter. You will know where the Dome of the Rock is and were the Western Wall is located.

The guide begins with a introduction on how to use the guide and then gives an introduction to Jerusalem and The Holy Land. If you want to know the history of the region, that is also included. You will find information on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Religious holidays are fully explained and this makes this book invaluable for writers as well.

You can visually take a walk called the Via Dolorosa, which is said to be the path Jesus took from where he was tried to Calvary. Countless pilgrims walk the route.

If you are heading to the Holy Land, there is also a section of what to buy. I would personally look for the beautiful Armenian Ceramics and the Bedouin fabrics. I already order the Dead sea products from a company called ONZE and I see that this book also explains the vast range of creams, soaps and salts available. It is the best skincare line I have ever personally used and is good for use in dry climates.

This book has it all and is visually stunning. Now I truly do want to visit the Holy Land. This is the best guide I have ever seen.

~The Rebecca Review