Jerusalem: The Endless Crusade

Andrew Sinclair, Author Crown Publishers $24 (295p) ISBN 978-0-517-59476-6
This vibrant chronicle unravels the intertwined politics of Jews, Muslims and Christians over the centuries. Sinclair, historian (The Sword and the Grail), biographer and novelist, maintains that the three major monotheisms all embraced the idea of the elect, the Chosen People of God, which led to their continual conflict, misunderstandings and clashes for control of Jerusalem, which each faith claimed as a holy city. Beginning with King David's construction of a capital city in Jerusalem around 1000 B.C., through the Crusades down to current tensions between Jews and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, he weaves a stirring narrative encompassing the Knights Templars' transmission of oriental mysticism and sacred architecture to the West, Masonic rites and practices, the 12th-century Muslim terrorist sect of Assassins, medieval persecution of Jews in Western Europe, and Israel's wars with Arab states. Sinclair writes with impartiality and rueful historic perspective about a city ``always more of a vision than a fact, a dream that could only lead to a sad awakening.'' Photos. (Sept.)
Reviewed on: 09/04/1995
Release date: 09/01/1995
Genre: Nonfiction
Hardcover - 978-0-517-17254-4
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