Book Recommendations for Trip to Israel

So it appears that I might be going to Israel for a tourist visit sometime in March or April. I would like to do some reading--a work about Roman Palestine, an excellent tourist guide, or any work that can help me make the most of my experience, with a predictable emphasis upon history and religion.

Of course I can Google, but I would be particularly interested in any Cointalk members’ recommendations that might help me prepare for the trip. Crossing my fingers it will all work out.

Gavin

 

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Hey Gavin, my number one recommendation would be James Michener's "The Source." Based on the excavations at Megiddo, but using an "alias" for that site, it was a fantastic source for history, religion, archaeology, etc., all of which are so important in Israel.

Steve

 

I'm planning a trip there in October.

Besides the obvious "Bible", I'd recommend Josephus. He was a contemporary of Jesus, and wrote on the current state of affairs at the time.

 

I was in Israel a couple of years ago and it was absolutely amazing. There is incredible history absolutely everywhere you go. If I was to recommend anything, you HAVE to go to Masada, preferably to see the sunrise. There is some amazing Roman architecture up there including a siege ramp (from the First Jewish-Roman War/Revolt) and Herod's Palace. Apparently it has the best surviving Roman underfloor heating in the world. Pay attention to the ground when you are up there, I found endless amounts of ceramic/pottery sherds!

 

Thanks everybody. Good recommendations so far. I wonder if @David Atherton has a favorite Vespasian or Titus biography that might be relevant.

 

The standards (and highly recommended) are Vespasian by Barbara Levick and The Emperor Titus by Brian Jones.

I'd also like to add that A History of The Jewish War by Steve Mason is a fundamental read!

 

Josephus is definitely worthwhile.

 

Congrats on your trip to Israel, Gavin. I've never been, but I recently read this book: Jerusalem : An Archaeological Biography by Hershel Shanks.

I really enjoyed this book - and I would think it would be a good guide to the rather confusing archaeology of Jerusalem - so many conquerors, so much history and so many layers! The photos, as I recall, were abundant and useful.

Used copies of this are pretty cheap - there are some on eBay for under $5.

 

Also, Runciman on the Crusades. If you want to also focus on that part of Jerusalem's history.

• A History of the Crusades: Volume 1, The First Crusade and the Foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (Cambridge University Press 1951)

 

Thanks everybody. I’ve already got a few things on order.

 

Surprised nobody added 'Jerusalem' by Simon Sebag Montefiore.

 

If you can find it, I would recommend Meshorer 's City Coins of Eretz Israel. It has brief history of every city with pictures and some stunning coins!

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/ki...zisrael_and_the_decapolis/895108/Default.aspx