This was one of the clearest and most understandable histories of the region of Palestine, and provides an excellent description of the basis of and validity of the claims to historical Jerusalem by the three major religions. Each religion has ruled over the region at various periods of history, and there have been recent claims and counter claims from both Jewish and Muslim groups as to which group has the most legitimate claim on the area. Recent political proposals have been made to declare Jerusalem an "international" city, open to all, or to divide the city between east and west sections, one being controlled by Jerusalem, and one half being a Muslim controlled area. If you find yourself undecided as to which of these options is best, you should find this book helpful in making a fair decision.
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