O Jerusalem

Day by Day and Minute by Minute the Historic Struggle for Jerusalem and the Birth of Israel

By: Larry Collins, Dominique Lapierre

Narrated by: Theodore Bikel

Length: 23 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

O Jerusalem! is the epic drama of 1948, when Arabs and Jews fought for control of the city of Jerusalem. This story traverses centuries and continents, covering the time between WWII and the creation of the independent state of Israel. Based on five years of intensive research and thousands of interviews, this is a story of courage, terrorism, heroism, and ultimately, war.

©1972 Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre (P)2003 New Millennium Audio, All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"A history that not only clarifies the military and political events of the war but brings its human dimensions vividly to life." (The National Observer)
"A story as dramatic, as miraculous, as full of wonder as any ever told." (New York Times Book Review)

Magical Road With Magical Narrator

Imagine a protagonist so vital, so colorful, so enigmatic that you want to continue in their presence. Jerusalem, in this book, is no longer a city nor a place on a map. It is of non consequence your background as the produce is even handed, fascinating in detail. And Bikel draws you in, balances the tone; understands the inflections. This is a book that will extend your car ride to 3000 miles...it is that hard to put it down.

Amazing!

I have read many books on the Arab-Israeli conflict. But none has given the background of the personalities like this author has. I was completely enthralled throughout the telling of this story. It has the perfect blend of historical facts (that tend to bore one) and anecdotes (making it more interesting) that is rare in today's literature.

Totally, totally engrossing

I cannot say enough good things about this audiobook. The sheer detail and scope of the story is unbelievable and it still reads/listens like a novel that you cannot put down. First time I've ever been glad that I got the 21-hour version of a book. Really.

Jerusalem lives through the battle of Survival

Superb narration of the Jewish fight for survival.
The connection of the Jews to Jerusalem is brought to life. Thanks

A story everyone should read.

The birth of Israel is a complex and tragic history of the Jewish people. This book helps explain on small but monumental period in the history of the Hews and Israel. The performance was pure jewish story telling and lent a feel for the events and the people.

Excellent book and audio performance.

I read this book over 18 years ago and it still is as good as I remember.
Now, with the excellent audio performance the story really comes alive.

Of course 5 stars

Excellent book.

Excellently written and seems to be a very well researched book. I wasn’t as interested in some of the hour by hour or day to day military maneuvers as other readers might be. Definitely a 5 star book excellently narrated.

An astonishing story

Never in my live I listened to a such astonishing story.
I could not wait to continue listening, I went from totally amazed to tears.
This book is a must for whom want know more about the founding of the state of Israel, and resourcefulness and creativity of the Jewish people in there battle for Jerusalem and there existence.

I was unaware of Israel's history

last year I was in Israel for my 1st time this story made it come alive

O Jerusalem - a review and reminiscences

Some books about history and places, and their true hidden gist can be grasped only after you touch the stones, breath the air, toddle through its streets. That was my experience about "O Jerusalem !" by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Colins. The book describes the most contested part of Jerusalem history - the time of War in 1948 - the war launched by Arabs on the news of United Nations creation of Jewish State.
It is very detailed, epic, 600 pages of reading (or about 18 hours of listening). And it is great experience. You get deep into the individual people emotions, but you also get very good account of the global and regional history of the time.
Authors are really very objective. They did not write only black & white adoration of Jewish heroes of the time. They write about the dark sides as well. This dark sides resonated in my heart with the words and thoughts of my orthodox Jewish friend - though not in a direct simple way....
But above all it shows how incredibly difficult time Jerusalem had between 1947 and 1967, until it was reunited as a consequence of another war started by Arab countries.
It shows how precious is every stone, every inch of its streets. It weeps over all the victims of the tragedies...
It also tells a lot of amazing and incredible stories about the Jerusalem area - about Hebron and its Kfar Etzion, about Latrun and the heavy fights for this fortress, about famous Burma road and Tomb of Salomon....

It describes in a fascinating, almost like a thriller, the stories of arm purchases for young Israel in Europe, about Golda Meir fund rising for the new born state and so many other fascinating stories.
When it comes to the mood - it has a kind of melancholic-epic character, but - in a very positive sense of the world - it reflects the feelings you have there.

I recommend the book to everybody who plans to go to Jerusalem. I promise - you will look at its stone from a different perspective...