• 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
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (637 ratings)

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O Jerusalem  By  cover art

O Jerusalem

By: Larry Collins, Dominique Lapierre
Narrated by: Theodore Bikel
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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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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)

What listeners say about O Jerusalem

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I felt I was there

Bikel's wonderful narration brings this story to life. Listening to this book provides a birds eye view of the birth of Israel. Terrific detail on the personalities and day-to-day battles from both sides...Arab and Israeli.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent, well balanced and gripping

Theodore Bikel is an energetic narrator who does well with all the Israeli and Arab names. This is a truly magnificent account of the Israeli War of Independence

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!!!

This book is AMAZING!!! Gives an amazing account of the struggle to bring to birth a Jewish state!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Moving reread in this day.

I would recommend this as a clear and moving portrayal of a generations-long conflict, which has been stirred up again even today.
The reader is excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Everything

Beautifully written, detailed yet balanced throughout. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! Such History ~ worth listening to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

O Jerusalem

If you are interested in this area of history, this is a great piece of work! The detail given is exceptional. The amount of research necessary to put this book together must have been staggering. I highly recommend.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't put it down!!!!!!!!

Wow!!! Loved this book. From thousands of interviews and research the authors managed to take facts, dates and events and blend them into a book that told a story from the perspective of both the Jews and Arabs. No taking either side but giving a VERY detailed chronological order of events which led to the establishment of the Jewish state. Anyone interested in learning about what drives the current events in the Middle East should read this book to provide the most comprehensive background of events. One of the best non-fiction books ever written and a MUST for anyone interested in the Arab/Jew conflict. I am neither Jewish or Arab but I found the book absolutely superb, download it now for a great journey through the history of Jerusalem before and after WW11

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great

Sometimes, not having been there, you just get a good feel for a fair and balanced book. This is one of those books. It is packed with trivial but not boring details that make the book come alive...like the dog that was used by the Jews to carry intel messages across town in his ear......or how the Jewish women hung clothes on the electrical lines to disguise the secret radio transmitter at the other end. Packed with details made exciting by the reader with a Jewish accent, "O Jerusalem" is the best read I have about the 1948 Israeli war of independence. With many details from the Arab side as well, it lays out the war in an unbiased and historical way. Thank you audible.com for this book. Much better than anything from the Jimmy carter perspective.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fully human

There is no story more compellingly human than the establishment of Israel, an amazing act of self declaration and faith.

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  • BE
  • 04-04-21

a magnificent historical work

I first read this book in early 1973. I was impressed buy the detail and insights. It lays out "the chosen peoples" belief that Jerusalem is to be their capital for the modern state of Israel. It also shows the underlying reason for Israel's actions since 1945. This book should be on the shelf of anyone that wants a better understanding of the middle east.

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