"Masterly. . . . [Full of] pathos, lyricism and depth." -
The New York Times Book Review "Powerful. . . . Full of wonders. . . . Dares to examine exactly when, why and how the outcrop of stone that was believed to be the site of the ancient temple of Solomon-already sacred to both Judaism and Christianity-was first claimed as a holy place by Islam . . . thus establishing Jerusalem as ground zero in the bloody and enduring conflict among the three great monotheistic faiths. . . . Could not be more timely." -
Los Angeles Times "Important and imaginative. . . . Solid, interesting, accessible, and highly illuminating." -
The Washington Post Book World
