This book is a grand tour through four thousand years of Jerusalem’s history from Ancient jewish kingdoms, to Roman conquest, to the Ottomans, the Crusader era, and finally the Jewish State of 1948. This approach is tedious in the early chapters of the book , as Mr Montefiore is limited by the sparse historical record hence the chapters read like wrote recital. This approach pays off as the book progresses through time the historical sources improve. It is the review of the entire history that provides the reader with an informed understanding of just why Jerusalem has been such a hotly contested city or location. Simply put Mr Montefiore shows all the claims are genuine and well grounded in history. The narrative is also improved with a leavening of vignettes and descriptions of some of the personalities who shaped Jerusalem, including the oud player of Jerusalem, Sir Moses Montefiore (a ancestor), Kaiser Wilhem the II amongst others. If you enjoyed Mr Montefiore’s earlier book, Stalin, Court of the Red Tsar you will also thoroughly enjoy this book. Well worth the investment if you have an interest in learning about the history of this dispute.