I absolutely LOVED this book! Archaeology has always fascinated me, and after spending some time on a dig in Israel, I could not pass up this book when it came around.

Jerusalem has always had a varied past, and this book brings about the different religions that make up the center of Jerusalem, and the many controversies that have surrounded some of the digs that have gone on.

Andrew Lawler brings a delicious history of the times, excavations, and unrest that has run through the streets of Jerusalem, and sheds more light on the different areas of controversy.

An absolute must-read for history lovers! You will not be disappointed at all!

Andrew Lawler brings a beautifully researched account of the excavations of the city of Jerusalem in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These were the days before archaeology was a precise science and more of an adventure excursion. He takes us on the quest for the Ark of the Covenant by these amateur adventurers and how their digs created an international crisis.

I can't help but point readers to the superb article in the current Smithsonian Magazine about this book by its author.

Considering how many various powers have held sway over Jerusalem through the centuries and how many of its historical buildings have become mishmashed structures built with and on top the ruins of others, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that the history of archaeological digs beneath it’s Old City is a messy one, to put it kindly. What may be a surprise however is the extent to just how absurdly complex and fraught it is. Since the mid-1800’s, the city has been host to an almost dizzyingly long and eclectic line of different foreign and local figures, organizations, and governments scraping around and under its ruins and holy sites. Just as varied as the men and women doing all the digging have been their respective motivations and agendas, and almost as diverse are the many controversies that have erupted in their wake.

So such is why I give Andrew Lawler enthusiastic kudos for what he has accomplished with his latest title, “Under Jerusalem.” It feels like he did an incredible amount of work to wrangle his complicated and volatile subject material into something digestible for the everyday reader, all while striving to be as objective as he could. At least, that seems to be the only explanation given the final result - a book that is accessible, almost shockingly fair given the topic, and last but not least, quite the fascinating read.

Under Jerusalem is a 150-year history of the ground just beneath one of the world’s holiest cities.

This is the well-researched, and well-written history of Jerusalem. From the time it was not much of anything to a major religious center, fought over by three or more religions.

We begin in 1863, when a Frenchman with an adventurous soul, heard a rumor. Buried beneath the city there was said to be a mother-lode of biblical treasure. Archaeology was just beginning to be a thing. Mainly with the idle rich who had the time and money to go on a treasure hunt.

When De Saulcy dug into a spot in the desert and found an old tomb, others followed quickly. The dig was great for archaeology but not so great for Jerusalem. Greed will do nasty things to ordinary people. As we can see now, Israel is land being fought over every day. And the claims to Jerusalem are made by many different religions. What has come out of the digs and finds has turned this area into a war zone.

The books' timeline takes us way back in history. So many people have fought over and claimed this area and so much has been destroyed in the process. This book is for the history lover, the truth seekers, and the treasure seekers.

I loved every second of it. I have never had an opinion one way or the other on the subject of Israel and Jerusalem. And I still don’t. But at least now I know the story.

Excellent work!

NetGalley/Doubleday November 02, 2021

I found this to be a very interesting book, a little hard to keep turning the pages at first. But the more I read the more I wanted to know. . Having visited Jerusalem myself, I found that by the time I finished this book I actually enjoyed reading it,