ISRAEL & THE MIDDLE EAST - TRAVEL GUIDES

"In the Middle East, history is not something you read about in books. Here, it’s a story written on the stones that litter the region, from the flagstones of old Roman roads to the building blocks of Ancient Egypt, and the delicately carved tombs and temples from Petra to Baalbek. This is where humankind first built cities and learned to write, and it was from here that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all arose. Wherever you find yourself, the past is always present because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on earth, history is the heart and soul of the land."
- Anthony Ham, Lonely Planet (website)

TRAVELING TO ISRAEL, THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES AND JORDAN

The town of Jerusalem might have a claim for the world’s most historic and spiritual cities, with sacred roots and tracking back to all three major religions with cultural tension that still exists today.  This religious passion and historical significance extend to all of Israel, the Palestinian territories, and the entire Middle East, making this region of the world one of the most interesting and unique for modern day travelers.  Here are our recommendations for the best travel books on Israel and the Middle East.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS

DK Eyewitness Travel: Jerusalem

One of our common recommendations for a guidebook for larger cities is the DK Eyewitness Travel series, and the Jerusalem guidebook is no exception.  These books are very visually oriented with beautiful photos and great custom maps that make it very easy to enjoy the historic highlights of this amazing city.  And, the guidebook of course provides a ton of helpful and practical content on where to stay and how to get around.

Lonely Planet: Jordan

We recommend Lonely Planet as the best guidebook for those traveling to Jordan and other areas in the Middle East.  Lonely Planet is perhaps the world’s largest publisher of travel books, known for the depth of their coverage and for the strength of their local knowledge.  Their coverage of course on Petra is outstanding, but there is a lot of additional detail on what else to see and do.   

The Holy Land, An Oxford Archaeology Guide

The Holy Land, as the physical heart and soul of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, is perhaps one of the most historically significant locations in the world.  Those visiting Jerusalem and the broader region will benefit from doing some planning around how best to find and understand the famous archaeological sites and numerous religious points of interest.  One of the best guides is The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide.  The book provides both fascinating background information and solid practical planning advice with historical timelines, detailed maps and many photographs. 

From Beirut to Jerusalem, by Thomas Friedman

One of the best books covering history, political relations and culture in the Middle East is written by American journalist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman, who spent ten years reporting in Lebanon and Israel.  From Beirut to Jerusalem provides a truly thought-provoking look at this volatile region during some of its most turbulent times in history.  The book won the 1989 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  

The Lemon Tree, An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East, by Sandy Tolan

As the title suggests, The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East tells the story of the remarkable relationship between two families, one Palestinian and one Israeli.   The book provides a very personal view into the troubled history between these two countries, and a spark of hope for the future, despite the bleak political reality today.  Sandy Tolan based the book off of what started as an NPR documentary.  

The New Book of Middle Eastern Food

The ultimate cookbook for those wanting to learn more about Middle Eastern cuisine is definitely Claudia Roden’s Book of Middle Eastern Food.  This is a wonderful book from four of the region’s main styles of cooking: Turkish, Iranian, Arab (from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon), and North African.  Food is an essential part of a region’s culture, and Roden has travelled extensively throughout this diverse part of the world to be able to share this rich collection of recipes and advice.