Jerusalem, the City of Herod and Saladin

The work traces Jerusalem's tumultuous saga from the first century CE, beginning with the Roman siege under Titus, through the waning Jewish revolts, the three‑century Christian dominion, the rise of Islam and the construction of the Dome of the Rock, and the Crusader incursions that reshaped the city.

Drawing on both Latin and French Crusader chronicles and contemporary Arabic histories, the authors present material that has never before been fully accessible to English readers. Their narrative strips away hagiography, portraying the city's leaders and inhabitants as flesh‑and‑blood actors driven by ambition, faith, greed, and occasional altruism. Small discrepancies between the two traditions are left untouched, reminding listeners of the era’s competing viewpoints.

Listeners will find a clear, chronological account that balances scholarly detail with engaging storytelling, making the complex layers of Jerusalem’s past approachable. Whether you’re fascinated by medieval warfare, religious pilgrimage, or the city’s ever‑shifting power dynamics, this history offers a fresh, human‑focused perspective.