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Zion Legacy #2
Thunder from Jerusalem
Early on the morning of May 19, 1948, the long siege of Jerusalem's Old City is lifted as patriot soldiers break through the Zion Gate. But the celebration is short-lived-a long battle ensues. Moshe Sachar, a professor and strategist for the Haganah group, must keep the movement's momentum alive in the face of a dissenting mayor and a disguised SS assassin who has infiltrated the group. Meanwhile, Rachel, his pregnant wife, tends to the growing numbers of wounded at the hospital.
Bodie and Brock Thoene bring to life the stories of a striking cast of characters in an epic story of heroism, tragedy, romance, and faith set against a momentous turning point in the history of the world's most sacred city.
Bodie and Brock Thoene bring to life the stories of a striking cast of characters in an epic story of heroism, tragedy, romance, and faith set against a momentous turning point in the history of the world's most sacred city.
307 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
6 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
203 books1,367 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 23, 2014
War to keep Jerusalem for Israel (battle for the gates) Puts your feet on the ground and gives a sense of what it may have been like for the individuals.
September 16, 2014
"Thunder from Jerusalem" begins where "Jerusalem Vigil" left off. It is still 1948, Israel has been a state for five days, and the Jewish side is celebrating an apparent victory over the Arab side in the battle for Jerusalem. The illusion of victory quickly falls apart, and the Israelis soon have their backs to the proverbial wall again.
Carnage and drama, tragedy and close calls ensue.
There is not much to say about "Thunder from Jerusalem" that couldn't also be said about "Jerusalem Vigil," except, perhaps, that as a reader I got into this second book of the series a little more. Perhaps it just took me a while to get acclimated to Jerusalem in 1948.
My favorite characters in this book (they also were in the first book) are two elderly French nuns -- devout, stalwart and fearless. And an Arab boy with mixed loyalties who is occasionally visited by a mysterious gardener with a wound in his palm. The gardener seems to appear from nowhere, and his disappearances are just abrupt. T
he boy's interactions with the nuns add a hint of humor to this grim book.
Carnage and drama, tragedy and close calls ensue.
There is not much to say about "Thunder from Jerusalem" that couldn't also be said about "Jerusalem Vigil," except, perhaps, that as a reader I got into this second book of the series a little more. Perhaps it just took me a while to get acclimated to Jerusalem in 1948.
My favorite characters in this book (they also were in the first book) are two elderly French nuns -- devout, stalwart and fearless. And an Arab boy with mixed loyalties who is occasionally visited by a mysterious gardener with a wound in his palm. The gardener seems to appear from nowhere, and his disappearances are just abrupt. T
he boy's interactions with the nuns add a hint of humor to this grim book.
November 11, 2023
After a very slow start with the first book of the series, this was a welcome change. I began to make connections with the characters, and the action was intense. Now, I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
May 20, 2025
Book 2 of a 6 book series. Though the State of Israel is only five days old, the war continues. The Bible teaches us to pray for Israel as they are God’s chosen people. Reading their story and what they go through gives a reader a greater understanding.
December 7, 2013
I've run out of laudatory words to describe the Thoenes' works, so, I'll just say this: Fans of Bodie and Brock's writings will find plenty to enjoy in Thunder of Jerusalem.
August 18, 2016
As I've already said in my review on book 1.... AMAZING!!
I'm totally hooked on this series and have book 3 ready to go!
I'm totally hooked on this series and have book 3 ready to go!
November 23, 2023
The immense amount of historical information included in this novel of the Jewish battle to retain their country, israel, is written as the second book of the Zion Legacy series.
Bodie creates the fictional environment on Wednesday, May 19, 1948, for the battle to retain the city of Jerusalem.
If you have no knowledge of Israel’s history, this book will give you many nuggets of real history.
As I completed the first book in this series, Jerusalem Vigil, the shocking destruction of the attack on Israel by Hamas, made this book series more relevant.
I encourage you to read and appreciate the depth of information the Thoenes have written.
Bodie creates the fictional environment on Wednesday, May 19, 1948, for the battle to retain the city of Jerusalem.
If you have no knowledge of Israel’s history, this book will give you many nuggets of real history.
As I completed the first book in this series, Jerusalem Vigil, the shocking destruction of the attack on Israel by Hamas, made this book series more relevant.
I encourage you to read and appreciate the depth of information the Thoenes have written.
April 29, 2018
The authors are a little too slow getting into the story, and there's sort of an "air out of the balloon" ending, but some of the stuff in the middle is fascinating, especially in regard to some of the Jewish history and prophetic scriptures. Love the "gardener" that shows up.
January 31, 2023
I will definitely finish this series and will try another. You need not be of any particular religion or faith to appreciate the struggle these characters endure. The authors show the good and bad side of all religions as we see in our lives today.
September 4, 2018
This book was not as good as the first or the third. It felt anti-climactic, and i could've just skipped to #3.
February 2, 2021
Loved this continuation of the story of Israel's battle for Statehood.
It's hard to put down. I'm starting #3 now!
It's hard to put down. I'm starting #3 now!
December 16, 2022
Loved it
January 14, 2017
1/13/17- Reread this almost 10 years later as I'm hoping to actually finish the series this time. I really didn't recall any of the book, so definitely was reading it with fresh eyes. Action packed and a decent read, that's gotten me interested in learning more about the real historical events hat inspired this.
4/1/07-This series is alright. Not as good as the Zion Covenant but still a decent read. I was not familiar with a lot of the post WWII history of Israel and so it opened my eyes to the tension in an interesting fictional account.
4/1/07-This series is alright. Not as good as the Zion Covenant but still a decent read. I was not familiar with a lot of the post WWII history of Israel and so it opened my eyes to the tension in an interesting fictional account.
October 17, 2014
This book continued from "Jerusalem Vigil" as the people in the newly established Israel state who had just celerated their went and now on the fith day find that they have to face more of the same with additional forces. Their stategy in using their limited resources again saved the day. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
January 6, 2012
Great historical retelling of the beginning of Statehood of Israel, good characterisations and authentic Messianic Jewish culture. I also liked that it was fair about the different peoples/cultures/religions involved, even though the book was told from the (Messianic) Jewish perspective.
September 20, 2012
Intense and unable to put down...left me comtemplating throughout the day the plight of the new jewish nation. Must read for a new insite to the delimas we face in the middle east today, "for" the Jewish people.
January 25, 2013
A review from my old blog...
Only a few more days passed during the narration of this book. I had no idea that the establishment of the Jewish state was so hotly contested, and on such thin ice.
Once again, I absolutely loved the book and can't wait to pick up the next one!
Only a few more days passed during the narration of this book. I had no idea that the establishment of the Jewish state was so hotly contested, and on such thin ice.
Once again, I absolutely loved the book and can't wait to pick up the next one!
July 18, 2013
Great Book, Riveting, keeps you on the edge of your seat, It is hard to put down. This is the real life struggle of Israel, the people, the struggle against all odds. In 1948 a nation not expected to last but a few weeks, against all odds, is a prospering nation. This is fiction but a must read.
September 6, 2013
2nd book in the post WWII series of Israel's fight for control after obtaining statehood. Lots of action, plenty of perspective, engaging characters and a plethora of historical detail. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
January 20, 2014
It was a good read. I'm not sure how historical it was considering the mix between Jewish and Christian themes. Regardless, it was a striking story of the struggle of the Jews that fought in the late 1940s to define the state of Israel.
October 3, 2011
Exciting, in a very obvious way. People who don't see the Middle East as a black-and-white battle zone will be bored.
September 11, 2014
This is one of my favorite series
September 12, 2015
Amazing, outstanding, wonderful, epic. I love the Thoenes.
July 16, 2012
Excellent!
Read
September 5, 2018Over 300 pages covering 5 days causes much detail. This was abandoned because of this, and the graphic violence, bloodshed and horror. I understand this really happened, but I choose not to spend any more time putting it into my mind.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews