Making Their Own Peace: Twelve Women of Jerusalem

by Ann N. Madsen

Every year since 1968, when she made her first pilgrimage to the city, Ann Madsen has returned to Jerusalem. In the course of her many visits, and of the five years she spent there as a resident, Madsen became intimately familiar with the city she had loved at first sight. Yet as she came to know the women of Jerusalem—Muslims, Jews and Christians—she wondered at their courage and persistence. "Why do they stay here through war after war?" she asked herself. How were these women able to maintain their vision, their hope, in the midst of perpetual conflict and danger? The result of her questioning is this primer for peace, illustrated by the lives of twelve women who have made their homes and lives in this troubled and beloved city. The twelve women profiled in this book represent thousands of women who live and work every day in Jerusalem, where, without waiting for political negotiations to succeed, they have found their own ways to make peace.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jon Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful capture of twelve incredible women, who if we listened to, could bring peace to anywhere. nice read.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal view into loving a place and people not correlated with your upbringing. Her genuine appreciation for the differences in others makes this an important book in the discussion of what it means to be at peace with oneself and the world.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ann! I did some work with her while she was in the middle of working on this book and I can say that her full heart went into this book. She loves and admires the people she presented and the stories that they each had. Our lives can be better as we work to understand and truly learn from others.

[Robyn91856 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. The women that she talks about are very diverse. Muslims, Jews, one was a nun, a nurse and it interesting to see the ways in which each of these women influence and work is felt in this ever changing city.

[Brittani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about 12 influential women in Jerusalem through the years. I knew one of these women so it was special to me. I also loved that i understood what they were describing and had been to a lot of these places. An interesting account of women that have helped same this Holy Place.

[Carel · Rating 4 out of 5]

People from all kinds of backgrounds can live together in peace.

[Rcpgpugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

some parts of it were fascinating. Some felt to long. would definitely recommend it. Just increased my interest in understanding Jerusalem. Its geography, customs, and people.