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Cry For Jerusalem - Book 2 66-67 CE: Against All Odds
Book 2 Against All Odds is the second book in a series of four entitled Cry For Jerusalem, and is the story of the first Jewish Revolt in 66-70 CE from the perspective of the people involved and the eyewitness accounts of the historian Josephus.
Two thousand years ago, men and women were driven to act by the same emotions, needs, and wants as they are today, . In Cry For Jerusalem Book One, we experienced how such actions forever changed the world for Jews and Christians, and met our main cast of characters: Yosef, Nicanor, Cleo, Sayid, and Miriam.
In Book Two of this series, the epic saga continues its sweeping arc from Rome to Jerusalem, from Antioch to Galilee. Ancient history comes to life through the actions of historical figures, and events unanswered by history become plausibly explained. You'll read of the Siege of Yotapta (Jotapata) where thousands of Jews died fighting Roman legions--against all odds--in one of the bloodiest battles in Jewish history, witnessed and chronicled by the famous Jewish historian, Josephus. You'll follow the developing story behind the legendary (but real) Copper Scroll, considered "the most uniques, the most important, and the least understood" of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This scroll describes the locations of the Temple treasure moved from Jerusalem to be hidden--assumingly--from the Romans (but has never been found). You'll learn of the factions and dissension that weaken Jerusalem, and the intrigues within the Roman Empire leading up to the Year of the Four Emperors and the civil war that would then shape the empire for decades. The Great Fire in Rome, started by Nero and covered in Book One, still figuratively burned and had triggered a series of events that would end with the burning of Jerusalem and its Temple in Book Four.
What professional reviewers are saying about Cry For Jerusalem so far in Book One:
"The story seeps across a first-century world that's diverse, gritty, and laced with tension. Everything is supported by an incredibly well-researched foundation. The time period and social customs are delightfully developed... there is political and religious strife, moments of ancient beauty, and well-developed characters to carry the plot forward." --Historical Novels Review Issue 91, February 2020
"The plot is as gripping as it is historically edifying, remarkably authentic, and rigorously researched. At its conclusion, readers will be left impatient for the book's sequel. An impressive blend of historical and dramatic fiction." --Kirkus Reviews June 2020
Two thousand years ago, men and women were driven to act by the same emotions, needs, and wants as they are today, . In Cry For Jerusalem Book One, we experienced how such actions forever changed the world for Jews and Christians, and met our main cast of characters: Yosef, Nicanor, Cleo, Sayid, and Miriam.
In Book Two of this series, the epic saga continues its sweeping arc from Rome to Jerusalem, from Antioch to Galilee. Ancient history comes to life through the actions of historical figures, and events unanswered by history become plausibly explained. You'll read of the Siege of Yotapta (Jotapata) where thousands of Jews died fighting Roman legions--against all odds--in one of the bloodiest battles in Jewish history, witnessed and chronicled by the famous Jewish historian, Josephus. You'll follow the developing story behind the legendary (but real) Copper Scroll, considered "the most uniques, the most important, and the least understood" of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This scroll describes the locations of the Temple treasure moved from Jerusalem to be hidden--assumingly--from the Romans (but has never been found). You'll learn of the factions and dissension that weaken Jerusalem, and the intrigues within the Roman Empire leading up to the Year of the Four Emperors and the civil war that would then shape the empire for decades. The Great Fire in Rome, started by Nero and covered in Book One, still figuratively burned and had triggered a series of events that would end with the burning of Jerusalem and its Temple in Book Four.
What professional reviewers are saying about Cry For Jerusalem so far in Book One:
"The story seeps across a first-century world that's diverse, gritty, and laced with tension. Everything is supported by an incredibly well-researched foundation. The time period and social customs are delightfully developed... there is political and religious strife, moments of ancient beauty, and well-developed characters to carry the plot forward." --Historical Novels Review Issue 91, February 2020
"The plot is as gripping as it is historically edifying, remarkably authentic, and rigorously researched. At its conclusion, readers will be left impatient for the book's sequel. An impressive blend of historical and dramatic fiction." --Kirkus Reviews June 2020
440 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2020
15 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Ward Sanford
6 books16 followersDr. Ward Sanford is an internationally renowned hydrogeologist who has spent over thirty years studying and writing journal articles on the availability and sustainability of groundwater around the United States and the world. He has given professional advice on sites in Texas, Virginia, New Mexico, Hungary, Central America, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as undertaken missions with the International Atomic Energy Agency to Thailand and the U. S. State Department to Libya.
More recently he has developed a keen interest in the first-century history of Israel through the writings of the contemporary historian Flavius Josephus. His desire is now to bring those recorded events to life through dramatization in a series of novels entitled Cry for Jerusalem. He and his wife and two sons and daughter-in-law live in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC.
More recently he has developed a keen interest in the first-century history of Israel through the writings of the contemporary historian Flavius Josephus. His desire is now to bring those recorded events to life through dramatization in a series of novels entitled Cry for Jerusalem. He and his wife and two sons and daughter-in-law live in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 6, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
After defeating the Romans in the last book, it's time to get serious, as Rome will counter-attack. A lot of soap opera.
After defeating the Romans in the last book, it's time to get serious, as Rome will counter-attack. A lot of soap opera.
December 9, 2021
I won a copy of this book in a GR giveaway.
While I had vague knowledge of the Judean rebellion of about AD 67, I knew none of the particulars about it other than that Vespasian and Titus were involved in putting it down, and the holdouts and group suicide at Masada. I recall on our visit some years ago to Rome that my husband pointed out on Titus's arch the carvings that represented his victory over the rebellious Jews. That was about it.
This novel brings to life that time with sympathetic portraits of many of the rebels, as well as Vespasian, Titus, and other Roman soldiers. I had no idea that the Romans first defeated the rebel forces in Galilee before heading to Jerusalem.
This book is the 2nd of what looks to be a 3 book series. This story is big enough to need three books to explain everything that occurred.
The book was well written. My only (very minor complaint) was that the chapters were short, sometimes with one scene split between two of them.
While I had vague knowledge of the Judean rebellion of about AD 67, I knew none of the particulars about it other than that Vespasian and Titus were involved in putting it down, and the holdouts and group suicide at Masada. I recall on our visit some years ago to Rome that my husband pointed out on Titus's arch the carvings that represented his victory over the rebellious Jews. That was about it.
This novel brings to life that time with sympathetic portraits of many of the rebels, as well as Vespasian, Titus, and other Roman soldiers. I had no idea that the Romans first defeated the rebel forces in Galilee before heading to Jerusalem.
This book is the 2nd of what looks to be a 3 book series. This story is big enough to need three books to explain everything that occurred.
The book was well written. My only (very minor complaint) was that the chapters were short, sometimes with one scene split between two of them.
November 7, 2021
Throughly enjoyed this read
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews