Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace

by John D. Hosler

The history of Jerusalem is one of conflict, faith, and empire. Few cities have been attacked as often and as savagely. This was no less true in the Middle Ages. From the Persian sack in 614 through the bloody First Crusade and beyond, Jerusalem changed hands countless times. But despite these horrific acts of violence, its story during this period is also one of interfaith tolerance and accord.

In this gripping history, John D. Hosler explores the great clashes and delicate settlements of medieval Jerusalem. He examines the city's many sieges and considers the experiences of its inhabitants of all faiths. The city's conquerors consistently acknowledged and reinforced the rights of those religious minorities over which they ruled. Deeply researched, this account reveals the way in which Jerusalem's past has been constructed on partial histories--and urges us to reckon with the city's broader historical contours.

Genres: History, Jewish, Medieval, Middle East

384 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

John D. Hosler is associate professor of military history at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Delaware and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Dr. Hosler lives in Kansas City, KS.

Reviews

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Why has a small walled city seen so many powers vying to control it? Because it's where God spoke to Man.

[Daniel Farabaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me reconsider a number of assumptions that I had about the nature of religious strife in Jerusalem which I always like in a book. Well written and develops a broader view of the conflicts than previous narrow analysis.

[Tim Suddeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Jerusalem Falls, the author, John D. Hosler, looks at the forces in and around Israel. He makes the argument that for much of the time between 600 and 1460, the three Abrahamic religions more often lived in peace than strife. A lot of names with sometimes not enough context, this is still a great history of how all the different sides lived together.

[Benjamin Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and well-researched look at the ongoing take-over of Jerusalem by Christian and Muslim invaders over seven centuries; each claiming varying degrees of illegitimate ownership.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book focuses on Jerusalem but kind of evens out the coverage of the same events. The book shows how Jerusalem was surprisingly cosmopolitan no matter what ruler was in charge or restrictions in place. Perhaps due to the pilgrimages constantly coming in, but there was more tolerance here with episodes of periodic violence but the worst moments are fairly far between. The details are a bit overwhelming at times because there is just so much changeover, and alliances made and broken.