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The Promised Land #3
Place of Refuge
It is six centuries before Jesus of Nazareth will be born, and Jerusalem is in turmoil. As the conflict with Babylon escalates, the ruling classes of Judah threaten any who dare oppose their tenuous power. The Holy City is destined for destruction. But amid the mayhem, two prophets of God come forth - Lehi and Ezekiel. However, both are in danger of losing their lives.
500 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 16, 2023
The continuing saga of Lehi's family and their friends in Jerusalem around 600 B.C. Lehi has fled from Jerusalem to save his life and that of his family. The wicked Jewish leaders chase after them unsuccessfully and their evil plans are frustrated. This volume was faster paced and more entertaining to read than the first two volumes. Although this story is fictitious, it is a plausible scenario and helps fill out the story of persecution that the followers of God always seem to attract.
December 7, 2017
The detail in Woolley's books is amazing! Sometimes I would find myself skiping over geographical detail to get on with the story because the story itself was compelling. I loved having these characters clothed with personalities that seemed real dealing with dangerous circumstances. This series is a great addition to my appreciation of the real thing.
June 9, 2017
Continuation of the series. Some of the ways he weaves in parts of the history are interesting; others seem like a stretch. I am still a little indifferent on the whole series. I will probably finish it.
January 2, 2020
Very engaging and suspenseful! The author really portrays Laban as a poor soldier and weak when compared to the methodical and wise Tobit, who became a great counterpoint to Lehi. The historical background on the geography and culture was marvelous and I applaud the author on his deep research. This is what all historical fiction should be like. Taking historical records/facts and fleshing out the story with in-depth research and creativity. Really enjoying this series!
September 20, 2011
It is six centuries before Jesus of Nazareth will be born, and Jerusalem is in turmoil. After the conflict with Babylon escalates, the ruling class of Judah threatens any who dare opposes their tenuous power. The Holy City is destined for destruction.
But amid the mayhem, two prophets of God come forth -- Lehi and Ezekiel. However, both are in danger of losing their life. Zadock, Chief Elder of the Jews and Laban, Captain of the Guard, desparately seek to eleminate all voices of opposition as they attempt to seize broader power.
Lehi and his family have narrowly escaped from the corrupt city into the Judean wilderness, where the patriarch must contend not only with enemies pursuing them through an unforgiving land, but also with his two defiant sons. Meanwhile, Ezekiel has been imprisoned on false charges of inciting a tax revolt. He knows he must escape if the prophecies he has received are to be fulfilled.
An epic tale of loyalty and betrayal, strength and faith, Volume Three of this richly written saga sweeps the reader back through time and vividly brings to life the trials and triumphs of important scriptural figures as they venture toward a Promised Land. --goodreads.com
Again, I am amazed at the way David Woolley makes this time from the Book of Mormon (and the Bible) come to life. With scriptural accounts, prophecies, and language woven into a thrilling story, Lehi's flight into the wilderness and his sojourn in the "borders nearer the Red Sea" take on new meaning and depth, and the level of wickedness and apathy in Jerusalem are better understood. Definitely amazing.
But amid the mayhem, two prophets of God come forth -- Lehi and Ezekiel. However, both are in danger of losing their life. Zadock, Chief Elder of the Jews and Laban, Captain of the Guard, desparately seek to eleminate all voices of opposition as they attempt to seize broader power.
Lehi and his family have narrowly escaped from the corrupt city into the Judean wilderness, where the patriarch must contend not only with enemies pursuing them through an unforgiving land, but also with his two defiant sons. Meanwhile, Ezekiel has been imprisoned on false charges of inciting a tax revolt. He knows he must escape if the prophecies he has received are to be fulfilled.
An epic tale of loyalty and betrayal, strength and faith, Volume Three of this richly written saga sweeps the reader back through time and vividly brings to life the trials and triumphs of important scriptural figures as they venture toward a Promised Land. --goodreads.com
Again, I am amazed at the way David Woolley makes this time from the Book of Mormon (and the Bible) come to life. With scriptural accounts, prophecies, and language woven into a thrilling story, Lehi's flight into the wilderness and his sojourn in the "borders nearer the Red Sea" take on new meaning and depth, and the level of wickedness and apathy in Jerusalem are better understood. Definitely amazing.
October 19, 2012
Some much information about the regional geography and Lehi's probable exodus route(s) from Jerusalem. Much of this story is based upon the 1995 finding of a hidden valley deep in the N.W. mountains of the Arabian peninsula with a year-round stream and many date palms able to sustain life. This is the ONLY year-round river in that region, and it resides in the Hajiz Mountains on the Gulf of Aqaba coast. The mountains are also know as the "Border" mountains, and the Gulf of Aqaba used to be called the "Fountain of the Red (or Reed) Sea." Any of this sounding familiar to you Book of Mormon readers out there?! When the original (modern day) 44 year exploration of the Arabian Peninsula by expeditionists, cartographers, geologists, historians, etc. was undertaken, they never found this place.. Too rugged and foreboding. Also of interest: Tribal nomads living in the area refer to the place as Moses' "Wilderness" dwelling place with the camp of Isreal after the exodus from Egypt. There is also a mountain close by believed by many to be the "Mt. Horeb" where Moses received the ten commandments. And there are also many more unique ties between this valley and Lehi's vision. I personally do not need external proof for my beliefs, but after so many have sacked the Book of Mormon for reasons such as "no arable lands for Lehi et. al to exist in the Arabian Peninsula" it's nice to see the disputations resolving.
August 7, 2010
Good, not great. I still LOVE how it paints the pictures of Lehi and his family. They came to life... especially Laman. I cannot believe the hate that he carried for his own father, plotting and conspiring to murder him. It also brought to life the sorrow that Sariah must have had to witness the gulf that developed in her family [not to mention her being pregnant in the wilderness.... bleh:]. Meanwhile, I felt like there wasn't enough MEAT to the book... all these sobplots and side stories and characters that were a distraction to what I really wanted to read about and envision, which was Nephi and his family.
I can't wait to finish #4. Great series... not the best, but I love that it was a depiction of the BOM, rather than the pioneers [Work and the Glory, Fire of the Covenant, the Undaunted:] or the New Testament era [Kingdom and the Crown:].
I can't wait to finish #4. Great series... not the best, but I love that it was a depiction of the BOM, rather than the pioneers [Work and the Glory, Fire of the Covenant, the Undaunted:] or the New Testament era [Kingdom and the Crown:].
January 13, 2014
It has been interesting to read about some of the Old Testament prophets and prophets from the Book of Mormon. This has caused me to go to the Old Testament and history books to see what is knows about the some of these Old Testament Prophets.
My biggest problem with this series is that it seems to include so much information and leave other parts unclear. I'm not sure if I just missed it as I read but the only hint I have that the prophet Uriah was put to death was his wife's feeling that he would be put to death. Then in the next book it another character mentions that Uriah was put to death. I could have missed something, but I don't think so.
I liked this book enough to keep reading the series.
My biggest problem with this series is that it seems to include so much information and leave other parts unclear. I'm not sure if I just missed it as I read but the only hint I have that the prophet Uriah was put to death was his wife's feeling that he would be put to death. Then in the next book it another character mentions that Uriah was put to death. I could have missed something, but I don't think so.
I liked this book enough to keep reading the series.
May 18, 2008
This is the third book in The Promised Land series. It takes place during Lehi's time and is about his family. It brings to life Laban's character. Lehi leaves Jeruseleum with his family and Laban tries to kill him. He turns to the Babylonian inspector to give him aid. Which ends up back firing on Laban because the inspector comes to know that Lehi is a prophet. Their are many characters and stories intwined to make this interesting. The one question I have is if their is a 4th book coming out? It will be very disappointing if their isn't. Michelle have you heard anything? I thought I heard the authour passed away. It is a great series and I really enjoyed it.
December 27, 2013
I enjoy how the author includes so much historical information. he does a good job at creating the characters. I do not believe that Lehi's family was split into three segments during the main push of their journey. I do understand the author using the mechanism to show the three possible routes taken, but the spirit dow not confirm this aspect of the plot the author create. But, that is what happens when you need to make a story out of a historical time frame without a lot of details. I do think he does a good job of creating these stories even if they do not fully fit with my own mind-set at times.
March 13, 2016
I really enjoy these types of books. I've said it before. I loved this one-the third in the series-as it continues the story of Lehi and his family as they have fled from their homes and are now in the wilderness. This book read a little bit slower than the others (hence my reasoning for only giving it 4 stars), but there was a lot to pack into this one! I love reading about how life was in old Jerusalem. It is so interesting, and fascinating to me. I love how the author brings these people and prophets that I have read about my whole life in the scriptures to life as if they were my friends. I'm excited to read the last two in the series.
January 28, 2012
Book Three in the Promised Land Series is the continuing story of Lehi and his family. In this volume the family is forced to leave Jerusalem to seek safety in the wilderness. The faith and courage of Lehi and Nephi are beautifully displayed. The murmuring and lack of faith on the part of Laman and Lemuel are also vividly told. I have loved this series and feel like I am actually a part of their lives. Again, I love the author's endnotes to help me keep track of what is factual and what is fictional to help move the story line.
December 24, 2008
it's the 3rd book and they still haven't chopped off Laban's head. I do like the subject and the author knows his background info, it's just taking FOREVER to get done. I found myself just reading the first sentence of the paragraph (or the page) and not wanting to read all the details for everything. The library doesn't have the 4th book, so I may never know what happens to Lehi's family. Wish it was just one book instead of a series.
June 17, 2011
I'm really enjoying this series. Although his writing style is sometimes a bit off for me, I like having some fictional background about Book of Mormon prophets and people to ponder and consider. I think Woolley has done an amazing job at coming up with likely situations to fill in the background of 1st Nephi. This was book #3, and I think the plot is still based on the first chapter of 1st Nephi! Gives me a lot to think about.
August 4, 2008
I am exicted to read the next one. In this book, Lehi's family finally makes it to the Valley of Lemuel. I guess if you have never read the Book of Mormon that would be a spoiler, but for those of you that have, it is amazing that it takes Woolley three books to get there and Nephi made it in two or three chapters comprising three or four pages. His story is interesting and compelling.
March 7, 2012
I have to admit that reading Volumes 1 - 3 in just a few weeks was daunting and by the middle of this third book my interest began to wane; however, I pushed through and finished it. My interest was piqued again and now that I have finished it, I am glad that book four is out so that I can continue on.
August 13, 2009
Strike number 2 for me and my book choices these last couple weeks. I have thoroughly run out of patience with this author and interest in this series. He's dragging it out, the dialogue is trite, the characters aren't developed which makes me apathetic to their plights. This series started out pretty good and has steadily gotten worse.
January 29, 2010
I feel very much the same about this book as I did about the second one. It's interesting to read and learn about things experts have found out about what could possibly have happened, things that aren't in the BOM. As far as the actual story goes, not that great. It just doesn't hold my interest, and now I'm just reading to get it done.
January 18, 2010
This is the third book in a series of fictional history covering a very trying time in Jerusalem. The book places fictional characters in historical settings and does a great job of using their emotions and fictional experiences to develop the historical context of the time. Can't wait to read the 4th one in the series!
February 28, 2008
I was a little more disappointed by this one because I knew it was going to leave me hanging (my hubby told me that Woolley didn't write any more in the series after this). It kept referring to book 4 in the notes, which doesn't exist. I just heard that he's writing another now, though. Hooray!
July 6, 2008
You have to finish a series right? Well the first book is a favorite of mine that I've read multiple times, but this one didn't quite do it for me. It's a historical fiction about Jerusalem during Lehi's time.
February 5, 2009
I read it this year as part of my 999 book challenge. :) It was very good and I really didn't remember all the ins and outs, the twists and turns this book takes you through. It was soooo much fun to read again. :)
April 18, 2009
I didn't realize there was so much factual basis behind this novel. The author did a lot of research and capitalized on the investigation and study of others. Don't forget to read the historical notes at the end of the book for each chapter.
February 18, 2008
Book 3 of the Series. This is an exciting chase out of Jerusalem into the wild country southward. I got to know the lay of the land where Lehi's family found refuge. Plus an amazing story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2008
This book was a little slower than books one and two,however, it was still a good read. Reading this book made me really look forward to book four. I love a series.
July 15, 2013
Another great installment in this series.
May 30, 2024
Another great entry. Good narrative. Lots of adventure. Faith without sappiness. Overall a great series so far.
March 29, 2009
I love the authors writing and the subjects.
August 11, 2009
love this series! I have learned sooo much about jerusalem and the people that lived there before Christ. z
August 20, 2009
some interesting scripture references and the like. The description of the fortress got a little dry for my taste. Still, definitely worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews