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Zion Chronicles #3
The Return to Zion
A nation will stand or fall . . . and it’s all up to one World War II fighter ace.The Old City of Jerusalem is under siege in February 1948. Food and fuel are scarce. Weapons with which to defend the Jewish Quarter are even more so. The U.S. arms embargo against the Jews is still in effect, even though the British openly sell weapons to the Arabs. The Jewish nation needs a miracle.David Meyer is given a dangerous assignment—to hire pilots and buy war-surplus planes that could fly to Palestine the instant statehood is declared. It could cost him his U.S. citizenship, and it would mean leaving Ellie, his bride, in harm’s way.Worse, the British and the Arab secret operative Montgomery seem to know his every move. Even Haganah leader Moshe Sachar, who has just wed the beautiful Rachel Lubetkin, becomes the target of an evil conspiracy.When David signed up for the war, he hadn’t signed up to carry the weight of a nation. Especially when betrayal swirls in the very air. . .
517 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
175 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
212 books1,342 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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January 6, 2018In this third book in the series, it's the final month before the British occupation forces leave Israel, leaving them to their own fate. Rachel is stuck inside the city, and David and Ellie try to smuggle in guns.
Very melodramatic.
Very melodramatic.
July 18, 2022
4,5 stars - Dutch paperback
Review follows later.
Review follows later.
March 7, 2017
This is book 3 of the Zion Chronicles. In all three of the books, I shed tears and I laughed at the things that happen in this series. Each book relies on the one previous to it. A great story, and I never really realized the persecution that the Jews faced even after World War II. But like the book of Esther in the Bible, you can see a provident God in the working. I also like all the Scripture references used by the author and how they reflect on the things that took place in the story.
October 23, 2011
This is my twelfth book by the Thoenes. I just can't put them down and I'm grateful for the history that I absorb in the process. The stories are fast-paced and intriguing and the characters are well-developed.
June 19, 2021
“The Return to Zion opens during the final month of British occupation in Palestine. With Moshe the target of a dangerous conspiracy and Rachel imprisoned behind the walls of the Old City, David and Ellie marshal efforts in the last-ditch attempts of the Jewish Agency to arm its people against the onslaught that surely will come on the day the British forces leave Palestine.” – From the book’s description which adequately describes The Return to Zion. When this book ends the next book A Light in Zion is in transit. I am bereft as I wait. These books have captured my heart. They are that good!
December 12, 2021
Caveat:: my ratings are based on genre meaning this is a 4 star in the historical fiction genre NOT as compared to a great piece of literature like O'Connor or Solzhenitsyn.
I slogged through some parts of this one but, as usual, the characters of Rachel and Moshe kept me interested.
I slogged through some parts of this one but, as usual, the characters of Rachel and Moshe kept me interested.
October 17, 2025
This book kept me captivated. I can’t wait to start the next one.
January 7, 2017
This is book three of the series, giving us the story of the settlement of Israel in 1948. The Old City of Jerusalem is under siege, the US arms embargo against the Jews is in effect but the Arabs have all the weapons and seemingly all the power -- bent on the destruction of the Jews. Ellie and David have now fallen in love and have married, briefly, before he leaves for the states to hire pilots and buy planes. And then we have Mosche, whom we met in book #1, who has now wed a survivor of the holocaust, under the worst terms of having given herself to the nazi's in the camps, Rachel.
There's a spy in the midst of all this, a cruel English captain, and an evil Arab.....much intrigue makes this historical saga an excellent read.
There's a spy in the midst of all this, a cruel English captain, and an evil Arab.....much intrigue makes this historical saga an excellent read.
August 14, 2011
This is the middle book in the series, but overall one of the strongest middle books that I have read. At the end I found myself disgusted for not checking out the fourth one to read right away.
February 10, 2017
Done and done...Shaul is a great dog.
September 8, 2020
As is normal with a Thoene book, if it can go wrong, it does. But somehow, as is normal with the God about which Bodie Thoene writes, the good side comes out victorious in the end. The only loss is pieces of my heart along the way.
Setting: Begins February 3, 1948, in Jerusalem. The whole book spans maybe a couple months at most. As with all Thoene books, (which you know if you've begun this series), the geographical setting is extremely well-developed and detailed, mentioning the different parts of Jerusalem: the Jewish Quarter, Arab Quarter, and Armenian Quarter. The pass at Bab el Wad is significant, and therefore is included as such. The mastery of the setting is instrumental in a three-way connection: the fascinating plot of the book to the real history of the Jewish state to the even more real promises of God. Some books are plot-driven; some are character-driven. I daresay Thoene books are setting-driven. Everything--all the characters, all their actions and decisions, are driven by the time and place they are in, and the plans that God is clearly putting into action. Every motivation of the antagonists is derived from the era and the world atmosphere.
Characters: What can I say about them, but I love them all, so much? So much so, that when that very very bad inciting incident occurs, I was just as crushed as David. I felt like everything was lost, it was all hopeless, there was no reason to go on--and I hadn't even read 100 pages.
What I might have loved above all else is the Christlike love portrayed so beautifully. The love of Moshe for Rachel is the sweetest thing, and not because of its romance. It is because it is the perfect picture of Christ's love for us. To have that love be paired with Moshe and Rachel's attitude toward the Messiah is just even more beautiful, and reading Rachel's perspective just makes me realize how awesome being a Christian really is.
David is another of those amazing characters. His jovial, male personality disguising his strong sense of duty is so admirable. Likewise Captain Luke Thomas' willingness to stand and do the right thing--despite all of the "reasons" not to (more on that in the plot section). I love Captain Luke so much; at one point he reminds me of Steven Overtree from Julie Klassen's The Painter's Daughter.
As for the other, more minor characters: Ehud is such a flavorful side character, I can't help but love Yehudit (solely because of Rachel, mind you), Michael is mostly annoying, and Montgomery is positively hideous (but I didn't figure it out until it was revealed, so I was sufficiently surprised).
Plot: The specific plotline of this story is quite timely, from my perspective, and conscience-provoking. Of course, the conclusion to the plot, at least in this book, is very satisfactory. Suddenly I had finished the book, and not nearly enough was resolved (thankfully we have a couple more books in the series). But in regard to the struggles each protagonist faces, the plot is actually concluded very well. The overarching struggle in which they're all involved, Zionism, is so futile, so worthless, and so unnecessary--in the world's eyes--that they all seem like lunatics for pursuing it. Even almost sinful, for encouraging others to lose their lives over an issue. I can just imagine hearing the "Christians" of the era discouraging them in this endeavor--there's no possibility of peace if we're going to fight the Arabs, after all. Plus, for people like Moshe and David, they have wives. Having them in the Middle East is dangerous--and safety is the most important thing in life, right? (At least that's what I hear nowadays ...) And especially for Captain Luke Thomas, as Christians we're supposed the obey our government, right? So he's especially acting un-Christian.
Except ... no. The courage and obedience to a higher law on the part of Moshe, David, and Luke is portrayed expertly as the RIGHT thing to do. Even in the face of certain death. Even when the rest of the world is against them. Even though, God forbid, there's no EXPRESS commandment in the Scriptures to break these particular earthly government's laws. And yet they are so confident they are doing the will of God, and therefore nothing will dissuade them from standing. That's admirable. That takes faith. And hope.
I think I addressed the faith content in the previous section, so I'll just conclude by saying this was another amazing book by Bodie Thoene, and possibly one more people should read, just because of the subject material. Recommended for everyone who has first read the other two books in the Zion Chronicles.
Setting: Begins February 3, 1948, in Jerusalem. The whole book spans maybe a couple months at most. As with all Thoene books, (which you know if you've begun this series), the geographical setting is extremely well-developed and detailed, mentioning the different parts of Jerusalem: the Jewish Quarter, Arab Quarter, and Armenian Quarter. The pass at Bab el Wad is significant, and therefore is included as such. The mastery of the setting is instrumental in a three-way connection: the fascinating plot of the book to the real history of the Jewish state to the even more real promises of God. Some books are plot-driven; some are character-driven. I daresay Thoene books are setting-driven. Everything--all the characters, all their actions and decisions, are driven by the time and place they are in, and the plans that God is clearly putting into action. Every motivation of the antagonists is derived from the era and the world atmosphere.
Characters: What can I say about them, but I love them all, so much? So much so, that when that very very bad inciting incident occurs, I was just as crushed as David. I felt like everything was lost, it was all hopeless, there was no reason to go on--and I hadn't even read 100 pages.
What I might have loved above all else is the Christlike love portrayed so beautifully. The love of Moshe for Rachel is the sweetest thing, and not because of its romance. It is because it is the perfect picture of Christ's love for us. To have that love be paired with Moshe and Rachel's attitude toward the Messiah is just even more beautiful, and reading Rachel's perspective just makes me realize how awesome being a Christian really is.
David is another of those amazing characters. His jovial, male personality disguising his strong sense of duty is so admirable. Likewise Captain Luke Thomas' willingness to stand and do the right thing--despite all of the "reasons" not to (more on that in the plot section). I love Captain Luke so much; at one point he reminds me of Steven Overtree from Julie Klassen's The Painter's Daughter.
As for the other, more minor characters: Ehud is such a flavorful side character, I can't help but love Yehudit (solely because of Rachel, mind you), Michael is mostly annoying, and Montgomery is positively hideous (but I didn't figure it out until it was revealed, so I was sufficiently surprised).
Plot: The specific plotline of this story is quite timely, from my perspective, and conscience-provoking. Of course, the conclusion to the plot, at least in this book, is very satisfactory. Suddenly I had finished the book, and not nearly enough was resolved (thankfully we have a couple more books in the series). But in regard to the struggles each protagonist faces, the plot is actually concluded very well. The overarching struggle in which they're all involved, Zionism, is so futile, so worthless, and so unnecessary--in the world's eyes--that they all seem like lunatics for pursuing it. Even almost sinful, for encouraging others to lose their lives over an issue. I can just imagine hearing the "Christians" of the era discouraging them in this endeavor--there's no possibility of peace if we're going to fight the Arabs, after all. Plus, for people like Moshe and David, they have wives. Having them in the Middle East is dangerous--and safety is the most important thing in life, right? (At least that's what I hear nowadays ...) And especially for Captain Luke Thomas, as Christians we're supposed the obey our government, right? So he's especially acting un-Christian.
Except ... no. The courage and obedience to a higher law on the part of Moshe, David, and Luke is portrayed expertly as the RIGHT thing to do. Even in the face of certain death. Even when the rest of the world is against them. Even though, God forbid, there's no EXPRESS commandment in the Scriptures to break these particular earthly government's laws. And yet they are so confident they are doing the will of God, and therefore nothing will dissuade them from standing. That's admirable. That takes faith. And hope.
I think I addressed the faith content in the previous section, so I'll just conclude by saying this was another amazing book by Bodie Thoene, and possibly one more people should read, just because of the subject material. Recommended for everyone who has first read the other two books in the Zion Chronicles.
September 28, 2020
This is another suspenseful look at the events leading up to the establishment of Israel as a viable nation in spite of Palestinian determination to thwart Jewish hopes. The main characters of the others in this series continue with two traumatic love stories. The main plot centers around the survival of the surrounded old Jewish quarter of Jerusalem and providing the infant state the food and munitions needed to break the Palestinians strangle hold. The deadline is the departure of the British who to this point have done little or nothing to encourage Jewish survival. In spite of the lessons of the holocaust, the attitudes of Brits, Americans, and others—with few exceptions— is horrific. The characters among the Jews are well drawn. But those that are unsympathetic or Palestinian, similar to the other books in this series, are evil caricatures. In spite of this flaw it is a well-written, exciting story of a crucial historical happening.
May 24, 2018
There is something compelling about this series that keeps me coming back for more.
I'll confess at first "Return to Zion" was hard to get into and I struggled to pick up the book at all - then suddenly it became difficult to put down.
Again I found myself absorbed in the historical background this book is set in.
I like that each book in this series focuses on a different character. And the focus on David was a refreshing chance of pace to Ellie (Gates of Zion) and Rachel (Daughter of Zion) (which I loved also)
Diverse cultures, religious attitudes, romance and war time espionage. Everything required for an allnighter.
This is a series I will encourage my future children to read a very eye opening and worth while venture.
I'll confess at first "Return to Zion" was hard to get into and I struggled to pick up the book at all - then suddenly it became difficult to put down.
Again I found myself absorbed in the historical background this book is set in.
I like that each book in this series focuses on a different character. And the focus on David was a refreshing chance of pace to Ellie (Gates of Zion) and Rachel (Daughter of Zion) (which I loved also)
Diverse cultures, religious attitudes, romance and war time espionage. Everything required for an allnighter.
This is a series I will encourage my future children to read a very eye opening and worth while venture.
November 16, 2022
The third book in the Zion series, as David leaves Ellie, his new bride of one night and returns to America, his task is insurmountable. He is to obtain the American favor, rebuild a flight of aircraft and recruit brave pilots while his partner is seduced by a pretty, yet deceitful lady. The return flight to Israel is brutal but all Israel as a Jewish nation depends on his prowess. A great perspective, all books in this series inclusive, of the reforming/rebirth of this tiny nation that God has His finger on. All eyes are still watching this nation today. Oh what a glimpse of God's unfolding mercies for His peoples.
December 20, 2019
While still enjoyable as far as Christian historical fiction goes, this book feels more like a setup for the remainder of the series than anything else. The first time I read it, the major events that occurred were surprising enough that it still worked to hold my attention, but I read this series a couple of times in high school so the novelty isn't there anymore. It's still better than most books of its kind, but weaker than the first two on a reread. 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded down for being very much a middle book in a series.
November 3, 2022
Totally immersed in this series.
As I read Return to Zion I was once again in old Jerusalem. I could feel the pain of each character as they experienced the inhumanity of man to man. But I also feel the love within the hearts of Moshe, Rachel, Ellie, David, and the love of God. It is never easy parting the Red Sea, but with God, all things are possible.
As I read Return to Zion I was once again in old Jerusalem. I could feel the pain of each character as they experienced the inhumanity of man to man. But I also feel the love within the hearts of Moshe, Rachel, Ellie, David, and the love of God. It is never easy parting the Red Sea, but with God, all things are possible.
August 22, 2023
Well written and easy to read. I’m enjoying the characters in this series, but am growing wary of a potential political bent in the storyline. This definitely wasn’t there in the first book. Through the rest of the series, I do hope the author is able to keep the nuance of the complicated situation and the many perspectives of the beginning of the modern state of Israel.
February 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this 3rd book of the series. It's terrible what the Jews had to go through in Palastine even after the war. This is a historical novel so places and events are real, the characters and plot are fiction but it really shows the problems they had and how they had to fight for their country to even become their homeland.
March 27, 2019
History continues to come alive as Israel struggles to become a nation, fighting against the difficult odds of British occupiers, Palestinian Arabs, and Jewish non-Zionists. Many character surprises and plot twists keep the reader's eyes wide open.
May 15, 2019
Book three does not disappoint
Book three does not disappoint! My goodness, I can't wait to down load book four! This has been such an exciting journey!!
Book three does not disappoint! My goodness, I can't wait to down load book four! This has been such an exciting journey!!
September 26, 2019
A contamination of the Zion series. Takes place in 1948. Interesting historically.
mountain-loop
April 28, 20202 trade
July 11, 2020
The best book of this series so far!
October 4, 2020
I was on the edge of my seat as I neared the end of this installment. Questions were answered, and my husband laughed to see me pacing about with the book in my hand.
October 17, 2021
I could read this series forever
September 11, 2023
Fantastic book series
I love this entire series, as well as the one before it! I highly recommend it. Can’t pick a favorite so far.
I love this entire series, as well as the one before it! I highly recommend it. Can’t pick a favorite so far.
July 24, 2024
Really good. It was exciting even though I know what happens to Israel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
Bodie Thoene is a genius when it comes to combining historical fiction, action, suspense, romance, and faith into her novels. Let's just leave it at that.
July 28, 2024
At first, I thought this book was very slow, but then it started to pick up. I was very upset when Moshe and Ehud were arrested, but I was so relieved when they escaped. I can't wait to see Moshe and Rachel reunited - especially now that she is pregnant. I was upset that Micheal died, but I never did trust Angela!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2013
I think this may have been my favorite of this series so far. The characters are consistent with the other books so you come into with an established familiarity. There is a slight review of the big events of the last book, but I would recommend reading them in close succession to avoid forgetting something important. This story picks up exactly where Daughter of Zion left off. Rachel and Moshe are together in the Old City and everything is joyous. With so much conflict around them, they know it won’t last long, but enjoying the happiness they found is one of my favorite parts.
Ellie and David also start their own kind of adventure which takes David back to the states to find airplanes and men to fly them before the British pull out of Jerusalem leaving the Jews to fend for themselves against the Arabs. The story jumps back and forth from David in the states to those in the Old City. David is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters. In the first two books, I felt that he was there for Ellie and her alone. His commitment to the cause really captured me in this book as well as the lengths he was willing to go. There is very little contact with Howard, Rachel’s grandfather or Yacov. They were large parts of the two previous books and I did miss them some.
This story is a struggle. I have read many books about other struggles but this one makes it more real somehow. The world has almost turned its back on these people after surviving WW2. The worldwide war has finished, but this one still rages on with more fervor than ever and it is ignored. The people fighting for Jerusalem are invested and are fighting for something more. Bodie Thoene does a wonderful job of conveying something different through these characters. WW2 and Holocaust books are usually difficult to read because of their cruelty, but this is just different somehow. Equally difficult, but a courage exists with these characters that I haven’t found in other books. I am not saying that there wasn’t plenty of courage during the WW2 era, because there were multitudes of it. There is just something about these characters and their circumstances which make you feel different as a reader. It could be because I have gotten to know these characters and they are part of my reader family. If you want to understand exactly what I mean, I would encourage you to read these books and let me know if you also get “something else” from these books.
Ellie and David also start their own kind of adventure which takes David back to the states to find airplanes and men to fly them before the British pull out of Jerusalem leaving the Jews to fend for themselves against the Arabs. The story jumps back and forth from David in the states to those in the Old City. David is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters. In the first two books, I felt that he was there for Ellie and her alone. His commitment to the cause really captured me in this book as well as the lengths he was willing to go. There is very little contact with Howard, Rachel’s grandfather or Yacov. They were large parts of the two previous books and I did miss them some.
This story is a struggle. I have read many books about other struggles but this one makes it more real somehow. The world has almost turned its back on these people after surviving WW2. The worldwide war has finished, but this one still rages on with more fervor than ever and it is ignored. The people fighting for Jerusalem are invested and are fighting for something more. Bodie Thoene does a wonderful job of conveying something different through these characters. WW2 and Holocaust books are usually difficult to read because of their cruelty, but this is just different somehow. Equally difficult, but a courage exists with these characters that I haven’t found in other books. I am not saying that there wasn’t plenty of courage during the WW2 era, because there were multitudes of it. There is just something about these characters and their circumstances which make you feel different as a reader. It could be because I have gotten to know these characters and they are part of my reader family. If you want to understand exactly what I mean, I would encourage you to read these books and let me know if you also get “something else” from these books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews