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Zion Legacy #1
Jerusalem Vigil
Bodie and Brock Thoene's superb storytelling comes alive in Jerusalem Vigil, a novel of the struggle for Jerusalem. It is May 14, 1948, in the world's holiest city: today the new State of Israel will be proclaimed and British troops will hand over the key to Zion Gate leaving behind hostile Jewish and Muslim forces poised for battle. Caught up in this historic moment are Moshe Sachar, an archaeology professor who is also a strategist; his pregnant wife, Rachel, who flees Tel Aviv for Jerusalem via a perilous route through the Christian Quarter; and Daoud and Gawan, two orphaned Arab boys who find a father with an unlikely surname. In this engrossing page-turner, the Thoenes combine historical authenticity, unforgettable characters, and gripping drama to create a saga about a fascinating period in world history.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2000
19 people are currently reading
1088 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
203 books1,365 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 30, 2013
I know what many of you are thinking: "Good grief! Another Zion series by the Thoenes? When will it end?" You may accuse the husband/wife writing team of beating a dead horse, but Jerusalem Vigil actually makes for good reading in my opinion, and I've read all the other Zion books. If you enjoyed the previous two series, you'll probably like this opening to the third one; just make sure that you have the sequel on hand, because Jerusalem Vigil's ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. The Thoenes' amazing ability to make history come to life shines through, as usual. It's probably going to take me a while to finish the series, but, if the previous Zion novels are any indication, it's going to be well worth it.
January 6, 2012
Great historical retelling of the beginning of Statehood of Israel, good characterisations and authentic Messianic Jewish culture. I also liked that it was fair about the different peoples/cultures/religions involved, even though the book was told from the (Messianic) Jewish perspective.
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June 15, 2012This book starts with the same characters as early series, but it is day one of Israel becoming a free Jewish state. It only covers about the first 3 to 4 days of the bloody struggle for the old city of Jerusalem. I can hardly put these books down. I feel like I am right there fighting with them.
April 27, 2014
This is a post WWII novel set in Jerusalem at the advent of the state of Israel. This is a true to life account of the siege for the Jews to survive there. Nowhere in the world were this people granted a homeland. Hard to read because of current environmental situation there and here in the US. It is a good read from my perspective because it reminds me of what is important, love and family.
March 30, 2015
Wow! I really like being there in 1948 when Jerusalem is fighting for independence and the proficied established nation of the Jews once again. Very exciting and loaded with historical accuracy, I will definately finish this entire series.
January 24, 2013
A review from my old blog...
The entire scope of the story takes place in three days, three days of intense fighting for the survival of the Jewish state. I could not put the book down. I flipped through the pages at such a rapid pace not really because I wanted to finish the book quickly but because I wanted to find out what would happen to all of the characters.
This series introduces several new characters whose stories will probably develop over the remaining books in the series. Moshe and Rachel return from the Zion Chronicles but David and Ellie weren't mentioned at all in Jerusalem Vigil. (I hope that David and Ellie's fate is at least alluded to in the books to come. :D I want to know what happened to them).
While most of the other books I have read recently by the Thoene's had little if any recap this book had quite a bit in the first few pages but I believe that's to be expected when a new series is started. The readers of this book may not have read the Zion Chronicles or even realized that the Zion Chronicles is a connected series to this one and that they come first chronologically. (I just realized that I reserved the books at the library in a very providential order. I don't think I would have enjoyed it very much if I had read the Zion Legacy Series before the Zion Chronicles. :D)
As alluded to before, I could not put this book down. The captivating storytelling held my attention as did details of history that I never knew before. Reading these books has awakened such a desire in me to go to the Holy Land and if that is not feasible in the near future to learn as much as I can about the land God chose for His people.
Once again I give a very strong recommendation of these books. I probably will be asking for them to be added to my collection.
The entire scope of the story takes place in three days, three days of intense fighting for the survival of the Jewish state. I could not put the book down. I flipped through the pages at such a rapid pace not really because I wanted to finish the book quickly but because I wanted to find out what would happen to all of the characters.
This series introduces several new characters whose stories will probably develop over the remaining books in the series. Moshe and Rachel return from the Zion Chronicles but David and Ellie weren't mentioned at all in Jerusalem Vigil. (I hope that David and Ellie's fate is at least alluded to in the books to come. :D I want to know what happened to them).
While most of the other books I have read recently by the Thoene's had little if any recap this book had quite a bit in the first few pages but I believe that's to be expected when a new series is started. The readers of this book may not have read the Zion Chronicles or even realized that the Zion Chronicles is a connected series to this one and that they come first chronologically. (I just realized that I reserved the books at the library in a very providential order. I don't think I would have enjoyed it very much if I had read the Zion Legacy Series before the Zion Chronicles. :D)
As alluded to before, I could not put this book down. The captivating storytelling held my attention as did details of history that I never knew before. Reading these books has awakened such a desire in me to go to the Holy Land and if that is not feasible in the near future to learn as much as I can about the land God chose for His people.
Once again I give a very strong recommendation of these books. I probably will be asking for them to be added to my collection.
August 9, 2013
The struggle to become a nation comes to life, The horrors of war,the sacrifices and struggles of the individual, the families and the senseless killings especially the children and the elderly. Most leave behind the Holocost of Germany, the pograms of Russia, and the death camps/cocentration camps to live in a land of their own. Only to step in the frying pan for independence. They were surrounded on all sides, out-numbered and out gunned. Before the Brittish left, they werent allowed weapons or unlimited immigration, yet the Brittish supply weapons and leadership to the opposing Arab nations. Yet they overcame. This book is about the struggles of a people magnified in the main characters in this book. Shalom
March 31, 2020
A book by Bodie and Brock are always a welcome to me. I’m not a fiction fan, but their historical fiction is breathtaking.
My heart aches for so many of these characters. I hold my breath while the war is being fought. I cry when a beloved character is killed and I rejoice when beloved characters are well.
I have read the AD chronicles and The Shiloh Legacy books. I’ve loved everything I’ve read and even years later can recall the characters as if they are close friends of mine.
Love everything these authors put out.
My heart aches for so many of these characters. I hold my breath while the war is being fought. I cry when a beloved character is killed and I rejoice when beloved characters are well.
I have read the AD chronicles and The Shiloh Legacy books. I’ve loved everything I’ve read and even years later can recall the characters as if they are close friends of mine.
Love everything these authors put out.
February 12, 2013
This was a well-researched and impactful book, I just had a hard time getting into it. It was extremely intense, with the violence of warfare between Arabs and Jews first trying to occupy their new country of Israel after the UN declared it a country in 1948. There were several main characters to follow, and I had a hard time keeping up with them because of all the action and confusion. Yes, war is that way, but the authors threw me into the scene without painting enough of a picture for me to comprehend and visualize the surroundings. I like some descriptive introductions and scene setups. They referenced the city as if I would automatically know the street names and directions of Jerusalem, but gave very little to those of us who have never visited the Holy City.
I did enjoy the tragic back stories of the characters that were given, but the other details pertaining to the senses were sparse. I would be interested in reading further into the series to find out what happens in this hopeful and ill-equipped new nation of Israel. But it is a struggle to get into the writing for me. So maybe one day I'll get back to it.
I did enjoy the tragic back stories of the characters that were given, but the other details pertaining to the senses were sparse. I would be interested in reading further into the series to find out what happens in this hopeful and ill-equipped new nation of Israel. But it is a struggle to get into the writing for me. So maybe one day I'll get back to it.
March 2, 2018
This was a good story...at times. At times it was a little to back-and-forth between characters and locations, which was confusing. While I believe the history and geography associated with the story to be fairly accurate, my one problem with this story was with the constant back and forth from locales in and around Jerusalem. I was constantly looking places up to get a better feel for what they looked like and what the layout was like. The descriptions in the book simply didn't paint a good enough picture for me. However, I have enjoyed learning more about the layout of Jerusalem.
November 3, 2012
this is book one of six, in the last series ZION LEGACY, as the Jewish people who escaped the Holocost make there way into Israel up and through when Isreal gets its statehood in 1948. The characters became like family and I hated to see these books end. Such good books about a very dark time in the world/WWII
February 2, 2021
This series of 3 tells the story of the wars surrounding the establishment of the state of Israel. I loved both the Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant series and was happy to learn the same characters are in this series, set in 1948.
This story is gripping and hard to put down. A great read while I was dealing with a positive COVID test!
This story is gripping and hard to put down. A great read while I was dealing with a positive COVID test!
March 31, 2017
I put this down after getting halfway through. I love these authors, but I just couldn't connect with this book. The entire plot takes place in Jerusalem the first days after it's independence. The characters were hard to connect with and keep track of as the scenes quickly skip from one part of war to the next. There was no rest or solid storyline that I was interested in following. I did skip ahead to see if there would be a reprieve, but up until the last page it's battle. So rather than slough through what I know I had no interest in, I chose to set it aside because there are already way more books out there than I'll have time to read! Will definitely pick up a different series by the Thoenes despite this because I know that as accurate and historical as this was, it just wasn't for me right now.
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August 10, 2016Gripping... from the first page... can't wait
to continue this series. History comes alive
in the hands of Bodie and Brock Thoene....
so does the Bible. It's awesome to read how
He perfectly fulfilled the prophecies of old!!
to continue this series. History comes alive
in the hands of Bodie and Brock Thoene....
so does the Bible. It's awesome to read how
He perfectly fulfilled the prophecies of old!!
April 11, 2024
Quality historical fiction that is a sequel to the Zion Chronicles (5 stars)
After writing their popular Zion Chronicles, which recounts the struggles in Jerusalem immediately following the Second World War, Bodie & Brock Thoene wrote the Zion Covenant series, which describes events in pre-war Europe and features some of the same characters and their families. But many of their fans were begging to know what happened next in the lives of the people they'd come to love from these series, and so the Zion Legacy is the welcome result that continues their tales.
Jerusalem Vigil is the first book of the Zion Legacy, and features a cast of characters that includes some new names, but also some returning characters and old friends from the Zion Covenant and the Zion Chronicles, including Jacob and Lori Kalner and the beloved Alfie from the first series. Since events of the Zion Legacy series occur almost a decade after the Zion Covenant, we are provided with some sketchy details about what has happened in the time gap between them, although some things are left unexplained and some characters are not mentioned. But most readers will only be too happy to read more from the Thoenes.
The Zion Legacy begins where the final book of the Zion Chronicles left off, as the State of Israel is proclaimed in 1948. But the crown jewel of the region is the city of Jerusalem, and while Jews are set to defend their homeland, they are about to be under attack from Arabs on all sides. Moshe Sachar and his wife Rachel find themselves in the midst of this conflict, along with Rachel's brother Jacov, her grandfather, and various other figures that will be familiar from previous books. The battle for the control of Jerusalem is violent, and like the previous books, the authors have a Zionist perspective which sees Israel as a literal homeland promised to the Jews forever, and this colours how they present the historical events that unfold.
This novel was published by Penguin, and reflects a move by the Thoenes to a more mainstream publisher. While the story still reflects their Zionist and Christian theology, this is somewhat more in the background. Events are less epic in scope, and the narrative focuses on just a few days of the struggle to take Jerusalem. It's also much more gritty in tone, with a lot of description of battles, blood and gore, that is not for the squeamish. The Thoene team are good writers, and overall the historical flavour is captured well.
The character development is less than in the other series, given that the new series only covers the events of four days, but the action is gripping and much more fast paced and intense. So even though this book has quite a different feel from the Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant series that preceded it, and lacks some of the "charm" of those stories, it is still an excellent and captivating novel, well worth reading. This is quality Christian fiction!
After writing their popular Zion Chronicles, which recounts the struggles in Jerusalem immediately following the Second World War, Bodie & Brock Thoene wrote the Zion Covenant series, which describes events in pre-war Europe and features some of the same characters and their families. But many of their fans were begging to know what happened next in the lives of the people they'd come to love from these series, and so the Zion Legacy is the welcome result that continues their tales.
Jerusalem Vigil is the first book of the Zion Legacy, and features a cast of characters that includes some new names, but also some returning characters and old friends from the Zion Covenant and the Zion Chronicles, including Jacob and Lori Kalner and the beloved Alfie from the first series. Since events of the Zion Legacy series occur almost a decade after the Zion Covenant, we are provided with some sketchy details about what has happened in the time gap between them, although some things are left unexplained and some characters are not mentioned. But most readers will only be too happy to read more from the Thoenes.
The Zion Legacy begins where the final book of the Zion Chronicles left off, as the State of Israel is proclaimed in 1948. But the crown jewel of the region is the city of Jerusalem, and while Jews are set to defend their homeland, they are about to be under attack from Arabs on all sides. Moshe Sachar and his wife Rachel find themselves in the midst of this conflict, along with Rachel's brother Jacov, her grandfather, and various other figures that will be familiar from previous books. The battle for the control of Jerusalem is violent, and like the previous books, the authors have a Zionist perspective which sees Israel as a literal homeland promised to the Jews forever, and this colours how they present the historical events that unfold.
This novel was published by Penguin, and reflects a move by the Thoenes to a more mainstream publisher. While the story still reflects their Zionist and Christian theology, this is somewhat more in the background. Events are less epic in scope, and the narrative focuses on just a few days of the struggle to take Jerusalem. It's also much more gritty in tone, with a lot of description of battles, blood and gore, that is not for the squeamish. The Thoene team are good writers, and overall the historical flavour is captured well.
The character development is less than in the other series, given that the new series only covers the events of four days, but the action is gripping and much more fast paced and intense. So even though this book has quite a different feel from the Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant series that preceded it, and lacks some of the "charm" of those stories, it is still an excellent and captivating novel, well worth reading. This is quality Christian fiction!
October 4, 2019
I was able to acquire 'The Zion Legacy Series' but was unable to start reading the series because I was missing volume 1. Anybody who has ever read these books by Bodie Thoene know that you cannot skip a volume. They must be read in order, especially the Zion series. I finally found volume 1 and it was a real blessing. A lot of the characters in the story are a continuation of 'The Zion Covenant Series'. Reading through these series, you can gain a respect for the nation of Israel.
May 6, 2019
Thoroughly loved this read - love how we come back to the Kalners after 10 years although they're so different now & I had to remind myself of how much they've lived through. Very fast paced so if you're not used to the Thoene's multiple perspectives & locaripns style it may be confusing. For me it's one of those books I couldn't put down.
July 28, 2019
Gripping story about the reestablishment of Jerusalem. The reader is placed in the midst of the struggles, fear, battles and biblical realities. The violence can get a bit graphic but that is what made it feel realistic. My favorite part of the book is the faith of the characters and the prophecy of the bible brought to life.
October 30, 2023
From the first page, the authors have created a story that is clearly as relevant as today's headlines. Their accuracy to portray the Jewish people, the conflicts with terrorists, and the May 1948 re-establishment of the country of Israel, as God planned, according to the Scriptures, is well written. Thus, I compared the references to facts and scripture. Well done, Thoenes!
November 18, 2024
Thoene sets the background for the birth of Israel, a good foundation for the hatred that prevails today. Israel was born in turmoil and it remains in turmoil. After 75 years, little has changed in the minds of Jews and Palestinians. A person dies and another is born in hatred. This book spells out the beginning, after the British pulled out and permanent animosity moved in.
January 17, 2023
The best historical fiction books are the ones that inspire you to learn about their true history, this is one of them. Word of advice, make sure you have the next book in the series before you start this one. I regret not taking my own advice (:
June 9, 2018
Enjoying learning more about this piece of history I know not much about. A lot happened in just a few days!
September 3, 2018
Brutal account of evil run amok.
November 6, 2019
2.5 stars. Too many battle scenes that didn’t really hold my attention. I preferred the epilogue at the end of the Zion Chronicles series.
November 28, 2022
Loved this!
May 20, 2025
This is Book 1 in a 6 book series. The State of Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948, but their troubles were far from over.
December 31, 2016
12/31/16-I reread this book as I decided I wanted to finish the series, and it had been so long since I started it. While this second read out me even further away from having read The Zion Covenant and Chronicles series, which I read and loved in junior high, where many of these characters were introduced, I found they gave you enough of a backstory to enjoy and understand this first book in The Zion Legacy series. I still do not know much about the true history on which this book is based, I admittedly did some quick reading on Wikipedia, but in the last ten years, I have learned a lot more about biblical Jewish history, that I think helped make some things more understandable. Plenty of adventure and excitement in the book.
12/01/06-I really like some of the other series by Brodie and Brock Thoene (Zion Covenant and Chronicles) when I was in junior high, so when they came out with a new series I thought I would try it. I still enjoyed this series, but it was a little slower than their earlier ones.
Don't read this series if you haven't read the earlier ones as many of the characters won't be familiar to you.
12/01/06-I really like some of the other series by Brodie and Brock Thoene (Zion Covenant and Chronicles) when I was in junior high, so when they came out with a new series I thought I would try it. I still enjoyed this series, but it was a little slower than their earlier ones.
Don't read this series if you haven't read the earlier ones as many of the characters won't be familiar to you.
January 21, 2009
This book is another of Thoene's historical perspectives of the conflict among Jews, Christians and Muslims during the time when Israel first declared statehood after WWII. Unlike her other novels, Jerusalem Vigil take place over an extremely short period of time...the few days after the British troops leave the Old City. She recycles several characters who play minor roles in her previous novels for expansion in this story, one of who is Rachel (who was a Nazi love slave form Warsaw). It contained heavily described battle scenes that I thought could have been shorter and better spent on more interaction among characters. But I liked it all the same. Be prepared, however, for her negative description of Muslims...she does not make clear that she is talking about extremists and makes it seem like all Muslims in the area wanted a Jihad with the Jews in Jerusalem.
October 14, 2014
Three days of the state of Israel after the pull out of all other military strenghs have moved out and the newly found state and its people from other areas are left to take care of all of the hostile communities which surround them with hatred for the "Jews", this story plot has you on edge wondering what will happen next and the realization that much of what is happening was foretold in the old testament. I love the part where they find the tunnel, I have read other books by this author but the traveling of a chose one/two into this sacred area touch my heartstrings. It is amazing how with a little resources and the will to survive kept them alive during these three daysz. Looking forward to reading the next sequel.
September 5, 2013
The first in a historical/Christian fiction novel series which covers the events surrounding the proclamation of statehood for Israel in 1948. Well written, excellent detail and moving and believable characters and storyline. I enjoyed this, although perhaps not as much as I have earlier series from the Thoenes, probably because I was missing characters that werent brought back for this book. David & Ellie? Anyhow, the most moving part for me was the scene where the nuns were vacating the convent, singing while being fired on by the snipers. Worth the read for their expression of faith alone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews