This book and series is fabulous. If you like historical fiction, then you are in for a treat! Along with being very accurate (Bodie's husband, Brock is a historian) it is also very entertaining. You will learn so much as you follow superb characters. Be prepared to have some very late nights as you will be unable to put this book down!
You won't be disappointed!

This book and series is fabulous. If you like historical fiction, then you are in for a treat! Along with being very accurate (Bodie's husband, Brock is a historian) it is also very entertaining. You will learn so much as you follow superb characters. Be prepared to have some very late nights as you will be unable to put this book down!
You won't be disappointed!

Please read this book with your preconceptions tucked away out of reach. When a book is this well written, it doesn't matter if it labelled "Christian Fiction" or any other kind. Most everyone has underlying assumptions, and it is best if they are out front. I didn't know this book was "Christian Fiction", whatever that means, until after I finished reading it, and it was a wonderful read no matter what. I don't know if it was totally fair to every point of view, and I doubt if such a thing is really possible. Anyway, Bodie Thoene writes marvellous adventure stories, worth reading for the sheer excitement of it.

This book is truly amazing! I'm not completely finished with it yet, but so far it is one of the best books I have ever read. I have been searching so long for Christian books with lots of adventure and history and without a bunch of mooshy romance stuff. When my friend told me about this book, I thought I'd give it a try. I never expected to come across something this great! It fits what I want in a book so perfectly. I love learning about Jerusalem!!!!!!!! The only falt I can find with in it, is it's characters. They don't seem to be developed too well. I would like more insight on what they're thinking, etc... Other than that, this is a wonderful book. If you like history, then you will love this!!!

"The Gates of Zion" begins with a brief prologue set in Qumran, 68 C.E.. Jerusalem has just fallen to the Romans. A Jewish scribe quickly and carefully copies the last passages of the book of the Prophet Isaiah. Then he wraps the scroll in linen, coats the linen with pitch, and prepares to bury it in a clay jar - along with all the other scrolls. He makes sure, at this hour of his death, that the words of God will be preserved for future generations. The Dead Sea Scrolls are about to be hidden.

Two millennia later, on November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly, in its 128th plenary session, by a two-thirds vote (33 to 13 with Britain and nine others abstaining), passed Resolution 181 partitioning Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Arab national movement in Palestine, as well as all the Arab countries, angrily rejected partition. Almost immediately there was Arab violence against the Jews in Palestine.

Ellie Warne is an American photojournalist for LIFE Magazine, who unknowingly becomes the focus of danger when she takes pictures of ancient scrolls recently discovered by Bedouins. Ellie is staying with her uncle Howard, an archeologist, in Jerusalem. She finds new purpose when she decides to help the Hagganah prepare to defend the city of Jerusalem after the Partition.

Rachel Lubetkin is a beautiful Jewish Holocaust survivor. She left the concentration camps behind in Europe, along with a big part of her soul. On her arm she bears the tattooed legacy, "Nur Fur Offizere, "For Officers Only." The Nazis had used her as a prostitute. She is shunned by many of the refugees and called a traitor for not choosing death over forced prostitution.

Moshe Sacher is a brilliant archeological linguist at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is also an active Hagganah leader who smuggles European Jews, refugees from the camps, into Palestine. Moshe, a tall, slender, good looking young man, is in love with Ellie Warne.

David Meyer, a US Air Force war vet, is also in love with Ellie. He has come to Palestine for her, and also to help form the new State of Israel's air force. David, a reckless, carefree man, never realized the extent of his affection for Ellie until she left California. Now he wants her back, but she has another man on her mind, as well as her career and the commitment she made to build the newly formed state.

Nine year-old Yacov Lebowitz lives in the Old Jewish City of Jerusalem with his elderly grandfather, a Rabbi. Yacov was in Palestine with his grandfather when his parents and siblings were taken away by the Germans.

These characters and many more - Jew, Arab and British - hero and villain - come together to make this an action-packed historical novel. Ms. Brodie's narrative is obviously biased. Her tale is based on the Jewish/Zionist point of view. While she exposes the cruelty, deception and politics of Arab terrorism, she never mentions the Palestinian Muslim's position. The author is Christian and her own religious beliefs come to the fore from time to time.

While I enjoyed much of the plot, I think that the novel is written on a Young Adult level. I prefer historical fiction with more depth and objectivity. The characters are too simplistic for my taste. I read Leon Uris' "Exodus" when I was 13 years-old, and it appeals to me as much today as it did years ago. Mr. Uris tells a similar story with more historical facts and perspective. His characters are much more complex also. And frankly, I prefer an author's religious preferences to remain with the author. I didn't realize until after I purchased the novel that it is labeled "Christian Fiction." As I am not a Christian, I felt a bit uncomfortable at times.

I do recommend Bodie Thoene's "Gates of Zion" for those who enjoy Christian Fiction and are looking for an action novel depicting Israel's struggle for statehood.
JANA

Action, intrigue, romance! This book has it all. Ellie Warne, a young American photographer suddenly finds herself thrust into the role of photojournalist for "Life" magazine, covering the turmoil between the Jews, Arabs and British in 1947 Palestine.Throw in the mix an assortment of characters, including the brave Moshe and David, who vie for Ellie's attention, as well as Rachel, a beautiful Jewess who had been forced into prostitution in Auschwitz during World War II and you have people you can be interested in. Bodie Thoene can excellently craft a novel and turn a phrase and she definitely has done it in this book!