This 2007 book about the Temple Mount/al-Sharif in Jerusalem/Quds is a very worthy update of archeological research regarding this site holy to the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Yes, numerous other books have been written about this site, and one wonders: "Can another book REALY add anything NEW to this subject? After all, isn't all of this Mount stuff over 1,500 years old? What is its relevance today?" Nonetheless: "YES," is the clear answer in promoting this book. What is refreshing about this book is that the author does present a rather straight-forward "This is what I think" about some topic, but he also CLEARLY and OBJECTIVELY presents alternative views about some disputed aspect of the Mount. The author looks at the current claims by Muslims that Solomon's Temple never existed (in their attempt to deny Jewish claim to Jerusalem), and discusses the changing boundaries of the Etheral City. He loudly laments the excavations undertaken by the Muslims without oversight by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. Despite the author's pro-Jewish biases, which he clearly details, he appears to be fair and objective in listing alternative views and theories as to why and how the various temples were built. Having read the other major books regarding the Dome and the Mount, I still find this book to be very informative and FRESH in bringing together "many," yes, "many," issues/details/subjects/themes that I did not find in previous books by Dore Gold, Gorenberg, Grabar, Busse, and Nitmeyer. This book brings them all together. Interestingly, the author presents a different, but fresh (did I say "fresh" before?), and useful perspective in reviewing the history of the Dome/Mount: instead of starting with trying to determine the religious and political origins of the Mount, he starts off with "today: 2006" history and works backwards into the historical origins. This is refreshing: solid scholarly research today, followed by analysis of some of the mythical origins of the Mount. One new, interesting topic that the author asks is: "WHY does the Dome exist? WHY was it built?" Many assume it had something to do with the Prophet Mohammad ascending into Heaven to rap with Allah, but none of the many Arabic inscriptions throughout the Dome mention Mohammad's "Night Journey": so what then is the PURPOSE of the Dome? (Get this book.) I could list 10-15 informative "subjects" here, but, just trust me: if I ever wanted just one book about the Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount, this is it (but do research the others, too). A lot of political history, a lot of religious Torah relevance, a lot of superb analysis about the holiest mound of dirt.

This 2007 book about the Temple Mount/al-Sharif in Jerusalem/Quds is a very worthy update of archeological research regarding this site holy to the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Yes, numerous other books have been written about this site, and one wonders: "Can another book REALY add anything NEW to this subject?" "YES," is the clear answer in promoting this book. What is refreshing about this book is that the author does present a rather straight-forward "This is what I think" about some topic, but he also CLEARLY and OBJECTIVELY presents alternative views about some disputed aspect of the Mount. He loudly laments the excavations undertaken by the Muslims without oversight by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. One is left perplexed as to why the Israeli authorities turn a blind eye to the obvious Muslim digging into and destruction of the Mount's underground. Despite the author's pro-Jewish biases, which he clearly details, he appears to be fair and objective in listing alternative views and theories. Having read the other major books regarding the Dome and the Mount, I still find this book to be very informative and FRESH in bringing together "many," yes, "many," issues/details/subjects/themes that I did not find in previous books by Gorenberg, Grabar, Busse, and Llewellyn. This book brings them all together. Interestingly, the author presents a different, but fresh (did I say "fresh" before?), and useful perspective in reviewing the history of the Dome/Mount: instead of starting with trying to determine the religious and political origins of the Mount, he starts off with "today: 2006" history and works backwards into the historical origins. This is refreshing: solid scholarly research today, followed by analysis of some of the mythical origins of the Mount. One new, interesting topic that the author asks is: "WHY does the Dome exist? WHY was it built?" We all assume it had something to do with the Prophet Mohammad ascending into Heaven to rap with Allah, but none of the many Arabic inscriptions throughout the Dome mention Mohammad's "Night Journey": so what then is the PURPOSE of the Dome? I could list 10-15 informative "subjects" here, but, just trust me: if I ever wanted just one book about the Dome of the Rock or the Temple Mount, this is it (but do research the others, too).

This 2007 book about the Temple Mount/al-Sharif in Jerusalem/Quds is a very worthy update of archeological research regarding this site holy to the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Yes, numerous other books have been written about this site, and one wonders: "Can another book REALY add anything NEW to this subject? After all, isn't all of this Mount stuff over 1,500 years old? What is its relevance today?" Nonetheless: "YES," is the clear answer in promoting this book. What is refreshing about this book is that the author does present a rather straight-forward "This is what I think" about some topic, but he also CLEARLY and OBJECTIVELY presents alternative views about some disputed aspect of the Mount. The author looks at the current claims by Muslims that Solomon's Temple never existed (in their attempt to deny Jewish claim to Jerusalem), and discusses the changing boundaries of the Etheral City. He loudly laments the excavations undertaken by the Muslims without oversight by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. Despite the author's pro-Jewish biases, which he clearly details, he appears to be fair and objective in listing alternative views and theories as to why and how the various temples were built. Having read the other major books regarding the Dome and the Mount, I still find this book to be very informative and FRESH in bringing together "many," yes, "many," issues/details/subjects/themes that I did not find in previous books by Dore Gold, Gorenberg, Grabar, Busse, and Nitmeyer. This book brings them all together. Interestingly, the author presents a different, but fresh (did I say "fresh" before?), and useful perspective in reviewing the history of the Dome/Mount: instead of starting with trying to determine the religious and political origins of the Mount, he starts off with "today: 2006" history and works backwards into the historical origins. This is refreshing: solid scholarly research today, followed by analysis of some of the mythical origins of the Mount. One new, interesting topic that the author asks is: "WHY does the Dome exist? WHY was it built?" Many assume it had something to do with the Prophet Mohammad ascending into Heaven to rap with Allah, but none of the many Arabic inscriptions throughout the Dome mention Mohammad's "Night Journey": so what then is the PURPOSE of the Dome? (Get this book.) I could list 10-15 informative "subjects" here, but, just trust me: if I ever wanted just one book about the Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount, this is it (but do research the others, too). A lot of political history, a lot of religious Torah relevance, a lot of superb analysis about the holiest mound of dirt.

This was the most excellent and comprehensive look at the temple mount that I have ever read. I used it for a research paper on the temple mount and it was by far the most helpful and interesting book. It is very well written and includes beautiful pictures. It is fairly unbiased and really gets into the details of every issue and facet of history it covers. Would make a great coffee table book as well as research book. I am so glad I own this book and I will lend it out and read it myself many many times. If you have ANY interest in the Temple Mount I highly recommend this book.