{ "item_title" : "AI Explains", "item_author" : [" Alexis Piani "], "item_description" : "Jerusalem is a city unlike any other on Earth. For over 5,000 years, it has stood on its ancient hills, a place where history isn't just studied in books but is etched into every stone and alleyway. It is a city revered by billions across three major faiths, a global spiritual center whose very name evokes peace, yet whose past is a turbulent saga of conquest, destruction, and fervent contention. Stepping into Jerusalem means navigating layers of time, from the earliest settlements drawn to a vital spring to the complex, contested metropolis of today. This book offers a journey through these layers, providing a clear and informed perspective on the forces that have shaped this unique place. We will explore how Jerusalem rose from a small Canaanite village, its existence anchored to the indispensable Gihon Spring as far back as the Early Bronze Age, to become the capital of an Israelite kingdom under King David and the site of Solomon's magnificent Temple. We trace its cycles of destruction and rebirth - from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Second Temple, through Hellenistic and Roman rule that saw Herod's monumental constructions and the devastating revolt of 70 CE, to its transformation under Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, and Ottoman empires. You will gain insight into how each era left its indelible mark, physically reshaping the city and adding new dimensions to its profound religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, centered around sites like the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. Understanding Jerusalem requires grappling with its modern complexities, which are deeply rooted in this long history. The book examines the pivotal British Mandate period, the wars of 1948 and 1967 that divided and then brought the city under a single administration, and the ongoing disputes over its political status under international law. By exploring the demographic shifts, urban development patterns, and the daily realities of living in a contested city, this book provides essential context for anyone seeking to comprehend one of the world's most significant and challenging places. Whether you are interested in ancient history, religious studies, archaeology, or contemporary geopolitics, this book offers a grounded, comprehensive look at Jerusalem, illuminating its past to better understand its present.", "item_img_path" : "https://covers3.booksamillion.com/covers/bam/9/79/830/908/9798309083138_b.jpg", "price_data" : { "retail_price" : "13.99", "online_price" : "13.99", "our_price" : "13.99", "club_price" : "13.99", "savings_pct" : "0", "savings_amt" : "0.00", "club_savings_pct" : "0", "club_savings_amt" : "0.00", "discount_pct" : "10", "store_price" : "" } }

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