Jerusalem Poker

If you like to read good, no, Great writing, you owe it to yourself to read Whittemore. Get all five of his novels and I assure you that you will not be left wanting.(Except for more.) Unfortunately, we have been robbed by death of this giant of literature. Few can match the epic humanity and scope of Edward Whittemores' characters, places and dreams. He is sorely missed even though relatively few readers have even heard of him. Hopefully the re-release of his books will at least partially remedy this literary injustice.

I purchased Sinai Tapestry and Jerusalem Poker in the news stand of the St George Hotel subway stop in Brooklyn Heights New York over two decades ago.I loaned them out one too many times, and they were eventually lost. These are two of the most memorable and creative tales I have ever read and I have been attempting to re-acquire the books ever since. I am stunned to see that all of E. Whittemore's books are O. O. P. Whatever happened to such a talented writer? He certainly knows how to spin a tale and imprint it on your psyche. After all the years, I can easily visualize many of the scenes Mr Whittemore put to paper, and can't wait to have copies in hand again.

Jerusalem Poker and Sinai Tapestry are the two best books of the four books which make up the fantastic Jerusalem Quartet. A broad ranging story which spans decades and continents where characters paths intertwine like the fibres of a fine Persian carpet. The novel is centered around a twelve year long poker-game between an arab, a christian, and a jew. Where the stakes are the entire city of Jerusalem.

This is an exceptionally clever and broad-ranging book. If you like Pynchon but prefer a slightly more realistic, less-{in love with his own cleverness} style, try this---maybe we can get this back in print.