Knopf Guide: The Holy Land

This guide is beautiful, complete, and truly in-depth. For example, there is a fold out section showing the route Jesus followed carrying his cross. It notes all of the details including where he fell, where certain icons are -- everything you could want to know. The Knopf Guide also will make a great souvenir of your trip. Contrary to what another writer has said here, this book certainly recognizes Israel. As the Lonely Planet guide points out, there is much in dispute about this area, and it's easy to offend one group or the other. Any attempt to present a balanced view of history and of the three religions which center their faith here must tread carefully with names and facts. The Knopf Guide excels in this area.I'd recommend picking up the Lonely Planet guide for details of accomodation and travel facts, but for the history, architecture, birds, animals, fish, sacredness, and gradeur of the area, this is definitely the book to get!

This book is so good that when it was taken away from me at the Syrian border (for having Hebrew in it) I ordered another copy. The Holy Land is a wonderfully literate and detailed little book that could form the basis of a course at Oxford. You might also want to bring another guide that deals more with pedestrian, but very important, things like where to eat, shop and stay. The Knopf guide is what you want when you go to the Dome of the Rock. When in Jerusalem I recommend the American Colony Hotel (an Oasis).

My family and I recently returned from a trip to Israel. We found the Knopf guide an extremely valuable resource. The historical perspectives, maps, illustrations, photographs, and drawings enhanced our enjoyment of our trip by enabling us to focus and anticipate the key aspects of our travels. This guide shines above all the other guides by providing all the necessary practical travel information that you would expect from even the most basic of guides, but where it really excels is by presenting all this in a comprehensive and yet visually stimulating format. By seperating itineraries of The Holy Land into regions you are able to prepare for your trip well in advance and then enjoy the whole region, even if you didn't get to see all of the stops along the way. This is the only guide you need to take, save your money for souveniors

We are soon to visit the Holy Land and this book is a wonderful resource for preparation. Vivid illustrations bring the history to life and stir our imagination and interest. Handy size for taking with, and smallish print is not a problem even for our trifocals, because quality so high.