Riding to Jerusalem

I read this book in preparation for a visit to Jerusalem. Reading Selby's account changes a visitor into a pilgrim. I felt like I was not just another tourist heading for Israel, but the latest in a centuries old tradtion of pilgrims! Her description of the last day of her journey, culminating with her entry to Jerusalem, is one of the best travel pieces I have ever read, and gives the reader a great sense of the conflict and tension that is such a real part of this city. I would recommend Riding to Jerusalem as a "must read" for anyone traveling to Israel!

Inspired and curious about what she'd learned about the Crusades, the author of this travelogue decides to make a pilgrimage of her own - from London to Jerusalem on a bicycle. She takes us along for the ride, using her significant knowledge of Christian history to put her itinerary into context for us. This book becomes not just a story of adventure, but a traveling history discussion . Selby has a Christian, feminist viewpoint, and while she often questions the brutality done in the name of religion, she still finds strength and beauty in her religious heritage and the religions of the Jews and Moslems she meets along the way. A wonderful book for those readers interested in the history of the Middle East and/or of the Judeo- Christian religious tradition