A Long Way to Shiloh

This book has a real feeling for history. The beginning, a translation of a manuscript written thousands of years ago, is an appropriately eerie start to this fascinating look at archeological mysteries. It's not just a thriller--this was a moving look at the attempt of scholars to recreate the past.

This excellent novel about archaeology, suspense, time, progress, and history is beautifully written. It's unfathomable to me why his work hasn't enjoyed greater popularity. Maybe no one thought it was OK to write great fiction which was fun to read. Davidson's skill is his ability to spin a yarn and develop absolutely believable characters in improbable circumstances. A treasure hunt, a legalistic enquiry, a love story - it's all here. Also see Davidson's other work, in particular Smith's Gazelle and Making Good Again, both fine works of fiction, fluidly written and beautifully crafted. Note that The Menorah Men was published in the UK as A Long Way to Shiloh.

Normally, when you see a used book going so cheap, it's a sign that the seller thinks very little of the book. They are SO wrong here. Within its genre, this is a terrific book ! It fits the British thriller mode that includes such great writers as Graham Greene and Jeffrey Householder. A young British professor gets a trip to Israel; there, he comes across a scroll giving clues to the location of the menorah from the Temple of Solomon. The adventure that unfolds from this is both highly suspenseful AND intelligent - a terrific combination. I've loaned my copy to a number of friends - so far everyone has loved it. One asked if it had been the inspiration behind the first Indiana Jones movie (yes it is that good). Davidson also wrote two other classics - 'the Night of Wensceslas' and 'Rose of Tibet'. IF you like this one, you'll equally enjoy them. His other novels don't hold up nearly so well and I can't recommend them.