The book Jerusalem: An Illustrated Archeological Guide and Journal originated as a Master of Fine Arts thesis by Giselle Sarli Hasel at the Savannah College of Arts and Design in 2014 and has been expanded for this present publication. The book was co-written by Michael and Giselle Hasel and is divided into five sections in fifty-nine information-packed pages with an additional endnote section. The book provides archeological information about Jerusalem and Judah, but it is more than an archeological guide: it is a travel journal where one can jot down ideas and observations as he or she visits the ancient city. Throughout the book there are illustrations that beautifully pinpoint key historical sites and people connected with Jerusalem throughout its long history. The book begins with a summary of the history of Jerusalem through time, outlining the rulers and their nations who attacked the city. The city has experienced 118 conflicts over four millennia and has been captured or recaptured forty-four times.

In the next four chapters of the book some of the main characters in Jerusalem’s long and varied history are briefly depicted: David, Herod the Great, Jesus, and Muhammad.

The historical timeline on pages 4 and 5 outlining the major events in Jerusalem’s history is extremely helpful. It is a quick and easy reference to see the significant dates that shaped the city’s destiny. Michael Hasel is a respected archeologist who connects the history of Jesrusalem and Judah (Bethlehem, Masada, Herodium, Khirbet Qeiyafa, and Lachish) with some recent significant archeological discoveries and points out their relevance for biblical faith.

The descriptions of the The Tel Dan stela mentioning the “house of David” on page 11 and the Ophel inscription on page 12 are fascinating. The recent discovery of the Ophel and the Khirbet Qeiyafa inscriptions are the earliest references to Hebrew as a written language. The account of the excavations of Khirbet Qeiyafa on page 15 give evidence of an Israeli outpost city from which David left to slay Goliath. The skillful artwork by Giselle Hasel brings the history and some of the magnificient buildings of this ancient city to life and makes the content accessible to the non-specialist.

A valuable resource of some important archeological findings, this book draws repeated parallels to spiritual insights where the reader can learn from history. Perhaps the high point of the archeological guide is the chapter on Jesus of Nazareth. Focusing on the life of Christ is certainly the highlight of any tour to Israel. What impressed me most about this chapter is its succinct focus on Christ’s ministry and the final days of Christ’s life. The chapter provides a biblical backdrop and the historical context that enables the reader to understand much better the life and times of Jesus. The chapter concludes on pages 50 and 51 with a discussion of the Garden Tomb and first-century tombs, noting that it is difficult to point with precision to the exact location of Jesus’ burial place.

The last chapter on Muhammad is the shortest in the book. The discussion of the history of the Dome of the Rock effectively condenses almost one thousand years of history into a few short paragraphs. In my opinion this is one of the strengths of the entire book. The authors have taken a wealth of material, condensed it, put it in readable language, illustrated it well, documented the archeological and historical facts, and given us a guide to Jerusalem that is invaluable. The extra pages for journaling are an excellent resource for notetaking and spiritual reflection.