5.0 out of 5 stars Now among my top favorite books

A.B. · March 7, 2017

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Written as a great adventure story the Scotsman delivers a fantastic, humorous, and heart-wrenching tale wherein he follows the footprints of an exiled monk. Filled with quips from Orthodox and Catholic Christians in the levant this story relates the sometimes perilous lives of Christians in the middle east (made all the more heart-wrenching by his account of the perilous nature of the situation in Syria at the time and the now historic occurrences of the results of the Civil War that ravaged that country). The book can at times seem to drag on but the rare instances of monotony are rewarded with moments for reflection, laughter, and weeping. The whole of the book is a roller-coaster that - at the end of which - one can not help but feel satisfied at having ridden.

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible read

A.H.A. · July 30, 2016

I must say it is a remarkable book but it makes me sad just to read it. The places mentioned are either burning hell or just survived coups. Syria and Iraq are now under fire - but were very peaceful when written. There were still some Orthodox Christians left in those areas and they were safe. Sadly, salafists calling themselves ISIS and Muslims have almost wiped out these peaceful and important people.This unfolding Middle-East tragedy - as you read this book you get goose kicks - is nothing new. In our times it is more prolonged and more vicious with Western world equally responsible for supporting such terrorists. This also makes this book immediate and noteworthy.

4.0 out of 5 stars From the Holy Mountain

T.W.G. · October 26, 2014

Although the theme of travelling from monastry to monastry could be daunting, I found this to be an absorbing book. It is well written by an author clearly passionate about his subject of the very early years of Christianity, and obviously profoundly researched. The style is most engaging, with just the right touches of humour. He also has the knack of relating the historical with the topical throughout the book. I shall, I am sure, be dipping into again from time to time to understand better what's happening in the Middle East and shall enjoy doing so.

5.0 out of 5 stars "The past is never dead; in fact it's not even past" (Faulkner)

T. · August 3, 2019

If interested in how history echoes into the present, "From the Holy Mountain" is a great read. After I read a library copy of it, it had such a lingering impact for me that I ordered my own copy. I'm interested in the regions (Balkans/Near and Middle East from Byzantine era onward), so I don't know if I'll be as entranced by Dalrymple's other books, which deal with his India experiences, among others,, but I plan to find out.

5.0 out of 5 stars and this book was wonderfully evocative for me

A.C. · December 9, 2014

I have walked several long pilgrimage routes in Europe, and this book was wonderfully evocative for me. It also had a few surprises. The separation between Muslims and Christians was often blurred at a local level in the past, with Muslims sometimes coming to local Christian shrines and Churches to solve some personal problem with failing crops or not being able to have a child. It still continued in a few places when the book was written (before the current wars in Syria). The most depressing thing was the pressures that Christians face in all Middle Eastern countries, which are gradually driving their communities to escape.

5.0 out of 5 stars The day I had read about the author's happy arrival in Aleppo

b. · March 20, 2015

Extremely interesting on the background of what is going on in the Middle East in our days. 1994, when the book was written, does not seem so long ago. But what a difference in 2015! The day I had read about the author's happy arrival in Aleppo, the TV-News showed pictures of Aleppo thoroughly bombed. The book is very well written, easy read, in spite of it's serious contents. It is a pleasure to recommend it to anyone who is seeking a deeper knowledge of the history of the Christians in the Middle East lon ago, as well as the more recent history of the area.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining and insightful book

L. · March 26, 2022

This is a great "travel journal" through the old Eastern Orthodox homeland, with insight into the Byzantian and Orthodox culture that has persisted for 1400 years.

5.0 out of 5 stars A MOST ENJOYABLE AND INSTRUCTIVE BOOK.

P.R. · February 14, 2014

It was very well researched. Dalrymple is able to express himself clearly in language that, at times, is lyrical. I had read books on the history of Christianity, but nothing of this calibre. It is hard to believe that the author is not a much older man. I felt a sense of loss when I reached the end of the book and intend to read more by this author.

Il passato che illumina il presente

M.T. · October 29, 2018

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Comprato per curiosità perché nella bibliografia di un altro interessantissimo libro (nel nome della croce) si è rivelato un piacevolissimo viaggio nei luoghi e nel tempo attuale con continui rimandi al passato rivelando aspetti, anche drammatici, di ieri e dell'oggi.

An amazing book!

D. · March 3, 2023

An amazing book about Christianity in middle east

Four Stars

K.C. · October 4, 2017

Well researched and explained

enjoyable and informative travel in the middle east

m. · January 19, 2013

This is a wonderful book in which the author, William Dalrymple, recounts his travels throughout the middle east in the mid 1990's. Following the path of the journey of a 6th century monk the author's travels take in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Egypt where he meets Orthodox Christians living as minorities in each country. The reduction of the middle eastern Christian population over the last 1500 years since the heyday of Byzantium is a recurrent theme, as is the acceleration of that reduction in the last 100 years.ironically, given current events, Syria is described as the best of the countries for Christian minorities at the time of the author's travels, but with signs of the still to come islamic revolution in Egypt apparent with hindsightI enjoyed this book very much. The atmosphere of the middle east, and of the lost world of Byzantium is beautifully evoked, as are the fascinating tales and faiths of the many monks, priests, nuns and lay people the author meets on his travels.The author's clearly values tolerance, and does not dismiss or mock the beliefs of those he meets, even when those beliefs are rather extreme, allowing them to put their views in their own words.Recommended - informative and enjoyable travel writing

Christianity is an eastern religion

s. · August 27, 2018

The author gives astonishing and detailed evidence to show that Christianity and Islam have much more in common than is currently acknowledged. A historical page-turner written in a friendly and approachable style.