I’ve read Alan Gold before and found him a good read, this book was no different. Paired up with Mikes Jones Gold has produced a book which kept me spellbound. It’s set in Israel and opens us up to a whole new world of conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, I can see these theories actually making sense to some people. It calls for a twisted type of mind but those people are out there. I’m just hoping they never get into power.
What is so good about this book?
The way it ties up the past with the present. Gold and Jones have done their research and show us various events in the history of Israel. They’ve added in enough details to bring the history to life and to show us how it might have panned out. We’ve got the building of the First Temple by King Solomon and the many machinations surrounding the court of the King. We see the building of the Second Temple by King Herod and other machinations, along with that we see the size of King Herod’s thoughts and his grandiose schemes. At one point we also see a doctor get caught up in events.
How good is the research?
To answer that question I’m not going to go through the research. I’m just going to mention one little point. Just as he passes out Bilal (the ‘terrorist’) finds a little something which the doctor treating him takes to her grandfather for translation. It turns out to be a little seal from the First Temple. After I finished the book this little article came onto the internet. It talks about a little seal impression from the Governor of Jerusalem that was found near the Western Wall, roughly in the same place the Gold and Jones placed the seal in the book. Coincidence? I don’t think so, the article doesn’t mention when the seal impression was actually found and the book is only four years old.
Do I recommend it?
If you like conspiracy theory books then absolutely. If you like books set in Israel giving a sense of the history of the place then definitely. If you need a read for the plane, I certainly recommend it. And here’s the affiliate link in case you want to give me a few cents towards my next coffee. At that price I suggest you buy other books as well to make the postage worth while.
Have you read Patrick Tilley’s book “Mission” yet?
Um, no. I’m an opportunistic reader. I tend to read whatever crosses my path, or rather, my bookshelf. But because I TBR pile is so much bigger than I am I tend to try and refuse books people offer to lend me.