Priceless views of Egyptian and biblical antiquities as they looked in the mid-19th century, before war, neglect, and exploitation took their toll. 77 spectacular photographs of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Karnak, Luxor, Thebes, Mt. Horeb, Old Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Damascus, and more. Introduction. Captions.

The story of Francis Frith's pioneering Nile journeys made between 1857 and 1860. Includes Frith's original text and photo captions. Illustrated with 130 period photographs plus 30 modern colour photographs to show comparisons.

Book Excerpt: ice. It appeared he owed the gentleman 1300 florins, and had wished to abscond, but was luckily overtaken before the departure of the boat. This affair was hardly concluded when the bell rang, the wheels began to revolve, and too soon, alas, my dear ones were out of sight!I had but few fellow-passengers. The weather was indeed fine and mild; but the season was not far enough advanced to lure travellers into the wide world, excepting men of business, and those who had cosmopolitan ideas, like myself. Most of those on board were going only to Presburg, or at farthest to Pesth. The captain having mentioned that a woman was on board who intended travelling to Constantinople, I was immediately surrounded by curious gazers. A gentleman who was bound to the same port stepped forward, and offered his services in case I should ever stand in need of them; he afterwards frequently took me under his protection.The fine mild weather changed to cold and wind as we got fairly out into the great Danube. I wraRead More

In 1838, Scottish painter David Roberts (1796-1864) embarked on a three-year journey that would shape Europe's perception of the Middle East. Nurtured on Bible stories and tales of the exotic Orient, Roberts had always dreamed of exploring the Holy Land, though travel there was an arduous, dangerous undertaking. While he set himself the goal of bringing home an accurate visual record, he returned with a portfolio of hand-tinted lithographs that lost nothing of romanticism. His use of light, color, and atmosphere lent an aura of exoticism to his realistic view.

This travel guide focuses on places that Holy Land tour groups typically visit and gives major attention to connections between the Bible and the land. The Holy Land is understood to overlap both present-day Israel and Jordan, so places like Gilead, Mount Nebo, Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, and Petra are included. And while the biblical periods and biblical connections remain in the forefront, these are explored in the context of the Holy Land's long and fascinating history. Ancient "tells" dating back to the Bronze Age, colonnaded streets and temples from Hellenistic and Roman times, early Christian pilgrimage destinations, Crusader castles, Mamluk and Ottoman fortifications--all illustrated with chronological charts, maps, site plans, and photographs.

“An instant classic. . . . A pure joy to read.” —Washington Post Book World Both a heart-racing adventure and an uplifting quest, Walking the Bible presents one man’s epic journey- by foot, jeep, rowboat, and camel- through the greatest stories ever told. From crossing the Red Sea to climbing Mount Sinai to touching the burning bush, Bruce Feiler’s inspiring odyssey will forever change your view of history’s most legendary events. The stories in the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Torah, come alive as Feiler searches across three continents for the stories and heroes shared by Christians and Jews. You’ll visit the slopes of Mount Ararat, where Noah’s ark landed, trek to the desert outpost where Abraham first heard the words of God, and scale the summit where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Using the latest archeological research, Feiler explores how physical location affects the larger narrative of the Bible and ultimately realizes how much these places, as well as his experience, have affected his faith. A once-in-a-lifetime journey, Walking the Bible offers new insights into the roots of our common faith and uncovers fresh answers to the most profound questions of the human spirit. “Smart and savvy, insightful and illuminating.” —Los Angeles Times “An exciting, well-told story informed by Feiler’s boundless intellectual curiosity . . . [and] sense of adventure.” —Miami Herald