Anyone who is interested in Archaeology in general, or more specifically, in the Archaeology of the Holy Land will love that book. It is informative and well written, with abundant pictures. It is not a dry scientific treatise, but a work of vulgarization, within anyone's reach. It convey very well the excitement of the discoveries of the letters of Bar-Kokhba, who, until then, was more a figure of legend than history. I really like it and I read it twice in a row!

"Bar-Kokhba," by the famed Israeli archaeologist Yigael Yadin is a gripping account of the search in the 1960s for the remains of the nearly forgotten Bar Kokhba revolt of AD 132-135. Bar Kokhba rebelled against Roman authoraties, and was initially successful in securing "the redemption of Israel." He was declared the Messiah by his followers, but he was eventually defeated by the Roman army and ran to the ground at Bethar, where he was killed.

Yadin begins his book with an account of what records and legends of the rebellion were preserved by Roman and Christian historians and the Talmud, then he gets down to business with his and others' search in the caves bordering the Dead Sea for artifacts and documents relating to the revolt. They made several finds, most spectacularly 15 letters written by Bar Kokhba himself to some of his officers in the En-gedi. Well integrated with the text are many pictures --- of the artifacts recovered, the archaeological teams at work, and maps and diagrams.

An appendix includes the major accounts of the Bar Kokhba revolt from Jewish, Roman and Christian sources. I read this book in one day, and if you can find a copy (it's out of print) it would make an excellent addition to your personal library.

Ancient Jerusalem Revealed is an impressively presented, scholarly reference enhanced with black-and-white photographs, diagrams, and sketches, as well as a handful of color plates. The meticulously researched and detailed text delineates everything modern archaeological research and sociological study has revealed about the Holy City, and what it was once like to live there. Focusing on the Jerusalem Temple during the first and second temple periods, as well as Jerusalem during later periods, Ancient Jerusalem Revealed is a comprehensive, visionary reference collection of erudite articles strongly recommended for archaeological reference collections in general, and Jerusalem studies reading lists in particular.

Yigael Yadin is a gifted author who narrates history with captivating excitement. I have read several books and articles on the subject of Masada over the past several years and would recommend this as the most informative and understandable of them all. The before, during and after, excavation photos are amazing and contribute volumes in giving the reader the "Masada Experience." This book is valuable for both the novice and the scholar. It's an excellent introduction to what Masada is all about for the novice. The scholar will find Yadin's love of history details and his awesome photo illustrations compelling and helpful for instruction as well as understanding.

This 1969 Random house publication is a simplified re-telling of Yigael Yadin's previous book, "Masada." This version is labeled "for young readers" (junior high reading level, I'd say.) It tells the story of the famous siege at Masada in well-written language, along with an account of the Yadin expedition that dug the archaeological site. The account given by historian Josephus is compared with the findings at Masada itself as the story progresses. Surprisngly, Josephus proves to be far more accurate than was previously thought. The book is copiously illustrated with black and white photographs of the artifacts and the archaologists who found them, along with models and classical art depicting Roman soldiers, buildings, etc. (What I found amazing was that so many artifacts had survived the centuries undisturbed -- right down to the skeleton of what may have been the last Zealot soldier. Totally amazing!) A very nice book and a good introduction to archaology for Jews and gentiles alike.