War on Sacred Grounds

Abstract

Holy places have frequently been the focus of religious and political conflict.Ron E. Hassner analyzes the causes, the course, and the outcomes ofsuch conflicts. His prologue, “A Terrifying and Fascinating Mystery,” isan account of his visit to Jerusalem’s Old City, which the three revealedfaiths share. The reader is made acquainted with the city’s human and linguisticdiversity, the narrow alleys, the smells of the bazaar, the monumentalbuildings, the security checks, and the risks and hardships that visitorsmay face.The first of the book’s nine chapters is an introduction. The remainingeight are divided into two parts: part 1 is “Understanding Conflictsover Sacred Spaces,” while part 2 deals with “Managing Conflicts over SacredSpaces.” Each part consists of four chapters. Photographs are mostlyplaced between the chapters. The book ends with acknowledgments, followedby notes with references and clarifications, and an index of terms,people, and places ...