The History of Jerusalem

An Illustrated Story of 4,000 Years

Vincent Lemire, Christophe Gaultier

$44.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Abrams
22 May 2025

Graphic novels: true stories & non-fiction; History; Middle Eastern history

The 4,000-year history of the city of Jerusalem unfolds in an exceptional graphic narrative that touches on the birth of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, as well as famous conquerors and mighty empires, and more

Four thousand years ago, Jerusalem was a small, isolated village perched on a ridge line between the Mediterranean and the desert. Today it is a bustling metropolis with almost one million inhabitants, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The story of Jerusalem is in many ways the story of the development of Western civilization—religions were born on its streets, famous conquerors laid siege to it, and great empires clashed over it. Considered the cradle of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—the three major monotheistic religions—and a spiritual capital for more than half of humanity. Tracing its history gives us a unique perspective into the histories of these different religious identities.

In this 256-page graphic novel, written by renowned historian Vincent Lemire and illustrated by cartoonist and animator Christophe Gaultier, readers will meet Abraham, King Herod, Empress Helena (the mother of Constantine I), Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, Saladin, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, General Edmund Allenby, Palestinian nationalist Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, former Mayor Teddy Kollek, and many other famous people who have helped build the story of Jerusalem.

But it takes many hands to make a city, and the history of the city is the history of the residents who lead lives both great and small within its walls. As Lemire and Gaultier guide us through the lives of Jerusalem’s most famous residents, so too do they introduce us to the people, priests, craftsmen, architects, and residents who have built the history of Jerusalem over the last five millennia.

By: Vincent Lemire
Illustrated by: Christophe Gaultier
Imprint: Abrams
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 260mm, Width: 210mm,
ISBN: 9781419777806
ISBN 10: 1419777807
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 22 May 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Vincent Lemire is a historian who lives in Jerusalem, where he directs the French Research Center. He is the author of several books on Jerusalem, which have been translated in several countries and for which he has received numerous awards, including the Augustin Thierry Prize in 2013 and the Pierre Lafue prize and Sophie Barluet prize in 2017. Christophe Gaultier has been drawing for 20 years. He spent a decade in animation and has worked on such award-winning films as The Triplets of Belleville. He is the coauthor of Beirut 1990—Snapshots of a Civil War (published by Humanoids), and has authored, coauthored, and illustrated many critically acclaimed graphic novels in France.