In December 1994, at a time of intense political pressure for peace in the Middle East, Bettina Selby set out on a journey from Cyprus to the Holy Land.
Riding her bicycle wherever possible, she travelled slowly through Lebanon, Syria and Jordan and finally into modern Israel.. Her eventual destination was a city she knew and loved; so much so that the political turmoil of the preceding year had made her unwilling to return. Now, spurred on by the Jordan/Israel peace treaty and an audience with King Hussein, Bettina felt that at last a new perspective on Israel could be achieved.
Over the next two months she travelled widely, from the ruins of Byblos in Lebanon to the Armenian Cathedral Church in Jerusalem, and to the refugee camps of Gaza. In every place she was offered the hand of friendship by people of diverse race and culture. What began as an enjoyable and quirky travelogue fast becomes a compelling critique of Middle Eastern politics, and it historical and religious foundations.
In clear and lyrical prose, Bettina Selby has produced a fascinating account of her travels and a valuable contribution to our understanding of the modern Holy Land.
