Masada: Herod's Fortress and the Zealots' Last Stand

by Yigael Yadin

Book by Yadin, Yigael

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Israel, Archaeology, Jewish, Judaism, Judaica

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1945

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a popular, illustrated summation of the findings made by archaeological teams led by Yadin at the Masada fortress of Herod the Great, the last refuge of Jews in rebellion during the First Roman War. The text describes not only the excavations and the interpretation of data but also, with substantial reference to Josephus, attempts to reconstruct the events of 73 C.E.

[Jennifer Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book recounts the archaeological excavation of the Judean rock fortress of Masada that took place in 1963-1965, and I found it interesting on many levels. The archaeological staff was joined by thousands of volunteers who endured primitive conditions and a lot of heat to help uncover the foundations of the palatial fortress built by King Herod the Great as well as traces of the Jewish Zealots who defied Rome from this spot from 66 to 73 AD. The story of the archaeologists and volunteers life during the dig is interesting in itself. The discoveries they made, the way those discoveries affect many branches of historical study, the story of the Zealots, and the ongoing impact of their life and death on the mindset of the people of Israel are all worth reading about. The account is well written and includes many photographs and diagrams.

[Elina Odisho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virkelig en fin og spændende bog om udgravningerne på Masada. Arkæologien og historierne går op i en højere enhed.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend while on a visit to Masada in Israel. I added the book to my list and finally checked it out from the library, a year after my trip. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this read and looked like a textbook, detailing the initial archeological dig of Masada several decades ago. There are many fantastic photos, and all major discoveries of the dig are highlighted, such as scrolls, coins, building structures, etc. It was also very interesting to read of the experiences of the excavators, all of whom were unpaid volunteers, very few with archeology experience. While this book was very informative, I would only recommend it to several specific groups of people - archeology enthusiasts, those interested in Biblical or Jewish history, and those traveling to Masada. The book is out of print and a little tough to find, so check with your local library first.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been intrigued by Masada for quite some time but this is the first book I've read about the subject. The story of the excavation is first and foremost, and where appropriate Yadin includes excerpts of Josephus' account of the Zealots and the Roman siege. The text is well-written for it's intentions, which Yadin makes clear from the start. This is not a scientific, scholarly work, but a record of the excavations, the finds, and what he interpreted them to mean.

I liked the inclusion of the volunteer application at the end. If I'd have been alive in the 60s, I would certainly have applied to work on the site, how amazing it must've been - difficult, strenuous, even back-breaking, but amazing.

[Robbie Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific follow-up to The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.
It is the story of the real life excavation from 1963-1965 of the Judean desert rock-fortress of Masada that is the location of the Jewish Zealot's story told in the Dovekeepers.
It is filled with pictures (many in color), diagrams, maps and aerial shots of the actual place where 960 Zealot defenders preferred to kill themselves rather than surrender to the Romans in 73 A.D.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yigael Yadin was one of Israel's most famous archeologists. His recount of his archeological dig at Masada uncovered fascinating details replete with many photographs and illustrations. It boggles the mind as to the tremendous engineering feat Herod undertook in constructing his palace retreat in the desert. Yadin covers the luxury of Herod, the life of the Zealots and the remains of the Roman garrison who later occupied the site.

[Meirav Rath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, though it's not a history book as much as it's a book about the early Masada excavation. The pictures are stunning and the description of the early conditions for the excavation team are endearing. It's a gift book, really, but a good gift book.

[L. Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reading of this book has been the result of a 5 year journey which started with buying The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman at a thrift store. This sat on my bookshelf for about 4 years, unread. Last year I attended a Bible study featuring the book Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland. Not only did I learn about how the revolutionary views of Jesus toward women reshaped history, but I also learned much about Jewish practices and the history of Biblical times. Shortly after the Bible study I started reading The Dovekeepers. Many historical facts gleaned from Jesus and Women were woven throughout this amazing work of historical fiction which culminated on Masada. I was so taken with the history and the courage of the Zealots that as I read Alice Hoffman’s resources I had to read and therefore purchased this very book, Masada-Herod’s Fortress and the Zealots’ Last Stand. This is the most beautifully written, detailed and moving work of nonfiction I have ever read. I was moved to tears several times throughout. The passion of author Yigael Yadin is evident on every page. The text is engaging and the photographs are exquisite. The amount of work and passion that countless individuals devoted to gain a better understanding of Masada resulted in this remarkable book. Want to read something not on your ordinary Want To Read list and love history? Please give this beautiful book a read- you will be glad you did!

[De Wet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the first major archaeological excavation at Masada in the sixties.

[Shannon Scherer · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting but also inspiring and horrifying to learn about. cool to see the archaeological process rather than just the history and not as dry as I assumed it would be

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Roman siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, Judea fell to the Romans. Most Jews were either killed, sold to slavery, or forced to flee their land. Of course, some few remained to rebel against the new rulers, but these were few in number.

One such group took the Herodian fortress, Masada, and conducted raids on the Roman occupied land for almost three years. Finally, after a long and amazing seige, 10,000 Romans broke into the fortress only to find that the night before, all 960 Jewish inhabitants had killed themselves rather than live in slavery.

This book, which is fascinating, readable, and moving, describes the archaeological excavation of Masada and reports on the findings of the work conducted in the 1960's.

A fascinating book

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Masada. En bog der rammer forbi, det jeg plejer at læse, det er en meget detaljeret beskrivelse, af udgravningerne, der igennem tiden er blevet fortaget på Masada.
Meget lang og til tider temmelig tør.
En god bog for den der har en særligt interesse i Arkæologi.
Det bedste kapitel efter min mening er det sidste.
En hyldest til de frivillige.
Så det kan kun blive til en stjerne fra min side.
Masada. A book that hits past, what I usually read, it is a very detailed description of the excavations, which over time has been conducted on Masada.
Very long and sometimes rather dry.
A good book for those who have a special interest in archaeology.
The best chapter in my opinion is the last.
A tribute to the volunteers
So it can only be one star from my side.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early on in this book Yigael Yadin shares his purpose. He did not wish to write a boring scholarly book on the excavation of Masada, but a book that would allow readers to understand the thrill of discovery. It seems he accomplished his goal.

This book is not about the history of Masada as much as the archeology, although Yadin does quote from Josephus and other authors. The book has many pictures, maps and building plans to aid in understanding the excavations.

The excavation occured in 1963-1965, I believe, and this book was published in 1966. This was less than 20 years after Isrel's independence, and the excitement of that time prior to the Yom Kippur War is very evident in Yadin's account.

[James Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

00 - thorough review and pictography of the archeological excavation of Masada 1963-65. Quite interesting as it reveals the life lived then, Herod's feats of engineering, the accuracy of Flavius Josephus' "Jewish Antiquities" and "The Jewish War" in describing the place, the seige and the demise of the Jewish Zealots. The discoveries of Scrolls of scripture which verified such texts as Ecclesiasties, Ezekiel, Leviticus & Psalms is quite fascinating. I had no idea the place was so fully developed or lavishly built. The Roman seige was masterful. The history given in the book is insightful. A good read.

[Chuck Shorter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year 73 marked the end of the Zealot Rebellion in Israel against Rome. General Silva's troops finally breached the wall of the seemingly impenetrable, wilderness fortress of Masada only to find 966 men, women and children laying dead.

Yigael Yadin was the archeologist chosen by Israel to excavate this honored ground. Based on his findings Yadin presents a vivid picture of both the grandeur of Herod the Great's former palace- villa and also the struggles and final moments of the Jewish revolt.

Well written with a great combination of archeology, history, pictures and lots of quotes from my favorite dead Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus.

[Daniel Chaikin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was actually entertaining and an important work - but, and it's not surprising having read it, it was not scientific, and maybe somewhere around completely unprofessional. I just started a book called Sacrificing Truth, which is not debunking Yadin's work here, but a study into what led Yadin to publish such an unscientific work as science...in other words it apparently begins with the assumption that it's already been proven that Yadin's work is bunk.

[Robin Warden · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are going to Israel, have been, will be, or just interested in...this is a great book on Masada & one of the very first archaeological digs (includes fascinating "before" pics). Great tales for the Indiana Jones in all of us...okay, maybe just me, but humor me.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ordered the book prior to going to Masada, but it wasn't delivered until after my trip. I actually think reading it after was a better way to do it because I understood the geography better. Amazing place.

[Steven Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can feel a connection to something that happened two thousand years ago.

Some of this book achieves that connection through time, most of it is academic and insightful.

[Richard Spring · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides detailed information about the excavation of Masada and shares the historical references.

[Jo Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating learned a lot

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good documentation of an archaeological dig in Israel. Wonderful pictures too.

[Joe Seliske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I travelled around Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa from the end of September 1977 until March 1978. One of my high school buddies and I backpacked around Europe going where other young people on the road that we met in Youth Hostels told us to go. We flew to Israel from Athens in early December where we met a fellow from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was in Israel to visit a synagogue named after his grandfather. We all became instant friends at the Youth Hostel in Tel Aviv and spent the month of December touring Israel (and the occupied territory of the time - the East Bank and Sinai). Jaffa, Jerusalem and Christmas Eve in Bethlehem were magical. We met other people that we had met on the road in Europe. We then started on a path from Jerusalem to Sharm El-Sheikh that started in Ein Gedi on the Dead Sea. Staying at the Youth Hostel there we took a bus to Masada and spent the day there. I had never heard of Masada but was blown away by what had occurred there. Asking about the best book about Masada, I remember being told to get one by Yigael Yadin. I was in a second hand store a couple of weeks ago and there it was; still fresh in my mind after forty-three years. As I read, the memories flooded back of the starkness of the terrain and the history of what happened there. Memories of my youth.

[Bob Lundquist]

A good overview of the excavation and restoration of Masada. Archeological perspective.

[Cynthia Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I visited Masada two years ago, and I've been fascinated by it since. This was such interesting reading about its excavation.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book from the 1960s of an archaeological expedition to Masada.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough relating of the archaeological dig at Masada in 1963 and 1964. Profuse illustrations. Excellent review of the edifice and its history.

[Karmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very basic primer on Masada (Israel) and the 60s archaeological dig that uncovered most of what is now known of the last Jewish holdout to the Roman occupation.