The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela: Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century

by Uri Shulevitz

Book Overview

Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century Imagine a time when streets were narrow and dirty, towns were surrounded by walls, brigands lurked alongside roads that were treacherous and few, bridges over rivers were rare, and a man setting out on a journey never knew if he would return alive. It was the year 1159 when the medieval Jewish traveler Benjamin left his native town of Tudela in northern Spain on an adventure to see the places he had...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374377545
• ISBN13: 9780374377540
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 10.7" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 8

Customer Reviews

Wonderful story, lovely pictures

I read this with my 7-year-old daughter, and we both loved it. It's a fascinating story that effortlessly weaves in history and geography. The pictures are beautiful.

Incredible Journey

Beautifully written and illustrated, The Travels of Bejamin of Tudela takes us on an incredible journey through the ancient Jewish world into the Diaspora nine hundred years ago. As the story unfolds, we visit one enchanting city after another and experience with our imaginations and amazing illustrations the sights, sounds, and smells of each beautiful and mysterious location. Don't miss this great adventure!

Entertaining and informative!

In 1159, Benjamin of Tudela, a Jewish man living in Spain, set out on a 14 year journey across the Mediterranean Sea and through the Middle East. His Hebrew-language journal is a wonderful look into the world of the twelfth century, but it is not accessible to many people. Well, in this wonderful book, author Uri Shulevitz retells Benjamin's story for the younger reader! Large and lavishly illustrated, this book does an excellent job of retelling Benjamin's story in a manner that is easily grasped by the younger reader. But, don't write this book off as mere childishness. Not being content to merely entertain, the author includes a number of interesting sidebars, in which he explains things being discussed. Overall, I found this to be a fascinating book - entertaining and informative. I highly recommend this book to those who have younger readers who want something distinctly non-childish. I highly recommend this book!