For those seeking a sense of the passion for the city of Jerusalem and its history from an Arab point of view, this volume consists of essays, memories, and poems written primarily by Arabs and Palestinians scholars, poets, engineers & architects, activists but also including Arab Americans and writers and scholars based in the UK and elsewhere. Themes of exile and longing weave through the book's three sections, which discuss the contemporary scene, the classical scene, and the voices of Jerusalem. Edited by Salma Khadra Jayyusi (an author and poet distinguished in the Arab world), and Zafar Ishaq Ansarai (he's Director General of the Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic U. in Islamabad and also editor of the journal Islamic Studies ). The collection is not indexed. Annotation 2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)