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American Priestess: The Extraordinary Story of Anna Spafford and the American Colony in Jerusalem | 
 enlarge | Author: Jane Fletcher Geniesse
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Category: Book
List Price: $26.00
Buy New: $9.95
You Save: $16.05 (62%)
New (33) Used (17) Collectible (1) from $9.95
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 283664
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 400
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.5
ISBN: 0385519265
Dewey Decimal Number: 266.0092
EAN: 9780385519267
ASIN: 0385519265
Publication Date: June 17, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: May have small remainder mark on bottom. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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Product Description
For generations in Jerusalem, a fabled mansion has been the retreat for foreign correspondents, diplomats, pilgrims and spies–but until now, few have known the true story of the house that became the American Colony Hotel or its bizarre history of tragedy, religious extremism, emotional blackmail, and peculiar sexual practices.
During the boom years following the Civil War, in the country’s heartland capital, Chicago, a prominent lawyer Horatio Spafford and his blue-eyed wife Anna rode the mighty wave of Protestant evangelicalism deluging the nation. When suddenly tragedy struck, the charismatic Spaffords, grieving, attracted followers eager to believe their prophecy that the Second Coming was at hand and in 1881 sailed with them to Jerusalem to see the Messiah alight on the Mount of Olives.
No sooner had they settled into the Holy City than the U. S. Consul and the established Christian missionaries declared them heretics and whispered of sexual deviance. Yet Muslims and Jews admired their unflagging care of the sick and the needy, and Jews were intrigued with their advocacy of a Jewish Return to Zion. When Horatio died, Anna assumed leadership, shocking even her adherents by abolishing marriage and established a dictatorship that was not always benevolent. Ever dogged by controversy, she and her credulous followers lived through and closely participated in the titanic upheavals that eventually formed the modern Middle East.
Written with flair and insight, American Priestess provides a fascinating exploration of the seductive power of evangelicalism and raises questions about the manipulation of religion to serve personal goals. A powerful narrative, the story sweeps through the dramatic collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the establishment of the British Mandate, and finally the founding of Israel where Anna’s house in East Jerusalem, now the American Colony Hotel, stands as an exemplar of beauty and comfort, despite its turbulent history.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
an incredible story beautifully written. I began two hours ago and cannot out it down. July 10, 2008
a friend (Connecticut United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
For anyone with mid-western ancestors, this phenomenal religious and protestant work ethic mentality makes me ever more curious about my great grandparents and their beliefs and life style. It's simply fascinating. From the Chicago fire, to the strong belief in retuning all Jews to Palestine and converting them to Christianity ---an incredible piece of our past. And so very exciting to discover.
For anyone who was taken by "the devil and the white city", this is a must read!
American Priestess August 6, 2008
Norman T. Baldwin (kents hill, maine. usa)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Adding to Furman Baldwin's commentary on "American Priestess" by Jane Fletcher Geniesse, I too am a 3rd generation descendant of the first wave of members who joined Anna Spaford's American Colony in Jerusalem. Our fathers, Furman and Norman,were sons of Reverend Edward F. Baldwin who with four of his children became early members. Also my mother was 9 years old when her parent and siblings from Nas, Sweden joined the "Overcomers" in 1891.
Like cousin Furman,I learned more about our family background from the book than from our parents and all who knew them, combined.
The story at times shocking, is meticulously researched as to characters and covers decades of fascinating social, economic and historic background from the mid 1800's to modern times. The author's deft use of language is a refreshing force to expand one's vocabulary.
Without sharing much credit for many positive accomplishments of the American Colony, founder/leader Anna kept tight reins on the colonists by revealing to them her divine guidance undergirded by faith, ego and nepotism. The saga is a revealation of the depth and breadth of human potential for good and evil.
If after reading the book, I'd be pleased to hear from any other descendants of the colonists with new informatioin to add. Norman T. Baldwin (baljunor@aol.com).
Fascinating reading July 22, 2008
Jeanne W. White (San Francisco, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of the more informative books written regarding the history of Americans who had influence in Jerusalem and the holy land in the last century. The author has researched her subject thoroughly and made a complex story interesting and understandable. Well worth your time and effort.
Amazing What One Learns About By Reading September 5, 2008
Mary Rence (San Clemente, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Here is an extraordinary story about an international group of people who immigrated to Jerusalem to await the Second Coming led by Anna and Horatio Spafford beginning in 1881. The American Colony as they were known settled in a compound situated in the Old City in the Arab Quarter between the Damascus Gate and Herod's Gate. Jane Geniesse writes with fairness about the leader, charismatic Anna Spafford, who was appalling in many ways but also the positive force in developing welcome and lasting social services for any of the local people in need. (Of course much can be accomplished with mostly unpaid workers who are dependent on their leader for food, shelter and salvation.)
This was like reading three books: Immigration to America, tough times in Chicago and Protestant Evangelism (and dipping into the till); The growth of The American Colony with its vague religious ideas; and The Middle East spanning the two world wars. Her research on the Spaffords, their descendents,the civil, military and religious personalities who lived through the political turmoil of the region resulted in a broad portrait of that era.
The American Colony Hotel on the grounds of the compound continues to be a favored setting for celebrities,spies, diplomats,journalists, tourists and politicians. Until her death in June, 2008, Valentine Vesper, the granddaughter-in-law of the Spaffords and proprietor, lived there. Be sure to go on-line to tour this beautiful hotel.
Thrillride! July 16, 2008
Fan Fair (deep south)
This is one of the most fabulous thrillrides of my reading/literary life.The only thing I'm sad about now is that I don't have these astonishing pages to swamp my mind again tomorrow.I COULD HAVE READ FOREVER!!!! About fifty pages in I felt I'd plunged over a waterfall into the rapids of words below and wondered if I would ever make it out through the swirling whitewater of churning character and history and grand events and deep analysis and heart rending meaning and despair over the turmoil of what did, might, or would happen. In the end these pages illuminate the past with the intensity and prescience of tomorrow's
headlines. Fan Fair (deep south)
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