Top Ten Books About Petra
Although Petra is an internationally known historical site, and one of the New Wonders of the World, not much has actually been written about it. And Brock Meier’s novel The Stone Cutter is one of only two that have ever been written set in that place AND time (1st century), the other being Tracy Higley’s Petra: City In Stone. So we have scoured the pages of Amazon and Goodreads, and seasoned the possibilities with our own evaluations and put together this list of books that you might enjoy about Petra.
Each title is linked to its book page on Amazon so you can check it out in detail, read other reviews, and purchase if you desire.
The Nabataeans: Builders Of Petra
by Dan Gibson
ISBN: 978-1413427349
298 pgs
Who were the people who carved this city into the red rose, sandstone mountains of Arabia? Why did they hide their city in a cleft in the rock? Why did they come here and why did they leave this spectacular site? Today archeologists and historians are piecing together the answers to these puzzling questions, and historian/author Dan Gibson brings it all together. He vividly pictures these fascinating people who traveled from China to Rome, building an empire of incredible wealth and opulence.
Petra and the Lost Kingdom of the Nabataeans (2002)
by Jane Taylor
ISBN: 978-1848850200
224 pgs
Jane Taylor, an intimate of the royal family of Jordan, draws upon her decades of exclusive access to unusual perspectives of the ancient city of Petra, to produce ravishing views of the immortal city. She flew on the King’s helicopters to capture sights seen by only a few, and captured them in glorious photographs. Alongside the photographs, she also presents with consummate clarity a historical account of the Nabataean Kingdom. (available in several editions)
The Stone Cutter
by Brock Meier
ISBN: 978-1958902011
443 pgs
The Stone Cutter is the multi-award winning inaugural book of Brock Meier’s historical fiction series set in 1st century Petra. The novel reveals the twisting journey of Nahor, a young artist striving for success, while thirsting for love and belonging. Follow him in his perilous quest of love and ambition, awash in the glories of the fabulous Nabataean Kingdom.
“A canvas of emotions, landscapes, and cultural nuances, making this a truly immersive and rewarding reading experience.” —K.C. Finn, for Readers’ Favorite
Petra: City in Stone
by Tracy Higley
ISBN: 979-8861775953
378 pgs
Tracey Higley has written the only other historical fiction, besides The Stone Cutter, set in ancient Petra. The story follows a mother and her young son, as they are drawn into the political intrigue of the last royal family of Nabataea. The account is a vividly drawn narrative of suspense and a mother’s love.
Guide to Hegra: Archaeology in the Land of the Nabataeans
by Laila Nehme
ISBN: 978-2370741547
256 pgs
For decades, Nehme has been at ground-zero in the archaeological investigation of the Nabataeans and their culture. In this book, she powerfully paints a picture of the other great city of the Nabataeans— Hegra, in Saudi Arabia.
Petra: Jordan’s extrordinary ancient city
by Fabio Bourbon
ISBN: 978-0760720226
141 pgs
The author’s love of Petra is contagious and he shares it with the reader through loads of beautiful photographs, maps, and drawings. The text not only describes the historical site and its features well and in detail, but includes some of the history of Nabataea and Petra as well.
Petra: An Archaeological Guide
by Wojciech Machowski
ISBN: 978-8393575701
208 pgs
A detailed and very readable guide for those visiting Petra. Can be used to understand all of the available features of the Petra area, in order to successfully and efficiently plan your visit. Includes many less obvious points of interest not covered in other such literature.
Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Nabataea
by Hatoon Ajwad al-Fassi
ISBN: 978-1407300955
129 pgs
While this book is primarily a scholarly study (and has a price to match), it provides a wonderfully detailed picture of the unusually liberal experience of women in the pre-Islamic culture of Nabataean Arabia. It blows away the myth that all pre-21st century cultures subjugated women. If you can’t afford the steep price, you can probably get it free through inter-library loan at your local library.