Out-of-Doors in the Holy Land: Impressions of Travel in Body and Spirit

"Out-of-Doors in the Holy Land: Impressions of Travel in Body and Spirit" by Henry Van Dyke is a recounting of the author’s trip through Palestine, blending together the real experience of traveling with the soul-searching journey to the land of Jesus. The book highlights the contrasting senses of adventure and looking inward. Van Dyke wanted to connect to the historical and spiritual importance of the Holy Land. Van Dyke begins by telling of his long-held dream to visit Palestine, a dream that came true after dealing with personal fears and life’s hardships. He shares his wish to explore the area not as a tourist, but to surround himself with its beauty and spirit, seeking to better understand the core of Christianity as an "out-of-doors" religion. The beginning creates a sense of excitement as he sets sail and tells about the sights and feelings of landing in Jaffa, signaling the start of his trip filled with personal faith, the natural landscape, and the rich history mixed with the sacred geography of the area.