Biography: religious and spiritual Books

Book SynopsisAcclaimed worldwide as the definitive biography of the Prophet Muhammad in the English language, Martin Lings' Muhammad: His Life Based to the Earliest Sources is unlike any other. Based on Arabic sources of the eighth and ninth centuries, of which some important passages are translated here for the first time, it owes the freshness and directness of its approach to the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.Martin Lings has an unusual gift for narrative. He has adopted a style which is at once extremely readable and reflects both the simplicity and grandeur of the story. The result is a book which will be read with equal enjoyment by those already familiar with Muhammad's life and those coming to it for the first time.Muhammad: His Life Based to the Earliest Sources was given an award by the government of Pakistan, and selected as the best biography of the Prophet in English at the National Seerat Conference in

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBestselling Danish author and practical mystic Lars Muhl looks back over the crucial events of his vivid life and explains how a series of visions and profound experiences have shaped his outlook and his teachingOver the years via his many books published by Watkins, Danish mystic Lars Muhl has become a leading spiritual teacher in the English-speaking world. This is intended as his last mainstream title and it gathers many of the exercises and the stories he has developed and told over the years, including encountering Jesus (who he calls by his Aramaic name Yeshua) in a Danish church and being comforted by his Guardian Angel after a car crash.His little sister died when he was young and from then he discovered a mysterious way of “seeing” and reading energies. Later on, he becomes a pop star and his early tour of Israel is the beginning of a journey where he later visits the remote cave at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were first found seventy years ago. It dawns on him that he had a past life as an Essene in the Holy Land at the time of Jesus/Yeshua, and he learns Aramaic, the language spoken there at the time.This means that he can shed a bright and refreshing light on what was taught in the Gospels. There are also several spiritual practices threaded through the book and, at the end, an entire chapter of transformative techniques. He also gives a comforting account of the process of dying. Overall the book is a profound summation of his mystical outlook, and it opens the way for us to experience this liberating God Consciousness for ourselves.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAcclaimed historian and broadcaster Helen Castor tells the story of Joan of Arc as you have never read it before.''Popular history at its best.'' Daily TelegraphHelen Castor brings us afresh a gripping life of Joan of Arc. Instead of the icon, she gives us a living, breathing young woman; a roaring girl fighting the English, and taking sides in a bloody civil war that was tearing fifteenth century France apart.Here is a portrait of a 19-year-old peasant who hears voices from God; a teenager transformed into a warrior leading an army to victory, in an age that believed women should not fight. And it is also the story behind the myth we all know, a myth which began to take hold at her trial: that of the Maid of Orleans, the saviour of France, a young woman burned at the stake as a heretic, a woman who five hundred years later would be declared a saint.Joan and her world are brought vividly to life in this refreshing new tak

Read more less

Book SynopsisBest known today as a fine composer, the twelfth-century German abbess Hildegard of Bingen was also a religious leader and visionary, a poet, naturalist and writer of medical treatises. Despite her cloistered life she had strong, often controversial views on sex, love and marriage too - a woman astonishing in her own age, whose book of apocalyptic visions, Scivias, would alone have been enough to ensure her lasting fame.In this classic and highly praised biography - first published by Headline in 2001 - distinguished writer and journalist, Fiona Maddocks, draws on Hildegard''s prolific writings to paint a portrait of her extraordinary life against the turbulent medieval background of crusade and schism, scientific discovery and cultural revolution. The great intellectual gifts and forceful character that emerge make her as fascinating as any figure in the Middle Ages.More than 800 years after her death, Pope Benedict XVI has made Hildegard a Saint and a Doctor of the Church (one of only four women). Fiona Maddocks has provided a short new preface to cover these tributes to an extraordinary and exceptional woman.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisQuest for the Red Sulphur: The Life of Ibn ''Arabi is undoubtedly a landmark in Ibn ''Arabi studies. Until the publication of this book, anyone who wanted to learn about the life of Ibn ''Arabi has had little choice of material to work from. This major study by Claude Addas is based on a detailed analysis of a whole range of Ibn ''Arabi''s own writings as well as a vast amount of secondary literature in both Arabic and Persian. The result is the first-ever attempt to reconstruct what proves to have been a double itinerary: on the one hand, the journey that took Ibn ''Arabi from his native Andalusia to Damascusand on the other hand, the ''Night Journey'' which carried him along the paths of asceticism and prayer to the ultimate stage of revelation of his mystic quest.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWitness Billy Graham's journey from humble beginnings on a North Carolina farm to becoming one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century. At the age of sixteen, Billy Graham committed his life to Christ during a Christian revival meeting and it wasn't long before it became clear that God had plans for his life. With the help of his wife, Ruth, and many other friends and colleagues Billy set out to preach to the world. Through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, he preached to over 80 million people in more than 185 countries. Millions more were reached through his television, video, film, and radio ministries. He faced up to all of Christianity's major twentiethcentury opponents: Communism, Apartheid,segregation and terrorism. From paying the bail money to get Martin Luther King Jr. out of jail to addressing the memorial service in Washington after the collapse of the World Trade Centre, Billy Graham was there for people with practical help and a timeless m

Read more less

Book SynopsisAccording to tradition, Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. Depicted there in suprising and contradicting ways, and both for and against his people, bringer of the tablets of law which he then breaks.By way of a series of possible portraits-including one of a female Moses-Jean-Christophe Attias follows the metamorphoses of the Hebrew liberator through ages and cultures. Drawing on rabbinical sources as well as the Bible itself, he examines the words of the texts and especially their silences. He discovers here a fragile prophet, teacher of a Judaism of the spirit, of wandering, and of incompleteness. The Judaism of Moses speaks to believers and others-to Jews, of course, but also far beyond them, inviting its hearers to have done with tribal pride, the violence of weapons, and the tyranny of a special place.Trade ReviewA sparkling essay. -- Maurice Sartre * L’Histoire *A very sure erudition, an experienced exchange with the Scriptures, a joyous freedom of expression, reflection and analysis, moments of poetic grace alongside high-level linguistic analysis, a writing with wings. -- Pierre Assouline * La République des Livres *A very personal Moses. -- Dominique Greiner * La Croix *The reader is left free to draw political lessons. Moses left no lineage, and it is unreasonable to claim this in the name of an improbable genealogy. There can therefore be no "Judaism of blood" that crossed centuries and continents to establish a right of ownership over an idolatrous land. Contemporary relevance is not far away. -- Denis Sieffert * Politis *We should immerse ourselves in this fragile Moses, rescued from the bland waters of the Sulpicians or the burning waters of "holy fools". -- Nicolas Weill * Le Monde *Jean-Christophe Attias, a specialist in medieval Jewish thought, has freed himself from the academic straitjacket and drawn in a beautiful and evocative style a portrait of Moses as an "uncertain prophet". -- David Fontaine * Le Canard enchaîné *Regenerated by reflection, revived by the power of the mind, Jean-Christophe Attias's Moses emerges from the pages as a young man, freed at last of Charlton Heston's granite features and relieved of the gigantic weight that the three monotheistic religions imposed on him. -- Christian Makarian * L’Express *A brilliant book, as decidedly original as it is disturbing. -- Catherine Golliaud * Le Point *Praise for The Jews and the Bible: This beautifully written (and translated) monograph casts profound doubt on attempts to simplistically characterize the terms Jews and Bible or to view the relationship between them one dimensionally... Highly recommended. -- L. J. Greenspoon * Choice *Praise for The Jews and the Bible:Professor Attias, a significant French intellectual and scholar of medieval Judaism, has written the first book that explores broadly the place of the Bible in Jewish culture throughout the ages. Engagingly written, this is an important initial foray into this broad and significant topic that raises important questions concerning the place of the Bible within contemporary Jewish culture. -- Marc Brettler, Brandeis UniversityPraise for The Jews and the Bible:A study of the Jews' peculiar relationships with the Bible, Jean-Christophe Attias's The Jews and the Bible is an excellent companion to the recent crop of books on the Bible's construction... [They] tell us how the Bible came to be, Attias focuses on how it came to be regarded. -- Jay Michaelson * Forward *Praise for The Jews and the Other:This is a rich summation of the resources and challenges of Jewish identity and difference at the turn of the third Christian millennium. Committed, lucid, critical, and informed, it exemplifies a vibrantly human science of Jewishness. -- Jonathan Boyarin, author of Storm from Paradise: The Politics of Jewish Memory and Thinking in JewishPraise for Israel, the Impossible Land: Jean-Christophe Attias and Esther Benbassa have written an elegant and erudite book demonstrating the complex relationship to the land of Israel throughout Jewish history. * American Historical Review *In one of the most imaginative and creative works of contemporary Jewish thought, Jean Christophe Attias presents a fascinating interpretation of Moses as a woman. Building on intriguing suggestions in the Bible, Arttias inspires us to wonder how our understandings of the Bible and its sacred history might change if we think of Moses as female. -- Susannah Heschel, Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth CollegeIn this original and magical portrait of Moses, Attias takes the stock figure of the stern lawgiver and transforms him into 'one of us'. His Moses combines humility and grandeur, frailty and strength. He is a Jew and a non-Jew, 'and all the more of a human being because he is both'. Likewise, 'fully a man because he is also a woman'. Even his death emphasizes his humanity: he 'dies likes the rest of us, prematurely'. 'We do not know who buried him.' But we do know who brings him back to life: Attias the scribe. In this inspired, humane and deeply moving book, the 'Woman called Moses' speaks also to 'those of us who are secular'. She is truly 'a prophet for our times'. -- Brian KlugWho was Moses? Not the historical Moses or the Moses of tradition, but the biblical Moses without apologetics, Moses in his most contradictory and obscure configuration. In A Woman Called Moses Attias presents us with a provocative, evocative, and courageous reading of Moses, seamlessly drawing from the biblical imaginary and classical commentaries combined with modern sensibilities and literary finesse that brings this imaginary figure to life. Attias' pen sparkles with literary insight and poetic breadth. This work should be enjoyed slowly, like fine French wine. -- Shaul Magid, Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth CollegeAttias's respect and attention to Moses's example and legacy shines through. ... Open-minded readers are in for a thought-provoking treat. * Publishers Weekly *Thoughtful and thought-provoking, informative and iconoclastic, and an impressively detailed work of original scholarship, Woman Called Moses: Prophet for Our Time is extraordinary and inherently fascinating reading. -- John Burroughs * Midwest Book Review *Anybody with an interest in theology, or indeed Jewish history should enjoy A Woman Called Moses and be stimulated by it. Work like this underlines once more the extent to which the Bible has formed western thought, for Christians worshipping the deity, and equally for atheists in their vehement rejection. -- Drew Ratter * Shetland Times *Attias's portrayal of Moses reveals the author's respect, tenderness, and even love for the figure. ... Ultimately, through his imaginative depiction of Moses, Attias discloses a poignant longing and hope. -- Mahri Leonard-Fleckman * Commonweal Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeorges and Pauline Vanier were the parents of Jean Vanier, the co-founder of the L'Arche communities. They lived an intensely spiritual life, influenced mainly by the Carmelite tradition. Mercy Within Mercy is the warmly-told story of their life together through World War Two and the second half of the 20th Century, drawing on many letters and journals by Georges and Pauline themselves and those closest to them. An incredible thirst for God can be seen in the lives of this couple, who were always striving in spite of (and through) human imperfection. The excerpts from letters and journals in this volume show a rare example of the contemplative life and struggles in prayer of an active and prominent married couple. The Vanier story is unique in that it forms a direct link back to the spiritual teaching that includes St. Therese and the Carmelite tradition in its emphasis on simplicity, trust in God's love, and self-abandonment to the mercy of God. After Pauline's death in 1991, an

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hidden room, a secret resistance network and a call to witness for Christ in the darkest of placesCorrie ten Boom and her family were watchmakers living in Haarlem, Holland in the early 20th Century. They loved God and loved to help others where they could. But their happy lifestyle was shattered when the Nazis occupied their country. Corrie became involved in the Dutch resistance network to help Jews, and others targeted by the Nazi regime, find safe places to hide. But when they were found out one day, little did Corrie realise that the work God called them to was just beginning. God used Corrie to show his love, even amidst the suffering of a Nazi concentration camp. The faith and courage displayed by Corrie ten Boom and her family shine through in this short, narrative biography. Part of the Hall of Faith series, you will not be able to put this thrilling book down. Be encouraged and challenged in your own faith as you read this amazing story.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoin pilot and author Phil Anderson of the 24-7 Prayer movement on an unforgettable aerial road trip, as a modern-day group of friends race to uncover the history of Zinzendorf and re-establish the Order of the Mustard Seed as a pattern for authentic, relational, missional discipleship in the twenty-first century.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this frank and damning exposé of the Teresa cult, Hitchens details the nature and limits of one woman's mission to help the world's poor. He probes the source of the heroic status bestowed upon an Albanian nun whose only declared wish was to serve God. He asks whether Mother Teresa's good works answered any higher purpose than the need of the world's privileged to see someone, somewhere, doing something for the Third World. He unmasks pseudo-miracles, questions Mother Teresa's fitness to adjudicate on matters of sex and reproduction, and reports on a version of saintly ubiquity which affords genial relations with dictators, corrupt tycoons and convicted frauds. Is Mother Teresa merely an essential salve to the conscience of the rich West, or an expert PR machine for the Catholic Church? In its caustic iconoclasm and unsparing wit, The Missionary Position showcases the devastating effect of Hitchens' writing at its polemical best.Trade ReviewA dirty job but someone had to do it. By the end of this elegantly written, brilliantly argued piece of polemic, it is not looking good for Mother Teresa. * Sunday Times *Hitchens argues his case with consummate style. * New York Times *Quite possibly the most brilliant journalist of his generation * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA compelling account of the lives and service in America of some of the leading figures of the Orthodox Church in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.Table of ContentsContents Dedication Introduction The Structure of the Book PART I: HISTORICAL CONTEXT The Origins of Orthodoxy in America PART II: LIVES OF THE SAINTS Saint Alexis of Wilkes-Barre Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow Saint John of Chicago Saint Alexander of New York Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Saint Sebastian of Jackson Saint Mardarije of Libertyville Saint John Maximovich PART III: HISTORICAL VIGNETTES Father Theoklitos of Galveston Elder Ephraim of Arizona PART IV: IN LIVING COLOR Full Color Photographic Insert (Appendix?) Endnotes Bibliography

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMetropolitan Anastasy was a leading figure of the Russian emigration following the Communist takeover of his country. These reflections are from his diary during the calamitous post-revolutionary period.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJulian Wilson provides one of the most comprehensive accounts of the life of evangelist Smith Wigglesworth to date. Few individuals have made such an impact on the world for the gospel as the Yorkshire-born plumber turned evangelist Smith Wigglesworth. Although he died in 1947, he is, arguably, more well known now than when he was alive. He founded no movement, authored no books, had no official disciples, and no doctrine or theological college bears his name, but through his audacious faith and spectacular healing ministry, Wigglesworth fanned the flames of revival in many countries throughout the world. Thousands came to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour, received divine healing and were delivered from demonic oppression and possession as a result of his ministry. Content Benefits: This insightful and riveting account of Yorkshire-born evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, whose dependence on the Holy Spirit will inspire you to live a life committed to God. Inspiring story of a man of faith who trusted God Highlights the power of healing and miracles Riveting account of an ordinary man who did extraordinary things Shows how one man's heart for the lost impacted his life and faith Includes stories of supernatural miracles, healings and prophecies Part of the new Classic Authentic Lives Series An inspiring and fascinating look at one of the heroes of the faith Ideal for anyone who loves to read about historic revivals Perfect book to encourage someone in their faith Ideal reading for anyone who loves to see God at work in the world Great gift idea for any occasion Binding - Paperback Pages - 240 Publisher - Authentic Media

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn her captivating, trademark weave of theology and memoir, Sarah Bessey tells us the story of the car crash that changed her body and how it ultimately changed her life. The road of healing led to Rome where she met the Pope (it's complicated) and encountered the Holy Spirit in the last place she expected. Insightful, profound, and unexpected, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things is a wild, spirit-filled story of what it means to live with both grief and faith, suffering and joy, as we wrestle with God.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis essential authorized biography of Eugene Peterson offers unique insights into the experiences and spiritual convictions of the iconic American pastor and beloved translator of The Message. Encounter the multifaceted life of one of the most influential and creative pastors of the past half century with unforgettable stories of his lifelong devotion to his craft and love of language, the influences and experiences that shaped his unquenchable faith, the inspiration for his decision to translate The Message, and his success and struggles as a pastor, husband, and father. Author Winn Collier was given exclusive access to Eugene and his materials for the production of this landmark work. Drawing from his friendship and expansive view of Peterson's life, Collier offers an intimate look into a rare, remarkable life that is at once artful, sacred, and earthy. For Eugene, the gifts of life were inexhaustible: the glint of fading light over the lake, a kiss from Jan, a good joke, a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. As you enter into his story, you'll find yourself doing the same - noticing how the most ordinary things shimmer with a new and unexpected beauty. Content Benefits: Warm, fascinating, and uniquely inspirational, this authoritative and comprehensive story of Eugene Peterson will help you discover the man behind The Message. Authorized biography of Eugene Peterson Draws on exclusive access to many years of private correspondence as well as hours and hours of exclusive interviews with Eugene Reveals Eugene's rich theology, love of language and pastoral insights Photo insert included Perfect reading for anyone who loves The Message Ideal for anyone who loves biographies Binding - Hardback Pages - 368 Publisher - Authentic Media

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Jesus and John Wayne, a seventy-five-year history of American evangelicalism, Kristin Kobes Du Mez demolishes the myth that white evangelicals “held their noses” in voting for Donald Trump. Revealing the role of popular culture in evangelicalism, Du Mez shows how evangelicals have worked for decades to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism in the mould of Ronald Reagan, Mel Gibson and above all, John Wayne. As Du Mez observes, the beliefs at the heart of white evangelicalism today preceded Trump and will outlast him.Trade Review"Kristin Kobes Du Mez takes on [the Religious Right’s] version of toxic masculinity in her book Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation… Du Mez writes from the inside. She was raised in the Christian Reformed Church, a splinter sect of the Dutch Reformed Church." -- Anne Nelson - Times Literary Supplement

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo middle-aged men, fast friends, make eleven foreign tripspilgrimages you might call themto parts of the world rich in the history of Christianity. The trips combine adventure, strenuous physical activity, exhilaration, discovery, and friendship. Three of the journeys were to Western Europe; six were to Eastern Europe and the Balkans and two to the Middle East. The trips were spontaneous and unplanned, often requiring improvisation along the way. Told in a lighthearted and often amusing style, An Unlikely Pilgrim provides a vivid and colorful picture of parts of the world often out of the range of American tourists, but deep in both ancient and current geopolitical, historical, and cultural wealth.Trade Review"Alfred Regnery journeyed on foot, bicycle, and local transport along the pilgrim routes of the old world, recording the indelible traces of Christianity in a continent that is now trying hard to rub them out. Regneryâs acute observations of the people and places along his way, and his sensitive response to the holiness that still lingers around them, make for fascinating reading. While accomplishing remarkable feats of physical endurance he also pursued his own spiritual journey, from scepticism to Christianity and thence into the Catholic Church. His touching account of this is not the least of the bookâs many charms, and his account of the state of Europe today should be read by all who are concerned with Western civilisation and its fate." -- Roger ScrutonInUnlikely Pilgrim, Alfred Regnery has provided a fascinating account of a series of unique trips to parts of Europe and the Middle East, which give a remarkable insight into the origins and significant aspects of Christianity and Western Civilization. Much more than a travelogue, this highly readable book includes both stories of high adventure and perceptive observations of the peoples and places that have affected the course of history. A particularly compelling feature of this rewarding book is the author's personal reflections about the impact of these experiences on hisown life and philosophy. -- Ed Meese IIIAl Regnery's Unlikely Pilgrimis the story of grace at work in a life lived with integrity and courageâand an encouragement to others to find The Way. -- George Weigel

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating and thoughtful exploration of faith in the modern world. If you're wondering why it matters and how to make sense of it, read on.' Clare BaldingIs it possible to believe in God and be gay? How does it feel to be excluded from a religious community because of your sexuality? Why do some people still believe being LGBT is a sin?The Book of Queer Prophets contains modern-day epistles from some of our most important thinkers, writers and activists: Jeanette Winterson tackles religious dogma, Amrou Al-Kadhi writes about trying to make it as a Muslim drag queen in London, John Bell writes about his decision to come out later in life, Tamsin Omond remembers getting married in the middle of a protest and Kate Bottley explains her journey to becoming an LGBT ally.Essays from: Jeanette Winterson, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, Amrou Al-Kadhi, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Garrard Conley, Juno Dawson, Rev. Winnie Varghese, Keith Jarrett, Jay Hulme, Lucy Knight, Tamsin Omond, Erin Clark, Michael Segalov, JaTrade Review‘A fascinating and thoughtful exploration of faith in the modern world. If you’re wondering why it matters and how to make sense of it, read on.’ CLARE BALDING ‘This book will make you cry, but it will also have you cheering. Crying, because it will remind you of religion’s ancient and enduring quality towards the queer, the different, the other. Cheering, because it is now religion that’s in the dock, with God as the judge. And God loves queers. Wonder what the verdict will be…’ RICHARD HOLLOWAY, Sunday Times best selling author of Leaving Alexandria ‘A beautiful, powerful, personal and provocative book. An important one too. I laughed and gasped and learned from these stories of resistance, insistence, truth and love.’ COLE MORETON, author and journalist ‘This is a book that should be in every school, and probably handed out in every places of worship, too.’Andrew McMillan, OBSERVER ‘Each story is powerful and personal … The Book of Queer Prophets celebrates the transcendental connection between spirituality and religion.’ DIVA MAGAZINE ‘Simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting. A raw and honest look at religion, gender, and sexuality.’ BOOK RIOT ‘This is a fine book. The Queer Prophet’s struggle is wet with tears and stiff with courage. I loved just being there with them, listening to their witness, their story. As a heterosexual man theirs is a world I barely know – to be invited in is a privilege and a joy.’ PETER OWEN-JONES author of Letters from an Extreme Pilgrim

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom Thomas Becket''s early life as a merchant''s son and his time as the Archbishop of Canterbury to his assassination in the Cathedral itself, this enlightening book brings to life a colossal figure of British history. ''Lively, effortlessly readable, superb. A beautifully layered portrait of one of the most complex characters in English history'' The Times ____________________This is the man, not the legend . . . Thomas Becket lived at the centre of medieval England. Son of a draper''s merchant, he was befriended and favoured by Henry II and quickly ascended the rungs of power and privilege. He led 700 knights into battle, brokered peace between warring states and advised King and Pope. Yet he lost it all defying his closest friend and King, resulting in his bloody murder and the birth of a saint. In award-winning biographer John Guy''s masterful account, the life, death and times of Thomas Becket <

Read more less

Book SynopsisCharlotte Mason (1842-1923), orphaned and poor at the age of sixteen, nonetheless developed into an inspiring and original educational reformer of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century, a period of great intellectual vitality and cultural change. Enabled through the help of friends and colleagues she founded the Parents'' National Educational Union (PNEU) in 1887 and established the ''The House of Education'', the Teacher Training College for women in Ambleside in 1892. The clarity and coherence of her applied philosophy of education established the foundation for a simple, stimulating and deeply satisfying enjoyment of learning for children of all ages in countless homes and schools in Britain and the world.In her biography, Essex Cholmondeley draws on her own experiences of Mason''s teaching, as well as her extensive literary output, to unfold her life and work. Whilst she and Elsie Kitching lacked full details of Mason''s family history, a warm and lively personality emergTrade ReviewThis is an important book about an increasingly recognised Victorian educator whose rich precepts remain full of vitality and relevance, even within the changed conditions of the present century. Jason Fletcher, Headmaster, Heritage School, Cambridge Essex Cholmondeley's work offers just the sort of introduction to Charlotte Mason's life that the discerning, relational reader welcomes as they seek to uncover the source and influences behind her enduring philosophy of education. Based extensively on primary sources and decades of insight by Mason's close colleagues, this biography continues to be a mainstay resource of information and inspiration for those seeking to more deeply understand Mason's design for education. Dr Deani Van Pelt, Charlotte Mason Institute There are six volumes and numerous pamphlets and articles describing Charlotte Mason's philosophy and model, yet few accounts of her personal life and work. Filled with anecdotes and stories, this volume helps complete the picture begun by the painter Fred Yates - offering the reader a better understanding of the person behind the philosophy and thus connecting them personally to Mason's lifework. Dr Jack Beckman, Professor of Education, Covenant College, Georgia The Story of Charlotte Mason is an introduction and a tribute to the life and work of a once almost forgotten educator. Yet, in an interesting way she has remained alive, vibrant, and relevant into the twenty-first century. Mason's principles are so basic to the human being that many will be relevant for centuries to come. She saw education through a relational lens, and The Story of Charlotte Mason gives the reader that relational story by providing much context from the people who knew her best through their work with her. The Story of Charlotte Mason is a must read for anyone who wants a thorough understanding of Mason in her times. J. Carroll Smith, EdD, Retired Assistant Professor of Education and Founder of the Charlotte Mason Institute

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn unashamedly nostalgic return to the 1980s with Archbishop Robert Runcie, his Advisor, Terry Waite, and Chaplain, Richard Chartres, as they traverse the globeTrade ReviewThis is Terry as he really is — wise and funny. A good book from a big man. If only he could be the Primate. -- John SergeantA travelogue that is refreshingly irreverent and deeply human -- James NaughtieWhat makes this book so enjoyable is that the great friendship, affection, and respect that Waite and the Archbishop have for each other really shines throughout each tale * Library Journal *Solitude (SPCK, 2017): Terry Waite takes the reader deep into other worlds, both geographical and psychological, from which they will emerge enlightened and spiritually enriched. -- Ranulph Fiennes OBE, explorer, writer and poetTerry Waite's saunter through solitude is wide ranging, original, well written and (best of all) companionable. -- Martin Bell OBE, UNICEF ambassador and former war reporterA record of a unique sensibility. -- Joan Bakewell, DBE, writer and broadcasterOut of the Silence (SPCK, 2016): A remarkable book by a remarkable man . . . Peace would universally reign if the world were full of people like Terry Waite. -- Karl Jenkins CBE, composerTaken on Trust (Hodder, 1993, 2016): No regrets. No sentimentality. No self-pity. Many times in the years ahead Waite found it almost impossible to keep those resolutions. But he did, as anyone who reads this book must attest, in quite magnificent fashion. -- Sandy Gall * Sunday Express *. . . his memoirs create a new mystery: where did he learn to write so well? -- Richard Heller * Mail on Sunday *A remarkable story of physical humiliation, survival and release. -- Anthony Clare * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA life of this ascetic and visionary of the Kiev Caves Lavra. Considered by some to be the model for the character of the holy fool in the popular Russian film Ostrov (The Island).

Read more less

Book SynopsisA brilliant and inspiring biography of the most influential man in modern religious history, Martin Luther.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA doctor's account of her own experience of death, heaven and return to life with a new realization of her purpose on earth. Dr Mary Neal, an orthopaedic surgeon, was on a kayaking holiday in Chile. Sceptical of near death experiences, she was to have her life transformed when her kayak became wedged in rocks at the bottom of a waterfall and was underwater for so long that her heart stopped.To Heaven And Back is Mary's faith-enriching story of her spiritual journey, her first-hand experience of heaven and its continuing life-enhancing effects.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRabindranath R Maharaj was descended from a long line of Brahmin priests and trained as a Yogi. He meditated for many hours each day, but gradually disillusionment set in. In DEATH OF A GURU he describes vividly and honestly Hindu life and customs, tracing his difficult search for meaning and his struggle to choose between Hinduism and Christ.At a time when Eastern mysticism and religion fascinate many in the West, Maharaj offers fresh and important insights from the perspective of his own experience.DEATH OF A GURU has long been an excellent seller on HCB''s backlist. It is the best-known Hindu to Christianity conversion story and has been used widely for evangelistic purposes. This edition carries an exciting new cover.Trade ReviewMarket is open - the good source2 - 23 - 34 - 45 - 56 - 67 - 7

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMuch is known about Basil of Caesarea (329–379) – a Greek Bishop in what is now Turkey. A thoughtful theologian, he was instrumental in the formation of the Nicene Creed and fought a growing heresy, Arianism, which had found converts even in those in high positions of state. In the face of such a threat he showed courage, wisdom and complete confidence in God – without which, the Church would not be what it is today.Trade ReviewEncounter(s) Basil as a lover of the Triune God and His Church. -- Steven A. McKinion (Assistant Professor of Theology and Patristic Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theology Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina)Introduces us not just to the subtlety and real acuity of Basil's thought but to a man of great warmth and affection... challenges us as well as instructs us. -- Michael Ovey ((1958-2017) Principal, Oak Hill Theological College, London)I am thankful for Marvin Jones and this new work. -- Jason G. Duesing (Provost and Professor of Historical Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri)All of the makings of an important story that Evangelicals need to hear... Dr. Jones has done... Evangelicals a great favor in writing this lucid account. -- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)Marvin’s valuable book helps us to see the Christ of the gospels more clearly, and to understand how deeply God has worked in the history of the Christian community. Read and be inspired! -- Lewis Ayers (Professor of Catholic and Historical Theology, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, Durham)

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn intimate exploration of the life, philosophy, and lasting occult influence of Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan With his creation of the infamous Church of Satan in 1966 and his bestselling book The Satanic Bible in 1969, Anton Szandor LaVey (1930-1997) became a controversial celebrity who basked in the attention and even made a successful career out of it. But who was Anton LaVey behind the public persona that so easily provoked Christians and others intolerant of his views? One of privileged few who spent time with the “Black Pope” in the last decade of his life, Carl Abrahamsson met Anton LaVey in 1989, sparking an “infernally” empowering friendship. In this book Abrahamsson explores what LaVey was really about, where he came from, and how he shaped the esoteric landscape of the 1960s. The author shares in-depth interviews with the notorious Satanist’s intimate friends and collaborators, including LaVey’s partner Blanche Barton, his son Xerxes LaVey, current heads of the Church of Satan Peter Gilmore and Peggy Nadramia, occult filmmaker Kenneth Anger, LaVey’s personal secretary Margie Bauer, film collector Jack Stevenson, and film historian Jim Morton. Abrahamsson also shares never-before-published material from LaVey himself, including discussions between LaVey and Genesis P-Orridge and transcripts from LaVey’s never-released “Hail Satan!” video. Providing inside accounts of the Church of Satan and activities at the Black House, this intimate exploration of Anton LaVey reveals his ongoing role in the history of culture and magic.Trade Review“In Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan, the ‘Black Pope’ of modern Satanism finds his most able interpreter and biographer. Carl Abrahamsson, the doyen of occulture, has studied LaVey’s life and influence for years, focusing his peculiar instinct for the esoteric and transgressive on a character who brought the two into a piquant and appealing blend. Part showman, part huckster, part prophet, and all devil, LaVey’s shaved head, Fu Manchu moustache, kitschy horns, and buxom coven brought a comic touch to a heresy that is more often taken all too seriously. Abrahamsson captures the smoky, saucy flavor of LaVey’s devilish humor with gusto. Tempted? You should be.” * Gary Lachman, author of Turn Off Your Mind and The Return of Holy Russia *“A rich, engaging, and insightful exploration of one of the most influential and misunderstood thinkers of late twentieth-century occultism. . . . an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of Satanism and late-modern occulture.” * Manon Hedenborg White, author of The Eloquent Blood *“Unique insights into the myth and man that was Anton LaVey--a mustread for anyone interested in the history and future of Satanism.” * Per Faxneld, Ph.D., senior lecturer at Södertörn University and author of Satanic Feminism *“Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan is an act of magic, for it takes you to the Black House at 6114 California Street where you are invited to a party in the honor of Doktor LaVey. Carl Abrahamsson is the ideal host of the party--not only has he invited all the right people, but he will introduce them to you as he takes you by the arm and leads you through the house, making sure that you are having fun while generously sharing his profound knowledge about the Doktor. If you’re lucky, Doktor LaVey will show you a movie or play on one of his many synthesizers. Enjoy the party!” * Henrik Bogdan, professor of religious studies at the University of Gothenburg *“At a moment when there is increased academic interest in the history of Satanism and the gamut of Satanic religion has fanned out from the radical left to the alt-right, there is great value in revisiting Anton LaVey. With fresh analysis and precious interviews with friends and family, Carl Abrahamsson sheds new light on this controversial and enigmatic figure. The more we learn about LaVey, the more he appears as a node, linking diverse streams of culture from magic to art to politics.” * Joseph P. Laycock, associate professor of religious studies at Texas State University and author of *“Abrahamson’s work is a personal, sympathetic, yet nuanced portrait of one of the most enigmatic and fascinating figures of the twentieth century. Anton LaVey was a mercurial figure who contained within him paradoxes that continue to defy any simplistic interpretation of him. The diversity of his influence is clearly felt in this work. With several unique interviews and recollections of LaVey, this book will be essential reading for all future studies on Satanism.” * Fredrik Gregorius, associate professor of the history of religion at Linköping University *“Through a vivid examination of LaVey’s insistence on paving his own road through the pop-cultural landscape of the mid-twentieth century United States, Abrahamsson illuminates a thought-provoking, occultural individual and his circle, ready to shake up any beliefs set in stone to make you think for yourself. Read, and shake!” * Kasper Opstrup, author of The Way Out *“As a whole, Abrahamsson’s personal and scholarly reflections and the unique assembly of interviews form an archive useful for the newly curious, the jaded occultist, the brazen scholar, and the mostly antagonistic. An impressive work.” * Jesper Aagaard Petersen, vice dean of research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology *Table of ContentsFOREWORD “No More Mr. Nice Guy”by Mitch Horowitz PART I Into the Devil’s Den 1 Step Right Up! 2 Welcome to the Hotel California! 3 Anton LaVey, Magical Innovator 4 Canon Fodder 5 Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered 6 Maybe We Should Watch a Movie Now? PART II The Interviews 7 Kenneth Anger 8 Blanche Barton 9 Margie Bauer 10 Peter Gilmore 11 Mitch Horowitz 12 Bob Johnson 13 Xerxes LaVey 14 Jim Morton 15 Michael Moynihan 16 Peggy Nadramia 17 Jack Stevenson 18 Ruth Waytz 19 Larry Wessel 20 Interview with Carl Abrahamsson by Vanessa Sinclair APPENDIX I Anton LaVey in His Own Words: Excerpts from “Hail Satan!” APPENDIX II Genesis P-Orridge and Anton LaVey in Conversation APPENDIX IIIThere Is No Such Thing as Bad Publicity Acknowledgments NotesIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplore the life of America’s first foreign missionary, Adoniram Judson (1788–1850), who was devoted to serving God for over 38 years in Burma, no matter the cost. The son of a congregational minister, Judson was a precocious young man who aspired to gain exceptional worldly fame through some prominent secular career. But following a crisis of faith and a stunning turn of events that exposed the vanity of mere temporal pursuits, he went on to study for the Christian ministry and to dedicate his life to missionary service. With unshakable faith in God and His Word, Judson persevered through staggering difficulties. His unremitting labor and devotion were used of the Lord to spread the Gospel and to establish healthy Christian congregations throughout Burma. Judson’s example was an inspiration to untold thousands in his own day and still has the power to encourage and instruct believers today.Trade Review... a thrilling record of a life truely devoted to the cause of Christ. -- Evangelical Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom a trusted advisor and devoted friend of Mother Teresa comes a “powerful” (The Washington Free Beacon) firsthand account of the miraculous woman behind the saint and a book that is “rich in reflection on contemporary sanctity” (George Weigel).Mother Teresa was one of the most admired women of the 20th century, and her memory continues to inspire charitable work around the world. She believed the greatest need of a human being is to love and be loved. In 1948, she founded the Missionaries of Charity to work directly with the very poorest of Calcutta. From the efforts of one woman entering the slums of Entally, the Missionaries of Charity grew into an organization operating soup kitchens, health clinics, hospices, and shelters in 139 countries, at no cost to any government or to those who served. In 2016, she became Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Author Jim Towey had been a high-flying Congressional staffer and lawyer in the 1980s until a brief meeting with Mother Teresa illuminated the emptiness of his life. He began volunteering at one of her soup kitchens and using his legal skills and political connections to help the Missionaries of Charity. When Mother Teresa suggested he take up shifts at her AIDS hospice, Towey realized he was all in. Soon, he gave up his job and possessions and became a full-time volunteer for Mother Teresa. He traveled with her frequently, arranged her meetings with politicians, and handled many of her legal affairs. To Love and Be Loved is an “inspiring and joyful” (Kirkus Reviews) firsthand account of Mother Teresa’s last years, and the first book ever to detail her dealings with worldly matters. We see her gracefully navigate the opportunities and challenges to leadership, the perils of celebrity, and the humiliations and triumphs of aging. We also catch her indulging in chocolate ice cream, making jokes about mini-skirts, and telling the President of the United States he’s wrong. Above all, we see her extraordinary devotion to God and to the very poorest of His children. Mother Teresa taught Towey to be more prayerful, less selfish, more humble, less worldly, move in love with God, and less in love with himself. Her lessons are here for all to share.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA highly lucid and readable account.' Times Literary SupplementAn impressive and absorbing book.' Jonathan Phillips, Professor of Crusading History at Royal HollowayIn over 2,000 years of Christianity, there has been only one pope from England: Nicholas Breakspear.Breakspear was elected pope in 1154, but his story started long before that. The son of a local churchman near St Albans, he would battle his way across Europe to defend and develop Christianity, facing turmoil in Scandinavia and the Moors in the Iberian Peninsula. But it was after he took the Throne of St Peter as Adrian IV that he would face his greatest threat: Frederick Barbarossa, who was determined to restore the Holy Roman Empire to its former greatness.In Breakspear: The English Pope Who Went to War, R.A.J. Waddingham opens the archives to tell the story of a man who rose from humble beginnings to glorious power and yet has been all but forgotten ever since.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEbenezer Howard founded the Garden City movement, and he continues to be cited by planners and theorists. Ebenezer Howard: Inventor of the Garden City is a properly contextualized analysis of Howard's religious views. It investigates neglected aspects of his life, and provides a significant new interpretation of the Garden City movement.Trade ReviewThis book is brilliant at evoking the culture of serious theological debate and earnest spiritual searching of which Howard was a part. * Church Times *Howard lived a full and interesting life that encompassed spells in the USA,...and he wrote a book which experts still consider the most influential and important in 20th century city planning. With this excellent new study we now better understand the spiritual core of that life. * Andrew Bradstock, Reform *This book is brilliant at evoking the culture of serious theological debate and earnest spiritual searching of which Howard was a part. * William Whyte, Church Times *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Ebenezer Howard - the Man and the Message 1: The Early Years of Exploration 1850-1876 2: Laying the Foundations 1876-1889 3: The Days before To-morrow 1890-1898 4: The Path to First Garden City 1899-1904 5: Howard in Letchworth 1905-1914 6: The Spiritual Life of First Garden City 1904-1918 7: Howard and Welwyn - the Second Garden City 1919-1928 Conclusion-Ebenezer Howard - A Spiritual Life

Read more less