Biography: religious and spiritual Books

Book SynopsisA provocative, irreverent biography of Anton Szandor LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, BORN WITH A TAIL chronicles a time when Americans welcomed a macabre showman into their living rooms via TheTonight Show, before a ginned-up hysteria known as the Satanic Panic would put a target on his shiny, shaven head. When Anton LaVey burst onto the San Francisco scene right before the Summer of Love, he parlayed his eerie obsessions into a philosophy and lifestyle that capitalized on a New Age rage. With his signature cape, horn-studded hood, and Ming the Merciless beard, LaVey was a media-savvy provocateur who took what he did seriously, but was always in on the joke. From a spooky old house on an otherwise unremarkable street, he founded the Church of Satan, where young women squirmed nude on the mantel of his ritual chamber as he delivered a doctrine of self-deification and indulgence that combined the writings of Ayn Rand, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Aleister Crowley with the pulpy fictions of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard. Later, his bestselling book The Satanic Bible (still in print since 1969) struck an ominous chord with both the hip and the alienated—the fringe dwellers who were goth before there were goths. But LaVey’s influence could be felt far beyond his flock, namely in the nightmarish and supernatural entertainment that dominated pop culture in the 1970s and continues to make an impact today. He was a musical prodigy who attracted a cluster of stars into his orbit, including Jayne Mansfield and Sammy Davis Jr. But living like a real-life Gomez Addams, complete with a full-grown pet lion, came at an awful price. Deeply researched and featuring dozens of new interviews, as well as recently unearthed personal correspondence and church records, BORN WITH A TAIL: The Devilish Life and Wicked Times of Anton Szandor LaVey, Founder of the Church of Satan separates the facts from the fabrications of this uniquely American character’s extraordinary life.  

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Book SynopsisMadame Blavatsky was a pioneering woman, and not only as a traveller, writer and spiritual teacher. She was an inspiration to men and women around the world in Victorian times who desired to follow an independent path. In our own times, the New Age owes most of its spiritual knowledge to her. Blavatsky's travels in Russia, India and Tibet; her absorbing of many different cultures and her personal magnetism, are the stuff of celebrated legend. Her personal struggles against prejudice and ignorance are a record of one woman's determination to usher in the Aquarian Age. By her own efforts she established 'spirituality' as an ethos. She also taught that the soul - the 'Inner World' - of any individual is mysterious and precious. It is a sacred possession, one not to be feared, but cherished. Many myths and exotic tales surround Madame Blavatsky. This phenomenal individual saw herself as having a mission - to inform and enlighten the world. Her beliefs and her vision are even more relevant now than when she first voiced them.

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Book SynopsisSangharakshita was a Buddhist monk, a writer, a poet, and the founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community - a pioneering worldwide Buddhist movement. He was also an audacious reformer, and for some a deeply controversial figure. In an absorbing narrative, Nagabodhi takes us on a journey through the twists and turns of Sangharakshita's life; the experiences, insights, and reflections that nurtured his approach as a teacher; what it was like to live among his committed followers; and the controversies he left behind.Trade Review"Nagabodhi's vivid portrait of his teacher and friend reveals a remarkable life - brilliant, visionary, and controversial." - Hozan Alan Senauke, Abbot, Berkeley Zen Center, Berkeley, California; "The controversial figure of Sangharakshita becomes multi-dimensional as we meet a complex and nuanced person who took advantage of a unique historical moment to realize his vision of a new Buddhist movement." - Nigel Wellings, author of 'Present with Suffering, Being with the Things that Hurt'; "...a perceptive account of Sangharakshita's growing understanding of what it means to live an authentic Buddhist life...." - Vishvapani Blomfield, author of 'Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One'Table of ContentsAbout the Author ix Author's Acknowledgements xi Publisher's Acknowledgements xiv Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 Early Days 10 Chapter 3 Something Happened 23 Chapter 4 The Signalman and the Swamis 35 Chapter 5 In Search of the Buddhist East 46 Chapter 6 The 'Going Forth' 58 Chapter 7 The Two Wanderers 67 Chapter 8 Two Saints, a Bell, a Cave, and a Vision 79 Chapter 9 Monks at Last 90 Chapter 10 Study and Self-Knowledge 96 Chapter 11 Living in the Presence 106 Chapter 12 Between Two Worlds 128 Chapter 13 A Visit to England 144 Chapter 14 Of Monks and Men 155 Chapter 15 Terry Delamere 161 Chapter 16 A Fresh Start and a New Kind of Order 175 Chapter 17 A Walk on the Wild Side 186 Chapter 18 Talking Dharma in the West 197 Chapter 19 Time to Get Serious 211 Chapter 20 For the Sake of All Beings 220 Chapter 21 Building a Buddhist World 239 Chapter 22 Where Angels Fear to Tread 255 Chapter 23 Taking the Platform 285 Chapter 24 Guru, Teacher... 301 Chapter 25 ... Lover, Friend 317 Chapter 26 Jara-marana Endnotes 349 Photograph Credits 361 Index 362

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Book SynopsisA Calendar of Scottish Saints with the aid of Michael Barrett is a charming exploration of Scotland's rich spiritual history, skillfully weaving collectively the tapestry of saints' lives with historic context. Barrett's book serves as a masterful guide, intricately connecting the nation-states of records and biography. Through meticulous studies and eloquent storytelling, he brings to existence the testimonies of Scottish saints, embedding them inside the broader socio-cultural panorama. The book, taken into consideration certainly one of Barrett's masterpieces, displays his brilliance in making records on hand and engaging. Each saint's biography is presented with a mix of creativity and ardour, permitting readers to connect emotionally with these ancient figures. Barrett's writing transcends the bounds of mere historic documentation; it turns into a conduit for knowledge the shared human revel in. With a stylish but approachable writing style, Michael Barrett invitations readers to immerse themselves within the fascinating lives of Scottish saints. The calendar format adds a temporal size, offering a dependent and rhythmic journey thru time. Whether one seeks spiritual insight, historical know-how, or actually an exciting examine, A Calendar of Scottish Saints stands as a testomony to Barrett's literary prowess, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can appreciate and take pleasure in the superb stories woven into the material of Scotland's spiritual history.

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Book SynopsisThe runaway New York Times bestseller, revised and with a new introduction from the author.

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Book SynopsisThis is a call to mindfulness, dedicated to easing suffering.The story of Shakyamuni Buddha''s epic journey to enlightenment is perhaps the most important narrative in the Buddhist tradition. Tenzin Chögyel''s The Life of the Buddha, composed in the mid-eighteenth century and now with a new translation, is a masterly storyteller''s rendition of the twelve acts of the Buddha. Chögyel''s classical tale seamlessly weaves together the vast and the minute, the earthly and the celestial, reflecting the near-omnipresent aid of the gods alongside the Buddha''s moving final reunion with his devoted son, Rahula.

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Book SynopsisA popular biography of one of the most creative and prolific figures of the early twentieth century.Trade Review'Lachman brings one of the twentieth century's most enigmatic figures to life. A solid introduction to Steiner's life and thought.'-- Booklist'Lachman's colourful decriptions of Steiner's student days are one of many small details that make this book not only a very enjoyable read but also help to bring Rudolf Steiner alive as a human being in a way that I have seldom come across … The book gives serious and thoughtful attention to Rudolf Steiner's inner life, his supersensible experiences, and the unfolding of his mission … What I also admired in this book is that despite the fact that Lachman is clearly coming from a position of great admiration and respect, he is not afraid to ask a few awkward questions, and in so doing to gently rock the anthroposophical boat.'-- Jonathan Stedall, New View, Summer 2007'A very accessible account of the life and work of a philosopher and spiritual teacher whose writings often seem more difficult of access … Lachman's sympathetic, but not uncritical, account of his life is to be recommended to anyone who wishes to be better informed about this gifted and remarkable man.'-- Kevin Tingay, The Christian Parapsychologist, December 2007'[Gary Lachman] has rendered a great service to Steiner and his movement, as only a critical outsider could do. He deftly weaves together life and thought, skilfully navigating through the more controversial aspects of his teaching while leaving the reader free to decide their significance. The result is a rounded and fair portrait which can be thoroughly recommended to the general reader.'-- Scientific and Medical Network Review, Winter 2007

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Book SynopsisWritten by Dr Alexandre Zagoskin, who is a Reader at Loughborough University, Quantum Mechanics: A Complete Introduction is designed to give you everything you need to succeed, all in one place. It covers the key areas that students are expected to be confident in, outlining the basics in clear jargon-free English, and then providing added-value features like summaries of key ideas, and even lists of questions you might be asked in your exam. The book uses a structure that is designed to make quantum physics as accessible as possible - by starting with its similarities to Newtonian physics, rather than the rather startling differences.

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary life of the man who founded Islam, and the world he inhabited - and remade.Muhammad's was a life of almost unparalleled historical importance; yet for all the iconic power of his name, the intensely dramatic story of the prophet of Islam is not well known. In The First Muslim, Lesley Hazleton brings him vibrantly to life. Drawing on early eyewitness sources and on history, politics, religion, and psychology, she renders him as a man in full, in all his complexity and vitality.Hazleton's account follows the arc of Muhammad's rise from powerlessness to power, from anonymity to renown, from insignificance to lasting significance. How did a child shunted to the margins end up revolutionizing his world? How did a merchant come to challenge the established order with a new vision of social justice? How did the pariah hounded out of Mecca turn exile into a new and victorious beginning? How did the outsider become the ultimate insider?Impeccably researched and thrillingly readable, Hazleton's narrative creates vivid insight into a man navigating between idealism and pragmatism, faith and politics, non-violence and violence, rejection and acclaim. The First Muslim illuminates not only an immensely significant figure but his lastingly relevant legacy.Trade ReviewHazleton approaches her subject with scrupulous respect... Vivid and immediate -- Hari Kunzru * New York Times *Hazleton sets her keen eye and her sculpted prose on one of the most fascinating and misunderstood figures in history... This is a wonderful book * Reza Aslan, author of No God but God and How to Win a Cosmic War *The most readable, engaging study of Muhammad I have ever come across * G. Willow Wilson, author of Alif the Unseen and The Butterfly Mosque *A rich biography... Those who read it will come away well prepared to understand the prophet whose message, 14 centuries later, is the creed of more than a billion and a half people. * The San Francisco Chronicle *Richly detailed and beautifully written... [Hazleton] is able to do with words what is almost never attempted in pictures... indispensable. * The Seattle Times *

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Book SynopsisA life of the prophet Muhammad by bestselling religious writer Karen Armstrong.'Armstrong has a dazzling ability: she can take a long and complex subject and reduce it to its fundamentals, without over-simplifying' SUNDAY TIMES'One of our best living writers on religion' FINANCIAL TIMES'Not just a sympathetic book that would dispel the misconceptions and misgivings of its western readers, but also a book that is of considerable importance to Muslims' MUSLIM NEWSMost people in the West know very little about the prophet Muhammad. The acclaimed religious writer Karen Armstrong has written a biography which will give us a more accurate and profound understanding of Islam and the people who adhere to it so strongly. Muhammad also offers challenging comparisons with the two religions most closely related to it - Judaism and Christianity.Trade ReviewArmstrong has a dazzling ability: she can take a long and complex subject and reduce it to its fundamentals, without over-simplifying * SUNDAY TIMES *Not just a sympathetic book that would dispel the misconceptions and misgivings of its western readers, but also a book that is of considerable importance to Muslims * MUSLIM NEWS *Respectful without being reverential, knowledgeable without being pedantic and, above all, readable * ECONOMIST *This book is a significant help to understanding the religious experience of Islam and of the fascinating life of Muhammad in particular * GLASGOW HERALD *One of our best living writers on religion * FINANCIAL TIMES *

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Book SynopsisMeet Denver, raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped---in the 1960s. Then, after another 18 homeless years, God moved, and a godly woman named Deborah prayed, listened, and obeyed. Mountains began to move, beginning with her husband, Ron, an international art dealer accustomed to the world of art-collecting millionaires.

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Book SynopsisIn the 1980s, a young adventurer and collector for a government library, Abdel Kader Haidara, journeyed across the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River, tracking down and salvaging tens of thousands of ancient Islamic and secular manuscripts that were crumbling in the trunks of desert shepherds. His goal: to preserve this crucial part of the world’s patrimony in a gorgeous library. But then Al Qaeda showed up at the door.     Joshua Hammer writes about how Haidara, a mild-mannered archivist from the legendary city of Timbuktu, became one of the world’s greatest smugglers by saving the texts from sure destruction. With bravery and patience, Haidara organized a dangerous operation to sneak all 350,000 volumes out of the city to the safety of southern Mali. His heroic heist is a reminder that ordinary citizens often do the most to protect the beauty of their culture. His story is one of a man who, through extreme circumstances, discovered his higher calling and was changed forever by it.Trade Review**New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice** “This is, simply, a fantastic story, one that has been beautifully told by Josh Hammer, who knows and loves Mali like some farmers know their back forty. At a time of unprecedented cultural destruction taking place across the Muslim world, Abdel Kader Haidara, the savior of Timbuktu's ancient manuscripts and this book's main character, is a true hero. If you are feeling despair about the fate of the world, The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is a must-read, and a welcome shot in the arm.” -- Jon Lee Anderson, author of The Fall of Baghdad“[The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu] has all the elements of a classic adventure novel [and] it is a story that couldn’t be more timely. . . . Suffice it to say that [the librarians] earn their “bad ass” sobriquet several times over. Riveting skullduggery, revealing history and current affairs combine in a compelling narrative with a rare happy ending.” * Seattle Times *“The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu . . . vividly captures the history and strangeness of [Timbuktu] in a fast-paced narrative that gets us behind today’s headlines of war and terror. This is part reportage and travelogue . . . part intellectual history, part geopolitical tract and part out-and-out thriller." * Washington Post *“I’ve long known that the versatile Joshua Hammer could drop into the midst of a war or political conflict anywhere in the world and make sense of it. But he has outdone himself this time, and found an extraordinary, moving story of a quiet—and successful—act of great bravery in the face of destructive fanaticism.” -- Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold's Ghost and To End All Wars“Part history, part scholarly adventure story and part journalist survey of the volatile religious politics of the Maghreb region. . . . Hammer writes with verve and expertise.” * New York Times Book Review *"A picaresque and mysterious adventure that rushes across the strife-torn landscape of today’s Mali, The Bad-Ass Librarians tells the unlikely but very real story of a band of bookish heroes from Timbuktu and their desperate race—past dangerous checkpoints, through deserts, and often in the dead of night—to save a culture and a civilization from destruction. Josh Hammer has seen firsthand how ordinary people can respond with extraordinary heroism when faced with evil. He also gives us a dramatic example of what it means to stick with a story; he knows this one from the beginnings in the late 1300s up until the present day, with its extremism and acts of cultural repression and erasure. Hammer has an unerring sense of what matters and his storytelling is impassioned and fun at the same time." -- Amy Wilentz, author of Farewell, Fred Voodoo"Gripping [and] ultimately moving. . . . History depends on whose stories get told and which books survive; in Timbuktu, thanks to Haidara and his associates, inquiry, humanity, and courage live on in the libraries." * Boston Globe *"A completely engrossing adventure with a sharp--and prescient--political edge. Josh Hammer, a veteran correspondent of numerous conflict zones, tells a fascinating story about the quest to save Timbuktu’s priceless Islamic writings from the grasp of jihadists. This is an entertaining, and extremely timely, book about the value of art and history and the excesses of religious extremism." -- Janet Reitman, author of Inside Scientology“Hammer has pulled off the truly remarkable here—a book that is both important and a delight to read. The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is the wonderfully gripping story of Abdel Kader Haidara and the hundreds of ordinary Malians who, at great personal danger, endeavored to save the ancient fabled manuscripts of Timbuktu from destruction by Islamic jihadists. It is also an inspirational reminder that, even as the forces of barbarism extend their thrall across so much of the Muslim world, there are still those willing to risk everything to preserve civilization. A superb rendering of a story that needs to be told.” -- Scott Anderson, author of Lawrence in Arabia“This book is a particularly adventurous and impressive example of the fact that, even with time, water, fire, mold, and termites, humanity remains the greatest threat to books and our literary, historical, and creative heritage.” * San Francisco Chronicle *"While the destructive acts of Islamic extremists worldwide capture headlines, countless stories of heroic resistance rarely receive attention. Award-winning journalist Hammer shines a light on one such episode of bravery and defiance. . . . Bad-Ass Librarians is a rousing salute to ordinary civilians who make a stand to preserve cultural heritage against all odds." * Discover Magazine *"Hammer tells the dramatic story of how, during the period of Islamist rule, a group of Timbuktu residents saved some 350,000 ancient manuscripts that had resided in the city since its medieval heyday as a great center of learning and scholarship. . . . In addition to weaving a great yarn, Hammer also provides a fascinating history of Timbuktu and its books and a well-informed account of the struggle against Islamist extremism in the Sahel." * Foreign Affairs Magazine *“There are nail-biting moments when everything hangs in the balance [and] one can almost imagine the movie version. . . . Excellent.” * Dallas Morning News *"Gripping. . . . The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu tells the tale of how a gutsy collector saved thousands of documents. . . . It was only because of Abdel Kader Haidara and a group of brave librarians that these manuscripts about poetry, music, sex, and science did not end lost in the desert or up in smoke." * Salon *“On one level, The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is a thriller that revolves around one long chase scene, as librarian race through the deserts of Mali trying to salvage a trove of precious manuscripts from jihadists hell-bent on their destruction. The stakes in this chase are no less than civilization itself. On another level, Joshua Hammer’s book is about a struggle between Islamic ideologies—one jihadist, inflexible and violent, and the other open and intellectual. Joshua Hammer’s book could not be more relevant to today’s events.” -- Barbara Demick, author of Nothing To Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea“Hammer crafts a thoughtful history of the Middle East and Africa in a narrative that goes beyond the one- and two-dimensional views that are popular today [and] provides a geopolitical explainer that gives context to the development of radical Islam. . . . The book’s title isn’t overstated. Haidara, and those who aided him, truly are ‘bad-ass.’” * Fort Worth Star-Telegram *“The sources of Timbuktu’s vitality—the connections to travel and trade that once made it a meeting place for West Africans and a haven for writ­ing and learning—have been destroyed, and Hammer’s book, to its great credit, makes us see what a loss that is.” * New York Review of Books *"Hammer does a service to Haidara and the Islamic faith by providing the illuminating history of these manuscripts, managing to weave the complicated threads of this recent segment of history into a thrilling story." * Publishers Weekly *"[A] vivid, fast-paced narrative. . . . Hammer draws on many—often dangerous—visits to the city and interviews with major players to chronicle the efforts of Abdel Kader Haidara to save priceless literary and historical manuscripts. . . . A chilling portrait of a country under siege and one man's defiance." * Kirkus Reviews *“At once a history, caper and thriller.” * The Economist *“A jaunty gem of a book.... The greatest merit of The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is that it convincingly repudiates extremist Islamism at the quotidian level, at which it does not pose a global threat: it is objectionable not just because it imperils Westerners, their friends and the existing political order, but also because it is socially and intellectually retrograde, and abusive of the people it purports to protect.” * Survival (International Institute for Strategic Studies) *“As precarious and fraught with obstacles as any Hollywood heist. . . . Both a moving story of quiet heroism and a fascinating glimpse into a country little-known in the U.S., The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu will appeal to historians, bibliophiles and those who love a good heist narrative.” * Shelf Awareness *“Illuminating reading.” * Booklist *“An engaging, well-plotted historical adventure that will appeal to history and book lovers.” * Pittsburgh Post-Gazette *"Engrossing. . . . To call this book a page-turner is to diminish it; the suspense that Hammer creates is vital, but it’s his shrewd reporting on cultural terrorism--and those who fought against it--that makes The Bad-Ass Librarians so important. No book lover should miss it." * Fine Books & Collections Magazine *“Hammer gives the badass librarians of Timbuktu—who outwitted al-Qaeda, saving ancient Arabic texts from being destroyed—their due.” * Vanity Fair *“An engrossing tale, complete with a dangerous smuggling operation.” * Bustle (Best Books of April) *“[A] powerful narrative. . . . Hammer’s clearly written and engaging chronicle of the achievements of Timbuktu, the risks presented to this area, and portraits of several brave and dedicated individuals brings to light an important and unfamiliar story.” * Library Journal *"Gripping." * Houston Chronicle *"Hammer exposed my ignorance. Without thinking about it, I had accepted the conventional wisdom . . . but The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu provides irrefutable evidence that culture and learning in Africa were far more advanced than in Europe by the 16th century when Timbuktu flourished as a center of learning." * Washington Independent Review of Books *"Journalist Josh Hammer deftly offers up a string of interconnected tales, ranging from ancient Islamic scholarship to in-fighting in US political circles to French military campaigns and the rise of radical extremists throughout Africa. . . . But always front and center is the fate of these manuscripts and how their very existence puts a lie to the hateful extremism fueling the terrorists who would destroy them. Librarians are always bad-ass but even the most hardcore would have to tip their hats to the brave ones depicted here." * BookFilter *

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Book SynopsisThis is the intensely dramatic story of how God took a young, half-starved boy from a poor village in Henan Province and used him mightily to preach the gospel, despite horrific opposition. Brother Yun is one of China's house church leaders, a man who despite his relative youth has suffered prolonged torture and imprisonment for his faith. Instead of focusing on the many miracles or experiences of suffering, however, Yun prefers to emphasise the character and beauty of Jesus. This astonishing book will form a watershed in your spiritual life.Table of ContentsCONTENTSPreface 7Foreword 10Introduction 121. Humble Beginnings 152. A Hunger Fulfilled 233. “Go to the West and South” 334. God Blesses My Whole Family 425. The Path of Persecution 486. “The God of Peter is Your God” 597. God Wants All of My Heart 708. “Be Still and Know That I Am God” 789. Through the Valley of Death 9410. The Fiery Trial 10711. The End of the Fast 12212. God Gives Me a Son and Many Brothers 13213. A Precious Soul from the Lord 14114. Future Hope 15515. A Graveyard Covered With Thorns 16616. God Pours Out His Awesome Power 18317. Second Time in Prison 19618. A Painful Family Visit 20619. God’s Oil Station 21720. The Road to Unity 23221. Third Time in Prison – My Lowest Point 24122. A Miraculous Escape 25123. Leaving the Bamboo Curtain 26324. Back to Jerusalem 27825. Reflecting on Four Years in the West 29326. A New Kind of Persecution 30527. A Sudden Change of Plans 31428. A Seed in the Ground 32529. A Future as Bright as God’s Promises 342Index 349

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Book Synopsis'I rang the bell, the door opened, and there stood Rudolf Steiner in person. I was so taken aback that I dropped the basket which burst open and all my clothes and underclothes, together with my other belongings, were lying at the feet of the Doctor. A ball of wool got away and rolled between Dr Steiner's feet into the long corridor. Somewhat surprised, but amused, he said: "I have never been greeted in this way."' Anna Samweber (1884-1969), an active coworker in Berlin with Rudolf Steiner and Marie Steiner-von Sivers, presents a lively, homely, and often moving collection of anecdotes and recollections. Recorded by Jacob Streit during an intensive two-day session, this short work offers a warm, illuminating and intimate picture of Rudolf Steiner, the man and his work, during a critical phase in the development of anthroposophy.

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Book Synopsis The life and work of the legendary ?Pope of Voodoo,? Marie Laveau?a free woman of color who practically ruled New Orleans in the mid-1800s Marie Laveau may be the most influential American practitioner of the magical arts; certainly, she is among the most famous. She is the subject of songs, films, and legends and the star of New Orleans ghost tours. Her grave in New Orleans ranks among the most popular spiritual pilgrimages in the US. Devotees venerate votive images of Laveau, who proclaimed herself the ?Pope of Voodoo.? She is the subject of respected historical biographies and the inspiration for novels by Francine Prose and Jewell Parker Rhodes. She even appears in Marvel Comics and on the television show American Horror Story: Coven, where she was portrayed by Angela Bassett. Author Denise Alvarado explores Marie Laveau?s life and work?the fascinating history and mystery. This book gives an overview of New Orleans Voodoo, its origins, history, and practices. It contains spells, prayers, rituals, recipes, and instructions for constructing New Orleans voodoo-style altars and crafting a voodoo amulet known as a gris-gris.

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Book SynopsisWhen the woman who would become Indra Devi was born in Russia in 1899, yoga was virtually unknown outside of India. By the time of her death, in 2002, it was being practiced everywhere, from Brooklyn to Berlin to Ulaanbaatar. In The Goddess Pose, New York Times best-selling author Michelle Goldberg traces the life of the incredible woman who brought yoga to the West and in so doing paints a sweeping picture of the twentieth century.Born into the minor aristocracy (as Eugenia Peterson), Devi grew up in the midst of one of the most turbulent times in human history. Forced to flee the Russian Revolution as a teenager, she joined a famous Berlin cabaret troupe, dove into the vibrant prewar spiritualist movement, and, at a time when it was nearly unthinkable for a young European woman to travel alone, followed the charismatic Theosophical leader Jiddu Krishnamurti to India. Once on the subcontinent, she performed in Indian silent cinema and hobnobbed with th

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Book SynopsisOscar Romero: Prophet of Hope is a comprehensive account of the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador's incredible journey of holiness and courageous witness in the face of cruel state oppression. Historian Roberto Morozzo Della Rocca draws directly on previously unpublished documents some of which were used as evidence in the process leading to Romero's beatification in 2015 to write the most authoritative biography of Romero to date.Morozzo tells the complete story of Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, from his humble roots in Ciudad Barros, El Salvador, to his ordination in Rome and his eventual appointment as Archbishop of San Salvador. It weaves a sensitive account of Romero's character both public and private with a mature appraisal of his theology and unfailing commitment to the poor, marginalised and persecuted of Latin America. The final chapter describes Romero's movements and words during the final months, weeks and days that led to his martyrdom assassinated while celebrat

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Book SynopsisFrom the prize-winning screenwriter of The Theory of Everything and Darkest Hour, The Two Popes is a fascinating, revealing and gripping tale of two very different men whose destinies converge with each other - they both live in the Vatican - and the wider world.On 28 February 2013, a 600-year-old tradition was shattered: the conservative Pope Benedict XVI made a startling announcement. He would resign. Reeling from the news, the College of Cardinals rushed to Rome to congregate in the Sistine Chapel to pick his successor. Their unlikely choice? Francis, the first non-European pope in 1,200 years, a one time tango club bouncer, a passionate football fan and a man with the common touch.How did these two men become two of the most powerful people on Earth?What''s it like to be the Pope?What does the future hold for the Catholic Church and its 1 billion followers?The Two Popes is a dual biography that masterfully combines these two popes'' lives into one gripping narrative. From Benedict and Francis'' experiences of war in their homelands - when they were still Joseph and Jorge - and the sexual abuse scandal that continues to rock the Church to its foundations, to the intrigue and the occasional comedy of life in the Vatican, The Pope glitters with the darker and the lighter details of life inside one of the world''s most opaque but significant institutions.Trade ReviewA cracking read . . . With due respect to those talented thesps, they will have to go some to convey all the nuances and contradictions, ambiguities and embarrassments, dark secrets and outright skulduggeries that McCarten crams into his 200-odd pages . . . engrossing -- Richard Morrison * The Times *I learned things from the script I didn't know. I just thought, "Can that be right? Were we that perilously close?" And so it just grabbed me.Provides a compelling look at life and politics in the Vatican today * Vanity Fair, This Winter’s Best Nonfiction Reads *Anthony McCarten has an astonishing knack of transforming a familiar story into a new tale, and one that is revealing and sometimes challenging. Now he has done so once again with The Pope, a beguiling tale of ecclesiastical plotting and intrigue that resembles a sort of bloodless Borgias. It may be a book about how two men reached the holiest pinnacle of the Roman Catholic Church, but when the clouds of incense clear we are left with an awful lot of sinning. The papacy is supposed to be infallible, but thanks to McCarten's deft lifting of the Vatican's scarlet curtains what we see is the breeding ground for one of the greatest scandals of our times in which conspiracy and vanity are on display to a terrifying extent[On the play version] Why did he do it? Why did Pope Benedict XVI, that most traditional of pontiffs, break with tradition and resign in 2013, ceding the way to his reformist rival, Cardinal Bergoglio? That's the problem at the heart of this compelling new problem play by Anthony McCarten - and, sensibly, the playwright leaves it more or less unsolved. He presents us with two contrasting and eternal characters, both at breaking point: the wavering conservative and the reluctant liberal. The playwright's own sympathies seem to be with Bergoglio, yet, despite the relatable ordinariness Nicholas Woodeson brings to that role, it is Anton Lesser's shy, candyfloss-haired Benedict who, against the odds, emerges as the more fascinating presence: the one who can play Mozart, however imperfectly, the one who attempts little jokes, far less polished than his rival's hail-fellow shtick, yet more amusing for their faults. McCarten, who wrote the screenplay for Darkest Hour, has a gift for creating intimate dramas from public biographical property. Here the theatre becomes a confessional, with the audience asked to grant absolution to two flawed but pious priests. * The Times, ???? *[On the film screenplay] Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins deliver a sit-back-and-marvel double-act masterclass that will be spoken of in the same breath as De Niro and Pacino in Heat . . . the triple-whammy impact of McCarten's script, Meirelles's direction and, mostly, the two lead performances creates a completely credible reality, at times indecently moving . . . there are big ideas in here too * The Times, ***** *[On the film] Essentially a papal buddy movie, a mesmerising two-hander, and one of the finest films of either performer's career -- Kevin Maher * The Times *[On the film screenplay] If I like the script, that's the reason I'm doing it -- Jonathan PryceAnthony McCarten . . . after The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour and Bohemian Rhapsody, has rather cornered the market in glossy biographical dramas * Guardian *This engrossing double biography of the chalk-and-cheese pontiffs Francis (the "slum bishop") and Benedict ("God's rottweiler") is full of drama, dark secrets and Vatican skulduggery. * The Times *[On the film] Oh my word. I just loved #thetwopopes. Such a mesmerising film. And so delighted they didn't traduce Benedict. The chemistry between him and Francis was so moving. It's on Netflix now. And it is definitely worth watching -- Giles Fraser

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Book SynopsisJohn Wesley led the Second English Reformation. His Methodist ''Connexion'' was divided from the Church of England, not by dogma and doctrine but by the new relationship which it created between clergy and people. Throughout a life tortured by doubt about true faith and tormented by a series of bizarre relationships with women, Wesley kept his promise to ''live and die an ordained priest of the Established Church''. However by the end of the long pilgrimage - from the Oxford Holy Club through colonial Georgia to every market place in England - he knew that separation was inevitable. But he could not have realised that his influence on the new industrial working class would play a major part in shaping society during the century of Britain''s greatest power and influence and that Methodism would become a worldwide religion and the inspiration of 20th century television evangelism.Trade ReviewThis is a first-class biography, lucid and always interesting... Hattersley asks all the right questions and seems incapable of writing a dull page. * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *Roy Hattersley has written a full and fair biography. * NEW STATESMAN *He can fashion an anecdote out of even the dreariest theological dispute. Indeed, a gossipy politician is the right man for the job. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *An intellectually and theologically compelling portrait * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *

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Book SynopsisWhat her life, literature and letters tell us about Jane Austen's faithTable of ContentsContentsIntroduct ion: Jane Austen – A Spiritual Writer? 91. Early Influences, 1775 –86 152. The Development of the Writer, 1787–1800 353. The Early Novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey 574. The Wilderness Years, 1801– 09 835. The Chawton Years, 1809–16 1056. The Later Novels: Mansfield Park 1197. The Later Novels: Emma and Persuasion 1378. Last Days and Legacy, 1817–The Present Day 155Appendix: Jane Austen’s Prayers 177Notes 181Select Bibliography 201I ndex 207

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Book SynopsisThis work contains all the liturgical texts specifically for the Feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6, as used by the Orthodox Church.

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Book SynopsisA compelling selection of Jonathan Sacks' writing and speeches with a foreword by HRH The Prince of WalesTrade ReviewBritain's most authentically prophetic voice * The Daily Telegraph *One of the most interesting thinkers, writers and speakers * The Spectator *Sacks has things to say that speak more directly to our present condition than anything in recent liberal thinking * New Statesman *One of the world's great voices for moral, spiritual, and historical awareness and for global peace * The John Templeton Foundation *One of the great moral thinkers of our time * Robert D. Putnam, author of Bowling Alone *

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Book Synopsis''A crucial and compelling read'' NATALIE COLLINS @GodLovesWomen ''The story of Josephine Butler is astonishing, shocking, inspiring, recounted here by a narrator who understands the very core of her subject. A powerful read.'' CLAIRE GILBERT, author of I, Julian ''When Courage Calls allows us to hear Butler''s message afresh at a time when women''s value and safety is again at risk.'' ALISON MILBANK, Professor of Literature and Theology, University of Nottingham''This is an inspiring book written by an inspiring writer'' RACHAEL TREWEEK, Bishop of Gloucester Millicent Fawcett, the leader of the British suffragist movement, described Josephine Butler as ''the most distinguished English woman of the nineteenth century''. Among the first feminist activists, Butler raised public awareness of the plight of destitute women, worked to address human trafficking and led a vigorous campaign to secure equal

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Book SynopsisDiscover the man behind the movement in this intimate biography of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).In 1965, a seventy-year-old man—soon to be known as Prabhupada—set sail from India to America with a few books in his bag, pennies in his pockets, and a message of love in his heart. He landed in New York at the peak of the revolutionary counterculture movement of the ’60s, and went on to spark a global spiritual renaissance that led to the creation of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which has changed millions of lives.  Through the depiction of Prabhupada as both an enlightened luminary and a personable, funny, and conscientious individual, Swami in a Strange Land shows why cultural icons such as George Harrison and Allen Ginsberg incorporated Prabhupada’s teachings into their lives, and why millions more around the globe embarked upon the path of bhakti yoga in his footsteps.  Carefully researched, skillfully crafted, and extraordinarily intimate, this narrative follows Prabhupada as he rises from an anonymous monk to a world-renowned spiritual leader. Set in locations as far ranging as remote Himalayan caves and the gilded corridors of Paris’s City Hall, Swami in a Strange Land traces the rise of Eastern spirituality in the West—and in particular, the rise of yoga culture and vegetarianism and the concepts of karma and reincarnation.  A remarkable journey into the deepest dimensions of the human experience, Swami in a Strange Land shows how one man with a dream can change the world.

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Book Synopsis Billy Graham Was the World’s Best-Known Evangelist—Loved and Admired by Millions. But Very Few Knew Him Personally. Pastor and bestselling author Greg Laurie was one of those fortunate few, blessed with an insider’s view of Billy Graham’s world for more than two decades. With the same painstaking research and eye for detail that distinguishes his previous biographies, Steve McQueen: Salvation of an American Icon and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon, Laurie now turns to the life of his beloved mentor, offering the intimate perspective of a disciple and friend. As a strapping North Carolina farm boy, Graham surrendered his life to Jesus at a camp meeting led by a blustery itinerant preacher, but he never lost the mischievous twinkle in his eye or his fun-loving air. Laurie sheds light on Graham’s lesser-known struggles—such as a broken heart before he met the love of his life and a crisis of faith from which he emerged stronger than ever. From the evangelist’s private challenges and public successes to his disappointments and joys, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew provides a vivid portrait of one of history’s most remarkable Christian lives.

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Book SynopsisBlowing the myths wide open, this exciting exploration of the notorious Aleister Crowley, packed with previously unpublished information, is the true story of a poet, explorer, mystic, mountaineer, philosopher, prophet and spy.

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Book SynopsisThe controversial, turbulent life and violent death of Thomas Becket.

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Book SynopsisRabble-Rouser for Peace is the first book to tell the full story of how a boy from South Africa's poverty-stricken black townships became one of the world's best-known religious figures, a moral icon to those who work for peace and justice everywhere.Drawn from 30 years of the author's first-hand contact with Desmond Tutu, this is not only a vivid character study of a public figure with a unique capacity to communicate warmth, humour and compassion; it is also a rich account of his dynamic place in history.The story of Desmond Tutu's life tells a crucial part of South Africa's history and its movement from Apartheid towards peace, but it also follows the growth of one of the best loved and globally most recognised men of our time.Trade ReviewWonderfully humanising * Observer *A powerful account * Catholic Herald *Definitive biography of a truly phenomenal life * South Africa Times *Surprising and inspirational * Choice *

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Book SynopsisDuring the German occupation of Rome from 1942 to 1944, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty ran an escape organisation for Allied POWs and civilians, including Jews. Safe within the Vatican state, he regularly ventured out in disguise to continue his mission, which earned him the nickname 'the Pimpernel of the Vatican'. Kappler, the Gestapo chief in Rome, ordered him captured or killed. When the Allies entered Rome, Monsignor O'Flaherty and his colleagues had saved over 6,500 lives.Trade Review"An affectionate book that at times reads as well as a spy novel." * Books Ireland *"Story of personal bravery well worth retelling." * The Irish Times *"The story it tells is extraordinary." * Irish Independent *"Enthralling and inspiring." * The Catholic Times *"A true thriller." * Scottish Catholic Observer *

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Book SynopsisWhat kind of a world was St Patrick born into? Why were his visions and dreams considered so dangerous by the early church? How much do we really know about Ireland's foremost Saint? In this beautiful little book, Irish painter Hector McDonnell tells the amazing story of the Romano-British youth enslaved by Irish raiders who escaped only to return and Christianise Ireland. With fascinating new theories, exquisite old plates and occasional drawings by the author.

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Book SynopsisA marvellously macabre look at how some of the world’s favourite historical figures got even more interesting past their expiration dates with their corpses in part or in whole going on hilarious and horrifying adventures!Trade Review'A historically beguiling, stranger-than-fiction compendium' Elle'Deliciously morbid and delightfully macabre... required reading for those of us who intend, one day, to die' Ben Schott, author of Schott's Original Miscellany'If really, we're all sitting in the undertaker's waiting room, then Rest in Pieces is the perfect easy read, preparation for the moment when the nurse steps out of the shadows and quietly calls your name' Simon Winchester, bestselling author of Skulls and The Professor and the Madman'There is something here to dismay everyone' Times Literary Supplement'A tasty, sharp, wonderfully unusual book. I enjoyed it like a jar of perfect dill pickles: when the mood strikes, nothing else will satisfy' Mary Roach, author of Gulp and Stiff'The world is awash with legendary body parts, from Einstein's brain to Napoleon's most intimate organ, and this wildly entertaining account proves that the fate of the grisly relics tells us a huge amount about history - and ourselves' Tony Perrottet, author of Napoleon's Privates'Marvelously macabre... A fascinating foray into the way of all flesh' Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered why God uses ordinary people to accomplish His work and to spread the good news? Join bestselling author and Bible teacher John MacArthur as he takes a closer look at the everyday lives of the men and women that God trusted to carry His message and lead His people. 40 Lives in 40 Days is a brand-new devotional compilation of MacArthur''s extensive studies of the Bible characters who show us that we don''t have to be perfect to do God''s work. From the twelve disciples to the Samaritan woman, MacArthur shares that Jesus chose average people--fishermen, tax collectors, doubters, political zealots--and gave them a remarkable mission.These encouraging stories, based in Scripture, help shed light on these real men and women who endured struggle, pain, and heartache, just like us. They were perfectly ordinary sinners--living proof of God''s kindness--who went on to serve an extraordinary purpose in spreading the gospel.

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