Religion Books
Brandeis University Press Expanding the Palace of Torah – Orthodoxy and
Book SynopsisExpanding the Palace of Torah offers a broad philosophical overview of the challenges the women’s revolution poses to Orthodox Judaism, as well as Orthodox Judaism’s response to those challenges. Writing as an insider—herself an Orthodox Jew—Tamar Ross confronts the radical feminist critique of Judaism as a religion deeply entrenched in patriarchy. Surprisingly, very little work has been done in this area, beyond exploring the leeway for ad hoc solutions to practical problems as they arise on the halakhic plane. In exposing the largely male-focused thrust of the rabbinic tradition and its biblical grounding, she sees this critique as posing a potential threat to the theological heart of traditional Judaism—the belief in divine revelation. This new edition brings this acclaimed and classic text back into print with a new essay by Tamar Ross which examines new developments in feminist thought since the book was first published in 2004.Trade ReviewAddressing the practical and the theological challenges that feminism poses to halakah, Ross offers a brilliant study, informed not only by ancient, medieval, and modern Jewish sources, but also by postmodernism, the history of feminism, process theology, mysticism, and legal theory . . . She finds the key to change in women's increasing knowledge of halakah, whose meaning women can transform by weaving a different narrative . . . Highly recommended.”—CHOICE“[Expanding the Palace of Torah is] a brave, in many ways radical and essential, attempt to deal with the problem seriously, and is a model of erudition and scholarship… Her book offers a powerful alternate theological vision that challenges some of the basic assumptions of the Orthodox Jewish world, and gives a glimpse of just how revolutionary feminism could be to Orthodoxy.”—Forward"Ross' conjoining of the patriarchal past with a feminist future in the single unfolding process of divine revelation is an unprecedented, and I would suggest brilliant, move in the world of Jewish feminism... this book is ground-breaking in the field of theology (Jewish, feminist and otherwise). It is beautifully written, masterfully insightful in its analysis of earlier feminist attempts to resolve a similar set of challenges and subtly brilliant in the presentation of its own solutions. I simply cannot say enough positive things about it. It is thought-provoking and sophisticated. I have no doubt that this book will become a standard textbook for courses on Jewish feminism.”—Nashim: A Journal of Jewish Women's Studies and Gender Issues"In this exceptional book, Ross brings together philosophical, theological, legal, and feminist writings, presenting a many faceted critique of Jewish legal developments and an account of the latest thinking on problematic issues. Writing as a passionately engaged Orthodox Jew, her approach is a refreshing combination of the critical and the respectful, and her solutions to the problems she raises are both provocative and eloquent. Writing in a postmodernist vein, she offers a quantum leap in her complex yet trenchant perspective on the challenge posed by feminism to the concept of Revelation.”—Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg, author of Genesis: the Beginning of Desire, winner of the National Jewish Book Award for nonfiction"This may be one of the most important works to date in tracking the changes in Judaism over the past 2000 years." --Jewish Book World"This may be one of the most important works to date in tracking the changes in Judaism over the past 2000 years." * Jewish Book World *"[Expanding the Palace of Torah] is a brave, in many ways radical and essential, attempt to deal with the problem seriously, and is a model of erudition and scholarship. . . . Her book offers a powerful alternate theological vision that challenges some of the basic assumptions of the Orthodox Jewish world and gives a glimpse of just how revolutionary feminism could be to Orthodoxy." * Forward *"Addressing the practical and the theological challenges that feminism poses to halakah, Ross offers a brilliant study, informed not only by ancient, medieval, and modern Jewish sources, but also by postmodernism, the history of feminism, process theology, mysticism, and legal theory. . . . She finds the key to change in women's increasing knowledge of halakah, whose meaning women can transform by weaving a different narrative . . . Highly recommended." * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface, Acknowledgments, Part I: The First Stage: Acknowledging the Problem, Chapter 1 Feminism and the Halakhic Tradition, Chapter 2 Sources of Discontent and the Conservative Response, Part II: The Second Stage: Working Within the System, Chapter 3 Exploring Halakhic Malleability and Its Limits, Chapter 4 The Meta-Halakhic Solutions of Modern Orthodoxy, Chapter 5 Does Positivism Work?, Part III: The Third Stage: Revamping the System, Chapter 6 Sociological and Historical Revisionism, Chapter 7 Evaluating Revisionism, Chapter 8 Halakhic Proactivism, Part IV: Beyond the Third Stage: Expanding the Palace of Torah, Chapter 9 Halakhah Contextualized: Nonfoundationalism and the Role of Interpretive Traditions, Chapter 10 The Word of God Contextualized: Successive Hearings and the Decree of History, Chapter 11 Some Theological Remarks for the More Philosophically Inclined, Part V: Epilogue, Chapter 12 Visions for the Future, Afterword by Tamar Ross, Notes, Index
£30.40
The Catholic University of America Press Homilies on the Psalms Codex Monacensis Graecus
Book SynopsisIn 2012 Dr Marina Marin Pradel discovered that a thick 12th-century Byzantine manuscript, Codex Monacensis Graecus 314, contained twenty-nine of Origen's Homilies on the Psalms. This translation seeks to convey, as faithfully as possible, Origen's categories of thought.
£35.96
Aspekt B.V., Uitgeverij Jesus was Caesar: On the Julian Origin of
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£25.60
Pari Publishing Unveiling the Breath: One Woman's Journey into
Book Synopsis"Unveiling the Breath: One Woman's Journey into Understanding Islam and Gender Equality" tackles one of the most pressing issues that face us today - the changing roles that men and women must confront in a globalizing world. In particular, it explores the whole issue of gender within the Islamic world. This is the world the author has observed firsthand both through her humanitarian work and her experience as the first female vice-president of Nexen Inc., a large Canadian-based energy company operating in Muslim-majority countries. "Unveiling the Breath" incorporates East-West perspectives on faith and feminism, addresses male and female points of view, examines the thorny question of how to reconcile spirituality and patriarchy, and takes a close look at the complex issues involved in raising sons. In so doing, Kennedy-Glans peels back the 'Gender Onion' starting from the outer, more secular layers of our globalizing world-the workplace and communities - and on to the inner core of our private world of faith, spirituality and family.Trade ReviewIn settings as diverse as the Bedouin townships of Yemen, the streets of Tehran and the farming communities of her prairie youth, Kennedy-Glans deconstructs and reconstructs her impressions and prejudices, all to further her dream that we might see each other as we are.A" Again and again she is drawn back to Yemen to learn more about universal gender equilibrium.A" Kennedy-Glans writes: I've found that patriarchy exists in subtle ways in the West that we might not want to acknowledge; conversely, patriarchy in the Muslim world isn't as extreme as our Western view of it, either. Which brings us closer than most people realize.A" ..."Unveiling the Breath" is a bold work, rich with insights into the murky realm of culture, religion and gender. Alberta Views Kennedy-Glans sees the challenges that women face here and in Muslim countries as being more alike than most people realize... The author-along with many Muslim women (and men)-calls for patriarchy to be rooted out from the faith. In approaching the subject of gender with a dose of introspection and complexity, she finds more similarities than differences. She also warns against western arrogance toward the plight of Muslims, arguing instead for dialogue. The book is peppered with wisdom from ancient scriptures and ancestral teachings of the East and West. Yet we are provided with a modern context by the author's extensive use of international development reports and surveys (for example, the United Nations Arab Human Development Report). The extensive research provided by the author should be an eye-opener to those unfamiliar with the rich history of the Middle East (and Yemen,in particular). Literary Review of Canada
£9.49
Waterside Press An End to Upside Down Living: Reorienting Our
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£15.19
Parallax Press Understanding Our Mind: 50 Verses on Buddhist
Book SynopsisNautilus Award Finalist The renowned Zen’s monk’s profound study of Buddhist psychology—with insights into how these ancient teachings apply to the modern world Based on the fifty verses on the nature of consciousness taken from the great fifth-century Buddhist master Vasubandhu and the teachings of the Avatamsaka Sutra, Thich Nhat Hanh focuses on the direct experience of recognizing, embracing, and looking deeply into the nature of our feelings and perceptions.Presenting the basic teachings of Buddhist applied psychology, Understanding Our Mind shows us how our mind is like a field, where every kind of seed is planted—seeds of suffering, anger, happiness, and peace. The quality of our life depends on the quality of the seeds in our mind. If we know how to water seeds of joy and transform seeds of suffering, then understanding, love, and compassion will flower. Vietnamese Zen Master Thuong Chieu said, “When we understand how our mind works, the practice becomes easy.”
£15.29
Penguin Books Ltd Mythos
Book SynopsisPenguin presents the unabridged audio CD edition of Mythos written and read by Stephen Fry.THE TIMES AUDIOBOOK OF THE WEEK''Perfect for the 21st Century. Ebullient, funny, Fry retells the Greek myths with elegance'' The Times''A cracking good story'' The Times Literary Supplement ''A wondrous new immersion in ancient stories we only thought we knew. Page to page, Mythos is brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling'' Richard North Patterson''Fry''s lively writing certainly conveys his lifelong passion for Greek myths . . . It''s a rollicking good read'' The Independent_________No one loves and quarrels, desires and deceives as boldly and brilliantly as Greek gods and goddesses. They are like us, only more so - their actions and adventures scrawled across the heavens above. From the birth of the univTrade ReviewThe Greek myths are told to you here by the ever-soothing voice of Stephen Fry, who takes you from Zeus to Athena with his typical humour. The Greek gods of the past become relatable as pop culture, modern literature and music are woven throughout. It is joyfully informal yet full of the literary legacy threaded through so much of the tapestry of contemporary Greece * The Guardian *Wit and erudition are impressively evident . . . Read by Fry with his accustomed ebullient showmanship [he] gives the legends modern resonance by telling them with a contemporary colloquial twist' -- AUDIOBOOK of the WEEK * The Times *Mythos is the best thing he's written since his superb first novel . . . it is entertaining and edifying - one cannot really ask for more than that * The Telegraph *Fry's lively writing certainly conveys his lifelong passion for Greek myths . . . It's a rollicking good read * The Independent *Fry reimagines the Greek myths with wit, warmth and humanity, bringing them into the modern age. A welcome addition to any bookshelf * Book Bag *Mythos is Stephen's vivid retelling of the Greek myths. Bringing to life the Gods, monsters and mortals of Ancient Greece, he reimagines their astonishing stories for the modern world. * Express and Star *Perfect for the 21st Century. Ebullient, funny, Fry retells the Greek myths with elegance * The Times *A wondrous new immersion in ancient stories we only thought weknew. Page to page, Mythos is brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling -- Richard North Patterson * - *[Fry] exhibits prodigious learning, a great facility with words, and enormous erudition and enthusiasm * Mail on Sunday *Lively, humorous and intimate, this retelling has real charm * The Guardian *Fry takes us from Zeus to Athena with humour. The Greek gods of the past become relatable as pop culture, modern literature and music are woven throughout. Joyfully informal yet full of the literary legacy * Guardian *Fresh revivals of the myths of ancient Greece. In his own imitable style, Fry takes an erudite look at the doings of gods, goddesses, kings, queens and ordinary mortals * The Bay *I quite like Mythos, Stephen Fry's book on the Greek myths - he makes them amusing. I like people that illuminate the past with humour -- Jools HollandMythos has the gripping nature that one would hope for from a modern blockbuster. Filled with a sharp and delightful sense of humour, Stephen Fry's many witticisms making it an even more enjoyable read. I would recommend it for so many reasons * The National *Brilliant . . . Stephen Fry's writing style makes it appealing to all. There's something for everyone * The Herald *Reimagines the lives of ancient Greek gods and goddesses through a humorous lens, using casual language and making valuable comparisons to modern characters or events. It's also just really, really funny * American Express Essentials *Arguably the greatest living Englishman * Indendent on Sunday *The patron saint of British intelligence * Daily Telegraph *National Treasure: noun - someone or something regarded as emblematic of a nation's cultural heritage, such as Stephen Fry * Oxford English Dictionary *
£24.00
Catholic Answers Press One Less God Than You: How to
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£16.10
1517 Media Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being, Second
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£17.99
Rockridge Press Green Witchcraft Grimoire: A Practical Resource
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£15.29
Windhorse Publications Facing Mount Kanchenjunga: Part 21
Book SynopsisThis volume of Sangharakshita's Complete Works includes Facing Mount Kanchenjunga, the second in the series of his memoirs, and, in Dear Dinoo, some very personal letters.Facing Mount Kanchenjunga covers the period 1950-1953, beginning with Sangharakshita's arrival in Kalimpong as a twenty-four-year-old sramanera, and his response to his teacher's injunction to 'stay here and work for the good of Buddhism!' In the pages that follow we are drawn into a deeply committed Dharma life lived in unusual circumstances and among some very colourful characters.As he recalls the significant events of those years - the setting up of the Kalimpong Young Men's Buddhist Association; the creation of a new Buddhist journal, whose contributors included Conze, Guenther, Govinda and other leading Buddhist writers of the time; accompanying the Sacred Relics of the Buddha's chief disciples; advising on the making of a Buddhist film; giving lectures; discovering Dharmapala; meeting Dhardo Rimpoche; in fact, working in every way to spread the Dharma - Sangharakshita also affords the reader glimpses of his inner life, his struggles and disappointments, his aspirations and inspirations, his responses to the beauties of nature, and his feeling for friendship. The twenty-nine letters collected together in Dear Dinoo span the period 1955-1974, giving a sighting of Sangharakshita's life as he experienced it at the time, including what happened on the day of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's untimely death in 1956. We are also afforded a glimpse of the unusual friendship that sprung up between the young English monk and the Montessori teacher.Kalyanaprabha's Introduction highlights some of the significances of the correspondence, including reflections on Sangharakshita, Women, and Friendship. A friend who often appears in the letters, Dr Dinshaw Mehta, Servant of God, and one time naturopath to Gandhi, is the subject of the appendix.
£28.45
Shambhala Publications Inc No-Gate Gateway: The Original Wu-Men Kuan
Book SynopsisA new translation of one of the great koan collections--by the premier translator of the Chinese classics--that reveals it to be a literary and philosophical masterwork beyond its association with Chan/Zen.A monk asked: “A dog too has Buddha-nature, no?” And with the master’s enigmatic one-word response begins the great No-Gate Gateway (Wu-Men Kuan), ancient China’s classic foray into the inexpressible nature of mind and reality. For nearly eight hundred years, this text (also known by its Japanese name, Mumonkan) has been the most widely used koan collection in Zen Buddhism—and with its comic storytelling and wild poetry, it is also a remarkably compelling literary masterwork. In his radical new translation, David Hinton places this classic for the first time in the philosophical framework of its native China, in doing so revealing a new way of understanding Zen—in which generic “Zen perplexity” is transformed into a more approachable and earthy mystery. With the poetic abilities he has honed in his many translations, Hinton brilliantly conveys the book’s literary power, making it an irresistible reading experience capable of surprising readers into a sudden awakening that is beyond logic and explanation.
£16.19
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial (USA) LLC Biblia Reina Valera 1960 letra grande. Símil piel
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£25.49
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial (USA) LLC Biblia Reina Valera 1960 letra grande. Símil piel
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£22.49
Crossway Books What the Bible Says about Divorce and Remarriage
Book SynopsisBiblical scholar Wayne Grudem offers thought-provoking analysis of what the Bible saysand doesn't sayabout divorce, bringing much needed clarity to the discussion and guidance to those stuck at a crossroads.
£6.99
Cambridge University Press The Cambridge Companion to American Catholicism
Book SynopsisThis Companion provides a comprehensive overview of American Catholicism''s historical development and distinctive features. The essays - all specially commissioned for this volume - highlight the inner diversity of American Catholicism and trace the impact of American Catholics on all aspects of society, including education, social welfare, politics, and intellectual life. The volume also addresses topics of contemporary concern, such as gender and sexuality, arts and culture, social activism, and the experiences of Black, Latinx, Asian-American, and cultural Catholics. Taken together, the essays in this Companion provide context for understanding American Catholicism as it is currently experienced, and help to situate present-day developments and debates within their longer trajectory.Trade Review'… an outstanding overview of the US's distinctive Catholic history … Recommended.' R. A. Boisclair, Choice ConnectTable of ContentsPart I. Historical Overview: 1. American Catholicism's early foundations Maura Jane Farrelly; 2. The immigrant church, 1820-1908 Steven M. Avella; 3. The Catholic century James M. O'Toole; Part II. Catholic Life and Culture: 4. Catholic worship Katharine E. Harmon; 5. Catholic intellectual life William L. Portier; 6. Catholic education James T. Carroll; 7. Social welfare and social reform Mary Elizabeth Brown; 8. Women religious Mary Beth Fraser Connolly; 9. Catholics and politics Lawrence J. McAndrews; 10. Arts and culture Debra Campbell; 11. Anti-Catholicism in the United States Mark Massa, SJ; 12. Gender and sexuality James P. McCartin; 13. American Catholics in a global context Angelyn Dries; Part III. Many Faces of Catholicism: 14. American Catholic laywomen and feminism Paula M. Kane; 15. Black Catholics Cecilia A. Moore; 16. Latinx Catholicism Lauren Guerra and Brett C. Hoover; 17. Asian American Catholics Robert E. Carbonneau; 18. Cultural Catholicism Tom Beaudoin; Conclusion: 19. US Catholicism in the twenty-first century Mary L. Gautier.
£26.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc HIS RISK The Amish of Hart County
Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings us another compelling suspense in her Amish of Hart County series, this time featuring an undercover English DEA agent who will do anything to protect the Amish girl he loves.Calvin Fisher left the Amish community at fourteen and never looked back. Only his brother’s illness can bring him back to Hart County. Now, as Calvin works to make amends, he meets Alice, a local nursery school teacher, and falls hard for her. But he has a secret that could threaten the happiness he’s finally found.Alice shouldn’t like—or want—Calvin. He’s English, has a questionable past, and an even more questionable job. Still, she can’t help being intrigued. Though Calvin assures Alice that he’s worthy of her, she’s torn between surrendering to her growing feelings and steering clear of him. When a sudden surge of criminal activity alarms the community and even targets Alice, Calvin fears that his double life has put everyone he loves at risk. As for Alice, she can’t help but wonder if the brave and honorable man she’s lost her heart to is far more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
£13.99
Georgetown University Press Aquinas on Virtue: A Causal Reading
Book SynopsisAquinas on Virtue: A Causal Reading is an original interpretation of one of the most compelling accounts of virtue in the Western tradition, that of the great theologian and philosopher Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274). Taking as its starting point Aquinas's neglected definition of virtue in terms of its "causes," this book offers a systematic analysis of Aquinas on the nature, genesis, and role of virtue in human life. Drawing on connections and contrasts between Aquinas and contemporary treatments of virtue, Austin argues that Aquinas's causal virtue theory retains its normative power today. As well as providing a synoptic account of Aquinas on virtue, the book includes an extended treatment of the cardinal virtue of temperance, an argument for the superiority of Aquinas's concept of "habit" over modern psychological accounts, and a rethinking of the relation between grace and virtue. With an approach that is distinctively theological yet strongly conversant with philosophy, this study will offer specialists a bold new interpretation of Aquinas's virtue theory while giving students a systematic introduction with suggested readings from his Summa Theologiae and On the Virtues.Trade ReviewOne of the strengths of this work is the author’s ability to address the two divergent, yet interconnected, spheres of medieval and contemporary moral theology without inadvertently doing any injustice to either or convoluting his lines of argument—a risk explicitly noted in his introduction. Austin succeeds in providing a holistic causal analysis of virtue that is conversant with the concerns of contemporary society. * Parergon *[Austin's] interpretations are always insightful, and at their best, illuminating and persuasive. On his showing, seemingly abstruse metaphysical concepts are relevant, and sometimes indispensable to making sense of a wide range of issues in Aquinas and moral thought generally. His causal analysis of the relation of the virtues to the passions, and the role of the passions in rational deliberation, struck this reviewer as especially illuminating. . . . This is a valuable book that deserves widespread attention, by moral theorists as well as students of Aquinas. * Theological Studies *A fresh look at Thomas Aquinas's treatment of virtue . . . A welcome contribution to the ongoing conversation on virtue ethics. * Reading Religion *An elegant, thoughtful examination of Aquinas' virtue ethic. * Catholic Books Review *Austin fulfills his intention to make Aquinas's understanding of virtue more intelligible for modern man by means of a causal analysis. He amply shows how Aquinas's virtue theory is neither univocal nor reductionistic, but rather, capable of dialogue with modern perspectives, while nevertheless, penetrating deeper than modern theories. * The Incarnate Word *A compelling study that will offer scholars and theologians a bold new interpretation of Aquinas's virtue theory . . . A masterpiece of deliberative scholarship. * Library Bookwatch *This book is a positive pleasure to read: always clear, teacherly, and admirably nonpartisan...This sophisticated introduction to Aquinas' theory of virtue moves Aquinas studies in just the right direction. * The Thomist *Austin has done proponents of virtue ethics a great service by providing a clear, concise, and contemporary guide to Aquinas’ virtue theory. * Horizons *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I. Defining Virtue1. Defining Temperance Causally2. Virtue as a Habit3. Virtue as a Good Habit4. Virtue's Definition Part II. Causal Ethics5. Exemplar and Object6. End and Agent Part III. The Causal Analysis of Virtue7. Rational Virtue8. Passionate Virtue9. Telic Virtue10. Graced Virtue11. Rethinking Infusion Appendix: Virtue DefinedSelected BibliographyIndexAcknowledgments
£26.55
Rowman & Littlefield The Jesuits: A History from Ignatius to the
Book SynopsisAs Pope Francis continues to make his mark on the church, there is increased interest in his Jesuit background—what is the Society of Jesus, how is it different from other religious orders, and how has it shaped the world? In The Jesuits, acclaimed historian John W. O’Malley, SJ, provides essential historical background from the founder Ignatius of Loyola through the present. The book tells the story of the Jesuits’ great successes as missionaries, educators, scientists, cartographers, polemicists, theologians, poets, patrons of the arts, and confessors to kings. It tells the story of their failures and of the calamity that struck them in 1773 when Pope Clement XIV suppressed them worldwide. It tells how a subsequent pope restored them to life and how they have fared to this day in virtually every country in the world. Along the way it introduces readers to key figures in Jesuit history, such as Matteo Ricci and Pedro Arrupe, and important Jesuit writings, such as the Spiritual Exercises. Concise and compelling, The Jesuits is an accessible introduction for anyone interested in world or church history. In addition to the narrative, the book provides a timeline, a list of significant figures, photos of important figures and locations, recommendations for additional reading, and more. The paperback features a new Preface that examines the significant global work of the Jesuits today, including the impact of the first Jesuit pope, the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and more.Trade ReviewPerhaps no organization within the Catholic Church has been both reviled and admired as much as the Society of Jesus, whose members are known as Jesuits. O’Malley (What Happened at Vatican II), a Jesuit priest and professor of theology at Georgetown University, is a masterful historical scholar and he knows how to tell a lively story. He divides the history into four periods, including the founding of the order; its early years; its suppression, when it was disbanded for over 70 years; and the modern and postmodern eras. The founding of Jesuit schools is an especially fascinating topic, as the establishment of educational institutions was not an original intention of Society founder Ignatius Loyola. Yet it is now what Jesuits are primarily known for worldwide. Another intriguing historical episode is the Chinese rites controversy, which pitted the Jesuits against the Dominicans in a battle over missionary tactics abroad. The Jesuits certainly made their share of enemies over the past five centuries, some of whom tried to wipe the organization out of existence. O’Malley’s book would make an excellent introductory text for anyone interested in the history of the Society of Jesus, the Catholic religious order that nurtured Pope Francis I and thousands of other great men. * Publishers Weekly *This book provides readers with an accessible and concise history of the Jesuit religious order. O’Malley seeks to remove the mystery surrounding the Jesuits by making a complex and difficult history approachable and comprehensible for general readers. Often misunderstood and feared throughout history, the Jesuits have had an important religious and educational role spanning centuries and cultures. Accordingly, the author describes the impact Jesuits have had both inside and outside the Roman Catholic Church. As educators, missionaries, and scholars, the Jesuits have sought to reach every aspect of society. Though concise in his recounting, O’Malley covers every aspect of Jesuit history, from the order's founding to the modern age. Quality and depth are not sacrificed for brevity, never leaving one feeling as if something were missing. For those wishing to know more about the subject, O’Malley includes a helpful bibliography for further reading. This work is a clear, easy-to-read text appropriate for both students and general readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. * CHOICE *With the first-ever election of a Jesuit as pope, this most controversial of Roman Catholic orders has once again arrived center stage. Since Ignatius Loyola instituted the Society of Jesus in the sixteenth century, the Jesuits have provoked both awe and anger from both church hierarchy and secular governments. Ostensibly dedicated to the pope, the Jesuits have found themselves alternately embraced and banned by Rome. Some kings tossed Jesuits into prison and purged them from their realms, while others, notably Russia’s Catherine the Great, embraced them. Himself a member of the order, O’Malley emphasizes the Jesuits’ commitment to education as central to their long-term success. They started schools and universities throughout their mission fields, often inaugurating Western-style higher education in countries such as India, China, and Japan. * Booklist *O'Malley has once again written a lively and accessible historical introduction to the Society of Jesus. This slight volume serves to whet the appetite, highlighting the general arc of the organization from its founding to today. . . .This is a timely and . . . approachable introduction, especially given the election of the first Jesuit to be elected Pope. * Library Journal *Professor O’Malley must be lauded for writing such a compelling, comprehensive book. It deserves a place in public and university libraries in Lutheran countries. * Center for Research on Geopolitics *This volume is a must-have for libraries of all types. O’Malley’s achievement will be the new standard introduction for all audiences, particularly casual readers, seeking a gateway into the extraordinary and still-evolving legacy of the Jesuits. * Catholic Library World *When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, the world witnessed an event of considerable importance for the Roman Catholic Church. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit, will forever be known as 'the first Jesuit pope in history!' Who better to tell their story, expelling the stigma of a tainted reputation, than a fellow Jesuit priest, John W. O’Malley? Currently a professor of theology at Georgetown University specializing in European church history, he has written several books with his The First Jesuits winning the Philip Schaff Prize for church history. Written for a popular audience, The Jesuits dispels the mystique and enlightens readers concerning the Society of Jesus. . . .Even though the book is clearly a synopsis of the order’s history, O’Malley provides a valuable section following the epilogue for further reading targeting those who wish to study the subject more closely and in depth. This book would be a good choice for readers seeking to gain a cursory understanding of the Jesuits. * The Christian Century *There is no one else in the world better suited to write a new history of the Jesuits than John W. O'Malley, S.J., the dean of Jesuit historians. For too long readers have lacked an accessible and comprehensive history of the Society of Jesus, and his wonderful book is well worth the wait. Highly, highly, highly recommended. -- James Martin SJ, author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) EverythingThe history of the Jesuits is so vast and complicated that any generalization about the is bound to be false. Yet a sure guide through the tangled particulars is the great Renaissance scholar John O'Malley. -- Garry Wills, author of Lincoln at GettysburgOnly John W. O'Malley is today in a position to offer a sweeping scholarly yet accessible overview of the extraordinarily rich and complex history of the Society of Jesus—from Ignatius of Loyola to Pope Francis. -- Robert A. Maryks, Boston College, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Jesuit StudiesJohn O’Malley’s brief history of the Jesuits is both readable and accurate. From the order’s official foundation by the Basque nobleman Ignatius of Loyola in 1540 to the recent election of a Jesuit pope, the story of the Jesuit order as told here is one of extraordinary consistency, flexibility, and persistence. O’Malley provides a dispassionate account of the role of Jesuit education throughout the world, and of the often violent political reactions to the order’s perceived power. Readers will be inspired to follow up on the more detailed sources listed here, but John O’Malley’s text stands alone as an authoritative and illuminating guide. -- Elizabeth Cropper, dean, Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of ArtJohn O'Malley has performed a prodigious editorial feat in his short history of the Jesuits from the foundation to the present. The short history displays all O'Malley's narrative and analytic skills in a slim volume which manages to convey the entire global sweep of Jesuit history. -- Jill Conway, President Emeritus at Smith CollegeO'Malley's The Jesuits is what one expects from one of the great historians of our age—crisp, lucid, and resting on an unmatched understanding of the sources. It immediately becomes the necessary and best departure point into a rich and complex history. -- John T. McGreevy, I.A. O'Shaughnessy Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, University of Notre DameFor those who have merely heard of the Jesuits, and even for those who grew up among them, O’Malley, a Georgetown professor, proves to be a winning, informed guide. He leads us through the order’s shifting view of its missions and documents the resilience that has kept it relevant through generations of expulsion, suppression and rivalries. Considering that Ignatius’ own correspondence runs to twelve volumes, O’Malley’s conciseness is a blessing. * America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture *Table of ContentsTimeline Foreword 1. Foundations 2. The First Hundred Years 3. Consolidation, Controversy, Calamity 4. The Modern and Post-Modern Era Epilogue: Looking Back and Looking Ahead Further Reading
£11.39
Defender Publishing LLC The Book of Enoch
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£17.95
Columbia University Press The Resurrection of the Body in Western
Book SynopsisA classic of medieval studies, this book traces ideas of death and resurrection in early and medieval Christianity. Caroline Walker Bynum explores problems of the body and identity in devotional and theological literature, suggesting that medieval attitudes toward the body still shape modern notions of the individual.Trade ReviewThere are few historians of whom one can say that they have actually shifted some of the landscape of the writing of history in their own generation, but Bynum is one of them. New Republic [A] fascinating and wide-ranging account that tells us a lot about medieval thinking and practice. New York Times Book Review A masterful work of intellectual history. Publishers WeeklyTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsIntroduction to the 2017 Edition: What’s New about the Medieval?Preface to the 1995 Edition: Acknowledgments and Methodological MusingsIntroduction to the 1995 Edition: Seed Images, Ancient and ModernPart I. The Patristic Background1. Resurrection and Martyrdom: The Decades Around 2002. Resurrection, Relic Cult, and Asceticism: The Debates of 400 and Their BackgroundPart II. The Twelfth Century3. Reassemblage and Regurgitation: Ideas of Bodily Resurrection in Early Scholasticism4. Psychosomatic Persons and Reclothed Skeletons: Images of Resurrection in Spiritual Writingand Iconography5. Resurrection, Heresy, and Burial ad Sanctos: The Twelfth-Century ContextPart III. The Decades Around 13006. Resurrection, Hylomorphism, and Abundantia: Scholastic Debates in the Thirteenth Century7. Somatomorphic Soul and Visio Dei: The Beatific Vision Controversy and Its Background8. Fragmentation and Ecstasy: The Thirteenth-Century ContextAfterword: Why All the Fuss about the Body? A Medievalist’s PerspectiveIllustration CreditsGeneral IndexIndex of Secondary Authors
£25.50
Wild Goose Publications Summer: Liturgical resources for May, June and
Book SynopsisSummer is a liturgical resource book that covers the months of May, June and July. It includes prayers, stories, responses, songs, poems, reflections, monologues, liturgies and reflections for the major Christian festivals and seasons ofEastertide and Pentecost, as well as for Ascension, Saints' days, pilgrimage, holidays and other occasions. The material is written by Iona Community members, associates, friends and others. RaspberriesAll the year roundI can buy them pre-packedon the supermarket shelves,and sometimes I do. But to fiercely prune themtalk to themstake themwater themwatch the bees buzz around themfeel the sun warming themprotect them from interested birdsnurture themsee their colour deepenwatch them swell to ripenesssmell their promise of sweetnessand then to pick themtheir juice staining my fingersand to eat them ... Wow!Ripe raspberries. It's summertime. Rejoice! Ruth Burgess
£15.29
Time Warner Trade Publishing Naked and Unafraid: 5 Keys to Abandon Smallness,
Book SynopsisCelebrate a vulnerable and open life by overcoming the fear of criticism to start living the life God intended.Fear of criticism has turned into a massive epidemic harder than ever to overcome. It prevents people from speaking up; it's why most people struggle to make decisions; it's why we're uncomfortable with vulnerability and openness; and it's why so many are unable to meet their full potential. But it doesn't have to be that way. Through the Bible story of King David dancing naked in the streets while his distant, guarded, and critical wife watches from a window, Naked and Unafraid provides a visual contrast of these two characters that sheds light on the way we all approach life and explains how the fear of criticism impacts our lives much more than we realize or are willing to admit. God didn't create us to live guarded, isolated lives. Our greatest fulfillment isn't found in the window. It's found in the street. Everything in our lives, including our relationships, our work, our emotional and spiritual health, gets better in a place of openness and vulnerability. But that doesn't mean it's easy. . . because it's not. Vulnerability is risky. Exposure is scary.Naked and Unafraid pushes readers to:* Find the courage to not let criticism control or determine who they are and what they do.* Stop living in the shallow end of relationships and experience the rewards that true vulnerability can bring.* Abandon smallness and live the life they were born to live.* Discover how the fear of criticism diminishes in direct proportion to understanding it.* Reject the limitations and inhibitions of "window living," so they can experience the freedom and rewards of "street life."* Confront their own worst critic that counts them out of what God has included them in.God will help you move away from window watching, and toward street dancing. Know who He says you are, and live in that freedom!
£13.29
John Murray Press How the Bible Actually Works: In which I Explain
Book Synopsis'Seldom will you encounter such a fine combination of historical scholarship, interesting reading, and clever humour in one Biblical study. And then filled with faith and hope besides! Peter Enns does it again!' Richard Rohr, author of Falling UpwardFor many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. But the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth, argues Bible scholar Peter Enns. It does not hold easy answers to the perplexing questions and issues that confront us in our daily lives. Rather, the Bible is a dynamic instrument for study that not only offers an abundance of insights but provokes us to find our own answers to spiritual questions, cultivating God's wisdom within us.'The Bible becomes a confusing mess when we expect it to function as a rulebook for faith. But when we allow the Bible to determine our expectations, we see that Wisdom, not answers, is the Bible's true subject matter', writes Enns. This distinction, he points out, is important because when we come to the Bible expecting it to be a textbook intended by God to give us unwavering certainty about our faith, we are actually creating problems for ourselves. The Bible, in other words, really isn't the problem; having the wrong expectation is what interferes with our reading.Rather than considering the Bible as an ancient book weighed down with problems, flaws, and contradictions that must be defended by modern readers, Enns offers a vision of the holy scriptures as an inspired and empowering resource to help us better understand how to live as a person of faith today.How the Bible Actually Works makes clear that there is no one right way to read the Bible. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that 'being right' is the most important measure of faith, Enns's freeing approach to Bible study helps us to instead focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God - which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.
£10.44
Columbia University Press Love Letters from Golok
Book SynopsisLove Letters from Golok chronicles the courtship between two Buddhist tantric masters, Tare Lhamo (1938–2002) and Namtrul Rinpoche (1944–2011), and their passion for reinvigorating Buddhism in eastern Tibet during the post-Mao era. Holly Gayley retrieves the personal and prophetic dimensions of their courtship and its consummation.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary set of letters between a man and woman lie at the heart of this study of love, religious transcendence, and cultural trauma in post-Cultural Revolution Tibet. I know of no body of material that gives a more intricate picture of how Tibetan Tantric Buddhism could penetrate and transform worldly troubles and politics into the sublime aspirations of tantric vision. Gayley offers us an unparalleled view of 20th century Tibetan religion as it touched every aspect of human life. Plus an astonishing account of a female master whose romance with another master elevated them both into heroes for Eastern Tibet during most challenging times. -- Janet Gyatso, Hershey Professor of Buddhist Studies, Harvard University Holly Gayley has that rarest of gifts, a scholar's eye and a story-teller's ear. Her book is filled with nuance and insight about the power of Tibetan cultural narratives of gendered spiritual prowess and the navigation of coded relationships. Never merely theoretical, Gayley grounds every observation in dynamic detail and a story-line compelling as any novel. -- Anne C. Klein, Professor Rice University and co-Founder, Dawn Mountain Author of Meeting the Great Bliss Queen, translator of Khetsun Sangpo's Strand of Jewels Gayley weaves together life writing, ethnography, and letters in an unprecedented fashion, and it pays off: her treatment of difficult primary sources - translated here for the first time - is inviting and engaging. Love Letters from Golok addresses issues of real and abiding concern in contemporary China. -- Kurtis R. Schaeffer, Professor of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at the University of Virginia and Chair of the Religious Studies departmentTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration and Translation Introduction: Journey to Golok 1. Daughter of Golok: Tare Lhamo's Life and Context 2. Local Heroine: The Hagiography of Cultural Trauma 3. Inseparable Companions: A Buddhist Courtship and Correspondence 4. Emissaries of Padmasambhava: Tibetan Treasures and Healing Trauma 5. A Tantric Couple: The Hagiography of Cultural Revitalization Epilogue: The Legacy of a Tantric Couple Appendix A: Catalogue of the Letters of Namtrul Rinpoche Appendix B: Catalogue of the Letters of Tare Lhamo Abbreviations Notes Glossary of Tibetan Names Bibliography Index
£23.80
Harvard University Press The Life of Saint Neilos of Rossano
Book SynopsisThe Life of Saint Neilos of Rossano is a snapshot of a distinctive moment before the schism between the churches of Rome and Constantinople. Neilos lived in both hermitages and monasteries, torn between solitude and community. This edition provides the first English translation with a newly revised Greek text.
£25.46
MP-NMX Uni of New Mexico Nuns Navigating the Spanish Empire
Book SynopsisTells the remarkable story of a group of nuns who travelled halfway around the globe in the seventeenth century to establish the first female Franciscan convent in the Far East. Drawing from a manuscript from one of the nuns, other archival sources, and rare books, this study offers a fascinating view of travel, evangelization, and empire.
£24.71
Princeton University Press Visualizing Dunhuang
Book SynopsisTrade Review"[Visualizing Dunhuang] is a monumental contribution that furthers our understanding of significant developments taking place in early Buddhist doctrine, art, and architecture, as seen through the Los’s lenses."---Julie Hirsch, Tricycle Magazine"It’s big, it’s heavy, and it’s beautiful. Dora Ching. . .has created a book that will surely become the volume to have if you are interested in Buddhist art from China or the history of photography. . . . The photographs of the Los beautifully complement the excellent essays in the book, and through them readers can enter into an almost magical world with some of the best tour-guides to accompany them."---John Butler, Asian Review of Books
£48.00
Oneworld Publications The Polished Mirror: Storytelling and the Pursuit
Book SynopsisIslamic philosophy and Sufism evolved as distinct yet interweaving strands of Islamic thought and practice. Despite differences, they have shared a concern with the perfection of the soul through the development of character. In The Polished Mirror, Cyrus Ali Zargar studies the ways in which, through teaching and storytelling, pre-modern Muslims lived, negotiated, and cultivated virtues. Examining the writings of philosophers, ascetics, poets, and saints, he locates virtue ethics within a dynamic moral tradition. Innovative, engaging, and approachable, this work – the first in the English language to explore Islamic ethics in the fascinating context of narrative – will be a valuable resource for both students and scholars.Trade Review‘The Polished Mirror is the perfect title for Zargar’s erudite and eloquent book, for it reflects with superb analytical clarity the views of a wide range of thinkers on the subject of ethics. Justifiably going beyond writings that explicitly deal with the topic, he draws together various strands of Islamic tradition, clarifying both the links and similarities that join them and the distinctions that separate them. A major contribution to Islamic studies, from which both established scholars and those new to the field stand to gain significantly.’ -- Hamid Algar, Professor Emeritus of Persian and Islamic Studies, University of California, Berkeley‘Students of Islamic ethics have long felt the need for a more sustained and unified insight into the rich history of reflection on the virtues in the Islamic world. Ambitious in scope yet accessible throughout, this book explores the distinctive contributions of a number of key figures working across both sides of the permeable boundary between philosophy and Sufism. Anyone with an interest in how thinkers in the medieval Islamic world engaged with the “science of the states of the heart” – in its many permutations – will find a valuable companion in Cyrus Ali Zargar’s book.’ -- Sophia Vasalou, Fellow in Philosophical Theology, University of Birmingham‘Comprehensive in its scope, and drawing on intellectual luminaries ranging from Muḥāsibī to Avicenna, Zargar’s erudite study offers the first major analysis of virtue ethics in classical Islam. It will set the stage for future research in the field.’ -- Atif Khalil, Associate Professor, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of Lethbridge, and author of Repentance and the Return to God: Tawba in Early Sufism‘This fine study, supported by careful analysis of primary texts, illustrates the congruence of Islamic philosophy and Sufism on the issue of achieving self-perfection, to which human beings are called both by prophetic wisdom and by rational acumen.’ -- William C. Chittick, Distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies, Stony Brook University‘Far too much of previous scholarship on Muslim ethics has obsessed over the question of its indebtedness to Greek (and Persian) antecedents. Cyrus Zargar’s The Polished Mirror is a brilliant way of reframing the conversation about ethics in the spiritual and intellectual cosmos of Islamic thought. Zargar masterfully navigates the worlds of ethics, philosophy, mysticism, narrative, and poetry to offer us a rich tapestry. The result is far more than merely a groundbreaking way of rethinking ethics in Islam. It is a groundbreaking study of the interconnectedness of the Islamic spiritual, ethical, and intellectual universes through studying Ibn Sina, Rumi, Brethren of Purity, Ghazali, Suhrawardi, and others. Enthusiastically recommended for all students of Islamic studies, ethics, and mysticism.’ -- Omid Safi, Director, Duke Islamic Studies Center‘The Polished Mirror is an incredible, even paradigm-shifting work in Islamic Studies.’ -- Mohammed Rustom, associate professor of Islamic studies, Carleton University, and author of Inrushes of the Spirit: The Mystical Theology of ʿAyn al-QuḍātTable of ContentsIntroduction Part One Islamic Philosophy Chapter One: The Humors (al-akhlāṭ) and Character Traits (al-akhlāq) According to the Brethren of Purity Chapter Two: Virtue Ethics in Avicenna’s Philosophical Allegories Chapter Three: The Virtues, from Philosophy to Scripture: Refining Character Traits in Miskawayh and Ghazālī Chapter Four: Reason, Revelation, and Discovering the Virtuous in Ibn Ṭufayl’s Literary Thought Experiment Chapter Five: From Humors to Pure Light: Knowledge and Virtue in the Allegories of Suhrawardī Part Two Sufism Chapter Six: The Soul’s Constant Returning: Repentance (Tawba) in the Sufi Legacy of Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq Chapter Seven: Distancing Oneself from the Worldly: Renunciation (Zuhd) According to al-Muḥāsibī and al-Sarrāj Chapter Eight: Self-Awareness that Leads to Self-Loss: Futuwwa as a Compound Virtue in the Legacy of Anṣārī Chapter Nine: The Completion of Ethics: Self-Annihilation (Fanāʾ) Through the Lens of ʿAṭṭār Chapter Ten: Virtue in the Narrative Poetry of Rūmī Conclusion: A Brief Case for Relevance Acknowledgments Bibliography Index
£19.00
Lexington Books Augustine's Confessions: Conversion and
Book SynopsisAugustine's Confessions: Conversion and Consciousness argues two original positions concerning the structure and meaning of the Confessions by Augustine. The structure is found to be a tool used by Augustine in his earlier pre-Confessions writings in which he uses the Allegory of the Cave in book VII of the Republic by Plato to both describe human consciousness and as a structural framework for his own life story. As with Plato's allegory, Augustine then uses Books X-XIII to do, what the author calls, "Scriptural Philosophical" analysis of the allegorical prayer previously given. The author shows that the Confessions is really an allegorical quasi-prayer that shows Augustine's state of mind or disposition through space/time - and at the same time uses different personas, schools of thought and metaphysical constructs to show the inadequacy of Plato's consciousness model of the cave to truly describe human ratiocination within consciousness in its totality - Synchronic-Synthetic-Triplex (SST) or body, mind, God-Will substance. Instead, Augustine demonstrates the superiority of the Christian conversion to that of the Platonic as described both by Platonic books and the books of the Platonists. The Christian conversion is based on the incarnate Wisdom of Christ Jesus within the Cave/World.Trade ReviewAugustine’s Confessions is a book written in the first and second persons – both a self-exploration and a dialog with the one who has always spoken, acted, and given even before we are on the scene. Dr. Craig asks what we might learn from this narrative grammar about the mind itself. He helpfully suggests that we should read Augustine in the light of Plato’s celebrated image of the ‘cave’ in which finite minds are trapped, and allow our reading of the work to be itself an opening to conversion, an exit from the cave. Here is an innovative and generative reading of the Confessions, sensitive to both history and metaphysics. It’s an original and persuasive piece of work and to my mind makes a real contribution to Augustine studies. -- Rowan Williams, University of CambridgeIt’s a rich interpretation, compelling in its comprehensiveness, deeply informed by the relevant primary and secondary literature, and highly original, distinctly different from all previous interpretations... It’s an interpretation that I find compelling. -- Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale UniversityThe reading of Augustine's Confessions never ends. That is the way it should be. Few books have the style and substance of this extraordinary book. So we now have Robert Craig's extraordinary proposal for reading The Confessions. I confess when I first read his proposal I was doubtful but he has done his homework and he rightly loves this book. Craig's book will be rejected by many but that makes it the kind of book you need to live with. Plato's cave is itself a great piece of literature and if Craig is right it helps us understand Augustine. We should not be surprised. -- Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University Divinity SchoolRobert Craig's book provides a much more rounded approach to Augustine's Confessions. It is to be seen at once as a work of 'scriptural philosophy' and yet as still in the pagan philosophical tradition precisely *because* it approaches Christianity as the 'true life' and seeks to allegorize, personify and exemplify its new theoretical teachings. Thereby the book encourages us today further to think about the Bible and philosophy in tandem. -- John Milbank, University of NottinghamTable of ContentsForeword by Nicholas WolterstorffPrefaceIntroductionChapter One: Sitz Im Leben: The Setting in Life of the ConfessionesChapter Two: Socratism: Human Ratiocination and HappinessChapter Three: Pura Mente: Augustine’s Early Philosophy of Medicinal ScriptureChapter Four: “Autopsychographical” Augustine: Allegory of the Cave Structure in Books I - IXChapter Five: “Analytic” Augustine: Synchronic-Synthetic-Triplex and Superior Conversion as Meaning in Books X - XIIIChapter Six: Confession-al Influence on Philosophy of Mind and MetaphysicsConclusion – The Cave and God Consciousness UnderstandingAppendix: Structure and Meaning Analysis of the ConfessionesReferencesIndexAbout the Author
£81.00
Princeton University Press Pantheon
Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of Choice Reviews' Outstanding Academic Titles of 2018""A genuinely fascinating and innovative book that proposes a radically new way of thinking about individual religious experience in the Roman world."---Peter Thonemann, Wall Street Journal"[Rüpke] digs deep into the meaning of 'lived religion' for Romans, and his book gives a lucid and cogent historical overview."---Marina Warner, New York Review of Books"The author brilliantly contextualizes the data and weaves it into an innovative and persuasive narrative that makes a major contribution to understanding Roman religion."---J. R. Asher, Choice"Rüpke presents not a model, or portrait, of Roman religion, but rather a narrative of Roman religion."---Aisla Hunt, Journal of Church and State"A very comprehensive work."---Horace McKinley, Church Review"A particular strength of Rüpke’s book is its focus on how change was accommodated in religious terms and on how religious activities might themselves be drivers of change."---Catharine Edwards, Literary Review"The book is the work of a learned author, with a good knowledge of specialized literature from which he selects the most relevant, authorized and recent titles to illustrate particular aspects or to settle interpretative dilemmas."---Sorin Nemeti, Classica et Christiana"A monumental work."---Csaba Szabó, Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology
£35.70
Princeton University Press Coming of Age in Medieval Egypt
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the Jordan Schnitzer Book Award in Medieval and Early Modern Jewish History and Culture, Association for Jewish Studies""Winner of the 2017 National Jewish Book Award in Women’s Studies (Barbara Dobkin Award)""Finalist for the Dionisius A. Agius Book Prize, Society for the Medieval Mediterranean""Finalist for the 2017 National Jewish Book Award in Scholarship (Nahum Sarna Memorial Award)""Honorable Mention for the 2018 AAR Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion: Historical Studies, American Academy of Religion""One of Choice Reviews' Outstanding Academic Titles of 2018""Eve Krakowski’s masterful new book . . . presents an impressive cascade of new insights regarding the Jewish community in old Cairo—their concerns, negotiations, and accommodations with the dominant Fatimid society."---Amit Gvaryahu, Marginalia"Coming of Age in Medieval Egypt is an excellent book based on solid research and replete with brilliant insights. It marks a new, groundbreaking phase in the historical study of the Geniza society and constitutes a major contribution to the social and legal history of Islamicate cultures as well as to gender studies more generally."---Miriam Frenkel, Al-Masāq
£34.00
Flatiron Books The Wisdom of Sundays
Book Synopsis
£23.79
Crossway Books God
Book Synopsis
£6.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Crusaders
Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Templars. 'Voyages, battles, sieges and slaughter: Dan Jones's tumultuous and thrilling history of the crusades is one of the best' SUNDAY TIMES. 'A powerful story brilliantly told. Dan Jones writes with pace, wit and insight' HELEN CASTOR. 'A fresh and vibrant account of a conflict that raged across medieval centuries' JONATHAN PHILLIPS. Dan Jones, best-selling chronicler of the Middle Ages, turns his attention to the history of the Crusades – the sequence of religious wars fought between the late eleventh century and late medieval periods, in which armies from European Christian states attempted to wrest the Holy Land from Islamic rule, and which have left an enduring imprint on relations between the Muslim world and the West. From the preaching of the First Crusade by Pope Urban II in 1095 to the loss of the last crusader outpost in the Levant in 1302-03, and from the taking of Jerusalem from the Fatimids in 1099 to the fall of Acre to the Mamluks in 1291, Crusaders tells a tale soaked in Islamic, Christian and Jewish blood, peopled by extraordinary characters, and characterised by both low ambition and high principle. Dan Jones is a master of popular narrative history, with the priceless ability to write page-turning narrative history underpinned by authoritative scholarship. Never before has the era of the Crusades been depicted in such bright and striking colours, or their story told with such gusto. PRAISE FOR THE TEMPLARS: 'A fresh, muscular and compelling history of the ultimate military-religious crusading order, combining sensible scholarship with narrative swagger' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE. 'Dan Jones has created a gripping page-turner out of the dramatic history of the Templars' PHILIPPA GREGORY. 'The story of the Templars, the ultimate holy warriors, is an extraordinary saga of fanaticism, bravery, treachery and betrayal, and in Dan Jones they have a worthy chronicler. The Templars is a wonderful book!' BERNARD CORNWELL. 'Told with all Jones's usual verve and panache, this is a dramatic and gripping tale of courage and stupidity, faith and betrayal' MAIL ON SUNDAY. 'This is another triumphant tale from a historian who writes as addictively as any page-turning novelist' OBSERVER. 'The Templars is exhilarating, epic, sword-swinging history' TLS. 'Jones carries the Templars through the crusades with clarity and verve. This is unabashed narrative history, fast-paced and full of incident... Jones tells their story extremely well' SUNDAY TIMES.Trade ReviewVoyages, battles, sieges and slaughter: Dan Jones's tumultuous and thrilling history of the crusades is one of the best... Jones is exceptionally good at giving evocative snapshots of medieval life, sometimes poignant, sometimes pure Monty Python' * Sunday Times *This is rollercoaster history... Dan Jones has a nose for the dramatic, disgusting and bizarre... Every page of his extraordinary book provides vivid evidence of the Crusades' continuing ability to mesmerise' * The Times *A powerful story brilliantly told. Dan Jones writes with pace, wit and insight -- Helen CastorA fresh and vibrant account of a conflict that raged across medieval centuries -- Jonathan PhillipsCompelling... Jones is adept at teasing out the array of motivations that propelled the crusaders on an arduous, often harrowing, journey to an uncertain, violent destination... An avowedly pluralist account in which equal weight is given to the experiences of Christians and Muslims... Jones has written an epic of his own here, as complex as it is compelling' * Prospect *Dan Jones has the priceless ability to write page-turning narrative history underpinned by authoritative scholarship. Never before has the era of the Crusades been depicted in such bright and striking colours, or their story told with such gusto * Edinburgh Reporter *The master of the Middle Ages turns his attention to the compelling saga of religious conflict * Radio Times *Crusaders excels not only in narrating this complex history in such a readable and immersive manner, but also in setting events in their wider contexts... Narratives of medieval knights in combat and conquest can run the risk of romanticising their actions through efforts to spark further interest from the reader, but Jones's treatement of the source material is measured under the engaging prose. Jones has drawn together a compelling work that is weighty in pages but always highly readable' * All About History *Dan Jones writes every history book as through it were a Netflix drama * Yorkshire Post. *His tale is steeped in scholarly research and lively writing. Were it not for the violence inherent to his subject matter, you might call it divine * Christian Science Monitor. *A distinct new perspective... A fantastic, scholarly book... Masterfully told and makes for a gripping read. A must for anyone with an interest in the period' * Pennant *[Jones] offers a 'tableau history' – a series of stories with wonderfully bizarre characters on both sides. It's impossible to be cynical about Jones the historian; he's enormously prolific, yet each book is impressively researched and beautifully written. He's a passionate writer, a rumbustious knight who loves his own literary crusade * The Times *Bloody battles and epic sieges abound in this energetic history of the Crusades, a series of adventures that still has ramifications today * Mail on Sunday *Typically breezy and well-paced... Jones sets out to entertain as well as inform, covering a great deal of ground' * Financial Times *The Crusades is a challenging era for the novice but it is brought thrillingly to life in this imaginative history from the broadcaster and best-selling author... Jones concludes with a timely reminder of the effect the period still has on our world' * Choice Magazine *Voyages, battles, sieges and slaughter: a dramatic history of the wars for the Holy Lands that brings the Crusades to fresh and compelling life * Sunday Times *A balanced view... Jones sticks to a strict academic approach. He mixes recitations of key events and personages with storytelling' * Catholic Universe *Skilfully balancing information and entertainment * The Week *Jones has assembled a panoramic, detailed and readable account of a vast sweep of history that must have taken a staggering amount of work * BookBrunch *
£9.99
Charisma House Scriptures For Faith, Deliverance, And Healing
Book Synopsis
£12.59
John Murray Press NIV Pocket Brown Soft-tone Bible with Clasp (new
Book SynopsisA 2011 NIV Bible bound in tactile brown satchel leather with colourful, Bauhaus-inspired end-papers and magnetic clasp.With over 400 million Bibles in print, the New International Version is the world's most popular modern English Bible. It is renowned for its combination of reliability and readability. Fully revised and updated for the first time in 25 years, the NIV is ideal for personal reading, public teaching and group study.This Bible also features:- clear, readable 6.75pt text- easy-to-read layout- shortcuts to key stories, events and people of the Bible- reading plan- timeline- book by book overview- quick links to find inspiration and help from the Bible in different life situationsThis edition uses British spelling, punctuation and grammar to allow the Bible to be read more naturally.More about the translationThis revised and updated edition of the NIV includes three main types of change, taking into account changes in the way we use language day to day; advances in biblical scholarship and understanding; and the need to ensure that gender accurate language is used, to faithfully reflect whether men and women are referred to in each instance. The translators have carefully assessed a huge body of scholarship, as well as inviting peer submissions, in order to review every word of the existing NIV to ensure it remains as clear and relevant today as when it was first published.Royalties from all sales of the NIV Bible help Biblica in their work of translating and distributing Bibles around the world.
£17.09
Thomas Nelson Publishers Stronger Than the Struggle
Book Synopsis'Why do I still struggle if I'm faithfully following God?'
£13.29
Wisdom Publications,U.S. The Mindfulness in Plain English Collection
Book SynopsisAn anniversary collection, presented in a beautiful collector’s edition, of three of Bhante Gunaratana’s bestselling classics: Mindfulness in Plain English, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English, and Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English.The Mindfulness in Plain English Collection offers the rich, full context for tapping into the true power of mindfulness, all with the signature warmth of Bhante Gunaratana. It is a beautiful and comprehensive resource for anyone who is ready to take their mindfulness practice to the next level. Readers will learn about: Structuring your meditation Dealing with distractions Mindfulness versus concentration Mindfulness in everyday life Practicing mindfulness of mind, emotions, and body Going beyond mindfulness to discover the jhanas: deeply calm, joyous, and powerful states of concentration meditation that can lead to a life of insight and unshakeable peace And much more. In a voice both masterful and relaxed, these teachings reveal what it is to befriend the mind, taking the reader all the way from basic mindfulness meditation to profound states of freedom. The Collection brings together in a beautiful silver-embossed binding three bestselling books by Bhante Gunaratana: Mindfulness in Plain English, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English, and Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English.
£27.00
Wisdom Publications,U.S. The Path: A Guide to Happiness
Book Synopsis
£13.29
Shambhala Publications Inc The Light That Shines through Infinity: Zen and
Book SynopsisA Zen Buddhist perspective on the universal flow of cosmic energy and how to incorporate that energy into one''s life and spiritual practice The universe is alive with a dynamic energy that creates and sustains our lives. It surrounds us, flows through us, and is available to us in every moment. Spiritual practice, according to revered American Zen teacher Dainin Katagiri Roshi, is about aligning ourselves with this ever-present life force—sometimes referred to as chi, qi, or ki. This collection, edited from Roshi’s talks, focuses on cosmic energy as it relates to all aspects of Zen practice. With references to classic texts and personal stories that bring the teachings to life, The Light That Shines through Infinity is also a powerful antidote to the notion that practice is in some way about transcending the world around us. It is in fact about nothing other than relating to it compassionately and whole-heartedly.
£15.29
Red Wheel/Weiser The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might
Book Synopsis"A masterfully blend of history, mythology, spell work and personal anecdote that beautifully explores the depth and breadth of ''The Great Queen.''" -Amy Blackthorn, priestess of The Morrigan, and author of Blackthorn''s Botanical Magic"She is the spirit of fury and peace, power and destruction, joy and terror," writes author Courtney Weber. "She is warrior, queen, death omen, mother, murderer, lover, spy, conspirator, faery, shape-shifter, healer, and sometimes the living earth itself. A captivating contradiction: a demonic female who both haunts and heals; benevolent in one moment, ghastly the next, and kind the moment after that."The Morrigan is one of Pagan Ireland''s most famous-and notorious-goddesses. Her name translated as "phantom queen" or "great queen," the Morrigan is famous for being a goddess of war, witchcraft and death, protection and retribution. This book also explores her patronage of motherhood, healing, shapeshifting, and the land. Classified among the Sidhe (fairies), the Morrigan dates back at least to Ireland''s Iron Age, but she is as modern as she is ancientenjoying a growing contemporary and global following.Author Courtney Weber provides a guide for the modern devotee of this complex, mysterious goddess that encompasses practical veneration with modern devotionals, entwined with traditional lore and Irish-Celtic history.
£13.29
Rabsel Editions Boundless Awakening: The Heart of Buddhist
Book SynopsisAn excellent book for people interested in meditation, from beginners to advanced. The practice of meditation leads to a mind that is more peaceful, tranquil, and at ease. Because the mind is more relaxed, events that usually disturb us seem to take on less importance, and we stop taking them in such a serious way. Likewise, through meditation the mind gradually learns to be independent of external conditions and circumstances, discovering its own stability and tranquility. A stable mind leads to the experience of less suffering in our lives.
£7.95
SPCK Publishing Augustine and His World - Francis of Assisi and
Book SynopsisHave you ever wanted accessible introductions to key figures and periods of Christian history? Augustine and His World Augustine is one of the giants of the Christian church. From his birth in North Africa and his days as a relatively permissive young man, through his midlife conversion to Christianity and career as bishop of Hippo, his story has intrigued and inspired every generation for over 1,600 years. As a thinker, teacher, writer and debater, Augustine's greatness lay in his ability to relate the philosophies of Ancient Greece and Rome to the precepts of the Christian faith. Augustine also saved the church itself from disintegrating into rival factions by forging sound doctrine in the fires of controversy. This immersive account of Augustine's life helps readers understand the world he came from and the enormous contribution he made to the church, both of his day and of the future. Francis of Assisi and His World Francis of Assisi is one of the world's most popular religious figures, and also one of the most misrepresented. In this lively and engaging account of Francis's story - from his hedonistic youth to his emergence as a Christian leader of great charisma and intensity - Mark Galli attempts to strip away the modern gloss in order to discover the real man and the world in which he lived. The saint revealed here is not the romantic free spirit of popular imagination, but a contentious figure who combined a deep mysticism with radical commitment and, above all, sought to glorify God, the creator.
£17.84
University of Toronto Press Reformers and Babylon
Book SynopsisStarting in the 1530s with John Bale, English reformers found in the apocalyptic mysteries of the Book of Revelation a framework for reinterpreting the history of Christianity and explaining the break from the Roman Catholic Church. Identifying the papacy with antichrist and the Roman Catholic Church with Babylon, they pictured the reformation as a departure from the false church that derived its jurisdiction from the devil. Those who took the initiative in throwing off the Roman yoke acted as instruments of God in the cosmic warfare against the power of evil that raged in the latter days of the world. The reformation ushered in the beginning of the end as prophesied by St. John.Reformers and Babylon examines the English apocalyptic tradition as developed in the works of religious thinkers both within and without the Established Church and distinguishes the various streams into which the tradition split. By the middle of Elizabeth's reign the mainstream apocalypt
£26.99
Baker Publishing Group The Jeremiah Study Bible, NIV (Large Print
Book SynopsisThe clarity, accuracy, and literary grace of the NIV text alongside the teaching of bestselling author David Jeremiah creates a dynamic relationship that is essential to understanding the complete biblical message: what it says, what it means and what it means to you. The result is a Bible that can be read and used by all Christians who want to grow in their faith by going deeper into God s Word. Now available in a Large Print Edition.
£52.49
Thomas Nelson Publishers The Enneagram Type 2
Book SynopsisThe Enneagram Collection is for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of their Enneagram type. The Enneagram Type 2: The Supportive Advisor is an interactive book that focuses on those who have a core desire to be loved and wanted. The book explores the unique motivations, longings, strengths, and weaknesses of a Type 2. The Enneagram Type 2: The Supportive Advisor is a great self-assessment resource for all spheres of life, including: Personal and professional relationships Faith communities Students and even pop culture Author Beth McCord teaches readers how to transform self-limiting behaviors into life-enhancing personal empowerment. Books from The Enneagram Collection are great for anyone newly interested in the Enneagram or longtime Enneagram enthusiasts. Inside readers will find:Space to journal about their uniqueness, goals for inner stability, and ideals f
£10.99
SPCK Publishing More Than Words
Book SynopsisHannah Dunnett shares the story behind 24 of her pictures with meditations and reflections.Trade Review“In this beautiful book, Hannah Dunnett offers a marvellous insight into her unique creative process. She has a wonderful ability to visualise the symbolism of scripture in a way that makes it tangible and accessible; inscribing God’s word onto landscapes, seascapes and everyday environments with her poetic brushstrokes and creating deeply meditative images that help us to internalise His truths. More Than Words will be a much loved companion for many on their journey with Christ.” -- Kate Nicholas, author of Sea Changed, PR expert, journalist and preacher“More than Words is more than just a beautiful book, it is also an invitation to turn down the volume on the constant noise, and to slowly soak up scripture through these uplifting pictures and their accompanying meditations. This is the perfect gift for others, but also something special for us to quietly savour ourselves.” -- Cathy Madavan, writer, speaker, member of Spring Harvest Planning Group and author of Digging for Diamonds
£13.49
