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In the Land of Blue Burqas
by Kate Mccord"I lived in Afghanistan for five years. I learned the rules - I had to. " Riveting and fast paced, In the Land of Blue Burqas depicts sharing the love and truth of Christ with women living in Afghanistan, which has been called "the world's most dangerous country in which to be born a woman. " These stories are honest and true. The harsh reality of their lives is not sugar-coated, and that adds to the impact of this book. Through storytelling, the author shows how people who don't know Christ come to see Him, His truth, and His beauty. The stories provide insight into how a Jesus-follower brought Jesus' teachings of the Kingdom of God to Afghanistan. They reveal the splendor of Christ, the desire of human hearts, and that precious instance where the two meet. All of the names of those involved--including Kate's--plus the locations have been changed to protect the participants.
In the Land of Happy Tears: collected and edited by David Stromberg
by David StrombergYou don't need to be Jewish to love Levy's rye bread, nor do you need to read Yiddish to appreciate these wise tales. This engaging collection offers access to modern works--translated for the first time into English--for anyone who appreciates a well-told story rich with timeless wisdom. A year-round book for families. Includes a comprehensive introduction on Yiddish culture.Largely overlooked or forgotten, these hidden treasures from the early and middle twentieth century by some of the most respected Yiddish writers of their time—including Jacob Kreplak, Moyshe Nadir, and Rachel Shabad—remain surprisingly resonant for a contemporary audience. Folktales can be scary, as wrongdoers often get their comeuppance in unsuspected or even macabre ways, but the reinvigoration of values sometimes perceived as quaint makes for a stimulating read. In this collection you’ll meet a king who loves honey so much that instead of ruling over his people, he licks honey all day. You’ll ponder the conundrum of the moon, who longs for a playmate—but where to find a child who isn’t fast asleep at night? You’ll enter a forest in which the king of mushrooms and the queen of ants coexist autonomously but face the same threat: the little hands and trampling feet of children at play. And you’ll learn how flavoring food with the salt from tears can pose a challenging dilemma."Collected and arranged with the lightest of touches by David Stromberg, this gathering of little-known Yiddish tales enchants with an always-new old-world magic. In the Land of Happy Tears is utterly and actively refreshing, for the wide-eyed child in every grownup and children wising up everywhere." —poet, translator, and MacArthur Prize winner Peter Cole
In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom
by Qanta Ahmed MDA strikingly honest look into Islamic culture?—in particular women and Islam?—and what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women.Unexpectedly denied a visa to remain in the United States, Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor, becomes an outcast in motion. On a whim, she accepts an exciting position in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a new job; this is a chance at adventure in an exotic land she thinks she understands, a place she hopes she will belong.What she discovers is vastly different. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a world apart, a land of unparalleled contrast. She finds rejection and scorn in the places she believed would most embrace her, but also humor, honesty, loyalty and love.And for Qanta, more than anything, it is a land of opportunity.Very few Islamic books for women give a firsthand account of what it's like to live in a place where Muslim women continue to be oppressed and treated as inferior to men. But if you want to learn more about the Islamic culture in an unflinchingly real way, this book is for you."In this stunningly written book, a Western trained Muslim doctor brings alive what it means for a woman to live in the Saudi Kingdom. I've rarely experienced so vividly the shunning and shaming, racism and anti—Semitism, but the surprise is how Dr. Ahmed also finds tenderness at the tattered edges of extremism, and a life—changing pilgrimage back to her Muslim faith." — Gail Sheehy
In the Land of Tigers and Snakes: Living with Animals in Medieval Chinese Religions (The Sheng Yen Series in Chinese Buddhist Studies)
by Huaiyu ChenAnimals play crucial roles in Buddhist thought and practice. However, many symbolically or culturally significant animals found in India, where Buddhism originated, do not inhabit China, to which Buddhism spread in the medieval period. In order to adapt Buddhist ideas and imagery to the Chinese context, writers reinterpreted and modified the meanings different creatures possessed. Medieval sources tell stories of monks taming wild tigers, detail rituals for killing snakes, and even address the question of whether a parrot could achieve enlightenment.Huaiyu Chen examines how Buddhist ideas about animals changed and were changed by medieval Chinese culture. He explores the entangled relations among animals, religions, the state, and local communities, considering both the multivalent meanings associated with animals and the daily experience of living with the natural world. Chen illustrates how Buddhism influenced Chinese knowledge and experience of animals as well as how Chinese state ideology, Daoism, and local cultic practices reshaped Buddhism. He shows how Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism developed doctrines, rituals, discourses, and practices to manage power relations between animals and humans.Drawing on a wide range of sources, including traditional texts, stone inscriptions, manuscripts, and visual culture, this interdisciplinary book bridges history, religious studies, animal studies, and environmental studies. In examining how Buddhist depictions of the natural world and Chinese taxonomies of animals mutually enriched each other, In the Land of Tigers and Snakes offers a new perspective on how Buddhism took root in Chinese society.
In the Land of the Living: A Novel
by Austin RatnerA dazzling story of fathers, sons, and brothers - bound by love, divided by history The Auberons are a lovably neurotic, infernally intelligent family who love and hate each other-and themselves-- in equal measure. Driven both by grief at his young mother's death and war with his distant, abusive immigrant father, patriarch Isidore almost attains the life of his dreams: he works his way through Harvard and then medical school; he marries a beautiful and even-keeled girl; in his father-in-law, he finds the father he always wanted; and he becomes a father himself. He has talent, but he also has rage, and happiness is not meant to be his for very long. Isidore's sons, Leo and Mack, haunted by the mythic, epic proportions of their father's heroics and the tragic events that marked their early lives, have alternately relied upon and disappointed one another since the day Mack was born. For Leo, who is angry at the world but angrier at himself, the burden of the past shapes his future: sexual awakening, first love, and restless attempts live up to his father's ideals. Just when Leo reaches a crossroads between potential self-destruction and new freedom, Mack invites him on a road trip from Los Angeles to Cleveland. As the brothers make their way east, and towards understanding, their battles and reconciliations illuminate the power of family to both destroy and empower-and the price and rewards of independence. Part family saga, part coming-of-age story, In the Land of the Living is a kinetic, fresh, bawdy yet earnest shot to the heart of a novel about coping with death, and figuring out how and why to live.
In the Language of Miracles: A Novel
by Rajia Hassib<P>For readers of House of Sand and Fog, a mesmerizing debut novel of an Egyptian American family and the wrenching tragedy that tears their lives apart <P>Samir and Nagla Al-Menshawy appear to have attained the American dream. After immigrating to the United States from Egypt, Samir successfully works his way through a residency and launches his own medical practice as Nagla tends to their firstborn, Hosaam, in the cramped quarters of a small apartment. Soon the growing family moves into a big house in the manicured New Jersey suburb of Summerset, where their three children eventually attend school with Natalie Bradstreet, the daughter of their neighbors and best friends. <P>More than a decade later, the family's seemingly stable life is suddenly upended when a devastating turn of events leaves Hosaam and Natalie dead and turns the Al-Menshawys into outcasts in their own town. <P>Narrated a year after Hosaam and Natalie's deaths, Rajia Hassib's heartfelt novel follows the Al-Menshawys during the five days leading up to the memorial service that the Bradstreets have organized to mark the one-year anniversary of their daughter's death. While Nagla strives to understand her role in the tragedy and Samir desperately seeks reconciliation with the community, Khaled, their surviving son, finds himself living in the shadow of his troubled brother. <P>Struggling under the guilt and pressure of being the good son, Khaled turns to the city in hopes of finding happiness away from the painful memories home conjures. Yet he is repeatedly pulled back home to his grandmother, Ehsan, who arrives from Egypt armed with incense, prayers, and an unyielding determination to stop the unraveling of her daughter's family. <P>In Ehsan, Khaled finds either a true hope of salvation or the embodiment of everything he must flee if he is ever to find himself. <P>Writing with unflinchingly honest prose, Rajia Hassib tells the story of one family pushed to the brink by tragedy and mental illness, trying to salvage the life they worked so hard to achieve. The graceful, elegiac voice of In the Language of Miracles paints tender portraits of a family's struggle to move on in the wake of heartbreak, to stay true to its traditions, and above all else, to find acceptance and reconciliation
In the Lap of the Buddha
by Gavin HarrisonIn this book a teacher of insight meditation offers personal testament, healing words, and wise instruction to help meet the suffering that comes with catastrophic life events. Speaking openly about his own struggles with memories of childhood sexual abuse and with the HIV diagnosis he received in 1989, Gavin Harrison reveals how compassion offers refuge and help for all who suffer from similar crises of body, heart, and spirit. Among the topics covered are: * Dealing with fear, anger, and self-hatred * Working with difficult relationships * Confronting physical pain and the fear of death * Transforming the legacy of sexual abuse * The question of karma and "Why me?" * Grappling with issues of faith, freedom, hope, and miracles * Basic insight meditation instructions, plus guided meditations for forgiveness, compassion, and equanimity " Gavin Harrison teaches at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass. ""A profoundly hopeful book that teaches people how to cope not only with the trauma of abuse and the onslaught of disease, but also with the tribulations of daily life. It is a book about becoming more aware and compassionate toward ourselves and our loved ones."--Natural Health "The heartfelt prose rings true, as do the parallels between the lives of contemporary Americans and the life of Siddartha Gautauma; and Harrision's life itself, here documented, convincingly makes the case that Buddhist meditation practices are not a path away from life but rather a road into and through it."--Publishers Weekly "Courageous and articulate . . . a powerful presentation by an effective writer who uses Buddhist teaching and meditative practice to effect a triumph of the human spirit."--Library Journal "I read many books by people transformed by suffering. In the Lap of the Buddha rises above other books with its wisdom and beauty. Let it guide you and teach you to live."--Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles "With penetrating mindfulness, Gavin Harrison uncovers the roots of suffering and the path to wholeness. The healing he seeks, though stimulated by fearsome childhood abuse and an HIV diagnosis, is in truth the healing we all seek."--Stephen Levine, author of Healing into Life and Death "This wonderfully wise and warm book brings the timeless teachings of the Buddha to life, reminding us that every challenge, every trial, is grist for the mill of awakening to the compassionate heart of our own true nature. The authenticity and deep humanity of Gavin Harrison shine out from every page of this book. It is truly a jewel."--Joan Borysenko, author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
In the Light of the New Day: Daily Reflections on Finding Your Purpose
by AbingdonAs mothers, daughters, spouses, friends, or co-workers, and daughters of a loving God, women are influencers and role models to the people they interact with every day. But what can women do on a daily basis to show God’s grace and love to others? The 100 devotionals in In the Light of the New Day: Daily Reflections on Finding Your Purpose affirms the reader’s worth and the love God has for them, strengthening them to live their faith in a way that attracts others to the light of the Gospel and the love of God through simple acts of kindness, an encouraging word, or an act of hospitality. Through Scripture, prayer, and thoughtful exploration, this book will strengthen and renew readers so they may live out God’s purpose in their life.
In the Likeness of God
by Philip Yancey Paul BrandThe human body is a likeness of God, its design revealing insights into the church, the “body of Christ” For bestselling author Philip Yancey, the late Dr. Paul Brand—the brilliant hand surgeon who devoted his life to the poorest people of India and Louisiana—was also a likeness of God, living the kind of Christian life that exemplified what God must have had in mind. In the Likeness of God combines the complete texts of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image—both Gold Medallion Award–winners which together have sold more than half a million copies—into one volume. Also included for the first time are eight beautiful litanies of praise on the human body by Dr. Brand. In Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Dr. Paul Brand and bestselling writer Philip Yancey explore the wonder of the human body and uncover the eternal statements that God has made in the very structure of our bodies. Their remarkable journey through inner space—the world of cells, systems, and chemistry—points to a still deeper unseen reality of God’s work in our lives. In His Image takes up where the first book leaves off. In five sections—Image, Blood, Head, Spirit, and Pain—the authors unlock the remarkable living lessons contained in our physical makeup.
In the Line of Fire: Daring Stories of Man’s Best Hero
by Ace CollinsDogs have become more than mere pets, in the eyes of many these companions are friends and family. But when it comes to dogs that serve in the military, they become equal members of the team. Each day, these canines’ actions and reactions to often difficult situations impact the personal safety and care of men and women as they serve their communities and country. In The Line of Fire: More Stories of Man’s Best Hero shares moving and exciting stories of a dozen amazing canines whose lives have been constantly on the line. Dogs that set forth on life-saving missions, and even became goodwill ambassadors, empowering those with whom they work. Their incredible missions showcase the most positive aspects of the units with whom they’ve worked, while serving as narratives that teach mankind about courage, faith, and loyalty. After hearing these often edge-of-the-seat tales you might be encouraged to emulate the very animals that serve us.
In the Lost City of Sri Krishna: The Story of Ancient Dwaraka
by VanamaliA vivid journey back to the time of Krishna, his holy city, and the Mahabharata War • Recounts ecstatic celebrations, Krishna’s love for his wives and sons, and events surrounding the Mahabharata War • Offers potent spiritual lessons from Krishna’s teachings and stresses Krishna’s ability to contain all opposites and stand above duality • Provides a historical timeline and real dates for the Mahabharata War and the sinking of Krishna’s city beneath the sea Located on the west coast of India in the state of Gujarat, the city of Dwaraka is considered one of the seven holy cities of India. Archaeological discoveries of ruins and artifacts off the city’s coast have now conclusively proven what many have long believed: Modern Dwaraka is built on the same site as the famed city of the same name from the Puranas and the Mahabharata, the “Golden City” of Lord Krishna. Transporting us back five thousand years to the time of Krishnavatara, the age in which Krishna lived, Vanamali leads us on a journey alongside Lord Krishna as he reigns over the ancient port city of Dwaraka and helps the Pandavas through the Mahabharata War. Recounting ecstatic celebrations, Krishna’s love for his wives and sons, and events surrounding the epic war, the author stresses Krishna’s ability to contain all opposites and stand above duality like a lotus leaf floating on a running stream. Offering potent spiritual lessons throughout her story, she shows how the truly spiritual individual is able to unreservedly accept all dimensions of life and rise above all dualities of existence, war and peace, love and hate, sex and abstinence, action and meditation. She also provides a historical timeline for the Mahabharata War and the sinking of Krishna’s city beneath the sea--3126 BCE and 3090 BCE, respectively--and shows how the Mahabharata War occurred under circumstances quite similar to those of the present day, both politically and astrologically. Through her vivid tale and her personal connection with Krishna across many lifetimes, Vanamali shows how the magic and mystery of Krishna’s ancient holy city live on through his spiritual teachings.
In the Manger: 25 Inspirational Selections for Advent
by Max LucadoThe greatest mind in the universe imagined time. The truest judge granted Adam a choice. But it was love that gave Immanuel, God with us.The Author would enter his own story. The Word would become flesh. He, too, would be born. He, too, would be human. He, too, would have feet and hands, tears and flesh.Witness the birth of Christ as you've never seen it before. Through twenty-five inspirational selections from the works of bestselling author Max Lucado, join Mary and Joseph inside a stable, beside a shepherd, at the feet of the King. Immanuel in the manger.
In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture
by Shannon T. KearnsMoving the conversation beyond transgender inclusion to demonstrate the unique and vital theological insights transgender Christians can provide the church. Father Shannon Kearns is familiar with liminal spaces. He&’s lived in them his whole life. And while his experience as a transgender man has often made it difficult for him to fit in—especially in the context of Christianity—it has also shaped his perspective in important ways on complicated, gender-transgressing aspects of theology and Scripture. In the Margins weaves stories from Shannon&’s life into reflections on well-known biblical narratives—such as Jacob wrestling with the divine, Rahab and the Israelite spies, Ezekiel and the dry bones, and the transfiguration of Jesus. In each chapter, Shannon shows how stories have helped him make sense of his own identity, and how those same stories can unlock the transformative power of faith for those willing to listen with an open mind and stand alongside him in the in-between.
In the Market of Zakrobat
by Ori ElonBaltosar lives in a giant fortress in the town of Zakrobat. Despite owning thirteen boxes of gold, he prides himself on how frugally he lives. Yosef, Baltosar’s neighbour, is a hardworking cobbler who lives in poverty. Yet, every Friday, he goes to the market to buy something special for Shabbat. Yosef is famous for his festive Shabbat meals. One night, Baltosar dreams that his boxes of gold grow feet and run away to Yosef. He wakes up screaming in terror and vows that Yosef will never have a penny of his great fortune. He comes up with the perfect scheme to keep his riches safe, or at least safe from Yosef, but things don’t quite go according to plan. Told with humour and a lightness of touch, this classic fable of a miser’s comeuppance celebrates generosity of spirit and the joy of Shabbat as all the riches a person needs.
In the Matter of Nat Turner: A Speculative History
by Christopher TomlinsA bold new interpretation of Nat Turner and the slave rebellion that stunned the American SouthIn 1831 Virginia, Nat Turner led a band of Southampton County slaves in a rebellion that killed fifty-five whites, mostly women and children. After more than two months in hiding, Turner was captured, and quickly convicted and executed. In the Matter of Nat Turner penetrates the historical caricature of Turner as befuddled mystic and self-styled Baptist preacher to recover the haunting persona of this legendary American slave rebel, telling of his self-discovery and the dawning of his Christian faith, of an impossible task given to him by God, and of redemptive violence and profane retribution.Much about Turner remains unknown. His extraordinary account of his life and rebellion, given in chains as he awaited trial in jail, was written down by an opportunistic white attorney and sold as a pamphlet to cash in on Turner’s notoriety. But the enigmatic rebel leader had an immediate and broad impact on the American South, and his rebellion remains one of the most momentous episodes in American history. Christopher Tomlins provides a luminous account of Turner's intellectual development, religious cosmology, and motivations, and offers an original and incisive analysis of the Turner Rebellion itself and its impact on Virginia politics. Tomlins also undertakes a deeply critical examination of William Styron’s 1967 novel, The Confessions of Nat Turner, which restored Turner to the American consciousness in the era of civil rights, black power, and urban riots.A speculative history that recovers Turner from the few shards of evidence we have about his life, In the Matter of Nat Turner is also a unique speculation about the meaning and uses of history itself.
In the Maw of the Earth Monster: Mesoamerican Ritual Cave Use
by James E. Brady Keith M. PruferAs portals to the supernatural realm that creates and animates the universe, caves have always been held sacred by the peoples of Mesoamerica.<P><P> From ancient times to the present, Mesoamericans have made pilgrimages to caves for ceremonies ranging from rituals of passage to petitions for rain and a plentiful harvest. So important were caves to the pre-Hispanic peoples that they are mentioned in Maya hieroglyphic writing and portrayed in the Central Mexican and Oaxacan pictorial codices. Many ancient settlements were located in proximity to caves. This volume gathers papers from twenty prominent Mesoamerican archaeologists, linguists, and ethnographers to present a state-of-the-art survey of ritual cave use in Mesoamerica from Pre-Columbian times to the present. Organized geographically, the book examines cave use in Central Mexico, Oaxaca, and the Maya region. Some reports present detailed site studies, while others offer new theoretical understandings of cave rituals. As a whole, the collection validates cave study as the cutting edge of scientific investigation of indigenous ritual and belief. It confirms that the indigenous religious system of Mesoamerica was and still is much more terrestrially focused that has been generally appreciated.
In the Meantime: The Practice of Proactive Waiting
by Rob BrendleYou're young? Check. You've felt God's tap on the shoulder, like he's got something for you to do with your life? Right. But you're not exactly sure what it is, or how to get there? Exactly. If that's you, then here's a great guide to help you find your way to whatever it is God has for you in life. You may be surprised to learn that a very famous person in the Bible found himself in a similar place. David was just watching some sheep, but God made it clear he was destined to do something a bit more meaningful and important--David was going to be king. As a young man he had to learn how to "live into" his calling-become like a king before ever putting on the crown. You probably won't be joining the royal family any time soon. But you can still learn a lot about life--your life, your destiny--by taking a good look at David's life. David had a dream and caught a glimpse of his purpose. He just didn't know how to realize it, how to live until he did, and how to wait for it proactively. Maybe that's you, too. In this amusing, amazing, and very surprising guidebook, Rob Brendle can help you get there from here.
In the Middle of the Mess Study Guide: Strength for This Beautiful, Broken Life
by Sheila WalshThe trials we face in this life can feel overwhelming. Life often seems broken—shattered into a million pieces—and at times we may wonder if our mess is “too big” for God. We can convince ourselves we are too far away from God’s grace for it to reach us where we are.Sheila Walsh knows this feeling all too well—and the hiding and shame that result from it. But in this six-session video study, she shows how using spiritual disciplines such as confession, prayer, and meditation on Scripture helped her break free from this cycle of despair and experience newfound joy as a child of God—fully known, fully loved, and fully accepted. She reveals that while we will never be completely “fixed” on earth, God’s power can be made perfect in our weakness. He is waiting to accept us—having already promised to love us, heal us, and carry us through to the end. Our brokenness can be the beginning of something beautiful, and accepting the fact that we are broken can be the key to finding God’s strength in the middle of the mess.This study guide includes video discussion questions, Bible exploration, and in-between session study materials that will help you practice the spiritual discipline Sheila is discussing each week as she leads you and your group members through the journey of brokenness.Sessions include:Brokenness Is the BeginningBrokenness Is HardBrokenness Is LoudBrokenness Is to Be SharedBrokenness Is the Path to HealingBrokenness Is TemporaryDesigned for use with the In the Middle of the Mess Video Study (sold separately).
In the Middle of the Mess: Strength for This Beautiful, Broken Life
by Sheila Walsh Kay WarrenHow do you turn your struggles into strengths? Beloved Bible teacher Sheila Walsh teaches readers how the daily spiritual practices of confession, meditation on God’s Word, and prayer result in fresh freedom in Christ.In her long-awaited new book, Sheila Walsh equips women with a practical method for connecting with God’s strength in the midst of struggle. From daily frustrations that can feel like overwhelming obstacles to hard challenges that turn into rock-bottom crises, women will find the means to equip themselves for standing strong with God. Using the spiritual applications of confession, prayer, and meditation on Scripture to form a daily connection to Jesus, women will learn how to experience new joy as a child of God who is fully known, fully loved, and fully accepted. In In the Middle of the Mess, Walsh reveals the hardened defenses that kept her from allowing God into her deepest hurts and shares how entering into a safe place with God and practicing this daily connection with him have saved her from the devil’s prowling attacks. Though we will never be completely “fixed” on earth, we are continually held by Jesus, whatever our circumstances.
In the Midst of Innocence
by Deborah Hining"An endearing ballad of the struggle for existence and understanding." –Booklist Ten-year-old Pearl Wallace is living in the mountains of rural Tennessee in the depths of the Great Depression and several years into Prohibition. Pearl struggles with her moral dilemmas: What can she do to protect her best friend Darlene from an abusive stepfather? And, especially, how much does she need to tithe on the money she has earned from stealing her daddy’s moonshine and selling it? Meanwhile, Emily Weston, a missionary, has come to “lift the poor hillbillies of the region out of their ignorance and misery.” Coming from a place of affluence and privilege, she is quickly overwhelmed by the social and racial issues facing her students and their families. When murder, fire, and heartbreak threaten those they love, Pearl and Emily must confront the hate and bigotry of their neighbors. Emily’s time in the mountains will be one not of saving souls, but of personal reckoning.
In the Midst of It All: A Novel
by Tiffany L. WarrenAll her life, Zenovia has struggled with the burden of caring for her schizophrenic mother, Audrey, alone. Until one day, God seems to offer support in the form of two members of a church called the Brethren of the Sacrifice, who knock at the women's door preaching an unconventional version of the Gospel. Despite having questions, Zenovia agrees to join the church along with her mother. Soon afterward, Audrey stops taking her medication when fellow churchgoers deem her illness a demonic possession. Unable to watch her mother's mental deterioration, Zenovia flees town, only to receive a fateful phone call several years later telling her of her mother's suicide. Heartbroken, Zenovia must now make a soul-altering choice: accept "God's will," or return home to confront the demons she's worked so hard to leave behind....
In the Mouth of the Wolf
by Eric A. Kimmel Rose ZarRose Zar was 19 years old when the Nazis invaded her native Poland. Her father urged her to save herself by hiding "in the mouth of the wolf"--or within the enemy itself. She managed to obtain false papers, secretly changing her identity to that of a Catholic Pole and surviving the Holocaust, staying in Poland, as maid and nanny for a Nazi SS colonel.
In the Mouth of the Wolf
by Eric A. Kimmel Rose ZarRose Zar was 19 years old when the Nazis invaded her native Poland. Her father urged her to save herself by hiding “in the mouth of the wolf”—or within the enemy itself. She managed to obtain false papers, secretly changing her identity and surviving the Holocaust as maid and nanny for a Nazi SS colonel.
In the Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam
by Mattias GardellIn the Name of Elijah Muhammad tells the story of the Nation of Islam--its rise in northern inner-city ghettos during the Great Depression through its decline following the death of Elijah Muhammad in 1975 to its rejuvenation under the leadership of Louis Farrakhan. Mattias Gardell sets this story within the context of African American social history, the legacy of black nationalism, and the long but hidden Islamic presence in North America. He presents with insight and balance a detailed view of one of the most controversial yet least explored organizations in the United States--and its current leader. Beginning with Master Farad Muhammad, believed to be God in Person, Gardell examines the origins of the Nation. His research on the period of Elijah Muhammad's long leadership draws on previously unreleased FBI files that reveal a clear picture of the bureau's attempts to neutralize the Nation of Islam. In addition, they shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the murder of Malcolm X. With the main part of the book focused on the fortunes of the Nation after Elijah Muhammad's death, Gardell then turns to the figure of Minister Farrakhan. From his emergence as the dominant voice of the radical black Islamic community to his leadership of the Million Man March, Farrakhan has often been portrayed as a demagogue, bigot, racist, and anti-Semite. Gardell balances the media's view of the Nation and Farrakhan with the Nation's own views and with the perspectives of the black community in which the organization actively works. His investigation, based on field research, taped lectures, and interviews, leads to the fullest account yet of the Nation of Islam's ideology and theology, and its complicated relations with mainstream Islam, the black church, the Jewish community, extremist white nationalists, and the urban culture of black American youth, particularly the hip-hop movement and gangs.
In the Name of God: The Role of Religion in the Modern World: A History of Judeo-Christian and Islamic Tolerance
by Selina O'GradyA groundbreaking book on the history of religious tolerance and intolerance that offers an essential narrative to understanding Islam and the West today.Never has this book been more timely. Religious intolerance, the resurgence of fundamentalism, hate crimes, repressive laws, and mass shootings are pervasive in today&’s world. Selina O&’Grady asks how and why our societies came to be as tolerant or intolerant as they are; whether tolerance can be expected to heal today&’s festering wound between Islam and the post-Christian West; or whether something deeper than tolerance is needed. From Umar, the seventh century Islamic caliph who led what became the greatest empire the world has ever known, to King John (of Magna Carta fame) who almost converted to Islam; from Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who created the religious-military alliance with the House of Saud that still survives today, to the bloody Thirty Years&’ War that cured Europe of murderous intra-Christian violence (but probably killed God in the process), Selina O&’Grady takes the reader through the intertwined histories of the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths. In the Name of God is an original and thought-provoking history of monotheistic religions and their ever-shifting relationship with each other.