This 9th edition of Martin Gilbert’s Atlas of Jewish History spans over four thousand years of history in 196 maps, starting with the worldwide migration of the Jews from ancient Mesopotamia and coming up into the first decades of the twenty-first century. It presents a vivid picture of a fascinating people and the trials and tribulations which have haunted the Jewish story, as well as Jewish achievements. The themes covered include: Prejudice and Violence – from the destruction of Jewish independence between 722 and 586 BC to the flight from German persecution in the 1930s. Also covers the incidence of anti-Semitic attacks in the Americas and Europe. Migrations and Movements – from ancient dispersals from the promised land, to new maps on the ingathering of exiles from Arab and Muslim lands from 1948, and from the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1992. Society, Trade and Culture – from Jewish trade routes between 800 and 900, the geography of the Jews of China, of India, to communal life in the ghettoes and the situation of world Jewry in the opening years of the twenty-first century. Politics, Government and War – from the Court Jews of the fifteenth century to the founding and growth of the modern State of Israel. This new edition now includes an additional 39 of Martin Gilbert’s maps, across the whole range of Jewish history, originally published across a range of publications, now gathered in this one volume for the first time. Over 50 years on from its first publication, this book is still an indispensable guide to Jewish history.

Have 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.

Offering a path for a new way to think about friendships, The Life Council will inspire and equip you to be a better friend, make new friends, and appreciate how different types of friendships can bring a richness to your life like never before. You'd love to have a "ride or die" posse like you see on social media, but instead you have a host of really good . . . acquaintances. After all, trying to find a soul friend in the midst of dirty dishes, deadlines, and, oh, a crazy busy life can be overwhelming. But what if developing great friendships was actually easier than we thought? And what if finding a "soul friend" wasn't necessarily our highest goal? In The Life Council, Laura Tremaine--the writer and podcaster behind 10 Things to Tell You--tells us what we've been hoping was true all along: making, keeping, and even releasing friends doesn't need to be as hard as we make it. This fun and practical guide gives you what you need to: Create your own "life council" with the friends you already have Understand the ten kinds of friends every woman needs--and how to find them Learn how to evaluate your friendship circle for what's working and what might need to change Navigate tough conversations with friends Get excited again about the possibility of new friendships   The Life Council will give every woman the help she needs to think about friendships in a new way and find true connection, freedom, and joy in her relationships.

Mass Insanity explores the subjects of insane communities, the clash of identities, and how societies indoctrinate their members and shape their way of thinking. It uses theories of social, clinical and forensic psychology to analyse Islam. It explores Islamic invasions, piracy, slavery, terrorism, female genital mutilation, rape, suppression of human rights and critical thinking. It also discusses the decay of Western civilisation and the arising psychological difficulties. Why do millions of supposedly sane people endorse the assassination of writers, cartoonist, and journalists, the suppression of women, the killing of children, the destruction of art, culture and heritage? Can a society that includes millions of people lose its mind and how? In contrast, why would any country allow a group of people to immigrate, legally and illegally, to its territories to kill its children, rape its daughters, take its wealth, and destroy its identity? Why would a community lose the will to defend itself against an enemy seeking its demise? How could a society stand idly by and watch its own offspring being slain and raped? Again, are these healthy societies?

Over the course of its growth in modern China, Christianity has faced twists and turns in its embedding in Chinese society and indigenous culture. This three-volume book delineates the genesis and trajectory of Christianity's indigenization in China over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The first volume focuses on the presence of Christianity during the late Qing dynasty and the early twentieth century, discussing the early waves of Christian influence in China. Volume 2 discusses Christianity's encounter with the turbulent history in the 1920s and responses of Chinese church to criticisms and backlash against Christianity. The final volume analyzes the endeavors of Christianity to adapt to the changing social environments between the late 1920s and the end of the 20th century. With a highlight on the relationship between the development of Christianity and modern Chinese history, the book will appeal to scholars and students interested in the history of Christianity in China and also modern Chinese history.

YOU CAN BECOME PART OF GOD’S AMAZING REVOLUTION! When you put your faith in Jesus, you become a member of the amazing family of God. You come into a place where you are known, loved, accepted . . . and never alone. But you also become part of a revolution that shook the foundations of society when the early church burst onto the scene—a revolution that still changes lives and even societies today. In this six-week Bible study, bestselling author and pastor Randy Frazee will guide you through this “revolution of faith.� You will trace the unlikely growth of the movement, as recorded in the book of Acts, from a marginalized man in Nazareth (Jesus), to twelve marginalized men from Galilee (the disciples), to the regions of Judea and Samaria, and ultimately to the ends of the earth—encompassing some 2.4 billion followers of Jesus today. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are part of this revolution . . . a revolution in which you are called to serve alongside your family in Christ and share God’s love with the world. The 40 Days Through the Book series helps you actively engage with God’s Word. Each study encourages you to read through a book of the Bible at least once during the course of the study. As you do, you will gain an understanding of the background and culture of the book, insights into key passages that you might have overlooked before, and clear takeaways that you can apply today to your life. Sessions and video run times: Here’s the Church / Acts 1:1–6:7 (17:00) Sticks and Stones / Acts 6:8–9:31 (17:00) Saints Among Us /Acts 9:32–12:24 (17:00) The Power of Grace /Acts 12:25–16:5 (16:00) Elephant or Virus? / Acts 16:6–19:20 (16:00) Cry Uncle / Acts 19:21–28:31 (17:00) This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (You don’t need to buy a DVD!) Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

'An important and timely book.' - Philippa Gregory Joan of Navarre was the richest woman in the land, at a time when war-torn England was penniless. Eleanor Cobham was the wife of a weak king's uncle - and her husband was about to fall from grace. Jacquetta Woodville was a personal enemy of Warwick the Kingmaker, who was about to take his revenge. Elizabeth Woodville was the widowed mother of a child king, fighting Richard III for her children's lives. In Royal Witches, Gemma Hollman explores the lives of these four unique women, looking at how rumours of witchcraft brought them to their knees in a time when superstition and suspicion was rife.

In July 1950, Avi Shlaim, only five, and his family were forced into exile, fleeing from their beloved Iraq into the new state of Israel. Now the rump of a once flourishing community of over 150,000, dating back 2,600 years, has dwindled to single figures. For many, this tells the story of the timeless clash of the Arab and Jewish civilisations, the heroic mission of Zionism to rescue Eastern Jews from their backwards nations, and unceasing persecution as the fate and history of Jewish people. Avi Shlaim tears up this script. His mother had many Muslim friends in Baghdad, but no Zionist ones. The Iraqi Jewish community, once celebrated for its ancient heritage and rich culture, was sprayed with DDT upon arrival in Israel. As anti-Semitism gathered pace in Iraq, the Zionist underground may have inflamed it – deliberately. This memoir celebrates the disappearing heritage of Arab-Jews – caught in the crossfire of secular ideologies.

An accessible introduction to the New Testament, offering up-to-date historical-critical scholarship and diverse critical perspectives The New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction presents a concise account of the emergence of Jesus traditions in the broader context of ancient Mediterranean history. Incorporating established historical approaches and alternative academic analyses, this innovative textbook helps students understand the historical and political contexts of the authors and their audiences, and how different social identities and lived experiences influenced the formation of the Bible and its later interpretations. Accomplished scholar Colleen Conway emphasizes the cultural and literary context of the New Testament while drawing from historical, postcolonial, gender, feminist, and intersectional analyses of biblical texts. Throughout the book, students explore how issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and power dynamics contributed to the production of the New Testament texts and continue to inform their interpretation in the 21st century. Through twelve chronologically organized chapters, this book examines Paul's mission to the Gentiles, unity and conflict in Paul's communities, the four Gospel narratives, the Revelation to John, Hebrews, 1 Peter, the New Testament canon, early Christian writings, and more. The New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction Provides an up-to-date introduction to historical and critical methods and central questions in the field Helps students contextualize the different writings of the New Testament as part of the Mediterranean world of the first century, for example exploring how Roman Imperial rule and social stratification affected the authors of New Testament texts Discusses how ideas about gender and race affect the meaning and application of New Testament texts Features "Contemporary Voices" sections highlighting the work of modern New Testament scholars Includes numerous pedagogical tools such as chapter review questions, key term lists, suggested readings, a timeline, maps, illustrations, photographs, a glossary, and much more Designed for undergraduate students with varying levels of biblical knowledge, The New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction is an ideal textbook for one-semester religious studies courses on the Bible, the New Testament, or early Christianity, as well as undergraduate and graduate students in history, sociology and philosophy.

Step into a world of gods, heroes and monsters Throughout history, mythologies have been fundamental to societies and cultures across the world. They are the collected stories of a people - the fascinating folk tales and the epic legends that shape the history and the beliefs of whole civilizations. This pocket guide offers readers an engaging and accessible introduction to the major world mythologies, exploring their origins, foundational stories and key mythological figures. Learn how the Greeks won the ten-year Trojan war, how the Norse god Thor got his mighty hammer, and why the Aztecs made a daily human sacrifice to the sun god, Huitzilopochtli. If you're looking to enrich and expand on your understanding of world history, religion and culture, then this book is an ideal starting point to fill your mind with stories of wisdom and wonder. Discover the captivating stories behind the following mythologies: Aboriginal, Aztec, Celtic, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Hindu, Incan, Japanese, Maori, Mayan, Mesopotamian, Norse, Roman.

Questions about a woman's place are being asked in all areas of society. Cathy Madavan aims to cheer women on, to give them courage, to create awareness about their potential and to challenge them to keep `lifting the lid'. We are surrounded by women who make a difference. Some thrive in a board room, some in a pulpit, some in a nursery. Some are wired for deadlines, others for creativity. But every woman will influence those around her. How do we learn from others without simply aping or imitating those we admire? Do we have the emotional intelligence and self-awareness to know that the very people who frustrate us are often the ones we need most? However, most women also wrestle with confidence, knowing their identity and place, juggling their lives and managing expectations. This book equips and empowers women. It encourages them to be an irrepressible positive influence and a voice for others. It is a resource and treasury, with principles, stories and insights. Cathy addresses her topic through a series of penetrating questions. What are your personal values and vision? What is your true character? Are you a thermometer, measuring the climate, or a thermostat, setting the temperature? Where does self-assurance come from, and how does it differ from arrogance? Who are your role models? How do you counteract stereotypes and sticky labels? Are you investing in self-leadership, in personal development? How do you build your core relationships, and widen your circle? Do you have healthy boundaries, and the ability to say no? How can you develop resilience? How can you create balance between work and life, exterior and interior?

PERFECTION NOT REQUIRED Many of us believe that we aren’t good enough to meet other people’s expectations. Maybe you can’t wrap words around why, but lurking beneath the surface of the carefully curated façade you present in public, it’s there. Being missed and marginalized by others moves us to assume we’re not quite good enough for God either. The great news woven throughout the Gospel according to Luke is that perfection is not a prerequisite for a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. In fact, this riveting account reveals that Jesus is especially fond of ragamuffins in need of a safe place to lean in and linger! Join Lisa Harper in this Bible study of a literary masterpiece that doesn’t celebrate the elite, but embraces the outliers, outcasts, and overlooked! This study guide includes: Individual access to eight streaming video talks from Lisa (232 total minutes of content) Group discussion questions and an opening group activity for each session In-depth personal Bible study between sessions Reading plan through the entire Gospel of Luke Scripture memory cards and coloring pages Sessions and Video Run Times: Outliers, Outcasts, and the Outrageous Mercy of God (26:00) Worship in the Waiting (25:00) Uphill Glory (29:00) Gut-Level Compassion (27:00)   The Tender Heart of Obedience (32:00) A Beautiful Unbending (31:00) A Most Radical Restoration (31:00) A Tale of Two Rooms (31:00) This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. Personal study of Scripture and context. Scripture memory cards and coloring pages. An individual access code to stream all eight video sessions online. (You don’t need to buy a DVD!)   Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.