That Muhammad succeeded as a prophet is undeniable; a prominent military historian now suggests that he might not have done so had he not also been a great soldier.Best known as the founder of a major religion, Muhammad was also Islam's first great general. While there have been numerous accounts of Muhammad the Prophet, this is the first military biography of the man. In Muhammad: Islam's First Great General, Richard A. Gabriel shows us a warrior never before seen in antiquity--a leader of an all-new religious movement who in a single decade fought eight major battles, led eighteen raids, and planned thirty-eight other military operations. Gabriel's study portrays Muhammad as a revolutionary who introduced military innovations that transformed armies and warfare throughout the Arab world. Gabriel analyzes the environment in which Muhammad lived and the religion he inspired as they relate to his military achievements. Gabriel explains how Muhammad changed the social composition of Arab armies by replacing traditional ways of fighting with a new command structure. Muhammad's transformation of Arab warfare enabled his successors to establish the core of the Islamic empire--an accomplishment that, Gabriel argues, would have been militarily impossible without Muhammad's innovations. Richard A. Gabriel challenges existing scholarship on Muhammad's place in history and offers a viewpoint not previously attempted.

There are times in all of our lives when we look to the sky and wonder if the dark clouds shadowing our lives will ever part when we wonder if we ll ever be warmed by the sunshine again. We may be challenged to overcome a single tribulation or a series of trials, but we all find ourselves facing and enduring heartache. Tracy Brooks has perhaps experienced more than her fair share of heartache, most notably experiencing the ultimate betrayal and abandonment of the dearest person in her life. Getting back on your feet can seem like an insurmountable task after being wounded so deeply, but Tracy realized there was nothing else she could do but move on and wait for the clouds to part. In this memoir, she seeks to reaffirm that storms of life really do pass and that the sun can shine again. She shares what encouragement can do for someone going through difficult times in their life and how those encouraging others through their journeys are blessed. She hopes to restore faith and reminds readers to pray through hard times. Brooks s memoir shows that regardless of the adversity you re facing, faith can get you through. Hers is a story of finding peace among all the pieces.

Three weeks before he turns 18, Pat Harold Carter meets a Southern belle named Evelyn at Louisiana College, and he's immediately smitten.

Under normal circumstances, he'd proceed with a typical courtship, but it is 1944, and so he signs up to join the Navy. It's better than being drafted as an infantryman, he thinks. But two years later and in ill health, Pat is still in the Navy. Evelyn, now a junior, is impressed with the cool, young veterans who are enrolling in college.

Against all odds, however, Pat and Evelyn put faith first and decide to adventure with God. They marry, and their life becomes a poem full of truth, passion and goodness. Whether they are in New Orleans, San Francisco, Texas or in the northern desert of Mexico, the couple never fails to learn the lessons of prayer and faith as they confront the evils of the world.

Take a journey with Pat and Evelyn and interpret their life as a poem of God, written in rhyme with the life of Caleb, the Old Testament warrior. They never stop believing in "God Gave Me a Rhyme,"

Nancy Wiltgen had never really taken the time to deeply contemplate the spiritual world-until the day she was praying the rosary for her daughter and felt God's presence next to her. In that moment, Nancy embarked on a new path of enlightenment that would eventually lead her to a personal relationship with God and a fresh direction for her life.

In her inspirational autobiography, Nancy shares intimate details of her unique spiritual journey, beginning with her childhood as she received her First Holy Communion, accepted teachings from the nuns, and talked to statues of Mary. As she matured and endured many challenges, Nancy reveals how Jesus took a backseat in her life, eventually allowing her connection to prayer to slip away. But after her spiritual experience that day, Nancy learned to read the Bible, encountered Charismatic Catholics, experienced visions, and prayed in tongues. As her life changed drastically, Nancy describes how the Lord's voice guided her and overshadowed Satan's evil influence, ultimately teaching her that God is everywhere.

In the Garden shares the personal story of how a spiritual seeker grew closer to God by inviting Him into her heart, asking forgiveness for her sins, and accepting His plan for her life.

From being homeless to 10 years in prison, Yvonne Ajugw's book "Inner Circle," lets you in on the God she serves who made a difference in her life today.

The only child of Muhammad to survive him, Fatima was from early times taken up by Shi'a Islam, for whose adherents she is the virgin mother, the heavenly intercessor with untold power before God's throne, and the grieving mother of al-Husayn, the Shi'a's most important martyr. During her life she was impoverished and weak, neglected, marginalized, and divested of justice: but her reward in heaven comprises incalculable riches, all those in heaven will bow their heads to her, and her company will be the angels and the friends of God. Here, for the first time, her story is told.

Joy Farrington shares her journey to discover God's heart and true intentions for sexual purity. As Joy struggled through the traumas of teenage relationships, she also witnessed around her the broken lives of those who had become the victims of addiction and sexual exploitation. She began to feel a calling to reach out to vulnerable women and men working in the sex industry. Starting with the red light district in Liverpool, this has taken her to the crack dens in Brazil, the strip bars in LA, and the notorious bars and brothels of Bangkok. Broken by Beauty describes both Joy's own life experiences and the insights gained from talking to those from around the world who have been sexually exploited. She aims to inspire others both to choose sexual purity and to fight on behalf of those who are more vulnerable to exploitation. 'Purity is mocked, trampled, and far too often stolen in today's world. Joy's honest and vulnerable journey to hold onto purity is a wakeup call for those who have given up on its relevance. For the broken and grieving, Joy's story is a message of hope. This is a much needed message in the church and beyond.' Annie Dieselberg, Founder and CEO NightLight International

When Nuray Ayk n's only son left home for college, she wished to leave him a legacy that would provide insight into how he came to be. In this memoir, she narrates a colorful journey through Turkey and the United States as a mother, businesswoman, gardener, wife, ex-wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and stepmother.

Pomegranates and Grapes tells stories of her loved ones and describes the places where she spent her childhood-from a little Mediterranean town to the city of Ankara, Turkey's capital. She recalls her homes in the United States: Buffalo, where cold weather and a new culture posed great challenges; Washington, DC, where their lives were deeply affected by loneliness and illnesses; and New Jersey, where she ultimately settled and found happiness.

With wit, Ayk n describes bitter moments with a sigh and happy moments with lyrical and delicious descriptions. A tribute to her family, Pomegranates and Grapes shares a memoir to be cherished.

"Grace Abounding continues the tradition of Christian testimonial classics tracing back to the Confessions of Saint Augustine. John Bunyans autobiography, written while he was imprisoned for holding unsanctioned religious services and first published in 1666, is the unsparing account of one mans spiritual journey from atheism and blasphemy to devout Christianity. A reckless and profane youth leads Bunyan to despair in the belief that he has committed unforgivable sins. But two religious books belonging to his wife set Bunyan on the straight and narrow and a lifetime of pious devotion. Honest and unblinking in his self-assessment, Bunyan saw it as his duty to tell his story, warts and all, in order to comfort all those struggling with their faith. This classic of religious literature continues to be essential reading for the faithful and for students of great English literature. English preacher and writer JOHN BUNYAN (16281688) is the author of nearly sixty books, nine of which were written while he was in prison for unlicensed preaching. His works include The Pilgrims Progress (167884), The Life and Death of Mr. Badman (1680), and The Holy War (1682)."