Based on diaries and his published works, Nichols presents an account of Adrian Fortescue's developing personality with an interpretative overview of his writing. Beginning with Fortescue's family background, it looks at his reactions to clerical training, and the wider scene, in Rome and Austria-Hungry at the end of the nineteenth century and the attempts of a widely read and imaginative man to adjust to the limits of priestly life in the East End of London, and the home counties in the Edwardian epoch. (Lutterworth Press 2011)

The early 1930's were a period of dire foreboding for the entire world. The dark clouds of World War II were rapidly gathering, as the Jewish population of Europe was becoming especially vulnerable to the most hideous form of genocide that had ever been devised. It was with this background that a young boy made his way to school on the morning after Kristalnacht. In the fascinating and absorbing chapters that follow, the author, Norbert Weinberg, vividly describes how his family made it to the shores of America, via a year in London. Dressed in European-style knickers and hardly able to speak English, the boy tackles his social and educational challenges. His success is apparent when he is ordained as a rabbi at Yeshiva University in New York. Many captivating incidents and situations are discussed as the rabbi meets with personages such Senator Edward Kennedy, President Jimmy Carter and opens a session of the House of Representatives with an invocation. But the heart of the book lies in his warm relationships with congregants, members of other faiths and family. The pages are infused with humor as when, for example, the rabbi is housed in a small hotel in Quebec City, Canada, for a rabbinical interview. A brooding portrait of Jesus stares at him from over his bed. How do they get along? Or when, in that same city, he was invited to a formal event at which everyone raised a glass of wine to toast the Queen and his wine was not kosher. Was this a soluble predicament? The poignant pages of this book promise to warm the heart of every reader.

This comprehensive biography of Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes his theological positions and contributions as a theologian. Pope Benedict XVI: A Biography is an incisive exploration of the life and career of the current head of the Roman Catholic Church, with an emphasis on his theological positions and contributions as a theologian. Written by a Catholic priest who is an expert on Bavarian theology, the book looks at Benedict's family life, his teen years in Nazi Germany, his rise in the Church, and the beliefs that shape his Papacy. Readers of this biography will learn that, in addition to his native German, Benedict XVI speaks Italian, French, English, Spanish, and Latin fluently, has a knowledge of Portuguese, and can read ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew. They will discover that he plays the piano and is very fond of cats. Perhaps surprisingly, they will find that during the time of the Second Vatican Council, the Pope was viewed as a reformer, and that he continues to regard himself as a supporter of the Council's teaching, holding, however, that those teachings have been widely misinterpreted. All this and more make for a fascinating-and instructive-reading experience. Photographs Lightly annotated bibliography

With a great sense of adventure, Franzi Willimann lives a happy and successful life. Now in his seventies, this retired corporate executive, Army veteran, husband, and father of four, is a proud American. But he began life in Switzerland in the 1930's, the child of hard-working hoteliers who taught him to love life, to cherish his faith and his family, and to give generously of himself every single day. Beloved by his family and a multitude of devoted friends, success, for this most happy fellow, is a divine mix of the dark and the light, the joys and sorrows of everyday living. Told with extraordinary humor and simplicity, his story offers each one of us a roadmap to lasting joy and contentment.

As Franzi Willimann and his family will show you, the secret to true happiness is not in what we do, where we live, or how much we achieve, nor is it found in physical beauty, wealth, or social status. True happiness is created in tender minutia, in the small details of lives lived with devoted attention to relationships, to humble service, and to love. Enjoy the story of "O'pa," a genuine treasure of a life bestowing its riches on all those it touches as it unfolds - one glorious day, one devoted hour, one joyously savored moment at a time.

"Chosen." "Special." Those are the words Margot Starbuck used to describe herself as a child adopted into a loving family. And when her adoptive parents divorced, her dad moved east, and her mom and dad each got remarried, she told herself that she was extra loved, since she had more than two parents and people in different times zones who cared about her. But the word she really believed about herself was rejected. First by her birthparents. Then by her adoptive father-when he moved away. Then by her stepfather. Then by her birthfather a second time, when she tried to invite him into her life. Most of all, Margot felt rejected by God the Father, who she also suspected could not be trusted. Margot's story begins with a woman looking for her biological father. But it doesn't end when she finds him. Instead, his rejection punctures her soul and sends her on a different search--one that leads to a different Father. This Father did not just "sacrifice a son" like the parents she knew, but instead gave his own life out of love for her. Maybe you've been disappointed and wounded by parents who divorced, left, were abusive, or simply weren't there. Enter into Margot's story. She has been where you are. She knows the pain you carry. And her journey can lead you to the God who nurtures, protects and always says, "I am for you."

An Unforgettable Story of Life After Death "The cold voice of the anesthesiologist recited the typical 'count backward from 10' cadence. Darkness closed around me before he got to 7. That's when I found out what it's like to die--and to come back from the dead." It was a beautiful winter's day, showing no signs of what was to come. Steve Sjogren, pastor of one of America's fastest growing churches, went into the hospital for routine gall bladder surgery and died--twice. What began as a tragic medical accident led to Steve's encounter with death, an experience of unimaginable peace and some surprises, with comforting words from God, a meeting with an angel, and seeing those who had died before him. If you, or someone you know, are fearful of dying, curious about heaven, or simply desiring to live life to its fullest, this encouraging book could change how you view life and death.

" The cop busted through the door and I dove out the window and into the cold night air. It was 4am, mid-December, and all I was wearing was my underwear. A thin swirl of snow circled the ground, three floors below.

With his gun in one hand, the cop grabbed my leg as soon as I was out the window. He held me in place, and I stood perpendicular to the outside wall of the building. I tried to kick off the wall with the foot that was free, but I kicked the cops hand instead, and he dropped his gun and loosened his grip on my leg.

I pulled free and flew away, and as I floated in the air, time played a cruel trick on me. It let me fall so slow that I had plenty of time to think how bad it was going to hurt when I landed.

I calmly wondered if I would be alive once I hit the ground. I was comforted by the thought, that; if I wasn't, I would have made good my escape. The cops would certainly have me then; but, at least I would be free.

It felt good, sailing through that black void, expecting what was to come. Because, in that period of time, I was free ... I was as free as a bird in captivity."

R. Donald Shafer knows life is a story and that all of our stories are different. This memoir spans seven decades of his life as a son, brother, friend, husband, father, pastor, bishop, church administrator, and grandfather. Shafer chronologically and topically narrates his unique journey with the hope that his stories will encourage others to look up, laugh, love, and ultimately lift their spirits to accept all that life has to offer.

Shafer begins with his birth in a little Pennsylvania village where he tells of peaceful times growing up near his grandparents. With four siblings, caring parents, an affirming pastor, and fascinating neighbors, life is exciting. During his adolescence Shafer decides to follow Jesus, a decision that changes his life forever. Working at mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, dancing at the high school prom, and a few car accidents are escapades of his youth. Shafer details his college life and love stories of meeting his future wife. Beyond his expectations, he becomes an ordained pastor, church leader, bishop, and even a public relations man. Contemporary church planting on a shoestring and relational caring for pastors marked this church administrator's career.

"Laugh, Love, and Lift" shares one man's uplifting journey through life as he discovers the importance of loving relationships, unyielding faith, and hope for the future.