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Encountering Islam on the First Crusade
By Nicholas Morton. 2016
The First Crusade (1095–9) has often been characterised as a head-to-head confrontation between the forces of Christianity and Islam. For…
many, it is the campaign that created a lasting rupture between these two faiths. Nevertheless, is such a characterisation borne out by the sources? Engagingly written and supported by a wealth of evidence, Encountering Islam on the First Crusade offers a major reinterpretation of the crusaders' attitudes towards the Arabic and Turkic peoples they encountered on their journey to Jerusalem. Nicholas Morton considers how they interpreted the new peoples, civilizations and landscapes they encountered; sights for which their former lives in Western Christendom had provided little preparation. Morton offers a varied picture of cross cultural relations, depicting the Near East as an arena in which multiple protagonists were pitted against each other. Some were fighting for supremacy, others for their religion, many simply for survival.A Day with the Prophet
By Ahmad Von Denffer. 1979
This book invites Muslims and non-Muslims to acquaint themselves with the prophet's practice and teachings, hisSunnah, first hand. Relying exclusively…
upon the sayings and actions of the prophet, which have been selected and translated from authenticated and well-known collections of hadith literature, this book presents a close-up and composite picture of the life of the Prophet Muhammad, described in the Qur'an as the best model for humanity. Ahmad Von Denfferwas born in Germany in 1949. He studied Islamics and Social Anthropology at the Universty of Mainz. He works at the Islamic Centre, Munich, and has translated the Qur'an into German.Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations
By Michael Sells. 1999
Approaching the Qur'án is a major event in religious publishing. Professor Michael Sells has captured the complexity, power, and poetry…
of the early suras of the Qur'án, the sacred scripture of Islam. In this second edition, Sells introduces important new translations of suras and a new preface that addresses the ongoing controversy over teaching about Islam and the Qur'an in American universities. Approaching the Qur'án presents brilliant translations of the short, hymnic suras associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. Most of these early revelations appear at the end of text and are commonly reached only by the most resolute reader of existing English translations. These suras contain some of the most powerful, prophetic and revelatory passages in religious history. They offer the vision of a meaningful and just life that anchors the religion of one-fifth of the world's inhabitants. Approaching the Qur'án is enriched by inclusion of free downloadable audio recordings of Quranic reciters, allowing readers an opportunity to hear the Qur'án in its original form. The book includes Sells' Introduction to the Qur'án, commentaries of the suras, a glossary of technical terms, and chapters discussing the sound nature and gender aspects of the Arabic text.The Commandments of Islam: A Qur’anic Summary
By Simon Leitch. 2016
The Qur'an is one of the most important and controversial books ever written, yet the vast majority of people have…
never read it. Is it the work of a dangerous radical, a divine message from the God of Abraham, or a liberal and peaceful doctrine worthy of all humanity? In this short, concise volume the fundamental commandments of Islam have been extracted from the Qur'an, and useful annotations explain the contemporary context and purpose of those commandments. Also containing a helpful introduction to Muhammad and life in medieval Arabia, The Commandments of Islam is an excellent starting point for those wishing to understand the beginnings of this complex religious tradition. In a field beset by polarised political debates, this volume takes viewers directly to the laws as written by Muhammad nearly fifteen hundred years ago, without having to wade through the broader Qur'anic text, and allows the readers to make up their own minds about the Qur'an's author, his times, and his extraordinary book.Interpreting Scriptures in Judaism, Christianity and Islam
By Rita Copeland, Jon Whitman, Cohen, Mordechai Z. and Bar-Asher, Meir M. and Copeland, Rita and Berlin, Adele Whitman, Jon, Mordechai Z. Cohen, Adele Berlin, Bar-Asher, Meir M.. 2016
This comparative study traces Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural interpretation from antiquity to modernity, with special emphasis on the pivotal…
medieval period. It focuses on three areas: responses in the different faith traditions to tensions created by the need to transplant scriptures into new cultural and linguistic contexts; changing conceptions of the literal sense and its importance vis-à-vis non-literal senses, such as the figurative, spiritual, and midrashic; and ways in which classical rhetoric and poetics informed - or were resisted in - interpretation. Concentrating on points of intersection, the authors bring to light previously hidden aspects of methods and approaches in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This volume opens new avenues for interdisciplinary analysis and will benefit scholars and students of biblical studies, religious studies, medieval studies, Islamic studies, Jewish studies, comparative religions, and theory of interpretation.Jackie Robinson: A Biography
By Arnold Rampersad. 1997
The extraordinary life of Jackie Robinson is illuminated as never before in this full-scale biography by Arnold Rampersad, who was…
chosen by Jack's widow, Rachel, to tell her husband's story, and was given unprecedented access to his private papers.Hard to Grip
By Emil DeAndreis. 2017
Hard to Grip, a memoir by native San Franciscan Emil DeAndreis is a love story to baseball that is also…
a frank, and humorous account of the author’s struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, the chronic illness that threw a curve into his life and dashed the hopes of becoming a professional pitcher in the major leagues that he had harbored since he was old enough to throw a ball. Scarcely out of Lowell high school where he was an up-and-coming star pitcher for his two-time championship team, Emil discovered the early signs of the disease were hampering his ability to compete, and it became increasingly evident to him as he played throughout his freshman and sophomore years in the D1 Leagues for University of Hawaii/Hilo that his lifelong dream to go pro was to be only that—a dream. Even as he was being courted by the big leagues and about to sign on to play pro ball in Europe. Hard to Grip is a personable, humor-filled and inspirational story of a robust, athletic young man who, barely into his twenties, must confront the reality of living with a physical illness, and the crushing disappointment of not being able to fulfill his lifelong wish, but, who at the same time learns to embrace that one thing he loves in order to forge a new life with a different perspective: as a high school coach for his alma mater, Lowell. Moreover, it is also a story of love for a girl, for his friends, for his family, hometown of San Francisco and the game itself.Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World
By Edward W. Said. 1981
Mexican American Baseball in South Texas (Images of Baseball)
By Richard A. Santillán, Gregory Garrett, Jorge Iber, Juan D. Coronado, Roberto Zamora. 2016
Mexican American Baseball in South Texas pays tribute to the former baseball teams and players from Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Pharr,…
Donna, Alamo, San Juan, Brownsville, Harlingen, and other surrounding communities. From the late 19th century through the 1950s, baseball in South Texas provided opportunities for nurturing athletic and educational skills, reaffirming ethnic identity, promoting political self-determination, developing economic autonomy, and reshaping gender roles for women. Games were special times where Mexican Americans found refuge from backbreaking work and prejudice. These unmatched photographs and stories shed light on the rich history of baseball in this region of Texas.Outsider Baseball: The Weird World of Hardball on the Fringe, 1876–1950
By Scott Simkus. 2014
With new research and revelations that will surprise even the most ardent baseball history buffs, this engaging account tells the…
story of the mostly forgotten world of the mercenaries, scalawags, and outcasts who made up the independent professional ball clubs. Combining meticulous research with modern analytics, the book provides a deeper understanding of how vast and eclectic the world of professional baseball was during the first half of the 20th century. It illuminates an alternate baseball universe where Babe Ruth, Rube Waddell, and John McGraw crossed bats with the Cuban Stars, Tokyo Giants, Brooklyn Bushwicks, dozens of famous Negro league teams, and novelty acts such as the House of David and Bloomer Girls. Written in a gritty prose style, this entertaining book shares the stories of these unsung players and uses a critical lens to separate fact from fiction.Baseball History for Kids: America at Bat from 1900 to Today, with 19 Activities
By Richard Panchyk. 2016
A fascinating journey through the history of America's favorite pastime With this interactive book, kids will discover how the game…
of baseball has changed over the years by reading about topics such as the dead ball era, World War II, segregation and integration, free agency, and the designated hitter. Along the way, young readers will enjoy quotes, stories, and amusing anecdotes from more than 175 former major leaguers and get an intimate look at the game's greatest legends--including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Mays. With the 21 included activities, children will learn how to calculate a player's batting average and ERA, throw a palmball, design a logo for their favorite team, cook a bowl of Cracker Jack, and more. A time line of the sport's history and lists of books, websites, and places to visit are also included.Civilizations of the Holy Land
By Paul Johnson. 1979
From the book s introduction civilizations of the holy land is an expression not easily…
defined in either space or time By the Holy Land most of us mean the stretch of Near-Eastern territory the nucleus of which is modern Palestine or Israel intimately associated with the great Religions of the Book Judaism Christianity and Islam Many of the events crucial to the origin and early development of these three faiths took place outside this geographical nucleus but cannot for that reason be ignored in this account Equally not all the cultures which have flourished in this region have been directly linked to the beliefs which to us make it holy but they are part of its history nonetheless and must be brought into the story The truth is that the history of this corner of the world is extremely complicated and does not easily accommodate itself to the straitjacket of a strictly systematic treatment In telling it we shall sometimes find ourselves digressing both in chronology and geography before resuming the main thread of our narrative In short we shall be closer to the methods of Herodotus than those of Thucydides - with a dash of Pausanias and Strabo thrown in No matter what the tale loses in clarity it may gain in colour History buffs and students of the Bible and Koran would find this book fascinating The understanding of either book will be enhanced by knowing the history and culture behind those books and the places of worship which they inspire From Canaaites to Crusaders Very readableThe Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, and the Men Who Follow Him
By Dawn-Marie Gibson. 2016
This book examines the varied ways in which Minister Farrakhan's Resurrected Nation of Islam appeals to men from different backgrounds.…
Dawn-Marie Gibson investigates a number of themes including faith, family, and community, making use of archival research and engaging in-depth interviews. The book considers the multifaceted ways in which men encounter the Nation of Islam (NOI) and navigate its ethics and gender norms. Gibson describes and dissects the factors that attract men to the NOI, while also considering the challenges that these men confront as new converts. She discusses the various inter-faith and community outreach efforts that men engage in and assesses their work with both their Christian and Muslim counterparts. To conclude its discussion, the book takes a look at the NOI's 2015 Justice or Else March to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington, DC.Nailed!: The Improbable Rise and Spectacular Fall of Lenny Dykstra
By Christopher Frankie. 2013
Nailed! is a dramatic biography of Lenny Dykstrathe heroic center fielder for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies in…
the ’80s and ’90s whose gritty play earned him the nickname Nails. ” Dykstra’s unlikely post-baseball rise in the business world is a success story that is only matched by the sordid tale of his ultimate downfall. From famously receiving financial guru Jim Cramer’s ringing endorsement as one of the best” stock prognosticators, to hanging out with Charlie Sheen and numerous prostitutes, to holding court in his $15 million California home, Dykstra lived a highflying lifestyle. He was the toast of the business world before his litany of crimes were detected and his empire began to unravel in 2009, leading to a conviction and prison sentence in 2012 with more charges pending. Through compelling storytelling supported by extensive research and documentationincluding interviews with many of Dykstra’s friends, family, and business associatesNailed! Peels back the layers of this onion to reveal that the criminal charges of grand theft auto, identity theft, vandalism, lewd behavior, sexual assault, and more are just the tip of the iceberg. This is an engaging read of a sports and business hero gone bad.Closer
By Leigh A. Tobin, Brad Lidge, Kevin Neary. 2013
The closer is the ace reliever who specializes in closing out the game without surrendering the lead. Facing a power…
hitter in the ninth inning with a man on base and no outs takes nerves of steel. The pressure on the mound is intense. It takes a special breed to hold it together in these situations. Legendary manager Tony LaRusso said Sure, games can get away from you in the seventh and eighth, but those last three outs in the ninth are the toughest. ” It wasn’t until the creation of the save,” the successful maintenance of a lead by a relief pitcher, in 1960 that the position of closer began to rise in prominence. Today, closers are seen as some of the most intense athletes in all of sports. Neary and Tobin explore the unique personalities of major leagues’ most prominent relief pitchers from Bruce Sutter (Cubs, Cardinals, and Braves) to Mariano Rivera (Yankees). Closer is an insider’s look into the role of the closing pitcher, how the position has evolved, and how legendsTrevor Hoffman, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley, John Smoltz, Rich Goose” Gossage, Mariano Rivera, Brian Fuentes, and many morecoped with the stress on the mound such as when facing the . 340 batter in the bottom of the ninth with only a one run lead.The Rotation
By Jim Salisbury, Todd Zolecki. 2012
Not since 1957 has one major league team's pitching staff boasted three pitchers (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt)…
in the Top Ten in career winning-percentage. Plus, the Philadelphia Phillies' 2011 rotation also happens to include Cole Hamels-the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP-and an alternating fifth starter. This awe-inducing rotation has been the talk of baseball since coming together in December 2010. They were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's 2011 baseball- preview edition, interviewed on the MLB Network on opening day of spring training, covered in the New York Times Magazine, and mentioned in numerous newspapers and magazines nationwide. Authored by two of the most knowledgable and connected Phillies beat writers, The Rotation is a remarkably detailed day-in-the-life story of one complete season with a Major League Baseball starting-pitching staff. The authors offer deep daily access to the Phillies players, coaches, and front-office staff, as well as the players and staff of other major league teams and the national baseball media. With firsthand reporting and extensive interviews, plus two full-color photo inserts, this is a fascinating and detailed look into the day-to-day operation of what is arguably the greatest pitching rotation ever assembled. It is a must-read for Phillies fans and general baseball fans alike.Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas
By Randy Miller. 2010
To Philadelphia Phillies fans, he was the soundtrack of summer. To millions of football fans across America, he was the…
“Voice of the NFL. ” And as open and giving as Harry Kalas was throughout his professional and personal life, there are countless layers of the man that have remained unknown . . . until now. Author Randy Miller interviewed more than 160 people—including all of Harry’s surviving family, many of his close friends from childhood to present, numerous colleagues from baseball and the NFL, and even Harry’s longtime personal psychologist—to craft a loving and shockingly honest portrayal of one of the most celebrated broadcasters in the history of sports. With incredible details from all phases of his life—from his upbringing in the Chicago suburbs, to his Hall of Fame broadcasting career in baseball, to his ubiquitous voiceover work with the NFL, to his personal vices for drinking and women, to his legendary friendship with Richie “Whitey” Ashburn, to his ongoing feud with on-air partner Chris Wheeler—Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas will surprise, delight, and enlighten all fans of the man they called “Harry the K. ”Over the last 40 years, Richard Roeper has attended White Sox games, watching as his team established a losing streak…
that was almost unparalleled in Major League Baseball history. In this account of what it was like to grow up a White Sox fan in a Cubs nation, Roeper covers the recent history of the organization, from the heartbreak of 1967 and the South-Side Hit Men to the disco demolition and the magical 2005 season when they became world champions. Encapsulating what it means to be a baseball fan, root for the same sorry team no matter what, and find vindication, this history of the White Sox is flavored with trivia; anecdotes about players, owners, and broadcasters; plus Roeper's own humorous and personal reminiscences.The Baseball Fan's Bucket List: 162 Things You Must Do, See, Get, and Experience Before You Die
By Robert Santelli, Jenna Santelli. 2009
No sports fans are more in touch with the history and ephemera of their game than baseball fans. Hitting the…
sweet spot of our national pastime, The Baseball Fans Bucket List presents a list of 162 absolute must things to do, see, get, and experience before you kick the bucket. Entries range from visiting Elysian Fields in Hoboken, NJ (site of the first pro baseball game), to starting a baseball card collection; experiencing Opening Day; attending your favorite teams Fantasy Camp; reading classic books like Ball Four, and much more! Each entry includes interesting facts, entertaining trivia, and practical information about the activity, item, or travel destination. Also included is a complete checklist so the reader can keep a running tally of their Bucket-List achievements. With todays tabloid stories of steroid abuse and off-the-field shenanigans encroaching on baseballs idyllic charm, this unique guidebook encourages readers to celebrate all thats good about being a fan.Inside Jihad: How Radical Islam Works; Why It Should Terrify Us; How to Defeat It
By Tawfik Hamid. 2015
Why radical Islam remains a deadly threat and why it is so pervasive in the Muslim world A quarter-century ago,…
Tawfik Hamid was recruited by Jamaa Islamiya, an Islamic terror group led by Dr. Aimon al-Zawahiri, the man who replaced Osama bin Laden to become the leader of al-Qaeda. Eventually, Dr. Hamid recognized the insidious nature of violent jihad and rejected its distortions of the Qur'an, the holy book of the Muslim faith. Ever since, he has pursued a path of reformation within Islam by writing new interpretations of the book's key texts and by sharing his message in mosques. Inside Jihad reveals Dr. Hamid's insights about the Islamic terror movement drawn from his personal experiences. As a medical doctor and a psychologist, he helps readers understand the jihadist mindset by explaining the meaning of jihad and the role that sex, petrodollars, and the hijab for women play in its proliferation. He shares his bold plan for an Islamic reformation and the religion's integration as one of the world's peaceful religions.