Most Popular Books by Paul Murray

WINNER OF IRISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023 SHORTLISTED FOR THE NERO BOOK AWARDS 2023 ONE OF SARAH JESSICA PARKER''S BEST BOOKS OF 2023 Book of the Year 2023 according to New York Times, New Yorker, The Sunday Times, The Economist, Observer, Guardian, Washington Post, Lit Hub, TIME magazine, Irish Times, The Oldie, Daily Mail, i Paper, Independent, The Standard, The Times, Kirkus, Daily Express, City A.M. From one of our greatest comic novelists and the author of Skippy Dies comes a funny, thought-provoking story of one family desperately clinging on as their world falls apart . . . ''A tragicomic triumph. You won''t read a sadder, truer, funnier novel this year'' Guardian The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie''s once-lucrative car business is going under - but rather than face the music, he''s spending his days in the woods, building an apocalypse-proof bunker with a renegade handyman. His wife Imelda is selling off her jewellery on eBay while their teenage daughter Cass, formerly top of her class, seems determined to binge-drink her way to her final exams. And twelve-year-old PJ is putting the final touches to his grand plan to run away from home. Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favour to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil? Can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of a life? And if the story has already been written - is there still time to find a happy ending? ''The finest novel that Murray has yet written . . . will surely be one of the books of 2023'' Sunday Independent ''Murray is a natural storyteller . . . Ambitious, expansive, hugely entertaining tragicomic fiction'' Irish Times ''It''s a thing of beauty, a novel that will fill your heart'' Observer ''Generous, immersive, sharp-witted and devastating . . . a triumph'' Financial Times ''It''s been compared to Jonathan Franzen''s The Corrections; I''d argue it''s better'' Daily Mail

The bestselling and critically acclaimed novel from Paul Murray, Skippy Dies, shortlisted for the 2010 Costa Book Awards, longlisted for the 2010 Booker Prize, and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Why does Skippy, a fourteen-year-old boy at Dublin''s venerable Seabrook College, end up dead on the floor of the local doughnut shop? Could it have something to do with his friend Ruprecht Van Doren, an overweight genius who is determined to open a portal into a parallel universe using ten-dimensional string theory? Could it involve Carl, the teenage drug dealer and borderline psychotic who is Skippy''s rival in love? Or could "the Automator"—the ruthless, smooth-talking headmaster intent on modernizing the school—have something to hide? Why Skippy dies and what happens next is the subject of this dazzling and uproarious novel, unraveling a mystery that links the boys of Seabrook College to their parents and teachers in ways nobody could have imagined. With a cast of characters that ranges from hip-hop-loving fourteen-year-old Eoin "MC Sexecutioner" Flynn to basketball playing midget Philip Kilfether, packed with questions and answers on everything from Ritalin, to M-theory, to bungee jumping, to the hidden meaning of the poetry of Robert Frost, Skippy Dies is a heartfelt, hilarious portrait of the pain, joy, and occasional beauty of adolescence, and a tragic depiction of a world always happy to sacrifice its weakest members. As the twenty-first century enters its teenage years, this is a breathtaking novel from a young writer who will come to define his generation.

Vastly entertaining and outright hilarious, Paul Murray’s debut heralds the arrival of a major new Irish talent. His protagonist is endearing and wildly witty–part P. G. Wodehouse’s Bertie Wooster, with a cantankerous dash of A Confederacy of Dunces’ Ignatius J. Reilly thrown in. With its rollicking plot and colorful characters, An Evening of Long Goodbyes is a delightful and erudite comedy of epic proportions. Charles Hythloday observes the world from the comfortable confines of Amaurot, his family estate, and doesn’t much care for what he sees. He prefers the black-and-white sanctum of classic cinema–especially anything starring the beautiful Gene Tierney–to the roiling and rumbling of twenty-first-century Dublin. At twenty-four, Charles aims to resurrect the lost lifestyle of the aristocratic country gentleman–contemplative walks, an ever-replenished drink, and afternoons filled with canapés as prepared by the Bosnian housekeeper, Mrs. P. But Charles’s cozy existence is about to face a serious shake-up. His sister, Bel, an aspiring actress and hopeless romantic, has brought to Amaurot her most recent–and to Charles’s mind, most ill-advised–boyfriend. Frank is hulking and round, and resembles nothing so much as a large dresser, probably a Swedish one. He bets on greyhounds and talks endlessly of brawls and pubs in an accent that brings tears to Charles’s eyes. And, most suspiciously, his entrance into the Hythlodays’ lives just happens to coincide with the disappearance of an ever-increasing number of household antiques and baubles. Soon, Charles and Bel discover that missing heirlooms are the least of their worries; they are simply not as rich as they have always believed. With the family fortune teetering in the balance, Charles must do something he swore he would never do: get a job. Booted into the mean streets of Dublin, he is as unprepared for real life as Frank would be for a cotillion. And it turns out that real life is a tad unprepared for Charles, as well.

Originally published: Great Britain: Hamish Hamilton, 2015.

"The best biography of Richard III that has been written."—A. L. Rowse, Chicago Tribune Paul Murray Kendall''s masterful account of the life of England''s King Richard III has remained the standard biography of this controversial figure.

Aquinas at Prayer draws attention to important aspects of Aquinas''s life and work which have been all too often overlooked or forgotten. Today Aquinas is almost exclusively regarded as an outstanding scholastic philosopher and theologian. But what is little known is that Aquinas was, first and last, a teacher of the Bible - a Master of the Sacred Page. Moreover there is a distinctly mystical character to his theology. And, as a writer, he was not only a poet but, arguably, the greatest Latin poet of the Middle Ages. The primary focus of this most engaging new book is to explore the question of Aquinas''s own practice of prayer and his teaching on prayer in his commentaries on the Psalms and St Paul. The book is strengthened by quotations from Aquinas in fresh translations.

In an era where selfishness, unbridled ambition, and division have nearly extinguished the flames of compassion, envision a world reshaped by leaders from every walk of life, serving as catalysts for a profound reawakening. "Walking with the Good Samaritan” delves into the transformative power of servant leadership, rooted in the timeless teachings of Christ. This book challenges you to rise to the moment, recognizing that you’re calling as a leader is for such a pivotal time as this. Embracing these principles is not just an act of personal growth—it''s a step towards sparking a revival across every community and institution in our land. As you dive deep into the heart of these teachings, you will uncover how your commitment to these values can bridge divides, heal wounds, and ignite a widespread renewal. Together, let''s initiate a wave of transformation, one act of genuine service at a time.

Ruprecht Van Doren ist ein übergewichtiges Genie, seine Hobbies sind komplexe Mathematik und die Suche nach außerirdischer Intelligenz. Mit Daniel ›Skippy‹ Juster teilt er sich ein Zimmer im Turm des Seabrook College, einer altehrwürdigen Dubliner Institution, in der sich keiner so richtig für die beiden interessiert. Aber als Skippy sich in Lori verliebt, eine Frisbee spielende Schönheit aus der Mädchenschule gegenüber, haben auf einmal alle möglichen Leute Interesse – auch Carl, Teilzeit-Drogendealer und offizieller Schulpsychopath. Während seine Lehrer mit der Modernisierung kämpfen und Ruprecht versucht, ein Portal in ein paralleles Universum zu öffnen, steuert Skippy, im Namen der Liebe, auf einen Showdown zu – in Form eines fatalen Doughnut-Wettessens, das nur eine Person überleben wird...

Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) has long been marginalised as a failed Victorian Romantic whose writings on Japan were poetic but inconsequential; as a person, he emerges as a one-dimensional neurotic. In this new study, based on a wealth of hitherto unpublished sources, as well as a fresh reading of Hearn''s writings, Paul Murray reveals a multi-faceted character of considerable depth, intelligence and literary skill. This is a book, therefore, that will appeal on many levels. The story of Hearn''s life makes fascinating reading; his fantastic journey took him from conception outside marriage on a Greek island to a protected upbringing in Dublin; from a Gothic education in England to Cincinnati in the United States where, as Paddy Hearn, he established himself as a journalist of the macabre par excellence. In New Orleans, in the 1860s, he transformed himself into Lafcadio Hearn, litterateur and a man of the South. Finally after two years in the West Indies, he spent the last fourteen years of his life in Japan - arriving in ''the land of the gods'' in the spring of 1890. Although it was always to be an ambiguous relationship with his adopted country, Hearn gave to the world some of the most valuable and enduring insights into Japanese society and culture that continue to stand the test of time. For students of the Anglo-Irish tradition, a little explored strand of Hearn''s heritage, this book is also essential reading, providing substantial insights into Hearn''s mastery of the literary horror genre. Equally, students of Japan will want to understand, for the first time, the make-up and motivation of one of its greatest ever Western interpreters.

L’histoire de Louis XI est celle d’un homme qui sut imposer ses décisions, qui dut garder sans cesse l’esprit en éveil, plier le temps à ses desseins, être deux fois plus habile et trois plus rapide que ses semblables, et cacher son sens de la comédie derrière les gestes du conformisme. Ce livre nous montre l’image d’un homme aux capacités exceptionnelles, doué d’une personnalité diverse et complexe. Certains le considéraient comme « le plus subtil qui soit ». Pourtant, peu après sa mort, on racontait qu’il s’abreuvait du sang des nouveau-nés au cours de sa dernière maladie, était l’assassin de son frère et se délectait à écouter les cris de ses victimes torturées. En abandonnant la légende pour retrouver la vie, Paul Murray Kendall révèle les vraies dimensions de l’homme, son habileté à charmer, son insatiable curiosité, son goût de la loyauté. Tout cela dans une biographie qui apporte une contribution essentielle à l’histoire du xve siècle tout en demeurant d’une lecture facile et passionnante. Paul Murray Kendall (1911-1973) a enseigné l’histoire à l’université de l’Ohio et à celle du Kansas. Il a consacré plusieurs ouvrages à l’histoire du xve siècle. Traduit de l’anglais (États-Unis) par Éric Diacon.

It is one of the great ironies of literary history that the author of arguably the world''s bestselling work of fiction remains little known. This book seeks to redress the balance and to articulate a new vision of Bram Stoker, relating the creator to his most famous creation. Paul Murray has examined important primary sources, such as Stoker''s working notes for DRACULA, and his extensive correspondence, which shed an entirely new light on Stoker''s life. He places Stoker in the context of Victorian Ireland and the literary and theatrical circles in which he moved. Bram Stoker was immersed in the Dublin literary scene and was involved with the great theatrical, literary and artistic figures of the day such as Sarah Bernhardt, Ellen Terry, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Tennyson and Whistler. His most important relationship, however, was with Henry Irving, with whom he ran the Lyceum Theatre in London. And, as his greatest achievement, DRACULA, Stoker''s enduring work of horror, is placed at the core of this book.This remarkable new biography places Bran Stoker centre-stage in a tradition of Irish horror writing which extends back to authors such as Charles Maturin and Sheridan Le Fanu and which also looks forward to writers such as Neil Jordan and Anne Rice.

Written with both passion and precision, God''s Spies is a work that will be welcomed by anyone interested in the vital interplay between poetry and religion. The authors represented, including poets such as Michelangelo, St Francis of Assisi, Charles Péguy, Dante and Shakespeare, all possess one great and surprising quality in common: audacity. All of them in their work offer fresh and unforeseen perspectives on life and literature. Some of these authors are religious in the strict meaning of the word, their work indicating a devout turning away from the distractions of the world to focus on God. Others, in contrast, are poets whose work is distinguished by a remarkable visionary focus on the many small and great dramas of life, attending with bright, imaginative genius to what Shakespeare calls ''the mystery of things''.

Catherine of Siena is one of the most intriguing and explosive saints in Church history. A young laywoman with almost no education, she became renowned for her intense mystical experiences, inspired preaching, and scathing criticism of corrupt political and ecclesial authorities. She is even recognized today as a Doctor of the Church--the only layperson to ever receive the title--yet comes across to us more as an apostle than an intellectual. Her work is like Aquinas'' Summa set on fire. But for all the fascination with Catherine, the distinguishing feature of her life has received surprisingly little attention: her preoccupation with freedom. Catherine had a keen sense of the "unspeakably crazy" love of God and the liberating power of his mercy. But she also knew the terrible bondage of sin--and the necessity of facing our own inner darkness if we are to overcome it. She had a passion for leading those enslaved by fear and oppression to self-knowledge in God--and ultimately, to true freedom. It is this "fire" that inflames almost every page she writes. In this profound book, the Irish Dominican poet and writer Fr. Paul Murray draws us into the fire of this great mystic''s love for God and humanity, reading her life and teaching not only in light of Dominican spirituality, but also the writings of Renaissance philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and the modern psychologist Carl Jung. What results is a portrait of a preacher of freedom who speaks to us, even today, with compelling authority.

Why does Skippy, a fourteen-year-old boy at Dublin''s venerable Seabrook College, end up dead on the floor of the local doughnut shop? Could it have something to do with his friend Ruprecht Van Doren, an overweight genius who is determined to open a portal into a parallel universe using ten-dimensional string theory? Could it involve Carl, the teenage drug dealer and borderline psychotic who is Skippy''s rival in love? Or could "the Automator"--the ruthless, smooth-talking headmaster intent on modernizing the school--have something to hide? Why Skippy dies and what happens next is the subject of this dazzling and uproarious novel, unraveling a mystery that links the boys of Seabrook College to their parents and teachers in ways nobody could have imagined. With a cast of characters that ranges from hip-hop-loving fourteen-year-old Eoin "MC Sexecutioner" Flynn to basketball-playing midget Philip Kilfether, packed with questions and answers on everything from Ritalin, to M-theory, to bungee jumping, to the hidden meaning of the poetry of Robert Frost, Skippy Dies is a heartfelt, hilarious portrait of the pain, joy, and occasional beauty of adolescence, and a tragic depiction of a world always happy to sacrifice its weakest members. As the twenty-first century enters its teenage years, this is a breathtaking novel, in this striking three-volume boxed set, from a young writer who will come to define his generation.

Spheromaks are easily formed, self-organized magnetized plasma configurations that have intrigued plasma physicists for over two decades. Sometimes called magnetic vortices, magnetic smoke rings, or plasmoids, spheromaks first attracted attention as a possible controlled thermonuclear plasma confinement scheme, but are now known to have many other applications. This book begins with a review of the basic concepts of magnetohydrodynamics and toroidal magnetic configurations, then provides a detailed exposition of the 3D topological concepts underlying spheromak physics, namely magnetic helicity, Taylor relaxation, force-free equilibria, and tilt stability. It then examines spheromak formation techniques, driven and isolated configurations, dynamo concepts, practical experimental issues, diagnostics, and a number of applications. The book concludes by showing how spheromak ideas are closely related to the physics of solar prominences and interplanetary magnetic clouds.

An entirely fresh approach To The Our Father, Jesus''s own prayer, through the eyes of one of the greatest saints, Thomas Aquinas.

Jesus'' public ministry is finished. There will be no more miracles, no more healings, no more preaching to the masses, no more teaching in the porticos of Solomon in the temple. This third section of John''s gospel covers only a few precious hours in the life of Jesus. He has gathered with His twelve disciples in a private upper room. Passover will begin the following day, Friday, at 6:00 p.m. Jesus knows that He will be arrested in a matter of hours. He knows that He will be dragged before three religious hearings and three official government trials. During that time, He will be brutally beaten, almost beyond recognition. He will be crucified and dead by about 3:00 p.m. that same day. He knows this because He understands what the Old Testament Scriptures have clearly foretold. The mission He was sent to accomplish was about to be completed. The twelve disciples dining around the table with Him have no idea of these events that are soon to unfold. This is just a time of celebration before the Passover event. The city is bustling with millions of pilgrims from all over the empire. Soon, however, the mood turns somber. There is talk of Him leaving them and going away where they cannot follow, talk of another Helper coming, and talk of a betrayer. They can sense the heaviness in their Master''s heart and they too become troubled in heart. They have no idea that sitting with them at that meal, not six feet away, is not only God incarnate in the person of Jesus but also the devil, himself, incarnate in the person of Judas whose heart Satan has possessed. A drama for all the centuries is about to be played out. Jesus has only a few hours to prepare these men for the events of this night that will transform them forever. These are Words to Loved Ones, words to keep them safe and secure in a hellish storm about to be unleashed that will overwhelm them and change human history. Sit among these men these men and listen carefully to Jesus'' words. Upon leaving this room, you will never be the same.

Achieving a sustainable society is the biggest issue of our time. It is not an issue confined to a particular subject area or to certain jobs. It is a way of thinking and behaving that will need to be embedded in all aspects of all of our lives. The Sustainable Self is the perfect resource for lecturers, trainers, students and professionals of any discipline who need to teach or learn about sustainability. There is widespread agreement that we need to live more sustainable lives. But when up against entrenched habits and everyday obstacles, it can be difficult to turn good intentions into action. This book presents a completecurriculum for effecting a personal transformation towards sustainability, showing you how to align your personal and professional actions with your values and beliefs. Full of activities that can be done individually or in groups, it is supported by additional resources online including downloadable worksheets and directories of sustainability organisations. Recommended readings at the end of each chapter enable readers to pursue areas of personal or professional interest.

Increasingly the contemplative tradition in Christianity is being seen as essential to our understanding of Christianity itself. Here is the book to explain all. What is it like in practice to come close to the presence of God? Are there words which can, in some way, explain the nature of that experience? In this compelling study, Paul Murray draws attention to both the wisdom and lived experience of those men and women who knew, at first hand, of the light and fire of which they speak. Murray demonstrates how important and relevant for us today are the writings of authors such as Catherine of Siena, John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart, and Teresa of Avila. To the often bewildered hearts and minds of our generation, the writings of these remarkable men and women speak with a unique authority.

Everyone understands collateral damage. It is the unintended damage incurred by innocent bystanders who are too close to the target area. Collateral damage is a natural consequence of physical warfare. Collateral grace is a spiritual consequence of spiritual warfare. Collateral grace is the intended impact of the grace of God on those closest to the one whom God bestows His grace. Far too many of us are completely unaware of the impact God is intending to bestow on others through the blessings He gives every one of us on a regular basis. This is a collection or real stories about real people who were caught up in real events that are recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. These people are mentioned in the Bible, but rarely by name. The historical events they are caught up in are very real. However, we have fictionalized how, realistically, the grace of God might have impacted them as a consequence of their proximity to what God was doing in the lives of someone close to them. You will be fascinated and amazed. It will open your eyes to the intended consequences on others of the impact of the grace of God in your own life. Climb into the scene and walk next to them, it will change how you read your Bible.

"First published in the UK as Door into the sacred: a meditation on the Hail Mary by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd."--T.p. verso.

We begin the second part of this four-part series on the Gospel of John called Meet Messiah. In Part 1, "Behold the Man," we saw the introduction of the Messiah to both the human family and the nation of Israel. In Part 2, "Faith or Frustration," we will join His disciples as they walk in the footstep of the Master from chapter 5 through chapter 12. Here, opposition to Jesus and His ministry begins in earnest. Up through chapter 4 of John''s gospel, the leadership of Israel was curious about whom this new rabbi really was. The ministry of John the Baptist had captured the attention of the nation with his proclamation that the kingdom of God was at hand and that folks needed to repent of their sins in preparation of the coming Messiah. At first, the Jews just dismissed Jesus as another new rabbi on the block. But His popularity had grown rapidly, outstripping even that of the Baptizer. The signs that He was doing had caught the attention of the masses as well as the Jews. When He cleansed the temple and chased out all the vendors, which was a primary source of income for the priests, He became a regular topic of conversation in the Great Sanhedrin. We will begin to see that the curiosity of the Jews turned to frustration, their frustrations turned to anger, and their anger turned to hatred, until finally a plot was devised to have Him killed. That was the only way they would ever stop Him and save their positions of power and control over the people. Strap in for the ride. It''s going to get really, really bumpy. Who ever said being a Christian and being bold in your faith would ever be easy? The truth is it could get you killed, and history has demonstrated that many have died for their faith. Let''s follow along with the One they have all been willing to die for.

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise an instant fix. Our culture is so insistent on immediate results. We want fast food, quick service, and instant pudding. We hate waiting in line for anything. If our smartphone is 4G, we must have 5G. Everything must be quicker and faster. It''s not that God can''t, won''t, or never does an instant fix. "Lazarus, come forth" was an instant fix. Lazarus got up and walked out of the tomb. "Tabatha, arise," and the little girl got up off her deathbed. That was an instant fix. "Be still," and the winds and the waves instantly became calm. That''s 5G speed! But instant fix is not the norm in the Christian life. Instant healings are not typical, and it has nothing to do with a lack of faith. A jackpot lotto winning is seldom an excellent financial solution to your problems, and justice is rarely immediate nor swift. That is just the way things are in a broken world. The same was true for Israel. It took seven long, grueling years to conquer Canaan. Later in the book, we will see why it took so long. The norm for gaining victory over sin and becoming mature in our faith usually takes a lifetime. As someone once said, "We are all men under construction." As long as we are still above ground, God is still working on us. Israel has now conquered the promised land. There are no more threats from the various Canaanite tribes, and there is peace across the land. Finally, after generations of waiting upon God to receive the promised inheritance, the spoils of the land are about to be divided among the tribes of Judah. But with each inheritance there comes some serious responsibility. Each individual tribe was to finish the job of removing the enemy for the land they inherited. The mandate was not "live and let live" or "indenture the indigenous" or "settle for coexistence." The remnant of enemy left in the land was to be completely driven out. To fail to do that would threaten Israel''s very existence in the promised land. Were they willing to finish the job? The obstacles loomed large, but God had proven His ability to move mountains. Starting strong does not win any race. The race is won when you cross the finish line. Read on and learn how to finish the race. The Fruit of Righteousness (Joshua 12-14) is the third and final part of the three-part series Pagans, Prostitutes and Other Problems: A Simple Man''s Commentary on Joshua.

In The Failure of Death, John records the greatest conflict planet earth has ever experienced. It is not a conflict between nations or peoples, nor a conflict involving military weapons. It is a conflict for the hearts and souls of all men everywhere. It is a conflict in the spiritual dimension of reality that has raged on since the beginning of time, a conflict between good and evil, right and wrong. The Jewish leadership had grown to hate Jesus. Several times they had tried, unsuccessfully, to put a stop to His influence over men. The prophetic words of Caiaphas the high priest had finally come to fruition, "It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish." Jesus had finally been arrested, "tried" and crucified to appease the will of the Jewish leadership. Victory had finally been achieved in stopping the madness of The Way. The head of the snake had been cut off. John focuses our attention around two major players as the events of Jesus'' crucifixion unfold, Peter and Pilate. With Peter a clear contrast is drawn between One suffering and dying and the other lying and denying. Pilate''s struggle, who is caught up in the tangled web of the Jews, is expressed in the profound question, "What is truth?" Yet Pilate turns and walks away before the One who is "the truth" has a chance to respond. Neither Peter or Pilate, nor anyone expected that the One who had been crucified and buried would raise from the dead. The failure of death rocked the world in the first century and it continues to rock our world today. John concludes his gospel with the redemption of the lying denier. Pilate, on the other hand, is left on the trash pile of history. As you read, you will be caught up in the trauma and emotions of the events that unfold. Will the failure of death be your final reward? Like Peter and Pilate, you also have a choice!

A powerful reflection on human affliction in the stories of some remarkable individuals. Paul Murray is not only an academic, a preacher and published poet, he is also a superb pastor. During his ministry, he has dealt with some extraordinary people - not least a South African who was convicted of murder and hanged under Apartheid. Drawing on this remarkable experience, the reader is offered here a sustained meditation on the meaning of affliction and suffering in a way that is ultimately the story of human triumph and the ultimate victory of the Cross. The book concludes with Paul Murray''s extraordinary meditations on the Seven Last Words from the Cross in which the wealth of his pastoral experience is fully brought to bear. Scars is the account of men and women of all ages who have survived major crises or tragedies of one kind or another: the scourge of drug addiction, the misery of long-term imprisonment, severe illness, the burden of remembered violence, and the tragedy of child abuse. The most striking thing about such people is that, whether or not they are aware of the reality of God in their lives, they are people of extraordinary compassion. They seem to have been initiated into a new dimension of themselves and to have discovered a new wealth within. As Murray says in his introduction ''the voices which I have begun to hear are voices to which I myself am still learning to listen''. These are not just accounts of triumphs and of tragedy - they are powerful meditations on something much more profound.

For generation after generation, the descendants of Abraham had waited to receive what Yahweh had promised to their patriarch ages ago. The stories of a great nation, a Promised Land, and being a blessing to all the world had been told over and over again. This new generation had heard these stories often. Now after forty long years wandering in circles in the wilderness, they stood on Canaan''s soil. One of the promises made by God and given to Abraham had already been fulfilled. They had become a great nation. The second promise, that of a land they could call their own, lie immediately before them. But the excitement and the expectation before them was mixed with terror. A miracle like none they had yet witnessed had just happened. Like the stories their grandfathers had told them about the crossing of the Red Sea, so too the waters of the raging Jordan River parted as they crossed on dry land onto Canaan soil. They now stood in enemy territory. Giants lived in this land; fearsome men experienced in warfare with the latest of modern weaponry. Pagan, Prostitutes, and Other Problems Part 2: More Than Conquerors (Joshua 6–11) is the account of the conquest of the Promised Land by a nation far inferior to the forces of the indigenous people. Impossible fortresses and unimaginable armies are to be confronted and defeated if they are to claim this land. The difficult lesson of following God fully must be learned. Mistakes will be made and lives lost, but on every page, the hand of God can be seen working through His people. You will see unfold before your eyes the eternal truth of the apostle Paul, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Dive in and join the winning team! You will learn not to believe your eyes!

John''s gospel is unique. What makes it unique is the author, John, and the perspective he brings to the person and character of Jesus. John was Jesus''s closest friend. You might say his best friend! Peter, James, and John were part of an inner circle that Jesus included exclusively. Only these three were allowed into the room when Jesus raised the synagogue official''s daughter from the dead. Only these three were invited onto the mountain to witness his transfiguration experience. It was John that leaned on Jesus''s breast at the Last Supper and was told who the betrayer was. And in Jesus''s moment of deepest distress in the garden before his death, only these three were invited deep into the garden to pray with Jesus. But more than all that, John was the first disciple to be chosen and the only one at the very end. Only John was at the foot of the cross comforting Jesus''s mother while the rest hid in fear. And it was because of John''s unique relationship with Jesus that Jesus committed the care of his mother to him. John writes long after the other gospel letters had been distributed among the churches. John describes seven miracles, five unique to his gospel. John includes seven "I am" statements and is the only writer that uses the phrase "Truly, truly..." to underscore the extreme importance of these statements. John writes not as a follower, and not just as an eyewitness but as Jesus''s best friend. And John writes for one single, specific purpose: "That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). To miss this is to miss the very reason for your existence on this planet!

Paul Murray OP examines the depth and range of Catherine''s vision of freedom, claiming that until now her understanding of freedom has received surprisingly little attention from readers and scholars. Murray demonstrates that a preoccupation with freedom is the ''fire'' behind almost every page and paragraph she writes, and as a result freedom becomes her veritable obsession. He explores the liberating character of Catherine''s teaching, with particular attention given to her understanding of fear as one of greatest enemies of freedom. Murray highlights the importance of self-knowledge in the journey from bondage of freedom, and employs the rubric of the Dominican motto, To Praise, to Bless, to Preach; as a benchmark to examine the remarkable freedom of Catherine''s life and thought.