Terror grips the world as Islamic fundamentalists take over the governments of Muslim nations. Global jihad begins with terrorist attacks in America’s heartland and the violence quickly spreads to foreign embassies. An Iranian submarine kidnaps Senator Durand, his wife Sasha, and lovely daughter Lynn from their yacht in the Caribbean. The President of Russia, Sasha’s uncle, detains her and Lynn at his estate on the Black Sea when Russia joins with Islam World Nation and supplies arms for their conquest. Will CIA operatives Kamal Mirza and Rose O’Grady defeat pirates, al-Qaeda, and a renegade sheik to free the hostages and avert Armageddon?
Alamut takes place in 11th Century Persia, in the fortress of Alamut, where self-proclaimed prophet Hasan ibn Sabbah is setting up his mad but brilliant plan to rule the region with a handful of elite fighters who are to become his "living daggers." By creating a virtual paradise at Alamut, filled with beautiful women, lush gardens, wine and hashish, Sabbah is able to convince his young fighters that they can reach paradise if they follow his commands. With parallels to Osama bin Laden, Alamut tells the story of how Sabbah was able to instill fear into the ruling class by creating a small army of devotees who were willing to kill, and be killed, in order to achieve paradise. Believing in the supreme Ismaili motto “Nothing is true, everything is permitted,” Sabbah wanted to “experiment” with how far he could manipulate religious devotion for his own political gain through appealing to what he called the stupidity and gullibility of people and their passion for pleasure and selfish desires. The novel focuses on Sabbah as he unveils his plan to his inner circle, and on two of his young followers — the beautiful slave girl Halima, who has come to Alamut to join Sabbah's paradise on earth, and young ibn Tahir, Sabbah's most gifted fighter. As both Halima and ibn Tahir become disillusioned with Sabbah's vision, their lives take unexpected turns. Alamut was originally written in 1938 as an allegory to Mussolini's fascist state. In the 1960's it became a cult favorite throughout Tito's Yugoslavia, and in the 1990s, during the Balkan's War, it was read as an allegory of the region's strife and became a bestseller in Germany, France and Spain. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the book once again took on a new life, selling more than 20,000 copies in a new Slovenian edition, and being translated around the world in more than 19 languages. This edition, translated by Michael Biggins, in the first-ever English translation.
Twice a princess, twice exiled, Neslishah Sultan had an eventful life. When she was born in Istanbul in 1921, cannons were fired in the four corners of the Ottoman Empire, commemorative coins were issued in her name, and her birth was recorded in the official register of the palace. After all, she was an imperial princess and the granddaughter of Sultan Vahiddedin. But she was the last member of the imperial family to be accorded such honors: in 1922 Vahiddedin was deposed and exiled, replaced as caliph--but not as sultan--by his brother (and Neslishah's other grandfather) Abdülmecid; in 1924 Abdülmecid was also removed from office, and the entire imperial family, including three-year-old Neslishah, was sent into exile. Sixteen years later on her marriage to Prince Abdel Moneim, the son of the last khedive of Egypt, she became a princess of the Egyptian royal family. And when in 1952 her husband was appointed regent for Egypt's infant king, she took her place at the peak of Egyptian society as the country's first lady, until the abolition of the monarchy the following year. Exile followed once more, this time from Egypt, after the royal couple faced charges of treason. Eventually Neslishah was allowed to return to the city of her birth, where she died at the age of 91 in 2012. Based on original documents and extensive personal interviews, this account of one woman's extraordinary life is also the story of the end of two powerful dynasties thirty years apart.
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
An evil opponent threatens all Rebecca holds dear... Paul Doherty writes a mesmerising tale of mystery, history and love in his masterful novel, The Soul Slayer. Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Susanna Gregory. Eighteen-year-old Rebecca Lennox, the daughter of a former priest, is neglected and feared by the villagers of Dunmow in Essex. They regard her as cursed, by both her hare lip and her gift of second sight. Rebecca finds solace in the statue of St Michael the Archangel, to whom she prays devotedly within the sanctity of her old parish church. But when a young Catholic priest arrives in the village it seems that she has finally found a mortal confidant. Michael is not repelled by her infirmity and his charm and gentleness remind her of her beloved statue. Then in the late summer changes come to Dunmow. A new parson is appointed - more interested in the black arts than the teachings of religion. For Henry Frogmore, holy orders are merely a convenient cover for his nefarious activities, but in Rebecca and Michael he finds powerful opponents. And in the ensuing struggle, the price for each of them is all too heavy... What readers are saying about The Soul Slayer: 'One of the best books I have ever read' 'I became so engrossed in this book that I didn't want it to end' 'This is superior writing, an excellent story with vivid, interesting characters'
Commanders focuses on the greatest leaders in naval, field, and aerial warfare. From Alexander the Great's conquest of the known world to the generals leading today's campaigns in Afghanistan, the book casts new light on the leaders who have forged history on the battlefield. Famous historical commanders, such as Julius Caesar, Napoleon, and Horatio Nelson, are considered in depth, along with their subordinates and enemies. Commanders from outside the Western tradition are also examined, including the great Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Native American, and African leaders. Chapter introductions contextualize the entries by explaining who fought whom and why, and individual stories bring the history to life. Catalog information gives an at-a-glance overview of each commander's life, and each section provides a timeline, key data, and a psychological profile outlining the commander's strengths and weaknesses. Images will include paintings of battles, battlefield maps, as well as the commanders' weapons, vehicles, and personal effects.
Amira and Hamza are back in this epic sequel, which takes readers on a thrilling magical adventure as the siblings face their most terrifying and formidable opponent yet. All human and jinn kind shall bow down to me. Control the Ring, control the worlds. Amira and Hamza have returned from Qaf, the magical Jinn world, as triumphant heroes—and life has been pleasantly quiet. Too quiet. Hamza is determined to have one last monumental, epic adventure before summer ends. But when sneaking off to explore an old, abandoned castle goes from life-changing adventure to potentially deadly, Amira and Hamza find themselves in the middle of another dangerous quest to save the worlds. One they didn’t bargain for. The siblings are brought face to face with the evil dev, Ahriman, angry and out for revenge. And if Amira and Hamza thought Ifrit was bad, his dad Ahriman, the last in an ancient line of fire spirits, is far worse. Ahriman kidnaps Hamza and forces him to help locate the lost Ring of Power, an ancient and mysterious artifact that will allow him to rule the universe. Desperate to save her brother, Amira must outsmart perilous traps and confounding puzzles in a race against time to retrieve the artifact before Ahriman does... or say goodbye to Hamza and their world forever.
Perseverance, love and hope work like magic in propelling anyone towards the desired outcome. In the modest but peace-loving village of Umuzura, everyone enjoys the fruits of their colourful culture and ample agriculture. Who would start worrying about any prophecy that their happy lives and freedom is doomed to some disaster – even if it wasn’t the village parrot that said so? As for Obinna, the apple of his eye is Adaure, the lead singer and dancer in Umuzura’s latest festival. With his Oja flute, he hopes to make his suit and earn some money, seeing nothing sinister in the old beggarman he takes pity on, on his way. After all, surely, he’s blind? Isn’t he? Yet on the wrong side of Africa’s Sahel lurks the kingdom of Tangandoom, a warrior kingdom that preys on its neighbours under its tyrant king, Gandoom – and its green eyes have spotted Umuzura. Sub-Saharan sorcery meets hope, romance and war in this African adventure alive with curious, quaint and colourful characters.
A tremendously vivid historical encounter becomes a larger-than-life canvas for this brilliant saga. The year is 1522. Two great leaders, twenty-five-year-old Suleiman the Magnificent, the absolute ruler of the mighty Ottoman Empire, and Philippe de L'Isle Adam, the grisly, fifty-eight-year-old Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, come to war on the Greek island of Rhodes. For 145 days, Philippe and 500 European Knights fight to protect their fortressed city and withstand an assault of nearly 200,000 men from Suleiman's army, in a battle that becomes the historic hallmark for siege warfare. Authentic in all its historical detail, The Shadow of God evokes a seismic clash of cultures: Muslim versus Christian, the Ottoman Empire versus the last remaining Knights of the Crusades and, most important, two of the most powerful men of their time. Embedded in this fictional account is the secret marriage of a lovely Jewish nurse to her Christian French Knight, as well as the forbidden love of the Grand Master for the beautiful Helene. An epic of bravery and courage, The Shadow of God weaves a tapestry of beauty, terror and triumph set in a forgotten time of brutality and courage, loyalty and honor. "So vividly rendered that historical fiction fans and medieval history enthusiasts will be crossing their fingers for a follow-up."—Publishers Weekly "An engaging and well-written fictional account of the Ottoman Turks' 145-day siege of the Greek island of Rhodes."—Library Journal
In the courtyard of her fathers harem, Amira forebodingly awaits the arrival of her betrothed, Abu Aneza, an old sheikh of a desert tribe pivotal to the safe passage of her fathers caravans through the desert. On this fateful day, Amira is saved from the dreaded marriage by the surreptitious arrival of a man from the Divan of the Sun, as predicted by her recently deceased mother in a dream. Richard, the stranger who is no stranger, echoes up from her dream, unleashing the dormant supernatural powers passed down to her through the centuries via her grandfather, Farudd-Din Attar, and the mystical Simurgh of Persian lore. Amira travels with Richard on the Ship of Souls from the Persian Gulf to the Land of Hind seeking liberation and reunion. Through her clairvoyant powers, she flies on the wings of the Simurghthat timeless being from beyond the world sea that flaps its wings and manifests many from the One. Sailing on the Sea of all Being she travelsnonlinearlyin multiple dimensions shifting her point of view as she seamlessly transforms from one facet of Being to the next, beyond time Where Dreams Coincide.
