NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW AND ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR “A deeply reported, deeply personal history of Zionism and Israel that does something few books even attempt: It balances the strength and weakness, the idealism and the brutality, the hope and the horror, that has always been at Zionism’s heart.”—Ezra Klein, The New York Times Winner of the Natan Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award Ari Shavit’s riveting work, now updated with new material, draws on historical documents, interviews, and private diaries and letters, as well as his own family’s story, to create a narrative larger than the sum of its parts: both personal and of profound historical dimension. As he examines the complexities and contradictions of the Israeli condition, Shavit asks difficult but important questions: Why did Israel come to be? How did it come to be? Can it survive? Culminating with an analysis of the issues and threats that Israel is facing, My Promised Land uses the defining events of the past to shed new light on the present. Shavit’s analysis of Israeli history provides a landmark portrait of a small, vibrant country living on the edge, whose identity and presence play a crucial role in today’s global political landscape.
Our Promised Land takes readers inside radical Israeli settlements to explore how they were formed, what the people in them believe, and their role in the Middle East today. Charles Selengut analyzes the emergence of the radical Israeli Messianic Zionist movement, which advocates Jewish settlement and sovereignty over the whole of biblical Israel as a religious obligation and as the means of world transformation. The movement has established scores of controversial settlements throughout the contested West Bank, bringing more than 300,000 Jews to the area. Messianic Zionism is a fundamentalist movement but wields considerable political power. Our Promised Land, which draws on years of research and interviews in these settlements, offers an intimate and nuanced look at Messianic Zionism, life in the settlements, connections with the worldwide Christian community, and the impact on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Selengut offers an in-depth exploration of a topic that is often mentioned in the headlines but little understood.
“A funny yet surprisingly nuanced look at the legends and ideas of the self-help industry” (People, 3.5 stars), Promise Land explores the American devotion to self-improvement—even as the author attempts some deeply personal improvements of her own. Raised by a child psychologist who was himself the author of numerous self-help books, as an adult Jessica Lamb-Shapiro found herself both repelled and fascinated by the industry: did all of these books, tapes, weekend seminars, groups, posters, t-shirts, and trinkets really help anybody? Why do some people swear by the power of positive thinking, while others dismiss it as so many empty promises? Promise Land is an irreverent tour through the vast and strange reaches of the world of self-help. In the name of research, Jessica attempted to cure herself of phobias, followed The Rules to meet and date men, walked on hot coals, and even attended a self-help seminar for writers of self-help books. But the more she delved into the history and practice of self-help, the more she realized her interest was much more than academic. Forced into a confrontation with the silent grief that had haunted both her and her father since her mother’s death when she was a baby, she realized that sometimes thinking you know everything about a subject is a way of hiding from yourself the fact that you know nothing at all. “A jaunty, cannily written memoir” (Chicago Tribune), Promise Land is cultural history from “a witty and enjoyably self-aware writer…Jessica Lamb-Shapiro’s talent as a storyteller is undeniable” (The New York Times Book Review).
The premier real estate book for Christians, Possessing Your Promised Land is the believer's (and non-believer's) guide to SUPERNATURAL real property acquisition. Combining the author's own extensive knowledge as a REALTOR with his numerous miraculous testimonies, this book seeks to inform Christians and non-Christians alike in the practical considerations of buying lands and homes, while intriguing the reader with his remarkable stories of supernatural property transactions. Readers will readily find their faith encouraged to acquire properties for their own homes or investments, while gaining the practical wisdom necessary to see it actually happen. (More information about this title is also available at www.rodneyjohnson.com.) ENDORSEMENTS: Pat Boone: Commit your works unto the Lord, and He will establish your thoughts. Proverbs 16: 3. Another translation says-and He will guarantee your success. I like that even better! The point is this: God created everything there is and wants man to be successful in his stewardship of creation. Rodney Johnson has tapped into that wonderful truth, and shares it with us in very practical ways, from his own experience. What could be better? Dean Jones: My longtime friend, Rodney Johnson, is not only an expert in Southern California real estate, but a man who strives to serve God's purpose in every deal he closes. Does it matter to God where you live? This book will be a vivid reminder that the God who birthed life on planet Earth is still interested in making homes for His people on it. Gavin MaCleod: Rodney Johnson's book, Possessing Your Promised Land: Biblical Principles for Real Estate Acquisition is a read that will inspire, educate, andguide you through any real estate transaction. Our Lord said, I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Rodney explains God's word and how your mindset translates into acquiring real estate properties-among other things-according to God's plan. It's a MUST READ-and it's all biblical! Paul McGuire: Rodney Johnson's Possessing Your Promised Land shows the reader firsthand how to develop a mindset geared toward acquiring real estate. His exciting examples culled from almost twenty years of helping people possess their own promised lands make this an enjoyable read. If God has been nudging you to step out into the unknown like He called Abraham to do then, by all means, read this book. Michael Reagan: From the political to the practical, Rodney Johnson covers it in Possessing Your Promised Land. Whether it is using his garage as a polling site in national elections or taking the appropriate tax deduction, he has something to say that should be of benefit to all homeowners and those who want to be homeowners. This book is not about mansions in the sweet by and by. Instead, Rodney uses biblical examples and characters to show us what we need to do in the here and now. I encourage you to read Possessing Your Promised Land and then do what the title suggests. Colin Stewart: Rodney Johnson has performed a unique service for both Christians and non-Christians alike in this immensely readable and inspiring book. His fresh and insightful application of Biblical truth to the subject of real estate ownership places the concept of possessing the land in a context that is compelling and relevant to everyday life in the 21st century. Plus his stories are very funny andenjoyable to read! Lisa Whelchel: Possessing Your Promised Land is full of hope, faith and encouragement to believe your real estate dreams really can come true. Rodney Johnson provides all that plus the practical direction to make it happen. Above all, this unique and timely book reminds us that if we delight in God then He gives us the desires of our hearts, and it is God's heart-desire to give us a home-both earthly and heavenly!
In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Oren Martin demonstrates how, within the redemptive-historical framework of God's unfolding plan, the land promise to Israel advances the place of the kingdom that was lost in Eden, anticipating the even greater land, prepared for all of God's people, that will result from the person and work of Christ.
"Explains how the American middle class ballooned at mid-century until it dominated the nation, showing who benefited and what brought the expansion to an end"--
"This book is likely to become the future point of reference for scholarship on environmental issues in Israel. Tal combines his extensive inside knowledge with broad and thorough research to take the reader clearly through a complex fabric of personalities, organizations, and issues."—Stuart Schoenfeld, York University "This is truly an excellent book. It is the first treatment of the whole array of environmental issues in Israel, and in its historical context – an absolute necessity. Extremely well-written and in fact hard to put down, this book is useful on many levels, for United Nations Agencies and development officials, Israeli and Palestinian government officials, and environmentalists and teachers around the world."—Brock Evans, Executive Director, The Endangered Species Coalition and author of many articles and books on the politics of the environment "Pollution in a Promised Land is an innovative book, and an important one, by perhaps the most prominent environmental activist in Israel. Tal's approach is to take an "eagle's eye view" of his vast subject, now gliding far above, providing overview, now swooping down very close and, through interviews or anecdotes, describing his subject with great immediacy and in memorable detail."—Noah J. Efron, Bar Ilan University "Anyone who cares about the land of Israel should read Pollution in a Promised Land. It is critical to understanding the social, political, and scientific dimensions of the country's environmental challenges as well as the country's remarkable ecological achievements. Alon Tal is uniquely qualified to present this fascinating and dramatic environmental history."—Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister of the Environment, Israel
Iconoclast David F. Noble traces the evolution and eclipse of the biblical mythology of the Promised Land, the foundational story of Western Culture. Part impassioned manifesto, part masterful survey of opposed philosophical and economic schools, Beyond the Promised Land brings into focus the twisted template of the Western imagination and its faith-based market economy. From the first recorded versions of ‘the promise’ saga in ancient Babylon, to the Zapatistas’ rejection of promises never kept, Noble explores the connections between Judeo-Christian belief and corporate globalization. Inspiration for activists and students alike.
A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making—from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW AND PEOPLE NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times • NPR • The Guardian • Slate • Vox • The Economist • Marie Claire In the stirring first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil. Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office. Reflecting on the presidency, he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy. Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room, and to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, and points beyond. We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet, wrestles with a global financial crisis, takes the measure of Vladimir Putin, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act, clashes with generals about U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform, responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout, and authorizes Operation Neptune’s Spear, which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden. A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage. Obama is candid about the balancing act of running for office as a Black American, bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change,” and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad, open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible. This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day.
