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OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and video. The HCPL is a member of Kentucky Libraries Unbound that shares a collection with more than 90 libraries in Kentucky.
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| The Souls of China: The Return of Religion after Mao by Ian JohnsonMao Zedong's death in 1976 ended decades of severe repression of religion in China, and now the Chinese people are practicing religion openly (though with continued government scrutiny). Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson has been exploring Chinese religious life since 1984. In The Souls of China, he reveals what he learned during six years of visiting with members of religious groups in China. This "compelling and lyrical" (Publishers Weekly) account brings to life the varied practices he has observed and the individuals who participate in them. |
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| My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew by Abigail PogrebinIn My Jewish Year, television news producer Abigail Pogrebin recounts her systematic exploration of her faith's holiday rituals and their significance. Starting with Elul, the month before the Jewish new year, she engagingly describes the activities that mark each holiday. From learning how to blow the shofar to integrating observances into her family's daily life, she offers intriguing insights that will captivate readers interested in learning more about Judaism -- as well as Jews who are already observant. |
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| The Face of Water: A Translator on Beauty and Meaning in the Bible by Sarah RudenRealizing that English translations of the Hebrew scriptures and Greek New Testament fail to convey the texts' brilliance and complexity, classical scholar and poet Sarah Ruden decided to retranslate some key passages. Both to enhance her own understanding and enjoyment and to help others, she delves into grammar and the contextual richness of certain words. She presents her technical explanations as gems discovered in an entertaining treasure hunt. Whether you're a language lover or you're intrigued by the Bible, you'll appreciate Ruden's vivid and entertaining explanations. |
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| Protestants: The Faith That Made the Modern World by Alec RyrieMarking 500 years since Martin Luther unintentionally launched the Protestant Reformation, Christian History professor Alec Ryrie surveys Protestantism's impact on European civilization. Crediting the movement with promoting free speech and the sovereignty of individual conscience, Ryrie addresses developments that range from the emergence of democratic government to contemporary controversies such as legalized abortion and the challenges of secularism. Ryrie, a licensed lay preacher in the Church of England, addresses controversial subjects candidly and with an engaging and accessible tone that will appeal to non-specialists. |
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| The Birth of the West: Rome, Germany, France, and the Creation of Europe in the Tenth... by Paul CollinsAccording to historian Paul Collins, European civilization arose from the achievements of 10th-century Christian leaders. In this "lively narrative with a comprehensible story line" (Publishers Weekly), he gives credit to organized Germanic monarchs and the Roman Catholic Church for reducing chaos and anarchy to manageable levels. Though many of the Popes and secular kings engaged in barbaric behavior, and ordinary people lived in terror, stable centralized rule coalesced and eventually took over. For history buffs, this is a page-turner not to be missed. |
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Genghis Khan and the Quest for God: How the World's Greatest Conqueror Gave Us...
by Jack Weatherford
Though Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan's conquering armies were merciless to those who resisted, Khan's techniques for uniting his conquests into the largest empire in history were based on tolerance. In addition to promoting justice and peace (after the bloodshed was over), he allowed his subjects to practice their religions without restriction. Drawing on recently discovered documents, anthropologist Jack Weatherford also finds that Khan became a student of religion in his later years, learning from the peoples he had conquered. Though Genghis Khan and the Quest for God doesn't minimize Khan's bloodthirstiness, it presents a more peaceable aspect than history usually acknowledges.
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No god but God : the origins and evolution of Islam
by Reza Aslan
An authoritative study of the Islamic faith in relation to the other world religions sheds new light on its origins and history, from the social reformation role of Muhammad to the impact of fundamentalism and terrorism on Islam. 50,000 first printing.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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