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Spirituality and Religion July 2017
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The genius of Judaism
by Bernard-Henri Lévy
Offers an exploration of what it means to be a Jew, rooted in the Talmudic tradition of argument and conflict
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Hallelujah anyway : rediscovering mercy
by Anne Lamott
An impassioned exploration of mercy, its elusive presence and why people ignore or embrace it shares advice for forging deeper self-understanding and how to pursue an honest, meaningful life that involves kindness to others. By the best-selling author of Stitches.
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| Hanukkah in America: A History by Dianne AshtonIn Hanukkah in America, religion scholar Dianne Ashton offers a cultural history of American Judaism as she describes the heightened importance of Hanukkah in the U.S. Though this festival is historically a minor Jewish religious observance, American Jews have made it more prominent for a variety of reasons -- not just because of its proximity to Christmas. This thoroughly researched book engagingly provides information on Hanukkah's history and practice, from its origin to recent American influences. |
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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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| The Heathen School: A Story of Hope and Betrayal in the Age of the Early Republic by John DemosIn The Heathen School, acclaimed historian John Demos chronicles the work of a special Connecticut school founded in the 1820s for non-Christian ("heathen") boys from North America and around the world. The idea was that the children educated at these schools would promote Christianity in their home communities and that introducing the students to European-Americans would moderate prejudices against non-Europeans. Demos' riveting narration relates both the school's successes and some unforeseen -- and unfortunate -- outcomes of this well-intentioned missionary effort. |
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| In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire by Tom HollandTracing the varied and complex influences of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity in the first few centuries A.D., acclaimed historian Tom Holland portrays shifts in Arab culture that led ultimately to the rise of Islam. Holland shows how the teachings recorded in the Qur'an offered God's prophecies to those willing to listen. This "smoothly composed history and fine scholarship" (Kirkus Reviews) offers a plausible explanation for the success of Islam and the rise of Arab political power. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Hauppauge Public Library
601 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York 11788
(631) 979-1600
http://www.hauppaugelibrary.org/
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