For many; the names Bethlehem; Babylon; and Jerusalem are known as the setting for epic stories from the Bible featuring rustic mangers; soaring towers; and wooden crosses. What often gets missed is that these cities are far more than just the setting for the Bible and its characters—they were instrumental to the creation of the Bible as we know it today.Robert Cargill; Assistant Professor of Classics and Religious Studies at the University of Iowa; is an archeologist; Bible scholar; and host of numerous television documentaries; such as the History Channel series Bible Secrets Revealed. Taking us behind-the-scenes of the Bible; Cargill blends archaeology; biblical history; and personal journey as he explores these cities and their role in the creation of the Bible. He reveals surprising facts such as what the Bible says about the birth of Jesus and how Mary’s Virgin Birth caused problems for the early church. We’ll also see how the God of the Old Testament was influenced by other deities; that there were numerous non-biblical books written about Moses; Jacob; and Jesus in antiquity; and how far more books were left out of the Bible than were let in during the messy; political canonization process.The Cities That Built the Bible is a magnificent tour through fourteen cities: the Phoenicia cities of Tyre; Sidon; and Byblos; Ugarit; Nineveh; Babylon; Megiddo; Athens; Alexandria; Jerusalem; Qumran; Bethlehem; Nazareth; and Rome. Along the way; Cargill includes photos of artifacts; dig sites; ruins; and relics; taking readers on a far-reaching journey from the Grotto of the Nativity to the battlegrounds of Megiddo; from the towering Acropolis of Athens to the caves in Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.An exciting adventure through time; The Cities That Built the Bible is a fresh; fascinating exploration that sheds new light on the Bible.
#25213 in Books Lemmon Gayle Tzemach 2016-04-12 2016-04-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .76 x 5.31l; .0 #File Name: 0062333828336 pagesAshley s War The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Opened my eyes to an important and inspiring worldBy sonya34This book is simply excellent. The language is accessible; the story is a page-turner. But don't be fooled - it is anything but a "simple" book. I knew nothing about the military; and even less about women in the military (except that lately they've been characterized as victims). A friend with similar tastes as mine encouraged me to read this so I did. Ms. Lemmon's book opened my eyes in a skilled and powerful way. She uses the story of a women's special ops program - and the stories of several women participants - to take the reader through the complexities of military structure; politics; culture; and everyday life. She evens shines a light on the experience of one woman's husband and family in the immediate aftermath of her loss. And yet; with all the texture and background; the story thread remains clear and unbroken throughout. Somehow; despite all the military lingo and profiles of strong; self-disciplined women; the book moved me to tears by the end.I also read Dressmaker of Khair Khana - with these powerful and inspiring stories; Ms. Lemmon is clearly on a mission to change the world through heroic - and true! - portrayals of women. I look forward to whatever she writes next.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Little known use of women serving in the armed forcesBy Red WolfSome women are tough enough and skilled enough and brave enough to do any job a man can do and do it better than most men. These women are a valuable resource that the armed forces should be permitted to use. In some situations; a woman can be more useful than any man just because she is not a man; and can talk with other women without violating customs. Ashley was a woman who was attached to and trained with an elite army unit and went on missions with them. According to the author; she did an excellent job. However the author is not unbiased. I enjoyed reading the book; and I do believe that it is important to have women serving in more roles in the armed forces as soon as it is practical to do so. But I take some part of the book with a grain of salt. Let the armed forces have a major role in deciding how and where to deploy women.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A truly inspirational storyBy Tanya W.This is the amazing story of a woman; a soldier; her team; both CST and Special Forces; and the groundbreaking start of the Cultural Support Team - CST.Ashley was one of a special group of women who led the way onto the battlefield. This is her story; this is their story.Gayle Lemmon did a wonderful job describing the experience these women went through preparing and competing for the honor of being chosen for this very new; very special opportunity; as well as their experience in Afghanistan.She captured so well the essence of these extraordinary women. Their sense of duty; drive; motivations; fears; doubts; desires; loyalty; honor; commitment and resolve.It is an eloquent argument for allowing those women; who are warriors at heart; to have the chance to serve their country on the battlefield.And this is Ashley's story. A heartwarming and inspiring tribute to an amazing woman who gave her life for her country. How she was a trailblazer; how she was loved; and respected by her peers; both men and woman. And the difference she made; the impact she had; and the mark she left on the world.Ashley is an American hero by any standard; and I thank Gayle Lemmon for writing this book and making us aware of this remarkable woman; group of women; and their story.
