A portrait in her own words of the female Lawrence of Arabia; the subject of the documentary Letters from Baghdad; voiced by Tilda Swinton; and the major motion picture Queen of the Desert; starring Nicole Kidman; James Franco; Damian Lewis; and Robert Pattinson and directed by Werner HerzogGertrude Bell was leaning in 100 years before Sheryl Sandberg. One of the great woman adventurers of the twentieth century; she turned her back on Victorian society to study at Oxford and travel the world; and became the chief architect of British policy in the Middle East after World War I. Mountaineer; archaeologist; Arabist; writer; poet; linguist; and spy; she dedicated her life to championing the Arab cause and was instrumental in drawing the borders that define today’s Middle East. As she wrote in one of her letters; “It’s a bore being a woman when you are in Arabia.†Forthright and spirited; opinionated and playful; and deeply instructive about the Arab world; this volume brings together Bell’s letters; military dispatches; diary entries; and travel writings to offer an intimate look at a woman who shaped nations.For more than seventy years; Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1;800 titles; Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors; as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
#198315 in Books Saint Augustine 2008-12-30 2008-12-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.80 x 2.10 x 5.20l; .53 #File Name: 0143105701368 pagesConfessions
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Uncover ourselvesBy Gregory DiSalvioSt. Augustine has written a self revealing account of his past. He is vivid yet discrete in his description of grievous sin. He uncovers his nature and extols his profound wisdom. This is an important read for spiritual minded people.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. His Mother Was A Saint!By Margery LeonardAugustine was such a handful that even his mother Monica is a saint of the Church. It is no wonder that half the boys in my Confirmation class took the saint name of Augustine when they learned of his prayer; "Lord; help me to be good--but not yet." Yet Augustine--womanizer; father of an out-of-wedlock baby--finds faith. Known as the "Poet of the Church;" Augustine's beautifully written Confession is his honest account of his faith journey; demonstrating that there is hope for us all. Recognized as one of the 100 most significant literary works of all times; this edition is leather bound with gold edged pages; a meaningful gift or addition to one's own library.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. 1600 Years Old; and Still Powerful !By Jim MartinTo think this work was written 1600 years ago! The fact that this masterpiece is still in existence is amazing; and also; as you will see; a rare gift.What we find here is a very honest account of one man and his quest to find himself through all of the obstacles that life throws at you on a daily basis. The first thing that struck me is how sincere and honest St. Augustine is. He literally pours out his heart on every single page. Speaking directly with God; he discusses almost every facet of his life from: birth; parents; philosophy; education; mankind; loneliness; despair; gossip; sin; doing right; doing wrong; the joy of doing wrong; and eventually salvation and service.After years of adversity; we see St. Augustine at long last; turns his heart toward God; and he accepts the faith of Christianity as his own. This is a volume that should be read by all; not just by Christians. We can all learn a thing or two from St. Augustine like `no one is perfect'. Only God knows how many times we falter; and how many times we drift even further from doing the right thing. But; the important note is that after St. Augustine realized he couldn't fight it anymore; and that something was missing in his life; he realized that he could never be complete without God in his life. He turned away so many times because he was lost in the lust of all his worldly pleasures; one of them being women. However; when he finally joined with God; he stated that he no longer needed anything; but His words. There are many touching experiences found in this book... Without question; I received more from this paperback than originally anticipated.There is something in this book for all mankind to heed. These are the books that should never be lost for they possess the little secrets that we as human beings can learn from and apply in our own lives so that we can touch others as well. I think I could write a review that is 3 pages long on this detailed material. Within this book; one finds many treasured lessons to apply in everyday life. I wish I could list them all but you will just have to read; and discover them for yourself.
