The New York Times bestseller and definitive history of Christianity for our time—from the award-winning author of The Reformation and SilenceA product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill; Diarmaid MacCulloch's Christianity goes back to the origins of the Hebrew Bible and encompasses the globe. It captures the major turning points in Catholic; Protestant; and Orthodox history and fills in often neglected accounts of conversion and confrontation in Africa; Latin America; and Asia. MacCulloch introduces us to monks and crusaders; heretics and reformers; popes and abolitionists; and discover Christianity's essential role in shaping human history and the intimate lives of men and women. And he uncovers the roots of the faith that galvanized America; charting the surprising beliefs of the founding fathers; the rise of the Evangelical movement and of Pentecostalism; and the recent crises within the Catholic Church. Bursting with original insights and a great pleasure to read; this monumental religious history will not soon be surpassed.
#188249 in Books John Carlin 2009-11-18 2009-11-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .65 x 5.50l; #File Name: 0143117157288 pagesInvictus Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Power of Love to Heal a NationBy Karen Wingoof*Playing the Enemy* is a wonderful book - moving; touching; filled to brimming with inspiration. This is the story of Nelson Mandela's rise to the presidency of South Africa; and the power of love (and rugby) to unite a nation. I laughed. I cried. By the time I finished this book; my heart was filled with hope for our world. This book was proof; to me; that nothing - absolutely nothing - is impossible to Love."Mandela’s weakness was his greatest strength. He succeeded because he chose to see good in people who ninety-nine people out of a hundred would have judged to have been beyond redemption...By appealing to and eliciting what was best in them; and in every single white South African watching the rugby game that day; he offered them the priceless gift of making them feel like better people; in some cases transforming them into heroes."His secret weapon was that he assumed not only that he would like the people he met; he assumed also that they would like him. That vast self-confidence of his coupled with that frank confidence he had in others made for a combination that was as irresistible as it was disarming." - from *Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation*- Karen Molenaar Terrell; author of *Blessings: Adventures of a Madcap Christian Scientist*5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Absolutely brilliantBy EJI agree with the other reviewers here about this book; it is indeed a "must-read". This book is not really a story of rugby; as later portrayed in the Hollywood movie; it is a story of a country struggling with a massive and long-overdue change in the fabric of its society.John Carlin tells the story of South Africa during the transition period after Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and apartheid ended. Whether you are an expert in this era or a neophyte; Carlin's writing and summary of this time is nothing short of superb. He is able to tell the tale of how South Africa managed an almost incomprehensibly huge change in its society without warfare; which is an incredible feat. Carlin had worked in South Africa and as such had background knowledge of the country as well as access to the many prominent figures that he interviewed for the book; including Mandela himself.The role of rugby in this book is as the thread that ties together the characters from all walks of life who appear throughout the story. It doesn't much resemble the movie in that sense; which relied more heavily on showing the rugby team; games; etc.; as the primary driver of the story. The book is far more powerful.Everyone; and I do mean everyone; should read this book. It is well-written; fast-paced; emotional; and tells a story that would have been unbelievable if it weren't true. As a side note; the poem "Invictus"; for which the movie was titled; brilliantly captures the bravery of Mandela and all of South Africa shown in this book."It matters not how strait the gate;How charged with punishments the scroll.I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul."Excerpt from Invictus; by William Ernest Henley0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I enjoyed and learned about much in this book.By Bonnie N. TiltonI also struggled through the first part of the book with trying to keep straight the parties of the right and the left and what was what and who was who. I read every word; but I was not sure which side I was reading about. Loved reading about the charismatic Mandela. He was a Godsend of a leader.
