“Extraordinarily tender and finely wrought.†― Eliza Griswold; author of The Tenth Parallel“It’s long been assumed of the region where my grandmother was born…that at some point each year the dead will come home;†Inara Verzemnieks writes in this exquisite story of war; exile; and reconnection. Her grandmother’s stories recalled one true home: the family farm left behind in Latvia; where; during WWII; her grandmother Livija and her grandmother’s sister; Ausma; were separated. They would not see each other again for more than 50 years. Raised by her grandparents in Washington State; Inara grew up among expatriates; scattering smuggled Latvian sand over the coffins of the dead; singing folk songs about a land she had never visited.When Inara discovers the scarf Livija wore when she left home; in a box of her grandmother’s belongings; this tangible remnant of the past points the way back to the remote village where her family broke apart. There it is said the suspend their exile once a year for a pilgrimage through forests and fields to the homes they left behind. Coming to know Ausma and the trauma of her exile to Siberia under Stalin; Inara pieces together Livija’s survival through years as a refugee. Weaving these two parts of the family story together in spellbinding; lyrical prose; she gives us a profound and cathartic account of loss; survival; resilience; and love.
#538450 in Books Martha Simmons Frank A Thomas Gardner C Taylor 2010-08-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 2.00 x 6.60l; 2.99 #File Name: 039305831X992 pagesPreaching with Sacred Fire An Anthology of African American Sermons 1650 to the Present
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. God's own prophets in a "Splendor of Antiquity" - Preaching with Sacred Fire is a #1 Hit!By Yvonne R. WilliamsI purchased my first Norton Anthology of African American Literature 13 years ago and discovered the importance; purpose and significance of an anthology. Therefore; when I heard "Preaching with Sacred Fire" was "An Anthology of African American Sermons"; I immediately made my online order and prepared my literary palate for an awesome treat. And; what a treat it has been to read this extensive collection of works that provide such a meticulous historical account of African American Preaching commencing with the first ordained African American Presbyterian preacher to the current heavy weight hitters of today. I may add the unique gift of this anthology is the elaborate history lesson that accompanies the introduction of each preacher and the transitions to each new epoch being discussed.Preaching is the primary focus of this anthology; however the derivative of the wondrous body of works is an accurate account of history being shared by God's own prophets in a splendor of antiquity that is the foundation and the fuel for current day sermons being preached. The sermons and the history surrounding the earlier genre compositions would not have been exposed in detail to the masses without the assistance of this great anthology. I would like to personally thank Ms. Martha Simmons and Mr. Frank A. Thomas for this well documented and researched reference publication. Presentation and communication tools of today will facilitate the current generation of Gods prophet the unprecedented ability to be read; heard and documented by everyone desiring to take part. However; without the enormous effort to bring "Preaching with Sacred Fire" to print the entire African American Preaching Story could not be shared by all.I highly recommend this book as a reference tool when studying African American history and traditional bible study as well. With such a buffet of sermons and the rich narrative regarding the events and climate of the time - this book would be a great gift for any Christian or historian looking to understand God's Word and the Prophets selected to provide this delicate communication of their time on his behalf. This is truly a compressive study of African American Preaching at its best.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A must read and purchaseBy otis mossThis book is must for ALL students; ministers and historians of antebellum and 20th Century history. The sermons in this volume are brilliant documents of the complex theological thought and social analysis of black preachers. African-American preaching and rhetoric is an art form rarley examined by scholars as narrative creating catalysts for social change. I go back to this book often to understand specific eras of history and witness the brilliance of community denied the basic human rights of education; work and suffrage create a story of hope and healing.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. AWESOME!!!!By Minister JenniferI know six preachers that are in this book. My former pastor; Rev. Fredrick George Sampson II; is in this book. I could hear his voice as I read his sermon. Doc; as we called him touched my life. I believed he knew that on day I would become a preacher.This is a MUST for every preacher to have in their collection!
