Acclaimed biographer Donald Spoto strips away the legends from the life of Francis of Assisi to reveal the true story of a man who has too often been obscured by pious iconography. Drawing on unprecedented access to unexplored archives, plus Francis's own letters, Spoto places Francis within the context of the multifaceted ecclesiastical, political, and social forces of medieval Italy, casting new light on Francis and showing how his emphasis on charity as the heart of the Gospel's message helped him pioneer a new social movement. This nuanced portrait reveals the multifaceted character of a man who can genuinely be said to have changed the course of history.

A timely portrait of John Henry Newman, whose beatification is set for September 2010, dealing with his exceptional intellect And The sensational events surrounding him.

"In this biography, Patrick Streiff, himself a Swiss theologian, traces Fletcher's development as a Christian, a pastor and a theologian, and gives a perceptive account of the inward and outward conflicts which marked his ministry. Based on thorough research in the primary sources, it draws from more than 150 letters written by Fletcher which were completely or partly unknown before, and publishes for the first time theological notes written by Fletcher in his last years. The treatment that emerges is the most complete and authoritative available in English, and relates its subject to the wider historical and philosophical challenges of the day." --Book Jacket.

Catholic lore, American tales, and Sicilian superstition blend in this “clever, funny, heartbreaking, and heartwarming” novel (Publishers Weekly). Born with unruly red hair, a sharp tongue, and wine-colored marks all over her body—marks that oddly mimick a map of the world and make her subject to endless ridicule—Garnet Ferrari would hardly consider herself blessed. So when an emissary from the Vatican shows up at her door, convinced that her seeming ability to cure the skin ailments of others qualifies her for sainthood, she’s not quite convinced—or pleased. Garnet sets off on a quest to better understand who she is and where she and her unusual gifts came from. Tracing a twisted path that leads from Sicily to West Virginia, poverty to riches, romance to loss, reality to mythology, Garnet uncovers a truth far more powerful than any dermatological miracle: that the things of which we are most ashamed often become our greatest strengths. “A cleareyed, touching fable of a girl learning the hard truths about herself and others.” —Kirkus Reviews

The killing of a greyhound breeder and rumors of election fraud during the mayoral race in small-town West Texas has Chief of Police Josie Gray searching for answers. "Fields’s excellent seventh Josie Gray mystery . . . does a masterly job evoking the dry, dusty Lone Star landscape"- Publishers Weekly Starred Review Mayoral elections are looming in Artemis. One of the candidates, Mike Striker, wants to build a racetrack while the incumbent mayor, Simon O'Kane, is strongly opposed. The proposal has divided the town: will it provide jobs and money, or will it bring crime and does it profit from animal cruelty? Tensions rise as a greyhound breeder has a number of her dogs stolen - she vows vengeance, only to soon be found dead herself. Meanwhile, fears of election fraud circulate. Is there truth behind the rumors of election rigging? Who stands to gain the most from the racetrack being built? Are animal rights activists taking matters too far? Josie Gray, Chief of Police in Artemis, must discover who is willing to kill for their cause before others in the town get caught in the crossfire - all while a gathering threat from Mexico City hovers over her.

This eBook edition of " The Reluctant Dragon" has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. A young boy discovers an erudite, poetry-loving dragon living in the Downs above his home. The two become friends, but soon afterwards the dragon is discovered by the townsfolk, who send for St George to rid them of it. The boy introduces St George to the dragon, and the two decide that it would be better for them not to fight. Eventually, they decide to stage a fake joust between the two combatants.