The first Latin American actor to become a superstar, Ramon Novarro was for years one of Hollywood's top actors. Born Ramon Samaniego to a prominent Mexican family, he arrived in America in 1916, a refugee from civil wars. By the mid-1920s, he had become one of MGM's biggest box office attractions, starring in now-classic films, including The Student Prince, Mata Hari, and the original version of Ben-Hur. He shared the screen with the era's top leading ladies, such as Greta Garbo, Myrna Loy, Joan Crawford, and Norma Shearer, and he became Rudolph Valentino's main rival in the “Latin Lover” category. Yet, despite his considerable professional accomplishments, Novarro's enduring hold on fame stems from his tragic death—his bloodied corpse was found in his house on Halloween 1968 in what has become one of Hollywood's most infamous scandals. A lifelong bachelor, Novarro carefully cultivated his image as a man deeply devoted to his family and to Catholicism. His murder shattered that persona. News reports revealed that the dashing screen hero had not only been gay, but he was dead at the hands of two young, male hustlers. Since then, details of his murder have achieved near mythic proportions, obscuring Novarro's professional legacy. Beyond Paradise presents a full picture of the man who made motion picture history. Including original interviews with Novarro's surviving friends, family, coworkers, and the two men convicted of his murder, this biography provides unique insights into an early Hollywood star—a man whose heart was forever in conflict with his image and whose myth continues to fascinate today.

Within months of arriving in the exotic Philippines from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, to live with her missionary parents on the island of Panay, fourteen-year-old Louise finds herself a prisoner of war in an internment camp when the Japanese invade her new country in 1941.

Technology is shaping our culture and controlling our lives -- for better or for worse. Often, technology's benefits far outweigh its negative impacts, and technological advances can seem boundless. But the scientificÐtechnological worldview tends to override other value systems. Indeed, this technological way of thinking has influenced many contemporary ideas, beliefs, values, habits, and ways of communicating. Furthermore, in addition to technology's well-known environmental impacts, social, aesthetic, and spiritual consequences are now emerging. How can we balance positive physical effects of technology with other ambiguous or negative impacts? Some of the decisions we face have no precedent from which to draw wisdom. For this reason, the resources of Scripture and the Christian tradition must be brought to bear on technological questions: How is technology used and abused today? Does technological progress lead to human progress? How can Scripture help us, both individually and collectively, to manage technology's impact in proactive ways? Swearengen uncovers a comprehensive scriptural mandate for managing technology. On his way to a theology of technology, he evaluates which advances are moving society in directions consistent with God's purposes. 'Beyond Paradise: Technology and the Kingdom of God' aims to provide practical means for assessing technology's influence and for steering technology and its effects toward biblical ends.

When Jesus said It is finished, what did he mean? Where did he go from that pivotal moment of earth-shattering revelation? As the story of our redemption through his blood comes to fruition, Beyond Paradise takes readers on a deeper biblical journey that explores lingering questions begging for answers. When, where, and why was Jesus Cursed? What is paradise, and what is beyond it? Author William Chandler presents his exploration through biblical events and theologies in a direct and fast-paced fashion. His focus on ease of understanding complements the simple truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Beyond Paradise is a great starting place for those who are seeking further answers to difficult questions. Readers will be encouraged to go deeper and push past a level of complacent contentment. William Chandler currently resides in Tucson, Arizona with his wife.

First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.