Peter Bolt explores the impact of Mark's Gospel on its early readers in the first-century Graeco-Roman world. His book focuses upon the thirteen characters in Mark who come to Jesus for healing or exorcism and, using analytical tools of narrative and reader-response criticism, explores their crucial role in the communication of the Gospel. Bolt suggests that early readers of Mark would be persuaded that Jesus' dealings with the suppliants show him casting back the shadow of death and that this in itself is preparatory for Jesus' final defeat of death in resurrection. Enlisting a variety of ancient literary and non-literary sources in an attempt to illuminate this first-century world, this book gives special attention to illness, magic and the Roman imperial system. This is a different approach to Mark, which attempts to break the impasse between narrative and historical studies and will appeal to scholars and students alike.

From Ashes of Defeat is the riveting tale about Sir Geoffrey Talbot's courageous attempt to rescue his fiancée, Lady Cortay Louvet, from her captivity and impending death at the Dark Castle in the Land of Trisidian. Geoffrey's agony swells when he finds out his blood brother, Lord William, is planning to offer Cortay as a human sacrifice to the Wolf God Etharo at Trisidian's upcoming barbaric religious ritual on the Day of Shinara. Geoffrey's efforts to rescue Cortay before the supremely critical hour force him to quickly undergo a dangerous, unpredictable journey through an evil land plunged in darkness. From Ashes of Defeat is a stirring drama of test and trial, faith and hope, and the perseverance of a young man as he undergoes great pain and suffering to save his lost love. In the midst of unveiling the obscure beast and darkness of the human heart, a new hero arises when Geoffrey embraces the deep-rooted moral principle that the "power of love is greater than the love of power."

What Dark Beast Lurks Within You? -Crucial weapon and equipment charts -Complete combat strategies and walkthroughs -Learn to leverage dynamic attacks of opportunity -Master new combat moves and special abilities -Character morphing system revealed -2 guides in one! Full guide included for Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade