From comic books to summer blockbusters, all people enjoy art in some form or another. However, few of us can effectively explain why certain books, movies, and songs resonate so profoundly within us. In Echoes of Eden, Jerram Barrs helps us identify the significance of artistic expression as it reflects the extraordinary creativity and unmatched beauty of the Creator God. Additionally, Barrs provides the key elements for evaluating and defining great art: (1) The glory of the original creation; (2) The tragedy of the curse of sin; (3) The hope of final redemption and renewal. These three qualifiers are then put to the test as Barrs investigates five of the world's most influential authors who serve as ideal case studies in the exploration of the foundations and significance of great art.

“You done lived a tough life, boy, and I know I’m part responsible for that. I ain’t askin’ you to excuse me or forgive me. Just know I did the best I knew to do. I was just tryin’ to make you tough enough to deal with the world. To stand tall among men, I knew you had to be strong and have yo’ own mind.” “You were preparing me for war, Grandfather.” Guy Johnson, the author of the critically acclaimed debut Standing at the Scratch Line, continues the Tremain family saga. Jackson St. Clair Tremain hasn’t spoken to his grandfather King in nearly twenty years. Disgusted by the violence and bloodlust that seemed to be his grandfather’s way of life, Jackson chose to distance himself from King and live a simpler life. But now King is gravely ill, and his impending death places Jackson’s life—as well as those of his family and friends—in jeopardy. Reluctantly, Jackson travels to Mexico to see King. But after a brief reconciliation, his grandfather is assassinated, and Jackson suspects that his grandmother Serena may have had a hand in it. Jackson takes control of King’s organization, and as he does, he reflects on the summers he spent in Mexico as a child and the lessons he learned there at the knee of his strong-willed, complex grandfather. In Echoes of a Distant Summer, Guy Johnson introduces us to a new hero, Jackson St. Clair Tremain, who learns that, like his grandfather, he must be willing to protect those he loves—at all costs.

Dive into a world where time itself is a living entity, and the echoes of the past, present, and future shape the destiny of a mystical city. The Echoes of Eternity invites you to journey through Elaris, a city beyond time, where ancient wisdom and timeless power converge. Elaris, a breathtaking city of crystal and light, has stood for millennia as a beacon of knowledge and hope. Its founding scholars and sorcerers created the Echo Stone, an artifact of immense power that preserves the memories and wisdom of countless generations. This stone, capable of manipulating time and memory, serves as both a guide and protector, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten and that the future is shaped by understanding and enlightenment. At the heart of this tale are three extraordinary individuals bound by destiny to protect the Echo Stone and the city of Elaris. Liora, the determined daughter of a renowned archaeologist, is driven by a deep connection to her father's legacy. Her quest to uncover the secrets of Elaris leads her to embrace her role as a guardian with unwavering determination. Her journey is one of courage and resilience as she navigates the intricate web of ancient magic and timeless wisdom. Joining her is Aiden, a skilled warrior whose loyalty and bravery are unmatched. With a steadfast heart and keen sense of strategy, Aiden stands by Liora's side through countless trials and tribulations. His strength and resolve are tested repeatedly, but his commitment to protecting the Echo Stone and Elaris never wavers. Completing the trio is Selene, the newest guardian, who brings unique abilities and a fresh perspective to the team. Chosen by the echoes of the past and future, Selene's connection to the ancient magic of Elaris is profound. Her story is one of discovery and growth as she learns to harness her powers and contribute to the protection of the Echo Stone. Together, these guardians face formidable challenges, uncovering profound truths about themselves and the legacy they have sworn to protect. Their journey is a battle against external forces and an internal struggle to understand and embrace their roles as protectors of time and memory. The challenges they face and the sacrifices they make are a testament to their strength and resilience, and their triumphs celebrate their unity and determination. The Echoes of Eternity is more than a tale of adventure and magic. It is a reflection on the importance of preserving the past, understanding the present, and shaping the future. The Echo Stone, with its immense power, serves as a reminder that knowledge and wisdom are the true keys to navigating the complexities of life. The guardians' mission to protect this artifact symbolizes our responsibility to learn from history and use that knowledge to build a better future. As you journey through the pages of this book, you will witness the transformation of Liora, Aiden, and Selene from ordinary individuals into extraordinary guardians. Their struggles and triumphs mirror our own as we navigate the challenges of our lives, seeking to understand our place in the world and our impact on the future. The Echoes of Eternity is a celebration of timeless themes that connect us all—courage, sacrifice, and the pursuit of knowledge. It is a reminder that the past, present, and future are intertwined and that our actions today shape the legacy we leave for future generations. Let the echoes of eternity guide you as you embark on this unforgettable adventure.

Truth Eternal and the Adversity of Diversity Law sheds new light on the problem of truth, and its power to create, sustain, and account for all things. It also seeks to convey some new insights into how truth inconspicuously pervades every element of creation. Silent and unseen, it grounds time and the flow of events within it.

Raised in the steamy bayous of New Orleans in the early 1900s, LeRoi "King" Tremain, caught up in his family's ongoing feud with the rival DuMont family, learns to fight. But when the teenage King mistakenly kills two white deputies during a botched raid on the DuMonts, the Tremains' fear of reprisal forces King to flee Louisiana. King thus embarks on an adventure that first takes him to France, where he fights in World War I as a member of the segregated 369th Battalion—in the bigoted army he finds himself locked in combat with American soldiers as well as with Germans. When he returns to America, he battles the Mob in Jazz Age Harlem, the KKK in Louisiana, and crooked politicians trying to destroy a black township in Oklahoma. King Tremain is driven by two principal forces: He wants to be treated with respect, and he wants to create a family dynasty much like the one he left behind in Louisiana. This is a stunning debut by novelist Guy Johnson that provides a true depiction of the lives of African-Americans in the early decades of the twentieth century.

Arnošt Lustig's fiction has always been too close to the facts for comfort. In The House of Returned Echoes, he pays tribute to the life of his father, who died in Auschwitz in 1944. In Prague in the difficult time between the wars, a man fights to keep his family and his business alive despite anti-Semitism and economic hardship. Emil Ludvig has always relied on the simple rules of his family and the basic laws of civilization to counteract his misfortunes, and being a decent man himself, he refuses to believe that the Nazi threats will be carried out. Yet, he also becomes a victim of the camps, and his story resonates with both Lustig's personal experiences and the shared memories of the Holocaust.