Найти книгу: "A Double-Edged Sword"

On first consideration, one might not be inclined to view Adolf Hitler and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in relation to Jehanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc), but Brenda E. Novack does just that. She demonstrates how these three prominent figures who influenced world history all acted in accordance with what they claimed or perceived to be divine sanction of their participation in violence. Taking the reader on a unique exploration of their lives and deaths, Novack identifies significant similarities and differences in notions of divine call and human response conveyed by these personalities and determines how they align or fail to align with the biblical prophetic tradition. Taking Jehanne d'Arc as her foundational study, the author engages important theological issues such as the nature of revelation, evil, and morality. The process culminates in the construction of a model of righteous warfare and human agency presented as a tool for evaluating claims to divinely sanctioned violence and as a potentially effective alternative to an outmoded and currently inadequate just war model. Case studies of Hitler and Bonhoeffer tentatively establish the model's ability to steer humanity away from unnecessary destruction toward justice, compassion, and peace.

A Double Barreled Detective Story is a short story/novelette. The story is a delightful spoof of the mystery genre, then in its infancy, introducing the reader to Sherlock Holmes as he has never been seen before or since. Far from his usual elegant London haunts, the great detective is caught up in a melodramatic murder mystery of love, betrayal, and vengeance in a rough California mining town.

In A RITE OF SWORDS (Book #7 in the Sorcerer's Ring), Thor grapples with his legacy, battling to come to terms with who his father is, whether to reveal his secret, and what action he must take. Back home in the Ring, with Mycoples by his side and the Destiny Sword in hand, Thor is determined to wreak vengeance on Andronicus’ army and liberate his homeland – and to finally propose to Gwendolyn. But he comes to learn that there are forces even greater than he that might just stand in his way. Gwendolyn returns and strives to become the ruler she is destined to be, using her wisdom to unite the disparate forces and drive out Andronicus for good. Reunited with Thor and her brothers, she is grateful for a lull in the violence, and for the chance to celebrate their freedom. But things change quickly – too quickly – and before she knows it, her life is thrown upside down again. Her elder sister, Luanda, caught in a fierce rivalry with her, is determined to wrest power, while King MacGil’s brother arrives with his own army to gain control of the throne. With spies and assassins on all sides, Gwendolyn, embattled, learns that being queen is not as safe as she thought. Reece’s love with Selese finally has a chance to flourish, yet at the same time, his old love appears, and he finds himself torn. But idle times are soon overcome by battle, and Reece, Elden, O’Connor, Conven, Kendrick, Erec and even Godfrey must face and overcome adversity together if they are to survive. Their battles take them to all corners of the Ring, as it becomes a race against time to oust Andronicus and save themselves from complete destruction. As powerful, unexpected forces battle for control of the Ring, Gwen realizes she must do whatever it takes to find Argon and bring him back. In a final, shocking twist, Thor learns that while his powers are supreme, he also has a hidden weakness – one that may just bring his final downfall. Will Thor and the others liberate the Ring and defeat Andronicus? Will Gwendolyn become the queen they all need her to be? What will become of the Destiny Sword, of Erec, Kendrick, Reece and Godfrey? And what is the secret that Alistair is hiding? With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A CHARGE OF VALOR is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

The black sorceress Plague-del-Cake, whose name they dread even to utter aloud, climbing to power, destroys the brilliant magicians one by one. Among her victims is the remarkable white magician Leopold Grotter. His daughter Tanya, by some unknown means, manages to avoid death, but on the tip of her nose, a mysterious birthmark remains for life… Plague-del-Cake mysteriously disappears, and Tanya Grotter turns out to be abandoned to the family of businessman Durnev, her distant relative… She lives with this extremely unpleasant family until the age of ten, and then finds herself in the unique world of the Tibidox School of Magic…

История превращения человека в Бога с одновременным разоблачением бессмысленности данного процесса, демонстрирующая монструозность любой попытки преодолеть свою природу. Одновременно рассматриваются различные аспекты существования миров разных возможностей: миры без любви и без свободы, миры боли и миры чувственных удовольствий, миры абсолютной свободы от всего, миры богов и черт знает чего, – и в каждом из них главное – это оставаться тем, кто ты есть, не изменять самому себе.