New Releases by Paul Murray

Una tragicomedia irlandesa tan hilarante como desgarradora. Les presentamos a los Barnes, una familia irlandesa infeliz de cuatro maneras diferentes. El padre, Dickie, regenta un concesionario de coches heredado de su progenitor. Las cosas le iban razonablemente bien hasta que la crisis económica (y quizá también su heterodoxa labia de vendedor) empezó a afectar a las ventas. La madre, Imelda, viene de una familia humilde y es conocida por ser la mujer más hermosa del pueblo. En realidad, ella estaba enamorada de Frank, el hermano carismático —y fallecido— de Dickie, y ahora ambos arrastran un pasado con zonas oscuras. En cuanto a los hijos: Cass es una adolescente en pleno descubrimiento del sexo y el alcohol que sueña con dejar esa maldita ciudad provinciana y marcharse a estudiar a Dublín. Mientras, mantiene una relación ambivalente, de devoción rabiosa, con su amiga del alma Elaine. Y el benjamín, PJ, sufre acoso en el colegio y teme que sus padres se divorcien, por lo que se refugia en los videojuegos. Allí conecta con un amigo virtual que puede no ser lo que parece... Y entonces Dickie Barnes se obsesiona con el colapso ecológico y se empeña en construir un refugio en los bosques cercanos, aunque acaso lo que está a punto de colapsar no sea el planeta, sino su familia. Paul Murray, que con esta espléndida obra resultó finalista del Premio Booker 2023, sale triunfante del siempre difícil reto literario de la tragicomedia: lleva al lector de la carcajada a la congoja y ofrece una de las miradas más demoledoras, divertidas y memorables sobre la familia. Una novela brillante y profundamente humana, de lectura absorbente, llamada a convertirse en un clásico instantáneo.

In an era where selfishness, unbridled ambition, and division have nearly extinguished the flames of compassion, envision a world reshaped by leaders from every walk of life, serving as catalysts for a profound reawakening. "Walking with the Good Samaritan” delves into the transformative power of servant leadership, rooted in the timeless teachings of Christ. This book challenges you to rise to the moment, recognizing that you’re calling as a leader is for such a pivotal time as this. Embracing these principles is not just an act of personal growth—it''s a step towards sparking a revival across every community and institution in our land. As you dive deep into the heart of these teachings, you will uncover how your commitment to these values can bridge divides, heal wounds, and ignite a widespread renewal. Together, let''s initiate a wave of transformation, one act of genuine service at a time.

The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie''s once-lucrative car dealership is going under, and while his wife is frantically selling off her jewellery on eBay, he''s busy building an apocalypse-proof bunker in the woods. Meanwhile their teenage daughter is veering off the rails, in thrall to a toxic friendship, and her little brother is falling into the black hole of the internet... Where did it all go wrong? The present is in crisis but the causes lie deep in the past. How long can this unhappy family wait before they have to face the truth? And if the story has already been written, is there still time to find a happy ending?

Familie Barnes steckt in Schwierigkeiten. Dickie Barnes'' lukratives Autogeschäft läuft nicht mehr. Aber anstatt sich dem Problem zu stellen, beginnt er in den Wäldern einen Bunker zu bauen. Seiner Frau Imelda, die ihren Schmuck auf eBay verkauft, erscheinen die Avancen von Big Mike, dem reichen Rinderzüchter, immer attraktiver. Die achtzehnjährige Cass, die immer die Klassenbeste war, reagiert auf den Niedergang, indem sie beschließt sich bis zu ihrem Abschluss jeden Tag zu betrinken, während der zwölfjährige PJ einen Plan schmiedet, um von zu Hause abzuhauen. Wenn das Leben und die Welt auseinanderfallen, stellen sich die großen Fragen: Wann und warum begann der Untergang? Was hätte man tun können und wie weit müsste man zurückgehen, wenn man die Geschichte ändern könnte? Bis zu dem Tag als Dickie Barnes zehnjährig zitternd vor seinem Vater stand und lernte, wie man ein richtiger Mann wird? Bis zu dem Autounfall zwölf Monate vor Cass'' Geburt? Oder bis zu dem verheerenden Stich der Biene, der Imeldas Hochzeitstag ruinierte?

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise an instant fix. Our culture is so insistent on immediate results. We want fast food, quick service, and instant pudding. We hate waiting in line for anything. If our smartphone is 4G, we must have 5G. Everything must be quicker and faster. It''s not that God can''t, won''t, or never does an instant fix. "Lazarus, come forth" was an instant fix. Lazarus got up and walked out of the tomb. "Tabatha, arise," and the little girl got up off her deathbed. That was an instant fix. "Be still," and the winds and the waves instantly became calm. That''s 5G speed! But instant fix is not the norm in the Christian life. Instant healings are not typical, and it has nothing to do with a lack of faith. A jackpot lotto winning is seldom an excellent financial solution to your problems, and justice is rarely immediate nor swift. That is just the way things are in a broken world. The same was true for Israel. It took seven long, grueling years to conquer Canaan. Later in the book, we will see why it took so long. The norm for gaining victory over sin and becoming mature in our faith usually takes a lifetime. As someone once said, "We are all men under construction." As long as we are still above ground, God is still working on us. Israel has now conquered the promised land. There are no more threats from the various Canaanite tribes, and there is peace across the land. Finally, after generations of waiting upon God to receive the promised inheritance, the spoils of the land are about to be divided among the tribes of Judah. But with each inheritance there comes some serious responsibility. Each individual tribe was to finish the job of removing the enemy for the land they inherited. The mandate was not "live and let live" or "indenture the indigenous" or "settle for coexistence." The remnant of enemy left in the land was to be completely driven out. To fail to do that would threaten Israel''s very existence in the promised land. Were they willing to finish the job? The obstacles loomed large, but God had proven His ability to move mountains. Starting strong does not win any race. The race is won when you cross the finish line. Read on and learn how to finish the race. The Fruit of Righteousness (Joshua 12-14) is the third and final part of the three-part series Pagans, Prostitutes and Other Problems: A Simple Man''s Commentary on Joshua.

For generation after generation, the descendants of Abraham had waited to receive what Yahweh had promised to their patriarch ages ago. The stories of a great nation, a Promised Land, and being a blessing to all the world had been told over and over again. This new generation had heard these stories often. Now after forty long years wandering in circles in the wilderness, they stood on Canaan''s soil. One of the promises made by God and given to Abraham had already been fulfilled. They had become a great nation. The second promise, that of a land they could call their own, lie immediately before them. But the excitement and the expectation before them was mixed with terror. A miracle like none they had yet witnessed had just happened. Like the stories their grandfathers had told them about the crossing of the Red Sea, so too the waters of the raging Jordan River parted as they crossed on dry land onto Canaan soil. They now stood in enemy territory. Giants lived in this land; fearsome men experienced in warfare with the latest of modern weaponry. Pagan, Prostitutes, and Other Problems Part 2: More Than Conquerors (Joshua 6–11) is the account of the conquest of the Promised Land by a nation far inferior to the forces of the indigenous people. Impossible fortresses and unimaginable armies are to be confronted and defeated if they are to claim this land. The difficult lesson of following God fully must be learned. Mistakes will be made and lives lost, but on every page, the hand of God can be seen working through His people. You will see unfold before your eyes the eternal truth of the apostle Paul, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Dive in and join the winning team! You will learn not to believe your eyes!

Everyone understands collateral damage. It is the unintended damage incurred by innocent bystanders who are too close to the target area. Collateral damage is a natural consequence of physical warfare. Collateral grace is a spiritual consequence of spiritual warfare. Collateral grace is the intended impact of the grace of God on those closest to the one whom God bestows His grace. Far too many of us are completely unaware of the impact God is intending to bestow on others through the blessings He gives every one of us on a regular basis. This is a collection or real stories about real people who were caught up in real events that are recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. These people are mentioned in the Bible, but rarely by name. The historical events they are caught up in are very real. However, we have fictionalized how, realistically, the grace of God might have impacted them as a consequence of their proximity to what God was doing in the lives of someone close to them. You will be fascinated and amazed. It will open your eyes to the intended consequences on others of the impact of the grace of God in your own life. Climb into the scene and walk next to them, it will change how you read your Bible.

Paul Murray OP examines the depth and range of Catherine''s vision of freedom, claiming that until now her understanding of freedom has received surprisingly little attention from readers and scholars. Murray demonstrates that a preoccupation with freedom is the ''fire'' behind almost every page and paragraph she writes, and as a result freedom becomes her veritable obsession. He explores the liberating character of Catherine''s teaching, with particular attention given to her understanding of fear as one of greatest enemies of freedom. Murray highlights the importance of self-knowledge in the journey from bondage of freedom, and employs the rubric of the Dominican motto, To Praise, to Bless, to Preach; as a benchmark to examine the remarkable freedom of Catherine''s life and thought.

In The Failure of Death, John records the greatest conflict planet earth has ever experienced. It is not a conflict between nations or peoples, nor a conflict involving military weapons. It is a conflict for the hearts and souls of all men everywhere. It is a conflict in the spiritual dimension of reality that has raged on since the beginning of time, a conflict between good and evil, right and wrong. The Jewish leadership had grown to hate Jesus. Several times they had tried, unsuccessfully, to put a stop to His influence over men. The prophetic words of Caiaphas the high priest had finally come to fruition, "It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish." Jesus had finally been arrested, "tried" and crucified to appease the will of the Jewish leadership. Victory had finally been achieved in stopping the madness of The Way. The head of the snake had been cut off. John focuses our attention around two major players as the events of Jesus'' crucifixion unfold, Peter and Pilate. With Peter a clear contrast is drawn between One suffering and dying and the other lying and denying. Pilate''s struggle, who is caught up in the tangled web of the Jews, is expressed in the profound question, "What is truth?" Yet Pilate turns and walks away before the One who is "the truth" has a chance to respond. Neither Peter or Pilate, nor anyone expected that the One who had been crucified and buried would raise from the dead. The failure of death rocked the world in the first century and it continues to rock our world today. John concludes his gospel with the redemption of the lying denier. Pilate, on the other hand, is left on the trash pile of history. As you read, you will be caught up in the trauma and emotions of the events that unfold. Will the failure of death be your final reward? Like Peter and Pilate, you also have a choice!

Jesus'' public ministry is finished. There will be no more miracles, no more healings, no more preaching to the masses, no more teaching in the porticos of Solomon in the temple. This third section of John''s gospel covers only a few precious hours in the life of Jesus. He has gathered with His twelve disciples in a private upper room. Passover will begin the following day, Friday, at 6:00 p.m. Jesus knows that He will be arrested in a matter of hours. He knows that He will be dragged before three religious hearings and three official government trials. During that time, He will be brutally beaten, almost beyond recognition. He will be crucified and dead by about 3:00 p.m. that same day. He knows this because He understands what the Old Testament Scriptures have clearly foretold. The mission He was sent to accomplish was about to be completed. The twelve disciples dining around the table with Him have no idea of these events that are soon to unfold. This is just a time of celebration before the Passover event. The city is bustling with millions of pilgrims from all over the empire. Soon, however, the mood turns somber. There is talk of Him leaving them and going away where they cannot follow, talk of another Helper coming, and talk of a betrayer. They can sense the heaviness in their Master''s heart and they too become troubled in heart. They have no idea that sitting with them at that meal, not six feet away, is not only God incarnate in the person of Jesus but also the devil, himself, incarnate in the person of Judas whose heart Satan has possessed. A drama for all the centuries is about to be played out. Jesus has only a few hours to prepare these men for the events of this night that will transform them forever. These are Words to Loved Ones, words to keep them safe and secure in a hellish storm about to be unleashed that will overwhelm them and change human history. Sit among these men these men and listen carefully to Jesus'' words. Upon leaving this room, you will never be the same.

We begin the second part of this four-part series on the Gospel of John called Meet Messiah. In Part 1, "Behold the Man," we saw the introduction of the Messiah to both the human family and the nation of Israel. In Part 2, "Faith or Frustration," we will join His disciples as they walk in the footstep of the Master from chapter 5 through chapter 12. Here, opposition to Jesus and His ministry begins in earnest. Up through chapter 4 of John''s gospel, the leadership of Israel was curious about whom this new rabbi really was. The ministry of John the Baptist had captured the attention of the nation with his proclamation that the kingdom of God was at hand and that folks needed to repent of their sins in preparation of the coming Messiah. At first, the Jews just dismissed Jesus as another new rabbi on the block. But His popularity had grown rapidly, outstripping even that of the Baptizer. The signs that He was doing had caught the attention of the masses as well as the Jews. When He cleansed the temple and chased out all the vendors, which was a primary source of income for the priests, He became a regular topic of conversation in the Great Sanhedrin. We will begin to see that the curiosity of the Jews turned to frustration, their frustrations turned to anger, and their anger turned to hatred, until finally a plot was devised to have Him killed. That was the only way they would ever stop Him and save their positions of power and control over the people. Strap in for the ride. It''s going to get really, really bumpy. Who ever said being a Christian and being bold in your faith would ever be easy? The truth is it could get you killed, and history has demonstrated that many have died for their faith. Let''s follow along with the One they have all been willing to die for.

Written with both passion and precision, God''s Spies is a work that will be welcomed by anyone interested in the vital interplay between poetry and religion. The authors represented, including poets such as Michelangelo, St Francis of Assisi, Charles Péguy, Dante and Shakespeare, all possess one great and surprising quality in common: audacity. All of them in their work offer fresh and unforeseen perspectives on life and literature. Some of these authors are religious in the strict meaning of the word, their work indicating a devout turning away from the distractions of the world to focus on God. Others, in contrast, are poets whose work is distinguished by a remarkable visionary focus on the many small and great dramas of life, attending with bright, imaginative genius to what Shakespeare calls ''the mystery of things''.

"Written with both passion and precision, God''s Spies is a work that will be welcomed by anyone interested in the vital interplay between poetry and religion. The authors represented, including poets such as Michelangelo, St Francis of Assisi, Charles Péguy, Dante and Shakespeare, all possess one great and surprising quality in common: audacity. All of them in their work offer fresh and unforeseen perspectives on life and literature. Some of these authors are religious in the strict meaning of the word, their work indicating a devout turning away from the distractions of the world to focus on God. Others, in contrast, are poets whose work is distinguished by a remarkable visionary focus on the many small and great dramas of life, attending with bright, imaginative genius to what Shakespeare calls ''the mystery of things''."--Bloomsbury publishing.

John''s gospel is unique. What makes it unique is the author, John, and the perspective he brings to the person and character of Jesus. John was Jesus''s closest friend. You might say his best friend! Peter, James, and John were part of an inner circle that Jesus included exclusively. Only these three were allowed into the room when Jesus raised the synagogue official''s daughter from the dead. Only these three were invited onto the mountain to witness his transfiguration experience. It was John that leaned on Jesus''s breast at the Last Supper and was told who the betrayer was. And in Jesus''s moment of deepest distress in the garden before his death, only these three were invited deep into the garden to pray with Jesus. But more than all that, John was the first disciple to be chosen and the only one at the very end. Only John was at the foot of the cross comforting Jesus''s mother while the rest hid in fear. And it was because of John''s unique relationship with Jesus that Jesus committed the care of his mother to him. John writes long after the other gospel letters had been distributed among the churches. John describes seven miracles, five unique to his gospel. John includes seven "I am" statements and is the only writer that uses the phrase "Truly, truly..." to underscore the extreme importance of these statements. John writes not as a follower, and not just as an eyewitness but as Jesus''s best friend. And John writes for one single, specific purpose: "That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). To miss this is to miss the very reason for your existence on this planet!

Renewal of Catholic Higher Education: Essays on Catholic Studies in Honor of Don J. Briel celebrates twenty years of the Catholic Studies Program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the leadership of Don J. Briel, PhD, in founding and guiding the development of the program. It arose from a conference to mark the anniversary at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, gathering Catholic Studies professors, alumni and other scholars to note the achievements of Catholic Studies and to reflect on the ways in which it can continue to impact Catholic higher education more broadly. The book opens with a foreword by George Weigel. The first section situates Catholic Studies within current challenges facing the university, and includes chapters from scholars such as Fr. Paul Murray, O.P., Michael Naughton, Jonathan Reyes and Russell Hittinger. The second section expounds the distinct pedagogy employed by Catholic Studies, as described by alumni and those who teach in Catholic Studies programs. It concludes with an afterward by Fr. Wilson Miscamble of the University of Notre Dame. In celebrating the first 20 years of Catholic Studies and the leadership of Don J. Briel, the book provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the future challenges and opportunities for Catholic higher education. Catholic Studies emerged at a pivotal moment when Catholic universities began drifting from their religious identity and mission, and accepted the overspecialized and compartmentalized approaches of secular universities. Catholic Studies programs have made a significant step toward reuniting the various strands of university life, which began to unravel at this time. If Catholic Studies can fulfill three integrative tasks--reuniting faith and reason, faith and culture, and faith and life--it is poised to make a significant contribution toward the renewal of Catholic higher education. Renewal of Catholic Higher Education provides educators with an important opportunity to reflect on the nature of Catholic education and the steps needed to work towards its renewal.

Zimbabwe Travel Guide - Travel tips and holiday advice including Harare hotels and restaurants, Victoria Falls highlights, national parks, safaris and reserves. Also features suggested itineraries and routes, wildlife tracking, Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou National Park, ancient history in Great Zimbabwe and Khami.

Hat Claude Martingale gehofft, er könne seinem Leben als Banker durch seinen Umzug von Paris nach Dublin die ersehnte Wende geben? Sein neuer Job in der aufstrebenden Bank von Torabundo raubt ihm jedenfalls schnell jegliche Illusion. Auch hier verbringt er, wie alle seine Kollegen, seine Tage und Nächte einzig im Dienste des Geldes. In diese lähmende Eintönigkeit platzt der Schriftsteller Paul, der, auf der Suche nach neuem Stoff, Claude zu seinem modernen Jedermann erkoren hat, zum Helden seines künftigen literarischen Meisterwerks. Unter Pauls höchst erfindungsreichem Einfluss wird Claudes Leben tatsächlich aufregender, besonders als die schöne griechische Kellnerin Ariadne ins Geschehen tritt. Doch Paul treibt ein doppeltes Spiel, und auch die Bank von Torabundo erweist sich als weniger ehrenwert als erhofft: zwielichtige Übernahmen, dubioser Derivatehandel und eine neue Unternehmensstrategie, die sich »kontraintuitives Handeln« nennt – kann das alles gut gehen?

" La Marque et le Vide est une satire aussi hilarante qu''acérée sur le monde de la finance, portée par des personnages flamboyants. Mais ce roman est surtout, comme l''a été son glorieux aîné Skippy dans les étoiles, le livre le plus drôle de l''année. " The Independent À Dublin, en 2008 Claude a quitté sa morne banlieue parisienne pour gagner l''eldorado européen : l''Irlande. Et plus précisément Dublin. Et plus précisément encore, la Bank of Torabundo, un de ces établissements qui a pignon sur rue en cet âge d''or du Tigre celtique. Tous les matins, Claude et ses collègues papotent, les yeux rivés sur l''écran pour guetter les cours et les taux, boivent le café à dix heures, descendent déjeuner à midi au resto bio du coin, et le vendredi, c''est " casual day ". Pour Claude, le rêve. Et tout ceci aurait pu perdurer si deux facteurs n''avaient pas bouleversé sa vie : 1) la crise financière et 2) un écrivain raté prénommé Paul. La crise. Certes. 2008, la bulle immobilière qui éclate en Irlande, la Grèce qui commence à sombrer. Mais un écrivain ? Claude ne le connaît ni d''Eve ni d''Adam ! Oui mais voilà, Paul, longtemps en panne d''inspiration, a pour projet d''écrire un livre sur la vie d''un monsieur tout-le-monde, et Claude en est un parfait spécimen, insignifiant juste comme il faut, gentiment englué dans sa routine à la banque. Incroyable, se dit Claude en découvrant ce potentiel insoupçonné ! Devenir un héros de roman ! Le début de la gloire ! Ou le début des ennuis...

''Het doel en de leegte'' is waarschijnlijk de grappigste roman over de financiële crisis. Aan zijn lot overgelaten in het verbijsterend vochtige, geïsoleerde Ierland, wordt Fransman Claude Martingale benaderd door Paul, een auteur die het allemaal niet mee zit. Paul is op zoek naar zijn volgende onderwerp: Claude, bankier. Claude leeft op onder die externe, letterlijk romantiserende blik. Maar Pauls plan is niet wat het lijkt - noch is Claudes werkgever dat, de Torabundo Investeringsbank. Die zwelt op door derivatenhandel en troebele overnames en ... Het laat zich raden wat dat allemaal teweegbrengt, maar Het doel en de leegte gaat uiteraard over veel meer dan het bankwezen. Een waardige opvolger van publiekslieveling ''Skippy tussen de sterren''.

Originally published: Great Britain: Hamish Hamilton, 2015.

Everyone experiences failure in some form or fashion through the span of his or her life; it''s just a natural part of living. Even though failure occurs across a broad spectrum of human dynamics, its result is often manifested in the private areas of one''s life or in the public sphere of society. Dr. Murray illustrates through personal experiences and Scripture how the potential for human success often lies within the kernel of our most extreme failings. Broken is the story of one man''s failure and how he chose to rise above the circumstances resulting from the disgrace that followed. Using the Bible as a foundation, Dr. Murray identifies Biblical leaders who failed and how they were able to gain wisdom through their personal failures. He infuses his own life experiences with constructive steps and Biblical insights for picking up the pieces after the fall. Although Broken incorporates very practical advice - outlining sequential steps in the process of turning failure into success - it is so much more than just a self-help book. Readers are offered a glimpse into eternity and are encouraged to choose the narrow pathway leading to heaven''s door. Aspects of our human frailty are sensitively exposed, helping both those who find themselves judging others, as well as those being judged, to discern a better method of dealing with failure. The path to restoration is clear and well defined in Scripture for those who choose true repentance and a contrite heart before God. Dr. Murray explains why failure does not have to be final. He also presents the fascinating insight that what we do in secret are seeds planted in our souls - using our private time to build personal integrity can prevent a mindset which encourages failure. The focus of Broken includes advice on how to move past your failure, with Biblical examples showing how God''s servants managed this. Replicating the wisdom of these ancients and distilling it into the fast pace of our modern lives, Dr. Murray sets his readers on a path to rebuilding their credibility after having experienced failure. Picking up the broken pieces of a life shattered by failure is not an overnight process. It needs time and a well-constructed plan of action. Broken presents this plan, incorporating a Biblical perspective for the individual who actively seeks restoration, but which also includes the role of leadership in restoration. Those in positions of leadership will benefit from the wise counsel presented. The journey of personal transformation offered in this book will reveal to you why God allows human beings to experience failure. Ultimate success is often achieved as a result of overcoming past failures. Those who are able to grasp this simple truth will also understand that using and sharing the wisdom gained through failure might actually be part of God''s plan for your life. Redolent with practical and Biblical themes of encouragement and success, Broken emphasizes the fact that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him

A powerful reflection on human affliction in the stories of some remarkable individuals. Paul Murray is not only an academic, a preacher and published poet, he is also a superb pastor. During his ministry, he has dealt with some extraordinary people - not least a South African who was convicted of murder and hanged under Apartheid. Drawing on this remarkable experience, the reader is offered here a sustained meditation on the meaning of affliction and suffering in a way that is ultimately the story of human triumph and the ultimate victory of the Cross. The book concludes with Paul Murray''s extraordinary meditations on the Seven Last Words from the Cross in which the wealth of his pastoral experience is fully brought to bear. Scars is the account of men and women of all ages who have survived major crises or tragedies of one kind or another: the scourge of drug addiction, the misery of long-term imprisonment, severe illness, the burden of remembered violence, and the tragedy of child abuse. The most striking thing about such people is that, whether or not they are aware of the reality of God in their lives, they are people of extraordinary compassion. They seem to have been initiated into a new dimension of themselves and to have discovered a new wealth within. As Murray says in his introduction ''the voices which I have begun to hear are voices to which I myself am still learning to listen''. These are not just accounts of triumphs and of tragedy - they are powerful meditations on something much more profound.

Looser flanqué d''un génie obèse pour meilleur ami, fou de la jolie mais inaccessible Lori, traqué par un dealer psychopathe, Skippy tente de survivre à Seabrook, internat dublinois catholique où les adultes sont tous des lâches ou des salauds. L''enfer. Jusqu''à ce concours de mangeurs de beignets qui pourrait bien créer la surprise, une surprise de taille... Brutal et sublime, un roman d''apprentissage aussi désopilant que désespéré, qui livre un portrait acide de l''adolescence.

Aquinas is known as a philosopher. His writings on prayer and the prayers he wrote are neglected. He is a master of the spiritual life. u003e

Achieving a sustainable society is the biggest issue of our time. It is not an issue confined to a particular subject area or to certain jobs. It is a way of thinking and behaving that will need to be embedded in all aspects of all of our lives. The Sustainable Self is the perfect resource for lecturers, trainers, students and professionals of any discipline who need to teach or learn about sustainability. There is widespread agreement that we need to live more sustainable lives. But when up against entrenched habits and everyday obstacles, it can be difficult to turn good intentions into action. This book presents a completecurriculum for effecting a personal transformation towards sustainability, showing you how to align your personal and professional actions with your values and beliefs. Full of activities that can be done individually or in groups, it is supported by additional resources online including downloadable worksheets and directories of sustainability organisations. Recommended readings at the end of each chapter enable readers to pursue areas of personal or professional interest.

Increasingly the contemplative tradition in Christianity is being seen as essential to our understanding of Christianity itself. Here is the book to explain all. What is it like in practice to come close to the presence of God? Are there words which can, in some way, explain the nature of that experience? In this compelling study, Paul Murray draws attention to both the wisdom and lived experience of those men and women who knew, at first hand, of the light and fire of which they speak. Murray demonstrates how important and relevant for us today are the writings of authors such as Catherine of Siena, John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart, and Teresa of Avila. To the often bewildered hearts and minds of our generation, the writings of these remarkable men and women speak with a unique authority.

Skippy tussen de sterren beschrijft één enkele catastrofale herfst op het internaat Seabrooks, gezien vanuit zon twintig verschillende uitgeschreven perspectieven: studenten, docenten, administratieve krachten, priesters, vriendinnetjes, en de manager van een donutwinkel. In het centrum van alles staat Daniel Juster, bijnaam Skippy, wiens dood in Eds Doughnut House, nadat hij nog net de naam van zijn vlam in frambozenvulling op de vloer heeft weten te schrijven de opening vormt van de roman. Skippy tussen de sterren gaat vervolgens met flashbacks terug naar de maanden die eraan voorafgaan, maanden waarin de zwaarmoedige veertienjarige verliefd wordt, een gevecht wint, een geheim bewaart en de aandacht trekt van faculteitsleden die niet perse het beste met hem voor hebben. Onderweg leren we Skippys vrienden en kwelgeesten kennen: Ruprecht, Skippys bolle, geniale kamergenoot die experimenten uitvoert om de snaartheorie te bewijzen; Dennis, een aarts-cynicus wiens dromen zelfs sarcastisch zijn; Carl, Skippys rivaal in de liefde en psychopaat-in-de-dop; Lori, het object van Skippys dromen, die geobsedeerd wordt door een Britney Spears-achtig muziekdelletje en haar dieetpillen verbergt in de buik van haar teddybeer; en Mario, lieve, domme Mario, wiens obsessie met seks vermoeiend zou worden als het niet de bron was van vele hilarische slaapkamergesprekken tussen de vrienden. Paul Murray neemt de tijd en de ruimte om een aantal onderwerpen op magistrale wijze uit te werken tot een energieke plot rondom Skippy''s dood, terwijl de roman tegelijkertijd een lofzang op de verloren jeugd is. De pers over Skippy tussen de sterren: ''Een (school)reünie waar iedereen naartoe moet! Grappig, ontroerend en soms pijnlijk herkenbaar.'' - Nu.nl ''Paul Murray heeft zeven jaar gewerkt aan Skippy tussen de sterren. Zijn op elke pagina voelbare toewijding heeft geleid tot een verraderlijk soepel weglezende, regelmatig hilarische, maar tegelijkertijd ongenaakbaar schurende en bijtende roman.'' - de Volkskrant ''Murray beheerst zijn taal meesterlijk. (...) Hij schrijft lichtvoetig, teder en prachtig terloops over de meest gruwelijke dingen die mensen elkaar aandoen.'' - NRC Handelsblad

In this comprehensive history of the Irish Boundary Commission, Paul Murray looks at British attempts from 1886 on to satisfy the Irish Nationalist demand for Home Rule, Ulster and British Unionist resistance to this demand, the 1920 partition of Ireland and the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, where the roots of the establishment of the Commission are to be found. The evidence presented at the Commission and the principles on which it based its decisions are analysed against the background of evolving British views on the dangers posed for British and Unionist interests on both islands by a radical redrawing of the 1920 border. New documentary evidence is brought to bear on the motivation of its Chairman Justice Feetham, his susceptibility to external influences, and the significance of his political background as possible factors in his final decisions. The history of the Irish Boundary Commission is shown to also be part of a larger European narrative. This study is, thus, the first large-scale attempt to consider its significance in its wider international context.