Eastern Culture

How you like to live abroad in Albania? What might it be like? Well, in this play, an ordinary American family gets to experience an extraordinary life, when Jack, the head of household gets himself hired to teach English in Tirana, the capital of Albania. This American family will have to deal with less creature comforts such as living in a small apartment, having to take crowded busses to get around town, to the universal problem all outsiders face: not fitting in and feeling a bit unwanted. But they will have to grow and triumph over adversity of being a foreigner in a strange new land, ...

Combining research from Asian scholars with his many years of experience living and working in East Asia, Brad directs our attention to Paul's letter to the Romans. He argues that some traditional East Asian cultural values are closer to those of the first-century biblical world than common Western cultural values. In addition, he adds his voice to the scholarship engaging the values of honor and shame in particular and their influence on biblical interpretation.

The Byzantine Empire: A Thousand Years of Power, Drama, and Legacy An epic story of emperors, intrigue, and a forgotten empire that shaped the modern world. Whether you’re a curious reader, student, or history lover, this is your gateway to one of the most fascinating empires of all time. While Europe sank into the so-called Dark Ages, the Byzantine Empire thrived — keeping ancient knowledge alive and influencing everything from religion to politics for over a thousand years. Based in the city of Constantinople, this powerful empire was home to brilliant rulers, daring generals, and ...

Paul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, steeped in the learning of his people. But he was also a Roman citizen who widely traveled the Mediterranean basin, and was very knowledgeable of the dominant Greek and Roman culture of his day. These two mighty rivers of influence converge in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. With razor-sharp attention to the text, Kenneth Bailey examines the cultural milieu and rhetorical strategies that shaped this pivotal epistle. Familiar passages take on a new hue as they are stripped of Western interpretations and rendered back into their ancient setting.

Beginning with Jesus' birth, Ken Bailey leads you on a kaleidoscopic study of Jesus throughout the four Gospels. Bailey examines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, Jesus' relationship to women, and especially Jesus' parables. Through it all, Bailey employs his trademark expertise as a master of Middle Eastern culture to lead you into a deeper understanding of the person and significance of Jesus within his own cultural context.

A historical adventure book set in Easter Island and the surrounding Pacific islands during the early 1900s. Join a thrilling expedition that navigates the mysteries of Easter Island's iconic Moai statues in "The Moai of Easter Island." This captivating narrative weaves together adventure, discovery, and the intricate threads of human history, as a determined couple embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of an isolated paradise. Beginning in 1910, the story follows a couple as they design and construct their sailing yacht, Mana, all fueled by the allure of the ancient wooden ...

Emmy Award-winning storyteller Bobby Norfolk brings his electrifying energy to world folktales (African, Eastern European, Appalachian, and Irish traditions), to the delight of all ages. From Anansi, the African trickster, to Jack, the bumbling, lucky, persevering Everyman of traditional stories, Norfolk's characters instruct while they entertain.

Three brothers embark on separate journeys to fulfill their father's dying wish. In their journeys, they go to distant lands, find curious treasures, and learn the true meaning of giving. Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire.

Discover the profound wisdom of one of the world's oldest living religions in "Hinduism: A Primer for Non-Hindus." Are you curious about the spiritual traditions that have shaped the lives of over a billion people worldwide? Do you want to understand the rich tapestry of beliefs that have influenced philosophy, science, and culture for thousands of years? This comprehensive guide is your key to unlocking the mysteries of Hinduism and gaining a deeper appreciation for its timeless teachings. Look into the core concepts of Hinduism with this expertly crafted primer designed specifically for ...

On the morning of April 26, 1986, Europe witnessed the worst nuclear disaster in history: the explosion of a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Ukraine. Dozens died of radiation poisoning, fallout contaminated half the continent, and thousands fell ill. In Chernobyl, Serhii Plokhy draws on new sources to tell the dramatic stories of the firefighters, scientists, and soldiers who heroically extinguished the nuclear inferno. He lays bare the flaws of the Soviet nuclear industry....

Unlock the Secrets of an Enigmatic Faith Are you captivated by the mysteries of ancient traditions? Dive into Druze for Beginners: Discovering Ancient Beliefs and Practices and unravel the rich tapestry of a community that has preserved its unique identity through centuries of change. This book offers an unparalleled glimpse into the beliefs and practices of the Druze, a people who balance secrecy with a profound sense of spirituality. Journey into the Heart of the Druze Community Discover the fascinating origins of a faith rooted in the unity of all existence. Explore the teachings of Al-...

Discover Your Ikigai and Transform Your Life Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life? Do you find yourself wondering if there’s more to your existence than juggling responsibilities, meeting expectations, and running on autopilot? This book is your guide to rediscovering joy, balance, and purpose—all through the lens of ikigai, the Japanese philosophy of living a life of meaning. Written specifically for women navigating the complexities of modern life, this book offers practical insights and inspiring stories to help you uncover your ikigai—the unique blend of what ...

In 2014, George Shetuni took a trip back to his beloved homeland, Albania. Yet, it was not the trip of a life time, so he did not write about it. However, five years later, after some hesitation, George began writing a blog series about his trip, and soon enough he discovered he could not stop writing about it! He wrote about his travel experience, the cities he visited, their history, as well as the general history of Albania, and the current state of things there today, as he saw it. His writing brings the trip back to life and George feels as if he is revisiting Albania, whose spirit ...

For more than two thousand years, The Art of War has stood as a cornerstone of Chinese culture, a lucid epigrammatic text that reveals as much about human psychology, politics, and economics as it does about battlefield strategy. The influence of Sun-Tzu's text has grown tremendously in the West in recent years, with military leaders, politicians, and corporate executives alike finding valuable insight in these ancient words.

This book introduces important concepts in philosophy through the vast array of provocative issues raised by the series, such as the ethics of the Prime Directive, Star Trek's philosophy of peace, Data and Voyager's Doctor as persons, moral relativism and the Federation's quest for liberation, the effect of alternate universes on reality and identity, the Borg as transhumanists, Federation Trekonomics, Star Trek's secular society, and much, much more!

What do Chinese religions and Christianity have in common? More than you might think! For centuries, Chinese religions like Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism have been practiced alongside Christianity, each with their own unique beliefs and traditions. But despite their differences, these two ancient faiths share a surprising number of commonalities. In "The Tao of Christ", we embark on a fascinating journey to explore the unexpected similarities between Chinese religions and Christianity. From the concept of the Tao and the Logos to the importance of compassion and selflessness, we'll ...

Culture Smart! guides provide travelers with vital information about the values and attitudes of the people they will meet, and practical advice on how to make the most of their time abroad. Travelers to Poland in particular, a country in transition from its Communist past, need to be open-minded and well-informed.

With his characteristic clarity and elegance A. C. Grayling takes the listener from the worldviews and moralities before the age of the Buddha, Confucius and Socrates, through Christianity's dominance of the European mind, to the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and on to Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre and philosophy today. And, since the story of philosophy is incomplete without mention of the great philosophical traditions of India, China and the Persian-Arabic world, he gives a comparative survey of them, too.

An ancient Indian epic that follows the journey of Lord Rama, who sets out to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. Along the way, he is joined by loyal companions like Hanuman and Lakshmana, and together they teach timeless lessons of courage, duty, and righteousness.

In Japan in 1253, one of the great thinkers of his time died - and the world barely noticed. That man was the Zen monk Eihei Dogen. For centuries his main work, Shobogenzo, languished in obscurity, locked away in remote monasteries until scholars rediscovered it in the 20th century. What took so long? In Brad Warner's view, Dogen was too ahead of his time to find an appreciative audience. To bring Dogen's work to a bigger audience, Warner began paraphrasing Shobogenzo, recasting it in simple, everyday language. The first part of this project resulted in Don't Be a Jerk, and now Warner presents this second volume, It Came from Beyond Zen! Once again, Warner uses wry humor and incisive commentary to bridge the gap between past and present, making Dogen's words clearer and more relevant than ever before.