The Return of the Caravels unfolds in Lisbon as Portugal’s African colonies gain their independence in the mid-1970s. In a contemporary response to Cam”es’s conquest epic The Lusiads, Antunes imagines Vasco da Gama and other heroes of Portuguese explorations beached amid the detritus of the empire’s collapse. Or is it the modern colonials–with their mixed-race heritage and uneasy place in the “fatherland” –who have somehow ended up in sixteenth-century Lisbon? As da Gama begins winning back ownership of Lisbon piece by piece in crooked card games, four hundred years of Portuguese history mingle–the caravels dock next to Iraqi oil tankers, and the slave trade rubs shoulders with the duty-free shops. The Return of the Caravels is a startling and uncompromising look at one of Europe’s great colonial powers, and how the era of conquest reshaped not just Portugal but the world. --

"A luminous and richly layered novel evoking The Big Chill--the story of a group of lifetime friends who gather together to confront life, love, and now, mortality Before Everything is a celebration of friendship and love between a group of women who have known one another since they were girls. They've faced everything together, from youthful sprees and scrapes to mid-life turning points. Now, as Anna, the group's trailblazer and brightest spark, enters hospice, they gather to do what they've always done--talk and laugh and help each other make choices and plans, this time in Anna's rural Massachusetts home. Helen, Anna's best friend and a celebrated painter, is about to remarry. The others face their own challenges--Caroline with her sister's mental health crisis; Molly with a teenage daughter's rebellion; Ming with her law practice--dilemmas with kids and work and love. Before Everything is as funny as it is bittersweet, as the friends revel in the hilarious mistakes they've seen one another through, the secrets kept and adventures shared. But now all sense of time has shifted, and the pattern of their lives together takes on new meaning. The novel offers a brilliant, emotionally charged portrait, deftly conveying the sweep of time over everyday lives, and showing how even in difficult endings, gifts can unfold. Above all it is an ode to friendship, and to how one person shapes the journeys of those around her"--

"Published in Germany in 1920, Sammy Gronemann's satirical novel set in 1903 at the time of the Sixth Zionist Congress follows the life of a baptized Jew, Heinz Lehnsen, as he negotiates legal entanglements, German culture, religious differences, and Zionist aspirations. A chance encounter with a long-lost cousin from a shtetl in Russia further complicates the plot and challenges the characters' notions of Jewish identity and their belief in the claims of the Zionist movement. Gronemann's humor and compassion slyly expose the foibles and contraditions of human behavior. With deep insight into German society, German-Jewish culture, and antisemitism, Utter Chaos paints a highly entertaining portrait of German Jews at the beginning of the twentieth century" --

A novel of young women and men, struggling to find love and fulfilling work, who find their lives disrupted when their network of cooperatives, formed in a Southwestern city with the collapse of the economy, is drawn into the movement to protect a mountain sacred to the Navajos from a military takeover.

- 'An ingenious country house mystery... keeps the reader on tenterhooks from the very first page' NEW YORK TIMES - 'J. Jefferson Farjeon is quite unsurpassed for creepy skill in mysterious adventures' DOROTHY L. SAYERS - The much-revered crime writer J. Jefferson Farjeon's second crime novel back in print for the first time in almost a century. To Brambles, a dilapidated yet comfortable English country house, come the uninvited guests: a motley crew, who appear at the most unexpected hours and on the most impossible errands. Singly and in procession they arrive to trouble the calm of Ambrose Blythe, sexagenarian owner of Brambles, and of Peter Haslam, his house guest. Add to these an imperturbable butler, a tragic-eyed damsel and the super-logician Detective Grant to complete the ingredients of the perfect Golden Age of Crime story. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joseph Jefferson Farjeon was born into a literary family in Hampstead, north west London in 1883. He was a prolific crime writer, writing over sixty novels over the course of thirty years, many published by William Collins & Sons and featuring in their hugely popular Collins Crime Club. Dorothy L. Sayers said of his work, 'every word is entertaining.' His best-known novel (and play) NUMBER 17, was made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock. He died in 1955. PRAISE FOR J. JEFFERSON FARJEON: 'Jefferson Farjeon writes thrills enhanced by good writing, good humour, and good character sketches' THE SUNDAY TIMES; 'A Sherlock Holmes novel of the first degree' NEW YORK POST; 'This delightful writer delivers the goods once again' THE DAILY HERALD; '"Mystery in White" is the perfect book for a winter's evening, a cosy chair and an open fire' THE DAILY MAIL; 'An undiluted joy... Ben is the plum of the book; his personality impresses itself upon the imagination' LIVERPOOL POST; 'A top-hole thriller by a writer who knows his job' THE DAILY EXPRESS.

- The much-revered crime writer J. Jefferson Farjeon's first-ever crime novel back in print for the first time in almost a century. - 'A terse, telling style... Farjeon displays a great deal of knowledge about story-telling' NEW YORK TIMES. - A dark, brooding murderous tale from the Golden Age of Crime.A criminal gang responsible for half the organised crime in England is hunting for a stolen ruby of phenomenal value. But the kingpin behind the criminal syndicate is in fact an imposter. Can Scotland Yard's Inspector Mordaunt recover the stolen gem? ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joseph Jefferson Farjeon was born into a literary family in Hampstead, north west London in 1883. He was a prolific crime writer, writing over sixty novels over the course of thirty years, many published by William Collins, Sons and featuring in their hugely popular Collins Crime Club. Dorothy L. Sayers said of his work, 'every word is entertaining.' His best-known novel (and play) NUMBER 17, was made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock. He died in 1955. PRAISE FOR 'THE MASTER CRIMINAL: 'A terse, telling style... Farjeon displays a great deal of knowledge about story-telling' NEW YORK TIMES; 'A Sherlock Holmes novel of the first degree' NEW YORK TIMES; 'An exciting, unusual detective story' WISCONSIN LIBRARY BULLETIN.

"Mr. Marx's Secret" by E. Phillips Oppenheim is a gripping and suspenseful tale that delves into the enigmatic world of espionage, mystery, and international intrigue. In this captivating book, Oppenheim weaves a web of secrets, betrayal, and unexpected alliances that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.Follow the protagonist, Mr. Marx, a seemingly ordinary man with a clandestine past, as he navigates a treacherous world of spies, double-crosses, and hidden agendas. As the layers of his mysterious past are gradually revealed, readers are drawn deeper into a web of suspense, unsure of who to trust and what secrets lie beneath the surface.Oppenheim's masterful storytelling and skillful character development bring a cast of memorable and complex individuals to life, each with their own motivations and hidden agendas. Through twists and turns, unexpected alliances and shocking revelations, "Mr. Marx's Secret" keeps readers guessing until the very end.But "Mr. Marx's Secret" is more than just a tale of international intrigue—it is a meditation on the nature of loyalty, the consequences of one's past actions, and the delicate balance between trust and betrayal. Oppenheim's intricate plot, atmospheric settings, and taut pacing create a narrative that grips readers from the first page to the last, immersing them in a world where nothing is as it seems.Prepare to be enthralled as you delve into the pages of "Mr. Marx's Secret." This book is a must-read for fans of espionage thrillers, lovers of intricate plots, and anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Oppenheim's brilliant storytelling, captivating suspense, and unexpected twists will leave you breathless, questioning everything you thought you knew.Join E. Phillips Oppenheim on a thrilling journey with "Mr. Marx's Secret," where the stakes are high, loyalties are tested, and the truth lies just beyond reach. This novel is an invitation to dive into a world of secrets and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems and the line between friend and foe is blurred. Get ready to embark on a gripping adventure with "Mr. Marx's Secret."

Miss Brown of X.Y.O. is a 1927 mystery thriller novel by the British writer E. Phillips Oppenheim. It was notable amongst thrillers of the time for its use of an everyday female character as heroine. Miss Edith Brown, a comely typist, stumbles upon the doorstep of the dying Colonel Dessiter who has just returned from a mission throughout Europe fighting against the forces of the Communist Internationale. After she transcribes his report, she is thrust into the massive intrigue and deadly conflict between forces trying to bring about a revolution in England, and the small organization known as X.Y.O. which is defending the realm.

E. Phillips Oppenheim's "A Millionaire of Yesterday" was first released in 1900. The book follows the story of a young man's struggle for fortune in colonial Africa and his quest for happiness there. Young Scarlett Trent, who is eager to become wealthy in the gold mines of Africa, must struggle with his own sense of good and evil while juggling the difficulties he faces and his desire to succeed. His buddy Monty, a dubious alcoholic with a murky past, accompanies him on his mission. The suspense is maintained throughout the novel, whether they will be successful in achieving their goals or whether Monty's past returns to haunt them both. Despite his best efforts, Trent is obstructed by several opponents who only bring him immense tragedy. The readers will find themselves immersed in the experience of the novel as it leads them towards a happy ending. The Long Arm of Mannister, The Great Impersonation, and The Moving Finger are some of Oppenheim's best known works.

In "A Daughter of Astrea," E. Phillips Oppenheim crafts a riveting thriller that intertwines political intrigue, romance, and moral dilemmas within a richly constructed narrative. Set against a tumultuous backdrop of early 20th-century societal shifts, the novel explores themes of loyalty and identity through the life of its fiercely independent protagonist. Oppenheim's engaging prose and adept character development invite readers into a world where personal ambition collides with the expectations of family and tradition, all while building suspense through masterfully executed plot twists and layers of deception. E. Phillips Oppenheim, often celebrated as one of the pioneers of the modern thriller, drew upon his extensive experiences in the glamorous yet perilous arena of early British politics and society. His background in journalism and firsthand encounters with influential figures provided a fertile ground for his storytelling. Oppenheim's writing often reflects the uncertainties of his time, as he sought to entertain readers while simultaneously providing insightful commentary on the nature of power and morality. For readers enthralled by intricate plots and dynamic characters, "A Daughter of Astrea" is an essential addition to any thriller aficionado's library. Oppenheim's exceptional ability to weave suspense with social commentary will leave readers captivated, provoking both thought and excitement long after the final page is turned.

David Ellenson prefaces this fascinating collection of twenty-three essays with a remarkably candid account of his intellectual journey from boyhood in Virginia to the scholarly immersions in the history, thought, and literature of the Jewish people that have informed his research interests in a long and distinguished academic career. Ellenson, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, has been particularly intrigued by the attempts of religious leaders in all denominations of Judaism, from Liberal to Neo-Orthodox, to redefine and reconceptualize themselves and their traditions in the modern period as both the Jewish community and individual Jews entered radically new realms of possibility and change. The essays are grouped into five sections. In the first, Ellenson reflects upon the expression of Jewish values and Jewish identity in contemporary America, explains his debt to Jacob Katz's socio-religious approach to Jewish history, and shows how the works of non-Jewish social historian Max Weber highlight the tensions between the universalism of western thought and Jewish demands for a particularistic identity. In the second section, "The Challenge of Emanicpation," he indicates how Jewish religious leaders in nineteenth-century Europe labored to demonstrate that the Jewish religion and Jewish culture were worthy of respect by the larger gentile world. In a third section, "Denominational Responses," Ellenson shows how the leaders of Liberal and Orthodox branches of Judaism in Central Europe constructed novel parameters for their communities through prayer books, legal writings, sermons, and journal articles. The fourth section, "Modern Responsa," takes a close look at twentieth-century Jewish legal decisions on new issues such as the status of woemn, fertility treatments, and even the obligations of the Israeli government towards its minority populations. Finally, review essays in the last section analyze a few landmark contemporary works of legal and liturgical creativity: the new Israeli Masorti prayer book, David Hartman's works on covenantal theology, and Marcia Falk's Book of Blessings. As Ellenson demonstrates, "The reality of Jewish cultural and social integration into the larger world after Emancipation did not signal the demise of Judaism. Instead, the modern setting has provided a challenging context where the ongoing creativity and adaptability of Jewish religious leaders of all stripes has been tested and displayed."

A novel based on a television soap opera for children of 10-14 years that explores the lives of children that use The Grove, a centre for young people in Byker Park, an area of Newcastle. The book accompanies a six episode series shown on BBC1 Children's TV.

When Flora Elhayani is twelve years old, God appears to her through the television and suddenly, after being mute for two months, she can speak again. Flora changes her name to Ori, and acquires a new, fantastical vantage point of her life in the desert town of Netivot. Trying to decipher what the revelation holds for her, Ori comes across a rare series of young adult novels about a strange wonderland whose heroine plays special part in Ori's own coming of age. Twenty years later, we meet Ori again. She now lives in Tel Aviv, where she is married to a successful man and the mother of a little girl. She has become a writer for young adults, focusing her work on various Wonderland themes. Life is good until a second revelation, very different from the first, rattles the very foundations of her life and puts all in doubt. Sunburnt Faces examines the nature of revelation in a world in which the fantastical takes place only in situations of error and misunderstanding. But will the social and political nature of this world allow Ori to find the certainty without which she cannot live?

Excerpt from The Second Man; Biography; Rain From Heaven; End of Summer Storey I swear I only stayed on so long because I thought it would amuse you to hear about the great English novelist. I kept saying to myself: This will amuse Kendall - l kendall Don't talk like that to me. It's all right for Monica Grey. It's transparent to me. She just telephoned you, by the way. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

KARIMI HOTEL & OTHER AFRICAN EQUATIONS [1972]: four short stories and a riff of African impressions shape a life-size puzzle. Propelled by the fervor of their black & white love story, buoyed up by the black-is-beautiful enthusiasm that was the rage in those days, they crash land in Addis Ababa, lose their way in Dar es Salam, do their thing at Bahari Beach, navigate the banabanas on avenue William Ponty in Dakar. Black in the land of his birth, he turns up American in Dakar. Dazzled, she wants with all her heart to connect the exhilarating African beat of their intimacy to the landscapes and street scenes that enchant her from Ethiopia to Tanzania to Senegal. Wary, he navigates by a compass pieced together in his urban ghetto. She cajoles him into a search for authenticity that collides with big disappointments, small hustles, rare moments of grace, and stunning truths-for him, in the house of the slaves on île de Gorée, for her, an unexpected reminder of her understated identity in the market square of a Tanzanian village. SICAP LIBERTÉ 5 [1982]: novella in five facets of interlocking triangles, written in French and translated to English by the author. Change of voice, language, angle, and style in transit from the baffled travelers of Karimi Hotel to full immersion in Sicap Liberté 5, a Dakar housing project. Constance of love as illumination /blindness. Following the old triangular trade route that links the African continent to the islands via the métropole, love crosses paths and intersects cultures, begetting joy and distress. Emancipation and alienation bounce between the city of harsh lights and a third world that entices and stings. The thirst for authenticity reaches its source; the beloved is a native son, lithe, velvet-dark, endowed with intoxicating grace. She follows his contours, dances his beat, adopts the accent and the gait, swallows the irrational, revels in a sensuality no sooner satisfied than disappointed. Her open-hearted acceptance of the Other is rebuffed by age-old rivalries, troubling religious undercurrents, burgeoning ethnic conflicts, unsettled scores between the motherland and its scattered brood. Was it an idyll? Or an illusion?

E. Phillips Oppenheim was a popular 20th century writer best known for penning suspenseful thriller novels like The Mystery of Mr. Bernard Brown . Many of his more than 100 novels are still read today.

Oppenheim featured on the cover of Time magazine on September 12, 1927, he was the self-styled "prince of storytellers." He composed some one hundred and fifty novels, mainly of the suspense and international intrigue nature, but including romances, comedies, and parables of everyday life. He was the earliest writer of spy fiction as understood today, and invented the "Rogue Male" school of adventure thrillers that was later exploited by John Buchan and Geoffrey Household. Much of Oppenheim's work possesses a unique escapist charm, featuring protagonists who delight in Epicurean meals, surroundings of intense luxury, and the relaxed pursuit of criminal practice, on either side of the law.

E. Phillips Oppenheim was a popular 20th century writer best known for penning suspenseful thriller novels like The Mystery of Mr. Bernard Brown . Many of his more than 100 novels are still read today.

E. Phillips Oppenheim was a popular 20th century writer best known for penning suspenseful thriller novels like The Mystery of Mr. Bernard Brown . Many of his more than 100 novels are still read today.