A provocative account of the decayed relationship between the U.S. and Arab world, and a powerful recommendation for how it can be salvaged

In this riveting account of U.S.-Arab relations, award-winning author Ussama Makdisi explores why Arabs once had a favorable view of America and why they no longer do. Firmly rejecting the spurious notion of a civilizational clash between Islam and the West, Makdisi instead demonstrates how an initial zealous American missionary crusade was transformed across the nineteenth-century into a leading American educational presence in the Arab world, and how the advent of the idea of Wilsonian self-determination, amidst wide-scale Arab emigration to the United States, further bolstered a positive, foundational Arab idea of America. However, a series of subsequent political turning points-beginning with the British and French colonial partition of the Arab world in 1920 and culminating in the U.S.-backed creation of Israel in 1948 at the expense of the Palestinians-systematically alienated Arabs from America. Drawing on both American and Arab sources, Makdisi brings to the fore for the first time a wide range of hitherto marginalized Arab perspectives on their multifaceted cultural and political encounters with America. Unearthing this neglected history puts current politics and Arab attitudes toward the United States in a crucial historical perspective. By tracing how American missionaries laid the basis for an initial Arab discovery of America, and then how later U.S. policy decisions fueled anti-Americanism, Makdisi tells a powerful historical tale brimming with contemporary relevance.

A financial consultant presents a simple yet revolutionary approach to managing investments safely and responsibly in today’s high-risk environment. The risk of investing in the stock market has increased remarkably in the past couple of decades. We've seen tremendous volatility in stock prices, market bubbles and devastating crashes, a parade of corporate scandals, and proven deception by many so-called investment analysts employed by major brokerage firms. In addition, the realities of ever-increasing geopolitical risks contribute to an uncertain economic future. Corporate America and the investment industry have little to gain and lots to lose when investors decide to stop playing by their rules. But with this simple guide, readers will be equipped with both the strategy and the tools for success in virtually any economic environment while ending their participation in a system that has taken full advantage of their blind faith and misplaced trust.

An examination of Roman Catholicism in light of scripture and the facts of history. An easy-to-read, well-documented, and insightful book on the teachings and claims of Catholicism and how they line up with the truth of scripture and the facts of history. Misplaced Faith of Millions: The Legacy of the Roman Catholic Church examines the papacy, infant baptism, sacramental grace, purgatory, indulgences, Mary, the Eucharistic sacrifice of the mass, and much more. "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31,32).

Looking up from his busy life, Misplaced was troubled by what he saw. "I'm not sure how I got here, but this is not where I want to be." The early-middle-aged entrepreneur was following a path which proved to be much more difficult and costly than anticipated. Invited to join a backpacking trip, Misplaced escaped the pressures of his business for a weekend and learned life-changing lessons on his journey from Here to There. Misplaced: Here, There, and the Journey Between is a mostly true story about difficult paths and personal growth. The allegorical tale follows six men whose names reveal their qualities: Faith, Loyalty, Wisdom, Strength, Resolve, and Misplaced. Join them as they travel their difficult path and perhaps you will gain helpful insight for your own journey from where you are to where you want to be.

Have you been lost or hopeless and wanted to give up in life? Lost Faith to Living Faith is the true story of how Ren R. Royal overcame her struggles through loss, prejudice, rape, abuse, and depression by placing her faith in the God who is able to heal and restore. This is the inspiring story of Ren's transformation from hopelessness into a life full of love and joy as she went from Lost Faith to Living Faith. This inspirational and uplifting testimony is for anyone who feels hopeless or has lost faith. See how God's grace and love can take the most tragic of stories and turn them into something more precious than gold. It is so difficult for any of us to realize what it is like to be a person without a family and a home. The author has been there, and she tells both the good and the bad in such a way that makes it difficult to put the book down. Every person, young and old, will discover tremendous insights that will benefit them throughout all of life. Lost Faith to Living Faith is a must read for all. Pastor Donald C. Ofsdahl Author Ren R. Royal was a starving orphan from Seoul, Korea, was adopted into a Lutheran preacher's family, and came to America, where she became a naturalized citizen. Ren pursues her passion for writing and poetry with the support of her church and family. Ren and her husband, Charlie, reside in Garland, Texas.

Captain Benjamin Nyman Vizcarra, son of the wealthiest man in Mexico, has everything a young man could want. But in the days leading up to the Mexican Revolution of 1910, he finds himself questioning whether he can support the old regime--and more and more distracted by his brother's bewitching fiancee, Isabel. Accused and convicted of his father's murder after a fateful late-night encounter, Benjamin relives the events that led to his imprisonment. As he plots escape, a new question begins to form: will he run, or will he stay to confront his mistakes and win back the woman he loves? -- back cover.