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In an age of continued Middle East volatility, religious extremists, and terrorist threats, the mere mention of Islam and Muslims too often provokes misunderstanding and even rancor. Often overlooked are the important links between the Qur'an and the Bible. Also ignored are the significant historical overlap between Islamic interpretation of history with those of Christianity and Judaism, including the monotheistic belief in a single God. Islam is too often confusing and even opaque to those unfamiliar with it.The Handy Islam Answer Book, is clearly and eloquently written by John Renard, Ph.D., a scholar of Islam with more than 40 years of research and teaching experience. He provides detailed descriptions of the history, beliefs, symbols, rituals, observations, customs, leaders, and organization of the worlds second largest religion. Renard explains the significance of the Five Pillars, Muhammad, various sects, the Qur'an, Islamic law, and much more. This engaging primer is a resource for reliable information about Islam and Muslims and it brings an understanding of the shared humanity that joins Muslims and non-Muslims far more deeply than cultural or religious differences separate them. Truly a must-have reference for our changing and trying times, this user-friendly guide answers nearly 800 questions and offers fun facts that cover Islamic history, religious practices, and Muslim cultural perspectives, including When did Islam begin? Why is Mecca a holy city for Muslims? Do Muslims worship Muhammad? What was the fate of Medieval Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land? What do Muslims mean by the term "e;Allah"e;? What does the crescent moon and star symbol mean to Muslims? What is the Muslim call to prayer? Is it similar to church bells? Do Muslims believe that God tests people? Does Muhammad play a role in Islamic spirituality in a manner similar to Jesus role in Christianity? Is jihad a legal concept for Muslims? Is it true that Muhammad both preached and engaged in military campaigns? Do Muslims, Christians, and Jews worship the same God? Why do Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim parts of Israel/Palestine as Holy Land? Why do some people, such as the Taliban, not want girls to get an education? Does Islam require wearing face veils? Does Islam have theologians like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and the other great Christian thinkers? Is there any similarity between Muslim and Christian art?Muslims are diverse, and they have a vast spectrum of views about Islam. The Handy Islam Answer Book aims for understanding, which is the first step to uniting, instead of dividing. This helpful books provides a historic timeline, a glossary of commonly used terms, a genealogy from Adam to Muhammad and beyond, a calendar of major observances, and a bibliography help further exploration of one of the worlds great religions.

Chronicles more than 300 examples of alien encounters, conspiracy theories, and the influence of extraterrestrials on human events throughout history. It investigates claims of visits from otherworldly creatures, aliens living among us, abductions of humans to alien spacecraft, and accounts of interstellar co-operation since the UFO crash.

When Darkness Reigns and the Full Moon Glows, Terror Emerges to Stalk the UnsuspectingFrom lycanthropic creatures found on television and film such as Teen Wolf, Twilight, and True Blood to the earliest folklore of shape-shifting creatures, The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shapeshifting Beings is an eye-opening, blood-pounding tour through the ages of monsters with the most amazing camouflage capabilitiesthey hide among us! Along the way, youll land at the doorstep of creatures like hirsute mass-murderer Albert Fish, and Fritz Haarman, who slaughtered and ate his victimsselling the leftovers as steaks and roasts in his butcher shopas well as visits to mythical shamans, sirens, and skin walkers.Covering 140,000 years of legend, mythology, and fact, The Werewolf Book provides hair-raising evidence of strange and obsessional behavior through the centuries. Learn the basics of becoming a werewolf and the intricacies of slaying the beast. A true homage to werewolves and other full moon beasts, it includes topics such as Bear, tiger, coyote, and other shape-shifting people Classic and modern werewolf movies Gargoyles, totem poles, and Internet depictions Serial killers and sadistic rulers Sorcery, spells, and talismans Television shows, songs, and computer games

Your fitness, health, and well-being depend on food and proper nutrition. Yet, knowing what is in the foods we eat, understanding the differences between good and bad fat, learning which foods are good sources of vitamins, keeping up on the latest scientific discoveries, or discerning the effectiveness of different diets can be challenging. To help answer these questions there's The Handy Nutrition Answer Book. Additionally, the book scrutinizes the pros, cons, and effectiveness of the biggest, most popular, and trendiest diets on the market today.This handy reference examines, explains, and traces the basics of nutrition, the value of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, the science behind food-processing and the modern food industry. It traces nutritionand nutritional misconceptionsthroughout history. It explains how to read food labels and what to watch for in food additives. From the newsworthy to the practical and from the medical to the historical, this entertaining and informative book brings the complexity of food and healthy nutrition into focus through the well-researched answers to nearly 900 common questions, such as How do our muscles obtain energy?What is a calorie in terms of nutrition?How are calories measured?Why do vegetarians need to know about complementary proteins?How does a person interpret how much fat to eat based on the daily calories they want to consume?What is omega-9?How have trans fats in foods changed in the pastand how might they change in the future?Can dense carbohydrates that are high in fat and calories affect our sleep?What are some healthier natural sweeteners?What recent study indicated that red wine and dark chocolate are not as healthy as we think?What are some of the worst ways to cook vegetables that destroy nutrients?What is the Maillard reaction?What recent study showed how beer can help grilled foods?How does human taste work?Does the percent of water in our system change as we age?Whats the difference between gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, and wheat intolerance?What sugar can act like a laxative?What did the ancient Roman soldiers eat?Why did so many men die from starvation during the American Civil War?What does the word natural mean on a label?Why will food labels change in the near future?What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?Is there a controversy concerning farmed fish versus wild-caught fish?What is irradiation of food?Why is high fructose corn syrup so controversial?How can diet help with premenopausal symptoms in women?Can soy products lower my cholesterol?Why do some people seem to eat whatever they wantand still lose or maintain their weight?

From "Vlad the Impaler" and "Barnabas Collins" to "Dracula" and "Lestat", this guide furnishes more than 500 essays, a vampire chronology, and 60 pages of vampire resources.

A chilling chronicle of the often ignored history of vampirism as it has surfaced repeatedly in news articles, historical accounts, and first person interviews, this shocking account of occultist rituals and the inhuman forces that influence them shines a light on the horrifying truth. Revealing that real vampires are not immortal, do not have fangs or sleep in coffins, and have no fear of sunlight or crucifixes, the examination dispels many myths but also confirms the truth behind several traits of real vampires, such as the insatiable thirst for blood and the dream of an eternal soul. Complete with 30 spinetingling tales of the hideous wraiths and creatures that lurk in shadow, this fascinating collection includes the stories of the Mexican prostitute who mesmerized an entire village, convincing them she was an Incan goddess who required human sacrifice for her magic; the three teenagers who left a trail across the South as they conducted blooddrinking rituals with animals; and the mysterious Lady in Black who draws psychic energy from men who dare approach her as she wanders through city streets and parks.

Combining a basic history of philosophical thought with the often quirky personal stories of famous philosophers, this comprehensive introduction to the world of philosophy answers more than 1,000 questions, ranging from What was the Enlightenment? to Why did the Pythagorians avoid fava beans? Analyzing the collective effort of philosophers throughout history in the pursuit of truth and wisdom, the guide explores the tangible significance of philosophical thought to modern society and civilization as a whole. With a wide range of information suitable for various knowledge basesfrom junior high to junior collegethis is an ideal resource for anyone looking to get a better grasp of the history of thought.

Kids ask the darndest things . . . and here are the answersall in one helpful book!Anyone who has ever been a kid, raised a kid, or spent any time with kids knows that asking questions is a critical part of growing up. Kids have curious minds and they come up with some very interesting questions. But the truth is adults don't always know the answers. The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) comes to the rescue. Written with a child's imagination in mind, this easy-to-understand book is a launching pad for curious young minds and a life raft for parents at wits end. It addresses nearly 800 queries with enough depth and detail to both satisfy the curiosity of persistent young inquisitors and provide parents with a secure sense of a job well done. It'll equip every parent for those difficult, absurd, or sometimes funny questions from their kids, such as Is there life on Mars? Do rivers ever dry up? Why are there wars? Is there such a thing as a funny bone? Why do dogs bark? Why is the sky blue? Why do people have to grow old? Why do people speak different languages?

Investigating the way Hollywood scoops up notorious criminals and turns them into legends, this who's-who guide provides thumbnail sketches of such killers as Ma Barker, Black Beard, Al Capone, John Wesley Hardin, and Charles Starkweather. It explores the legends' emotional truths as depicted in movies, stories, and songs.

Fully updated with the latest advances in meteorology as well as an additional section on climate change, this comprehensive reference addresses all aspects of weather in an accessible questionandanswer format. All the basic elements of weather are discussed, as are all types of weather phenomena and the science of forecasting. In addition, the relationships between weather and oceanography, geology, and space science are expertly covered. Included are more than 1,000 questions and answers such as, Has a hurricane ever struck southern California? Could our oceans have originated in space? and What is bioclimatology? This resource is an ideal reference for students, teachers, and amateur meteorologists.

Including over 200 true stories, this collection provides a glimpse into the world of unexplained phenomena and survival against overwhelming odds. It covers a wide range of topics and circumstances, including angelic interventions, medical miracles, amazing sea rescues, miracles on the highway, and near-death experiences.

Spanning nearly 400 years from the early abolitionists to the present, this guide book profiles more than 400 people, places, and events that have shaped the history of the black struggle for freedom. Coverage includes information on such mainstay figures as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks, but also delves into how lesser known figures contributed to and shaped the history of civil rights. Learn how the Housewives' League of Detroit started a nationwide movement to support black businesses, helping many to survive the depression; or discover what effect sports journalist Samuel Harold Lacy had on Jackie Robinson's historic entrance into the major leagues. This comprehensive resource chronicles the breadth and passion of an entire people's quest for freedom.

Black Heroes profiles 150 individuals who have made a lasting and profound impact on our culture, our nation and the world! A who's who of cultural importance to all Americans, Black Heroes celebrates individuals who have made a lasting and profound impact on American history. Wherever they’ve made their mark—politics, art, sports, entertainment, literature, civil rights, business, medicine, education, or law—the heroes represented in this book are men and women who have struggled against the odds and advanced to miraculous heights in the process, inspiring countless others. Distinguished scholar and best-selling author, Jessie Carney Smith, has created another classic guide to extraordinary individuals and their accomplishments that is sure to please readers of any age. To help you locate information quickly, Black Heroes includes a general index and an index arranged by occupation. Brimming with information and more than 200 photographs, this weighty collection is an important guide to extraordinary individuals and their accomplishments that is sure to please readers of any age.

A thorough, comprehensive guide to the world of angels Angels, whose principal employment is the protection and encouragement of human beings, are more popular than ever. In this age of uncertainty, it is easy to understand why the concept of angels is so comforting. While much has been written about angels throughout history, no single source examines them as thoroughly or as thoughtfully as Angels A to Z. Written by an "e;angel expert"e; and a recognized authority on nontraditional religious movements, this enlightening resource is one of the most comprehensive books on angels and angel-related topics currently available. More than 300 entries, drawn from multiple religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Hindu traditions, as well as from pop culture, are included. A variety of angel topics are discussed, including celebrity angels, obscure angels still waiting for their big break, classifications of angels, guardian angels, fallen angels, biblical figures associated with angels, angels in art and architecture, and angels in the media and literature. Plus, angels are discussed in terms of the occult and metaphysics, with entries on UFOs, fairies, and witches. You will discover how ancient, contemporary, and pop cultures represent angels in their mythology, folklore, architecture, art, literature, religion, and so much more. Angels A to Z explores such topics as: Gabriel, Michael, Lucifer, and other biblical angels Angels in various religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism) Different classifications of angels such as the Valkyries from Norse mythology and Hafaza from Islamic tradition Fallen angels, guardian angels, obscure angels, and angels across religious traditions Authors who write about angels, including Frank Peretti, Joan Wester Anderson, Eileen Freeman, Terry Lynn Taylor, and others Artists who depict angels such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Glenda Green, and Karyn Martin-Karl Beloved fictional characters like Clarence from the film It's a Wonderful Life If you want to know more about the rich and important history of these spiritual beings, Angels A to Z is the answer to your prayers.