Click the cover to read Ben Pratt’s story.
IAN FLEMING WAS A PROPHET
A NEW EDITION—This week, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of a book that has been discussed in small groups around the world. That includes one church group in far-away New Zealand that told us how much they enjoyed Benjamin Pratt’s thought-provoking book! To mark this milestone, we have released a new, affordable digital edition in all eBook formats. We also invited Benjamin Pratt to write about the inspiring legacy of this book, Ian Fleming’s Seven Deadlier Sins and 007’s Moral Compass.
Ben’s groundbreaking research into the life of Ian Fleming and the 14 James Bond novels showed that this body of work was truly prophetic in its soul-search critique of the deadly temptations in our world, today. Once dismissed as a literary light-weight who pumped out thrillers for a mass audience, Fleming’s reappraisal shows how deeply this journalist (he was an editor for the famous Sunday Times) was concerned about the global dangers he saw emerging.
Even though he wrote more than half a century ago, the spiritual temptations Fleming identified are as potent as today’s front-page headlines.
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Click the image to learn more about our Jewish authors.
G’mar Hatima Tova
The Fast of Yom Kippur
WISDOM FOR EVERYONE—In greeting your Jewish friends, this week, you won’t want to say “Happy Yom Kippur!” That’s because this day of fasting and communal reflection is a solemn occasion. The Hebrew greeting in our headline, above, means in English: May you be sealed in the Book of Life. That’s a traditional reference to the High Holidays as an annual period of renewal and rededication. Millions of observant Jews fast for at least 24 hours, a strict fast in which nothing passes the lips. This often is the highest attendance day, each year, in synagogues as families heed the ancient call to pray together as a community. Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton has more about the background of this observance.
MEET OUR JEWISH AUTHORS—We also invite all of our readers to learn more about our many Jewish authors. There’s a book in this list for every interest—from humor to spiritual wisdom, from coping with cancer to healing the deep divisions that divide our world today.
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MORE HOLIDAYS
PARYUSHAN PARVA—Forgiveness plays a central role in many world religions, but for Jains, it’s the focus of the most important festival of the year: Paryushan Parva.
GANESH CHATURTHI—Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the grandest and most beloved festivals of India, honoring the Hindu god Ganesha, known also as Vinayaka Chaturthi. Images of Ganesha are temporarily installed in public pandals (shrines) and in homes, and worshipped for several days, until they are taken to a local body of water and immersed. Stephanie Fenton has the story!
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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Click this image to read Walter’s story.
A YEAR OF GRATITUDE
GOD SIGNS—Each week, columnist Suzy Farbman introduces us to men and women whose lives are inspiring examples of resilience, compassion and creativity. This week, she introduces us to Walter Green, who decided to dedicate a year of his life to gratitude. Reflecting on those who nurtured and advised him along the way, Walter came up with a list of 44 names. Walter writes, “I don’t think anyone is, in fact, self made. Without parents, colleagues, family or friends, where would any of us be?”
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Click the image to read Susan’s story.
CANCER AWARENESS?
WE’VE GOT A BOOK FOR THAT
FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING
This week, in our Front Edge Publishing column, Susan Stitt helps us prepare for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October, by describing some of the books we have published that are especially helpful to individuals and families facing struggles with this diagnosis.
Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
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Click the image to learn about the September issue of Visual Parables Journal.
FAITH & FILM
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
- PUZZLE—This complex story about a woman who discovers her unusual talent for assembling puzzles is sure to generate spirited discussion, Ed writes. (4 out of 5 stars)
- THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN—Robert Redford stars in this movie version of the real Over the Hill Gang, polite robbers who enjoy a remarkably long career.
- SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD—Ed says there are intriguing details as well as troubling aspects of this controversial tell-all documentary about sexuality in Hollywood in the 1940s and ’50s. (4 stars)
- DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT—What a delightful visual parable of reconciliation from director and screenwriter Gus Van Sant! Based on John Callahan’s autobiography of the same name, the title comes from one of the sardonic cartoons that made Callahan beloved and controversial. (4.5 out of 5 stars)
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Click this movie still to read Ed’s review.
THE CAKEMAKER—Writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer’s first film may be slow-paced, but it also is a fascinating exploration of grieving, loneliness and the fluidity of sexual boundaries usually thought of as rigid. (5 stars)
- MAMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN—Some fun and some good music can’t make up for a muddled plot, Ed says. Nevertheless, if you know what to expect, you may have fun. (3 stars)
- THE PROPHET JOB—Curious about this famous figure from the Bible? Ed recommends an Australian video that’s free to watch online.
- LEAVE NO TRACE—Based on Peter Rock’s 2009 book, My Abandonment (a novel inspired by a true story), this film offers a refreshing look at outsiders and insiders, refusing to demonize anyone, as so many films do. (5 stars)
- BLACKkKLANSMAN—Based on the memoir of policeman Ron Stallworth, Spike Lee has written and directed one of the most important films of the year. (5 stars)
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