Bahá’í World/Volume 32/Selected New Publications

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[Page 253]

Selected New Publications in English

Bahá’ís in the West

Edited by Peter Smith. Los Angeles: Kalimat Press, 2004. 319 pp.

Contains eight essays that examine the early history of the Bahá’í Faith in the West. The essays and photos depict the beginnings of Bahá’í communities in many Western countries, including Australia and New Zealand, Denmark, Hungary, and the United States, with contributions by Peter Smith, Moojan Momen, György Lederer, Jackson Armstrong-Ingram, Loni Bramson, Graham Hassall, Margit Warburg, and Ismael Velasco. (Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions series, vol. 14)

Bahá’u’lláh, the Promised One

Gloria Faizi. New Delhi: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2003. 234 pp.

An introduction to the Bahá’í Faith that depicts the story of Bahá’u’lláh’s life, telling of the severe persecutions to which He and His followers were subjected, and the spread of His teachings within Iran and throughout the world.

Bill: A Biography of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears

Marguerite Reimer Sears. Eloy, AZ: Desert Rose Publishing, 2004. 122 pp.

Biography of William Sears written by his wife that tells not only of the love between them, but also of the love Mr. Sears had for the Faith he labored [Page 254]to promote. The book portrays the life of an eminent Bahá’í, including his passion for service, his vast creative output, his travels and exhaustive work for the Faith, and his renowned sense of humor.

Gems from the Crown of Glory: Glimpses from the Life of Bahá’u’lláh Compiled by Susan J. Allen. New Delhi: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2003. 239 pp. Drawing from such works as Memorials of the Faithful; God Passes By; Bahá’u’lláh, The King of Glory; and the four volumes of The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, this compilation collects stories that span the life of Bahá’u’lláh and includes accounts associated with the early years of the Bahá’í Faith.

God Speaks Again: An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith Kenneth E. Bowers. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing, 2004. 296 pp. A comprehensive introduction to the Bahá’í Faith, focused on the life of Bahá’u’lláh. Examines the way His life and teachings fulfilled prophecies which foretold the coming of “the Promised One” through a discussion of Bahá’í scripture, theology, and spiritual life.

Healing the Body Politic: Bahá’í Perspectives on Peace and Conflict Resolution Edited by Charles O. Lerche. Oxford: George Ronald, 2004. 316 pp. Reflects an effort by a group of scholars from around the globe to contribute to the search for a peaceful world. The book uses the inspiration of the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith to provide new insights and solutions for problems such as terrorism, ethnic conflict, trade wars, political partisanship, and the breakdown of families. (George Ronald Bahá’í Studies series)

Heroes and Heroines of the Ten Year Crusade in Southern Africa Compiled by Edith and Lowell Johnson. Worcester, South Africa: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2003. 462 pp. Published in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Ten Year Crusade, the book presents the stories of individuals who worked to establish Bahá’í communities in Southern Africa during the years 1953–63, including the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh who brought the Faith to those countries. [Page 255]

In Search of Inner Peace

Parviz Farnoush. New Delhi: Mir’át Publications, 2003. 291 pp.

An introduction to the Bahá’í Faith presented as answers to some of life’s most perplexing questions. Deals with subjects such as the return of Christ, the nature of religion, spiritual destiny, and the purpose of creation.

Jewel Among Nations

A. Manisegaran. Kuala Lumpur: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2003. 624 pp.

Details the history of the first 25 years of the Bahá’í Faith in Malaysia. The book offers portraits of the Malaysian Bahá’í community’s development and recounts the heroic deeds and sacrifices of the early Bahá’ís in the country.

Memories of Nine Years in ‘Akká

Youness Afroukhteh, translated by Riaz Masrour. Oxford: George Ronald, 2003. 512 pp.

Translation of the memoirs of Dr. Youness Afroukhteh, who served ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His trusted secretary and interpreter from 1900 to 1909. First published in Persian in 1952, the book covers years when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was imprisoned in the city of Acre. Recounts not only the details of daily life but also many historic events, and is “pre-eminent among those works dealing with the history of Covenant-breaking.” It also describes the pilgrimages to Acre of many eminent early Western Bahá’ís, including Thomas Breakwell, Hippolyte Dreyfus, Lua Getsinger, and Laura Clifford Barney.

Mystic Connections: Stories of Some Early Bahá’ís of Malaysia

Shantha Sundram, edited by Malini Sundram-Parker and Mariss Williams. Kuala Lumpur: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2003. 258 pp.

Published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Faith in the country, the book collects stories of some notable early Bahá’ís in Malaysia—how they first encountered the Faith and the effect that it had not only on their lives but also on the people around them.

The Path of Love

Lasse Thoresen. Oxford: George Ronald, 2004. 162 pp.

Explores ideas about love that emerge from a study of the Bahá’í writings. The book focuses on the love of God for His creation and the love that human beings reciprocate to God and their fellow human beings. It explores the practical implications of these teachings for human relationships and includes quotations from the Bahá’í writings, as well as a section of practical exercises. [Page 256]

Search for Values: Ethics in Bahá’í Thought

Edited by John Danesh and Seena Fazel. Los Angeles: Kalimat Press, 2004. 319 pp.

An attempt by several scholars to come to terms with the implications of a Bahá’í system of ethics in modern life. Contributors include Udo Schaefer, John Hick, Christopher Buck, Moojan Momen, and Richard Hollinger. (Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions series, vol. 15)

Spirituality in the Land of the Noble: How Iran Shaped the World’s Religions

Richard C. Foltz. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2004. 224 pp.

Explores the impact of Persian culture on Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Manichaeism, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith. The author probes world history to uncover a wealth of Iranian ideas and influences, from the sacred formulas of the ancient Aryan inhabitants to the spectacular architecture of Iran’s holiest cities. Spanning a wide spectrum of Persian history, the book offers insight into Iranian identity and the way religious traditions grow and change.

Stories of Bahá’u’lláh and Some Notable Believers

Compiled by Kiser Barnes. New Delhi: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2004. 444 pp.

An inspiring collection of stories about the life of Bahá’u’lláh and some prominent early Bahá’ís, drawn from sources such as The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh series; Bahá’u’lláh, The King of Glory; and The Dawn-Breakers.

Stories told by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Compiled by Amir Badiei. Oxford: George Ronald, 2003. 183 pp.

Collects stories told by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, gleaned from accounts of His life. The book offers touching stories that He told to illustrate how to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Treasures of the Cause

Compiled by Rose Deloomy. West Palm Beach, FL: Palabra Publications, 2003. 144 pp.

Stories of early Bahá’ís collected from such sources as The Chosen Highway; Bahá’u’lláh, The King of Glory; The Dawn-Breakers; and The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh series. The book offers vignettes of stories about love, humility, sacrifice, martyrdom, steadfastness, and humor from the lives of men and women who distinguished themselves through their service to the Bahá’í Faith in its earliest days.