Bahá’í World/Volume 34/Selected New Publications in English

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[Page 261]

Bahá’í Sacred Writings

The Tabernacle of Unity: Bahá’u’lláh’s Responses to Mánikchí Ṣáhib and other Writings Haifa: World Centre Publications, 2006. 80 pp.

This small book contains Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to Mánikchí Sáhib, a prominent Zoroastrian, and a companion Tablet addressed to Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl, the secretary to Mánikchí Sáhib at that time. These, together with three shorter, inspirational Tablets, offer a glimpse of Bahá’u’lláh’s relationship with the followers of a religion that had arisen, many centuries before, in the same land that witnessed the birth of His own Faith.

Other Publications

Bahá’í Parenting Perspectives Negin and Nima Anvar. Oxford: George Ronald, 2006. 194 pp.

Focusing on the spiritual upbringing of children, this book brings together the insights of 30 couples as they answer 50 questions about parenting from their own perspective, using the Bahá’í writings as a guide. A variety of approaches and issues are explored to assist readers to develop their own parenting style. [Page 262]

Bahá’í Pilgrimage

Denny Allen and Lesley Taherzadeh. Oxford: George Ronald, 2005. 197 pp.

A photographic record of pilgrimage to the holy places at the Bahá’í World Centre in northern Israel, intended for those who have been on pilgrimage and for those who have not yet been or who are unable to go. The guided pictorial journey, with more than 350 full-color illustrations, invites meditation and reflection, and provides a wealth of historical information and detail.

Divine Educators

Farnaz and Bijan Masúmián. Oxford: George Ronald, 2005. 161 pp.

Despite diverse, sometimes conflicting, cultural expressions and human interpretations, all the great religious traditions share a common foundation that fosters love, unity, and brotherhood. This book provides scriptural and historical evidence for commonalities in the lives, characters, and teachings of the central figures of seven world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith, from the scriptural sources of each religious tradition.

The Essence of the Covenant: Features, History, and Implications

Shahin Vafai. West Palm Beach, FL: Palabra Publications, 2005. 296 pp.

This book aims to assist readers to gain a deeper understanding of the features, history, and implications of the Bahá’í Covenant, designed for the unification and pacification of all nations and peoples. Containing detailed explanations, quotations for reflection, illustrations, and study questions, the text explores such themes as the purpose of the Covenant, the station and function of the successive leaders of the Bahá’í Faith, and the individual’s relationship to the Covenant.

Exiles of the City of Love: A Touching Tale of a Woman’s Suffering, Determination, and Courage

Compiled and edited by Mahintáj Izadi. New Delhi: Royal Falcon Books, 2005. 94 PP.

The story of two people who, during the Second World War, along with the Bahá’ís of Ashkhabad, were imprisoned, persecuted, and banished to Siberia. Compiled by a woman who was born in Ashkhabad and later deported to Iran, it is a story of love, sacrifice, and determination to live according to belief and moral principle even under extreme hardship. [Page 263]

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Faith, Physics, and Psychology: Rethinking Society and the Human Spirit John Fitzgerald Medina. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2006. 537 pp.

This book asks why, despite the progress of Western civilization in economic, scientific, and other areas, there has been a lack of corresponding progress with respect to spiritual life, which has left much of society feeling disoriented and unbalanced. The author sheds light on ways to address this imbalance. The ultimate goal of the examination is to present a path toward a prosper- ous global civilization that fulfills humanity's physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.

Healing the Wounded Soul Phyllis K. Peterson. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2005. 195 pp.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, the author recounts in clear and helpful detail the source of her shame, the difficulties she encountered in developing as a human being, and the healing roles of faith and her own search for truth in achieving a lasting positive self-image and the capacity to help others. The book outlines a remarkable journey of recovery accompanied by traumatic events, therapy, misdiagnoses, and an evolving personal philosophy based on spiritual insights gleaned from performing as an artist, her experiences with Bahá’ís and Bahá’í teachings, and intensive study of anger and codependency.

I'll Have the Fruit and Grains, Please! Victoria Leith. Oxford: George Ronald, 2005. 176 pp.

The author investigates different ways to improve health, drawing on Bahá’í perspectives about keeping a healthy body and mind. Aimed particularly at young people, this book is about making healthy choices pertaining to food, sleep, simplicity, and moderation. The book includes a selection of recipe suggestions for family meals, snacks, and entertaining.

The Journey of the Soul: Life, Death, and Immortality Compiled by Terrill G. Hayes, Betty J. Fisher, Richard A. Hill, and Terry Cassiday. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2006. 150 pp.

A collection of profound readings, meditations, and prayers from the Bahá’í writings, this book explores life's weightiest questions: What is the purpose of life? What is death? How do we attain true happiness? What is the soul and how does it develop? What is the nature of the afterlife? [Page 264]The Last War: Racism, Spirituality, and the Future of Civilization Mark L. Perry. Oxford: George Ronald, 2005. 352 pp. An exploration of the methods by which humanity can lay the groundwork for a new civilization, using the analogy of an archaeological dig to survey the historical roots of racism and the despiritualization of society.

Lights of the Spirit: Historical Portraits of Black Bahá’ís in North America, 1898-2000 Edited by Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis and Richard Thomas. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2006. 308 pp. A groundbreaking resource that uncovers the role played by black people in the emergence of the Bahá’í Faith in North America. Drawing on a wide range of sources including personal essays, letters, and journals, the book explores the lives of a diverse group of people—including lawyer Louis Gregory, poet Robert Hayden, jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Broadway actress Dorothy Champ, and Canadian singer Eddie Elliot.

Living in the Half-Light: Sketches of a Bahá’í Family Jean Gould. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2006. 179 pp. Through 30 short vignettes, each introduced with a selection from the Bahá’í writings, the author recalls the struggles and triumphs of life in a Bahá’í family at the end of the twentieth century. This book contains numerous examples of how the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith can be applied to daily family life.

O My Brother Madeline Hellaby. Oxford: George Ronald, 2005. 176 pp. This book particularly appeals to students of the Bahá’í Faith from Christian denominations. The author presents a thoughtful and challenging account of how she and her husband—both long-time members of the Unitarian church investigated and embraced the Bahá’í Faith. William Hellaby was a minister in the church whose growing commitment to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh brought with it moral decisions and the loss of the family's livelihood.

Partners in Spirit: What Couples Say About Marriages That Work Heather Cardin. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2006. 273 pp. More than 20 married couples share what has worked to strengthen their relationships during their years together. Their stories and advice incorporate Bahá’í perspectives on marriage, involving an equal partnership in the spiritual development of both husband and wife. [Page 265]

NEW PUBLICATIONS

The Power of Prayer: Make a Joyful Noise Pamela Brode. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2006. 270 pp. For readers interested in the practical application of prayer, meditation, and spirituality, the author, inspired by her own experiences with prayer, has collected stories from others who have had firsthand experience with the transformative power of prayer.

A Privilege So Priceless: Becoming a Better Teacher of the Bahá’í Faith Dale W. Eng. Belleview, WA: Exir Publishing, 2005. 253 pp. A detailed look at teaching the Bahá’í Faith. Among topics covered are: why teaching is so important, the individual’s role in teaching, the crucial need for wisdom in teaching, the process and psychology of teaching, and systematic teaching as part of the organic growth of the Bahá’í Faith. The book contains inspiring historical examples of several renowned teachers of the Bahá’í Faith and aspects of how they taught.

Prophet’s Daughter: The Life and Legacy of Bahíyyih Khánum, Outstanding Heroine of the Bahá’í Faith Janet A. Khan. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2005. 359 pp. A biography of the eldest daughter of Bahá’u’lláh who faithfully served her family and the early followers of a then completely new faith through nearly seven decades of extreme hardship. The author explores the example of Bahiyyih Khánum’s life and her remarkable personal qualities, and demonstrates their special relevance to issues confronting society today.

The Reality of Man Compiled by Terry Cassiday, Christopher Martin, and Bahhaj Taherzadeh. Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2005. 173 pp. A collection of Bahá’í writings on the spiritual nature of human beings. Topics include God’s love for humanity; the purpose of life, our spiritual reality, the nature of the soul, how human beings develop spiritually, and immortality and life hereafter. The writings are from Bahá’u’lláh and His appointed successor, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Responding: 101 Questions Often Asked of Bahá’ís Dale W. Eng, Belleview, WA: Exir Publishing, 2005. 1,031 pp. Intended as an aid to teaching the Bahá’í Faith, this book considers questions often asked of Bahá’ís-with each answer written as if given in direct response [Page 266]to a questioner. The book also provides extensive Bahá’í references for each topic so readers learn exactly what the teachings say on a subject.

The Spirit of Agriculture

Edited by Paul Hanley. Oxford: George Ronald, 2005. 240 pp.

A collection of essays looking at the importance of agriculture from a Bahá’í perspective. The book includes an overview of agriculture in the world’s religions, Bahá’í approaches to food and genetic crop modification, and contains case studies of social and economic development projects around the world.