Books with author Jonathan Raban

Germany, 1534. Paulus has lost his wife Marga to a fanatical cult. She's tired of persecution, tired of running, tired of turning the other cheek. Tired of being a peaceful Anabaptist in a violent world. She wants to fight back. In Muenster, Marga can fight back. The Anabaptists there, led by their fiery prophet-king, Jan Bockelson, have conquered the city. Bockelson leads through visions, charm, and terror. The pitiless prince-bishop, Franz von Waldeck, surrounds the city with his army, grimly determined to have it back. Bockelson promises victory: the saints will slaughter their enemies and then Christ will return. But the city is doomed. Paulus goes to Muenster to win back his wayward wife. Starvation begins. Bockelson's reign of terror tightens. And Paulus is faced with a terrible surprise that shakes his love for Marga to the core. Will this marriage survive the holocaust of hunger, terror, lunacy, doubt, and bloody vengeance? Speak to Her Kindly is a story of Christians in the turbulent 16th century, a story of fanaticism, faith, terror, endurance, peace, and love.

Germany, 1534. Paulus has lost his wife Marga to a fanatical cult. She's tired of persecution, tired of running, tired of turning the other cheek. Tired of being a peaceful Anabaptist in a violent world. She wants to fight back. In Muenster, Marga can fight back. The Anabaptists there, led by their fiery prophet-king, Jan Bockelson, have conquered the city. Bockelson leads through visions, charm, and terror. The pitiless prince-bishop, Franz von Waldeck, surrounds the city with his army, grimly determined to have it back. Bockelson promises victory: the saints will slaughter their enemies and then Christ will return. But the city is doomed. Paulus goes to Muenster to win back his wayward wife. Starvation begins. Bockelson's reign of terror tightens. And Paulus is faced with a terrible surprise that shakes his love for Marga to the core. Will this marriage survive the holocaust of hunger, terror, lunacy, doubt, and bloody vengeance? Speak to Her Kindly is a story of Christians in the turbulent 16th century, a story of fanaticism, faith, terror, endurance, peace, and love.

The growth economies of Southeast Asia are presented by the World Bank and others as exemplars of development - 'miracle' economies to be emulated. How did the region attain such status? Are the 'other' countries of Southeast Asia able to achieve such a rapid growth?This book charts the development of Southeast Asia, examining the economies of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma alongside the established Asian market economies. Drawing on case studies from across the region, the author assesses poverty and ways in which the poor are identified and viewed. Process and change in the rural and urban 'worlds' are examined in detail, focusing on the strengthening rural-urban interaction as 'farmers' make a living in the urban-industrial sector and factories relocate into agricultural areas.Giving prominence to indigenous notions of development, based on Buddhism, Islam and the so-called 'Asian Way', the author critically assesses the conceptual foundations of development, ideas of post-developmentalism, and the 'miracle' thesis. In the light of the experience of one of the most vibrant regions in the world, the book places emphasis on the process of modernization within wider debates of development and challenges the notion that development has been a mirage for many and a tragedy for some.

The growth economies of Southeast Asia are presented by the World Bank and others as exemplars of development - 'miracle' economies to be emulated. How did the region attain such status? Are the 'other' countries of Southeast Asia able to achieve such a rapid growth? This book charts the development of Southeast Asia, examining the economies of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma alongside the established Asian market economies. Drawing on case studies from across the region, the author assesses poverty and ways in which the poor are identified and viewed. Process and change in the rural and urban 'worlds' are examined in detail, focusing on the strengthening rural-urban interaction as 'farmers' make a living in the urban-industrial sector and factories relocate into agricultural areas. Giving prominence to indigenous notions of development, based on Buddhism, Islam and the so-called 'Asian Way', the author critically assesses the conceptual foundations of development, ideas of post-developmentalism, and the 'miracle' thesis. In the light of the experience of one of the most vibrant regions in the world, the book places emphasis on the process of modernization within wider debates of development and challenges the notion that development has been a mirage for many and a tragedy for some.