Books with author Mclaughlin

A fascinating history of the intricate web of trade routes connecting ancient Rome to Eastern civilizations, including its powerful rival, the Han Empire. The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes investigates the trade routes between Rome and the powerful empires of inner Asia, including the Parthian Empire of ancient Persia, and the Kushan Empire which seized power in Bactria (Afghanistan), laying claim to the Indus Kingdoms. Further chapters examine the development of Palmyra as a leading caravan city on the edge of Roman Syria. Raoul McLaughlin also delves deeply into Rome’s trade ventures through the Tarim territories, which led its merchants to the Han Empire of ancient China. Having established a system of Central Asian trade routes known as the Silk Road, the Han carried eastern products as far as Persia and the frontiers of the Roman Empire. Though they were matched in scale, the Han surpassed its European rival in military technology. The first book to address these subjects in a single comprehensive study, The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes explores Rome’s impact on the ancient world economy and reveals what the Chinese and Romans knew about their rival Empires.

Religion’s decline in the modern world turns out to be a myth. Christianity is the most widespread global belief system, and promises to remain so well into the future. But for many educated westerners, biblical Christianity is a dangerous idea―challenging some of their deepest beliefs. Channeling state-of-the-art research, personal stories, and careful biblical study, Confronting Christianity explores 12 questions that keep many of us from considering faith in Christ. Look more closely, McLaughlin argues, and the reality of suffering, the complexity of sexuality, the desire for diversity, the success of science, and other seeming roadblocks to faith become signposts. Jesus becomes not a relic from the ancient world, but our modern world’s best hope.Item_weight:16.0 ounces

"Compelling reading, not only because of its intellectual rigor but also because of its honest, empathetic humanity." —John C. Lennox Religion’s decline in the modern world turns out to be a myth. Christianity is the most widespread global belief system, and promises to remain so well into the future. But for many educated westerners, biblical Christianity is a dangerous idea—challenging some of their deepest beliefs. Channeling state-of-the-art research, personal stories, and careful biblical study, Confronting Christianity explores 12 questions that keep many of us from considering faith in Christ. Look more closely, McLaughlin argues, and the reality of suffering, the complexity of sexuality, the desire for diversity, the success of science, and other seeming roadblocks to faith become signposts. Jesus becomes not a relic from the ancient world, but our modern world’s best hope.

What can you do when the thing you hate most in the world is also the only thing which might keep you alive? ★★★★★Ryan Blackwell never wanted to have magical abilities. He'd rather leave them as far behind him as possible - and never look back! Arriving at the military college of Northshield University was supposed to be a chance to start over and build a new life for himself. One without magic, thank you very much!But Northshield holds a secret: a powerful nexus of ley lines. Where these converging lines of raw magical force intersect, strange things can happen and even stranger beings are attracted to the site. Almost overnight Ryan is faced with a choice: accept his magic or die.But even that may not be enough, because as the threats grow stronger and students begin dying, even Ryan will find his power tested to the limit.Giving up isn't an option, and flight is impossible. That only leaves one path to survival...fight back!

The alien Naga have reached out to contact humanity and a response is required. Rather than invite trouble by allowing the warrior race to send more ships to Earth, the decision is made to detach a delegation to the Naga homeworld. Dan Wynn will command the newly restored starship Independence on its maiden flight.Meanwhile, the Satori will carry a group of humans to the ruined world of Dust. The only remnants of the race which built the Satori still rest there, and Earth desperately needs any technological edge it can acquire.But an ancient force is moving between the stars again for the first time in a millennium. As this old enemy of both Naga and Human alike prepares to reveal itself, neither race will ever see the universe the same way again!

The alien Naga tried to destroy all life on Earth, but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.Six months ago we fought a short but devastating war against the invaders. Our ships burned, and whole cities were annihilated, but we defeated them.Now out of the ashes rises a new Space Force, led by the heroes from that final terrible battle. Beth Wynn wants nothing more from life than to retreat back into the design and invention she's always loved most. But Earth needs her mind and leadership now more than ever.Because not all the ashes are cold and dead. Even in the calm after the fires have gone out, danger lurks close to home. A team sent to the abandoned lunar base vanishes without a trace. Security forces guarding one of the captured Naga starships go silent. Enemies close in, and our very survival will rest on a knife’s edge.In this game of interstellar survival of the fittest, Earth’s heroes will need to put all their courage and brilliance into play to win.

WINNER OF THE 2019 EDGAR FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL“Bearskin is visceral, raw, and compelling—filled with sights, smells, and sounds truly observed. It’s a powerful debut and an absolute showcase of exceptional prose. There are very few first novels when I feel compelled to circle brilliant passages, but James McLaughlin’s writing had me doing just that.” —C.J. Box, #1 NYT bestselling author of The DisappearedRice Moore is just beginning to think his troubles are behind him. He’s found a job protecting a remote forest preserve in Virginian Appalachia where his main responsibilities include tracking wildlife and refurbishing cabins. It’s hard work, and totally solitary—perfect to hide away from the Mexican drug cartels he betrayed back in Arizona. But when Rice finds the carcass of a bear killed on the grounds, the quiet solitude he’s so desperately sought is suddenly at risk.More bears are killed on the preserve and Rice’s obsession with catching the poachers escalates, leading to hostile altercations with the locals and attention from both the law and Rice’s employers. Partnering with his predecessor, a scientist who hopes to continue her research on the preserve, Rice puts into motion a plan that could expose the poachers but risks revealing his own whereabouts to the dangerous people he was running from in the first place.James McLaughlin expertly brings the beauty and danger of Appalachia to life. The result is an elemental, slow burn of a novel—one that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.

Charline Foster was marooned on a desert planet during an alien attack.Taking command of the handful of people stranded with her, she struggles to survive a desolate and hostile world. But the predators stalking them are the least of their worries. The aliens who forced the Satori to flee return, seeking the survivors.Charline must forge her small band into an effective fighting force and engage the enemy. Together, they must strive to do the impossible if they want to ever see Earth again.

Space Pirates aren’t supposed to exist.But apparently, nobody told them that. When Thomas’s first command is ambushed in space, only quick thinking will keep his crew alive.*** A USA Today Bestselling Author! ***One random pirate ship would be bad enough, But the truth is far more deadly. Multiple ships of unknown origin are striking freighters and kidnapping their crews.Then the pirates turn their eyes toward the planets.One man has prepared for this; Thomas’s estranged father, Admiral Nicholas Stein. Hero and villain of the last great war, he has spent decades preparing for the conflict he always knew was coming.Now he and Thomas are all that stands between humanity and a ruthless enemy who will stop at nothing to control space - and from there, to enslave us all.

Summer break is supposed to be relaxing for college students, but not for Ryan Blackwell.Leaving campus means heading back home and potentially having to deal with his Dad, which is enough all by itself to make him wish he could be anyplace else. But then he runs into a hellcat: a magical creature capable of stripping the magic away from a victim. The hellcat might not even be the most dangerous enemy prowling out there, either!He’s alone. Without backup or support. When Ryan finds himself cut off from his magic he must rely on his wits and will to survive.Beating his foes will require him to recover his powers, but that’s easier said than done. He’ll have to evade assassins and defeat a hellish creature that was created to hunt down spell-casters like himself.No one said life was easy. But for Ryan, it’s going to be almost impossible to escape the Claws That Catch!