Uglier than Hugo’s Hunchback; more terrifying then Shelly’s Frankenstein and yet more affable then Steinbeck’s Lenny Small is Goliath: the Giant of Palestine. Not the renowned Old Testament villain but a child unwittingly manipulated into the rogue Goliath. While stopping short of suggesting another slinger on a grassy knoll is an intriguing skeptical dissecting of I Samuel’s telling of history’s most famous one-on-one battle. How and why the ancestors of present day Palestinians and Israelis came to struggle for the same land sheds new light on the argument of “Just whose land is it anyway?” Goliath, a seven-year-old boy trapped in the body of a fierce giant, endures many fantastic adventures at the hands of history’s greatest mariners, the Phoenician and ushered throughout the Mediterranean as pirate and circus attraction. The storyline returns to his homeland where his people continually clash with the Tribes of Israel. Initial terrorism, conspiracy, assassination and all-out war of this first Middle East conflict are accurately depicted and fueled by current headlines. Presented also is a tender love story of the granddaughter of the eminent biblical Ruth and a displaced Philistine. After all the necessary covenants are fulfilled a marriage takes place. Ten years of research based on historical evidence, biblical events and well-worn theories depicts the cultural, religious and technological differences of the two peoples.

Barry Blackstone has been fascinated with the biblical reference to “giants” since childhood but only began looking deeper into the subject when he was challenged by a member of his congregation twenty-five years ago. Over those years, Blackstone compiled information on all the named “giants” and those that slew them (men well-known like David, Joshua, and Caleb and those not so well-known like Othniel, Elhanan, and Abishai). Coming to the conclusion that this race of super-humans was a product of Satan’s plan to corrupt man, stop the coming of the Messiah, and resist the Hebrews from possessing their promised land, Blackstone began to see the principles and precepts needed to combat the “giants” of our day in our spiritual warfare “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12). Travel with this pastor through the Bible as he reveals the origin of the “giants,” how they survived the Flood, and when they were finally wiped out in the days of David. With strange names like Rephaim, OG, Arba, Anak, Sheshai, and of course Goliath, learn about their fabled size, their formable weapons, and why they all were so easily defeated! This exploration will cover some of the greatest battles described in Scripture and will uncover how to win against gigantic foes personally. Each chapter is written in a devotional style that will bring a spiritual encouragement to the reader and will help them see that no matter how invincible the adversary, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).

In the Hebrew Bible and stories loyal to it, Goliath is the stereotypical giant of folklore: big, brash, violent, and dimwitted. Goliath as Gentle Giant sets out to rehabilitate the giant’s image by exploring the origins of the biblical behemoth, the limitations of the “underdog” metaphor, and the few sympathetic treatments of Goliath in popular media. What insights emerge when we imagine things from Goliath’s point of view? How might this affect our reading of the biblical account or its many retellings and interpretations? What sort of man was Goliath really? The nuanced portraits analyzed in this book serve as a catalyst to challenge readers to question stereotypes, reexamine old assumptions, and humanize the “other.”

One of the "10 Must-Read Histories of the Palestine-Israel Conflict" —Ian Black, Literary Hub, on the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration The new edition of the acclaimed text that explores the issues continuing to define the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Numerous instances of competing, sometimes incompatible narratives of controversial events are found throughout history. Perhaps the starkest example of such contradictory representations is the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine. For over 140 years, Israelis, Palestinians, and scores of peacemakers have failed to establish a sustainable, mutually-acceptable solution. The Israel-Palestine Conflict introduces the historical basis of the dispute and explores both the tangible issues and intangible factors that have blocked a peaceful resolution. Author Neil Caplan helps readers understand the complexities and contradictions of the conflict and why the histories of Palestine and Israel are so fiercely contested. Now in its second edition, this book has been thoroughly updated to reflect the events that have transpired since its original publication. Fresh insights consider the impact of current global and regional instability and violence on the prospects of peace and reconciliation. New discussions address recent debates over two-state versus one-state solutions, growing polarization in public discourse outside of the Middle East, the role of public intellectuals, and the growing trend of merging scholarship with advocacy. Part of the Wiley-Blackwell Contested Histories series, this clear and accessible volume: Offers a balanced, non-polemic approach to current academic discussions and political debates on the Israel-Palestine conflict Highlights eleven core arguments viewed by the author as unwinnable Encourages readers to go beyond simply assigning blame in the conflict Explores the major historiographical debates arising from the dispute Includes updated references and additional maps Already a standard text for courses on the history and politics of the Middle East, The Israel-Palestine Conflict is an indispensable resource for students, scholars, and interested general readers.

Hold it! Sit! Stay! That’s better. No, I am not suggesting that you go to the New York Times and tell them, “I have a book, written by the devil. Only he’s not really the devil. He’s an extra-terrestrial. And he’s not evil. He’s God’s good brother. It’s God who is evil.” Do you think I came to you to have you put in a funny farm? You’re to publish my manuscript under your own name, as science fiction. Isn’t science fiction the only format under which any sane moral philosophy could be published for the past fifty years? You agree? I am so glad. I have to go now. The Overlords are waiting to take me home.

2014 Lannan Foundation Cultural Freedom Notable Book Award In Goliath, New York Times bestselling author Max Blumenthal takes us on a journey through the badlands and high roads of Israel-Palestine, painting a startling portrait of Israeli society under the siege of increasingly authoritarian politics as the occupation of the Palestinians deepens. Beginning with the national elections carried out during Israel's war on Gaza in 2008-09, which brought into power the country's most right-wing government to date, Blumenthal tells the story of Israel in the wake of the collapse of the Oslo peace process. As Blumenthal reveals, Israel has become a country where right-wing leaders like Avigdor Lieberman and Bibi Netanyahu are sacrificing democracy on the altar of their power politics; where the loyal opposition largely and passively stands aside and watches the organized assault on civil liberties; where state-funded Orthodox rabbis publish books that provide instructions on how and when to kill Gentiles; where half of Jewish youth declare their refusal to sit in a classroom with an Arab; and where mob violence targets Palestinians and African asylum seekers scapegoated by leading government officials as "demographic threats." Immersing himself like few other journalists inside the world of hardline political leaders and movements, Blumenthal interviews the demagogues and divas in their homes, in the Knesset, and in the watering holes where their young acolytes hang out, and speaks with those political leaders behind the organized assault on civil liberties. As his journey deepens, he painstakingly reports on the occupied Palestinians challenging schemes of demographic separation through unarmed protest. He talks at length to the leaders and youth of Palestinian society inside Israel now targeted by security service dragnets and legislation suppressing their speech, and provides in-depth reporting on the small band of Jewish Israeli dissidents who have shaken off a conformist mindset that permeates the media, schools, and the military. Through his far-ranging travels, Blumenthal illuminates the present by uncovering the ghosts of the past -- the histories of Palestinian neighborhoods and villages now gone and forgotten; how that history has set the stage for the current crisis of Israeli society; and how the Holocaust has been turned into justification for occupation. A brave and unflinching account of the real facts on the ground, Goliath is an unprecedented and compelling work of journalism.

Jason Elliott made his decision to be part of the rapture of the Church when he was twelve in a one-room Christian school. Now a high-profile investigative reporter on assignment in Israel, he, his wife, and his team come to realize this age is rapidly coming to an end, and it was all foretold in the Bible. ¬ They discover the prophecies written 2,500 years ago are unfolding today as if written yesterday. Will the signing of the Israeli-Palestine Peace Agreement mark the beginning of the final seven years to the Battle of Armageddon? Is World War III in the Bible? Is Armageddon the end of the world? In this fast-paced mystery, Satan does his best to derail him, but Jason maintains his Christian values even when he accidentally uncovers the assassination plot of white-collar terrorists that make him and his family their targets, as if to say, "Take that, Satan!"

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV). As we ponder the question, “Do race, color, and religion matter?”, we find that the initial response of many is “No.” If in fact, the reader accepts that everything the Creator has made was good, then one can acknowledge without reservation that race, color, and religion have a beneficial existence. If the reader can recognize that there is a plan and purpose for all things, then without exception one must admit that race, color, and religion have a purpose on this earth and are ideal instruments of God. Race, color and religion are deeply intertwined within the life of mankind as well as with the Creator. They exist as gifts dispersed among humanity for the purpose of diversified beautification. They were destined by the Creator to be used in the fulfillment of His plan for the population of the earth and His plan of salvation. Race, color, and religion serve as indicators of chronological time and are useful in the study of eschatology. They serve as indicators of the three phases of human development: the “Physical Phase, the “Spiritual Phase,” and the “Intellectual Phase.” They are also preordained factors of life for various reasons. Some of these reasons have been revealed to humanity; the others may not be known until the return of Christ. If you are a person who believes that these three factors do not matter, you must read this book. If you are a person who believes the Christian Bible can be studied without consideration for race, color, and religion, your understanding of the Holy Scriptures is both incomprehensive and inconclusive. Through this book, your eyes will be opened to a new awareness of the glorious and magnificent works the Creator has done and is doing. This book provides a better understanding of the proclamations declared throughout biblical history. Also, you will be presented with an anthological survey designed to enhance the study of the Christian Bible with a focused consciousness of the topic. Let this book serve as a sobering experience and a lesson that race, color, and religion truly matter."

This project began as a dissertation for a Doctorate Degree but as the work progressed it was presented to the California State Department of Education to be examined as a text in the Middle schools system. After the third meeting of the Board the votes were against the book due to the reference of the Bible. The work, as I quote There are too many religious quotes, remarks, and or reference. With that in mind the project was placed in storage until a publisher could be obtained. The work was accepted as fulfillment of studies required for the writers Doctorate Degree. At last looking forward to publishing of this work, the reader might consider the advance steps this nation as a people have made. Segregation and integration though not nearly completed is far from where it was. In nineteen ninety there still remained underlying prejudice. We see less and less of the racial issues today in twenty eleven but the lingering shadows still remain. There are sections in this book where after looking back the writer called The Day before Yesterday and there was Just Yesterday, there is Today a look at Tomorrow and the Day After Tomorrow. This Document is useful in encouraging by the fact of overcoming, useful in building faith by seeing how far we have come from where we came from. Useful in showing ALL young people there is Hope, though it stager it is still Hope. Without Hope we are men most miserable.(Bible) Useful in telling the student dont give up, and showing them the rewards of determination, the rewards of struggles and striving. This Document will encourage the student of any back ground to set goals to exert both effort and energy to achieve the quest of success. For every young mind create a vision of success dont look back the goal is in front let the vision determine how far you can go. Reach for the stars.