Andrew Knowles

Have you ever wanted accessible introductions to key figures and periods of Christian history? Augustine and His World Augustine is one of the giants of the Christian church. From his birth in North Africa and his days as a relatively permissive young man, through his midlife conversion to Christianity and career as bishop of Hippo, his story has intrigued and inspired every generation for over 1,600 years. As a thinker, teacher, writer and debater, Augustine's greatness lay in his ability to relate the philosophies of Ancient Greece and Rome to the precepts of the Christian faith. Augustine also saved the church itself from disintegrating into rival factions by forging sound doctrine in the fires of controversy. This immersive account of Augustine's life helps readers understand the world he came from and the enormous contribution he made to the church, both of his day and of the future. Francis of Assisi and His World Francis of Assisi is one of the world's most popular religious figures, and also one of the most misrepresented. In this lively and engaging account of Francis's story - from his hedonistic youth to his emergence as a Christian leader of great charisma and intensity - Mark Galli attempts to strip away the modern gloss in order to discover the real man and the world in which he lived. The saint revealed here is not the romantic free spirit of popular imagination, but a contentious figure who combined a deep mysticism with radical commitment and, above all, sought to glorify God, the creator.

This is the story of how the author fell in love with Ireland. In a nutshell, it's two peoples' journey to a new life. The first section of the book offers a day-by-day account of the first holiday the author had in the country; it describes in humorous detail the events, the breath-taking scenery, and the people who sparked what became an enduring fascination of all things Hibernian. Regarded by many as Ireland's most picturesque area, the journey around Cork, Kerry, and the 'Rings' gives a real insight into this delightful area. The author's wife, Angie, who is of Irish parentage, had been many times before, and already loved the place. Over the next fifteen years, a further twenty or so holidays were enjoyed (not detailed in the book), resulting in the decision that when retirement came, Ireland would be the place for slippers and pipe. The second part of the book explains the events in 2016 which led to a rethink of those plans. In August of that year, Andrew and Angela lost a great friend who died suddenly while on holiday. As is often the case in such events, this led to a re-evaluation of their lives and future plans. The following month - while on holiday in Ireland - the couple decided to explore the possibility of moving to Ireland without waiting for the convenience of retirement. This section describes the trials and tribulations, pitfalls and pratfalls of the next ten months, which resulted in a permanent move across the Irish Sea in June 2017. Finally, the third part of the book highlights a number of the adventures, crises, happenings, work experiences, deaths, and things in general which make this place different from the rest. This isn't a rose-tinted appraisal, it isn't about how one is better than the other, it's simply an appreciation of a different culture. It covers things as diverse as drinking, horse racing, poetry and music, geographical appreciation, rivers, mountains, bogs, funerals, dog-walking, boats, big lakes, motoring, taxes, taxis, sports - some you've never heard of - quizzes and, in some cases, drinking.

Hailed as a "classic reference book" by The Right Reverend James Jones, former Bishop of Liverpool, The Old Testament Guide provides readers with a complete all-in-one journey through the books of the Old Testament. Easy to read and navigate, this volume explores, explains, and brings to life the history, stories, cultures, and messages of each book. The accessibility of Andrew Knowles’ writing demystifies and contextualises many aspects of the Scriptures, and deepens our understanding of their principles, doctrine, and messages for us today. Interspersed with boxed features that highlight key events, places, people and biblical passages, The Old Testament Guide is an ideal introduction for new scholars and interested readers alike who have little or no grounding in the subject.

Hailed as a "classic reference book" by The Right Reverend James Jones, former Bishop of Liverpool, The New Testament Guide provides readers with a complete all-in-one journey through the books of the New Testament. Easy to read and navigate, this volume explores, explains, and brings to life the history, stories, cultures, and messages of each book. The accessibility of Andrew Knowles’ writing demystifies many aspects of the scriptures, and deepens our understanding of their principles, doctrine, and messages for us today. Interspersed with boxed features that highlight key events, places, people and biblical passages, The New Testament Guide is an ideal introduction for new scholars and interested readers alike who have little or no grounding in the subject.