The gripping and illuminating story of how five cities shaped the course of global history

In FIVE CITIES THAT RULED THE WORLD (Thomas Nelson. November 2009) theologian Douglas Wilson fuses together, in compelling detail, the critical moments birthed in history’s most influential cities—Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and New York.

Each of these cities emerged in their respective times of influence to dominate the world stage, directing wealth and power, influencing faith and belief, commanding fear and allegiance, provoking wars and conquests, and shaping the world we live in today. READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) “It’s a miracle.” Georg Taubman gratefully declared to the world after he and seven other aid workers were liberated from their three-month imprisonment in Afghanistan in 2001. The Western hostages had been accused by the Taliban of preaching Christianity, a serious offense punishable by death.

Now the story of their desperate plight is being told in the new book Kabul24 (Thomas Nelson, September 2009) by Henry Arnold and Ben Pearson. Recounting their 105 days in captivity, Kabul24 revisits the hostages’ grueling interrogations, their sham trials before the Taliban Supreme Court, their peril during the bombing of Kabul, and the crushing sense that the world had abandoned them. READ MORE »

Inside the family and values that defined this iconic business and set it on its course toward success for a quarter of a millennium.

(Nashville, Tenn.) In THE SEARCH FOR GOD AND GUINNESS: A Biography of the Beer that Changed the World (Thomas Nelson, October 13, 2009), Stephen Mansfield explores the groundbreaking business acumen of this prolific company, and uncovers a deeply held faith running throughout the family’s history.

As one of the world’s most popular brands, Guinness has resolutely celebrated the joy of beer brewing and drinking for 250 years. Go inside the storied traditions of faith, family and business in this engaging book chronicling the history of beer throughout time, as well as specifics related to the Guinness clan. Releasing at this important milestone in the company’s history, The Search for God and Guinness will also help mark the 200^th anniversary of Oktoberfest in 2010. READ MORE »

Recounting how he seized opportunities from difficulties, Ralph de la Vega of AT&T makes it plain: “Embrace and Overcome Obstacles, Avoidance is a mistake.”

At age 10, waiting with his family to catch a flight from Havana to freedom, Ralph de la Vega saw his parents make a decision that shaped the rest of his life.   Abruptly told by Cuban officials that “only the boy can go,” they had a wrenching decision to make.  Their choice to send him to America alone set him on a lifelong course of facing tough situations head-on, always expecting to discover opportunity.

He has found - and often created - opportunity in abundance, all the way to the top ranks of the wireless industry as CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.  Ralph de la Vega combines his compelling personal story with practical lessons for success in business and life in his book, OBSTACLES WELCOME (Thomas Nelson, October 2009).

The idea for the book came from audience reactions whenever de la Vega salted his speeches with childhood glimpses of being separated from family and figuring out how to get along in a strange country.  Whether peer executives, employees or a Junior Achievement class, the first  question always was the same – “how did you do it?” READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.)  Grammy-award-winning producer Ken Mansfield, former U.S. manager of Apple Records who also helped create the groundbreaking “Outlaw” sound in country music, revisits the landscapes of success and excess he frequented in those days in Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road (Thomas Nelson, $16.99, June 9, 2009). READ MORE »