Great Lives – serie

A superbly crafted and humane portrait of the final days of the last Romanovs – Nicholas II of Russia and his wife Alexandra.Complementing his Pulitzer prize-winning Peter the Great, in this commanding book Robert K. Massie sweeps readers back to the extraordinary world of imperial Russia to tell the story of the decline and fall of the ruling Romanov family: Tsar Nicholas II's political naivete; his wife Alexandra's obsession with the corrupt mystic Rasputin; and their son Alexis's battle with haemophilia.Against a lavish backdrop of luxury and intrigue, Massie unfolds a family tragedy played out on the brutal stage of early twentieth-century Russian history – the tale of a doomed empire and the death-marked royals who watched it crumble.

The Pulitzer prizewinning biography of Peter the Great, the ruler who brought Russia from darkness into light.Against the monumental canvas of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe and Russia, Robert K. Massie unfolds the extraordinary story of Peter the Great. A volatile feudal tsar with a taste for barbaric torture; a progressive and enlightened reformer of government and science; Peter the Great embodied the greatest strengths and weaknesses of Russia while being at the very forefront of her development.Robert K. Massie delves deep into Peter's life and character, chronicling the pivotal events that transformed the boy star into a national icon. His portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of this most energetic of Russian rulers brings a towering historical figure unforgettably to life.

The fascinating true story behind HBO's Catherine the Great starring Dame Helen Mirren as Catherine the Great. Born into a minor noble family, Catherine transformed herself into empress of Russia by sheer determination. For thirty-four years, the government, foreign policy, cultural development and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands. She dealt with domestic rebellion, foreign wars and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned up by the French Revolution. Robert K. Massie brings an eternally fascinating woman together with her family, friends, ministers, generals, lovers and enemies – vividly and triumphantly to life. History offers few stories richer than that of Catherine the Great.

"We desperately need role models worth following. Authentic heroes. People of integrity. Great lives to inspire us to do better, to climb higher, to stand taller." --Chuck SwindollGreat Days with the Great Lives is a collection of biographies taken from the Great Lives from God's Word series. Each day provides a Scripture reference and devotional thought based on the experience of some of the greatest heroes of the Bible--men and women whose authentic walk with God will teach you, encourage you, and warn you.These profiles in character from one of America's most beloved teachers, Chuck Swindoll, offer you hope for the future. They show you that God can do extraordinary things through ordinary men and women like you. They teach you what it means to be a genuinely spiritual person--someone after God's own heart.

Everyone loves a transformation story. Rags to riches. Plain to beautiful. Weak to strong. The story of Queen Esther is that and so much more. The second book in Charles Swindoll's Great Lives series, this book will show you Queen Esther's life and legacy like you've never seen it before.Innocently victimized by an unbearable situation, Esther stepped up and determined, by God's grace, to make a difference. But she doesn't despair. Instead, she embraces uncertainty and fights for her people. In doing so, she not only exposed and foiled the plans of an evil man--she singlehandedly saved her nation.As you dive deeper into Esther's story, you'll learn timeless lessons that you can apply to your own life, including:The importance of standing up for what you believe in, even when it's difficultHow to embrace your God-given strengthThe true limits of retaliationJoin Swindoll as he unravels the ancient, real-life story of Esther, sharing ways that modern believers can embody the integrity, dignity, and strength that empowered Esther as she did the impossible.

Discover more about the life of the real King David and transform your life as you learn from his successes and failures.The Bible tells us that David was a man after God's own heart, but what does that mean in practice? David, the Old Testament shepherd, king, and psalmist, offers an answer in the shape of his own incredible life.Poet, musician, courageous warrior, and national statesman, David distinguished himself as one of God's greatest men. He modeled invincible confidence in the face of impossible circumstances. He made decisions with wisdom and equity. And he wrote with transparent vulnerability and quiet trust. But how well do we really know David?In Great Lives: David, the first volume in Charles Swindoll's bestselling Great Lives series, Swindoll gives us a closer look at this incredible man who had his fair share of difficulties. Throughout his life, David was gripped by destructive passion, rocked by family chaos and personal tragedy, and motivated by political expediency. Like all of us, David was far from perfect, but Swindoll teaches us that David had the chance to become great when he placed himself at the Lord's disposal.As Swindoll guides us through David's remarkable life and legacy, he asks and answers key questions along the way, including:How did David become the national hero of God's chosen people?Why is he the one character in the Bible described as "a man after God's own heart?"How can modern believers become people after God's own heart? Join Swindoll as he teaches us that we can all endeavor to live a life marked by the humility, dependability, and integrity of David.

What can the incredible life of Moses teach us about modern Christianity? When you face your personal Red Sea, will you be prepared like Moses was? Join pastor and bestselling author Charles Swindoll as he explores the life and legacy of Moses, a man of selfless dedication. In Great Lives: Moses, the fourth book in his bestselling Great Lives series, Swindoll teaches us that our decision to go forward in life instead of retreating will be bolstered by studying the astonishing story of Moses.Swindoll gives us the facts based squarely on the truth revealed in God's Word. He also fills in the fine-line details of Moses' life with emotion and feeling, because Moses, like all of us, was a human being with faults and frailties. And finally, Swindoll helps us apply the lessons of Moses' life to our own daily dilemmas.From the Moses who tried to decline his assignment from God to the Moses who received the Ten Commandments, Swindoll shares his journey in a new light, inspiring you to:Find strength and confidence in God's powerEmbrace failure with graceBecome a servant leader in your own lifeCome along with Swindoll as he invites you to travel far back to another place in another era--allowing us to focus our attention on one man's life, clinging closely to his side. Hopefully, as a result, our lives will never again be the same.

Bestselling author Charles Swindoll challenges us to take a closer look at Job's life, carefully examining his response to the unexpected and painful experiences that assaulted his once peaceful and God-honoring existence--and we might just find that Job is a hero after all. When you think of Job, you may think of a hapless victim of unfair treatment. His disastrous circumstances overwhelmed him, his so-called friends belittled him, and his distraught wife discouraged and abandoned him. Even God seemed to desert him. At first glance, Job may not seem like the traditional portrait of a hero, but Job's patience, strength, and dedication in the face of unforeseen suffering makes his story worth knowing.As Swindoll traces Job's life and legacy, he challenges us to apply the lessons Job learned firsthand to our own lives, including the importance of:Maintaining integrity no matter what happensAccepting the challenge to changeCounting on the justice of the Lord to roll down in his time instead of seeking revengeResting contentedly in God's plan, timing, and purpose for youWe have no way of knowing what tomorrow may bring, but if it is anything like the past, we know that storms will always come. And when they do we have a choice--to react in bitterness and anger or fall to our knees like Job and trust God even though we cannot understand why he would permit such a thing to occur.

In this ninth and final biographical study in the best-selling Great Lives from God's Word series, beloved pastor and Bible teacher Charles Swindoll introduces you to the carpenter from Nazareth as you have never seen Him before.Jesus is, without question, the most influential person in history. Millions of people claim the truths of the religion that bears His name. But who exactly is Jesus? A popular religious teacher? An ancient martyr? Many today are still unsure. Even scholars debate whether the Jesus of history is the Christ of faith. Now, more than ever, we need a clear understanding of the person and work of the man millions call Savior.This fascinating biography, filled with biblical and historical insights, takes you on an unforgettable journey through the complex and provocative life of Jesus of Nazareth. Along the way, Swindoll's trademark warmth and insight offer up practical advice straight from the words and works of Jesus.Swindoll traces Jesus' life through five distinct phases:His unique birthHis astonishing powerHis controversial teachingHis shocking deathHis world-changing resurrection Refreshingly honest and deep, this in-depth profile reveals Jesus with a never-before-seen clarity, offering practical applications for your own life. Whether you're just curious about Jesus or you're a longtime follower of His life and teachings, join Swindoll as he invites you to experience His life in a brand-new light.

The apostle Paul was, in his own words, "the chief of all sinners." Yet, this colossal figure left an indelible signature of greatness. Join renowned pastor Charles Swindoll in Great Lives: Paul as he examines the influence and impact of this remarkable man.Tough, tenacious, and fiercely determined, Paul pursued his divine mission with unflinching resolve, and God used him mightily to turn the world upside down for Christ in his generation. Perhaps that's why Paul's life is such a source of hope for us. If the chief of sinners can be forgiven and become God's chosen vessel, can He not forgive and use us as well?In Great Lives: Paul, the sixth book in his bestselling Great Lives series, Swindoll argues that no other person in the Bible, aside from Christ himself, had a more profound influence on his world and ours today than Paul.Within the pages of Great Lives: Paul, Swindoll paints a vivid picture of Paul's incredible life and legacy, tracing the story of how God reached down to Paul in all his self-righteous zeal and:crushed his pridesoftened his heartand transformed this once-violent aggressor into an influential spokesman for ChristJoin Swindoll as he invites you to travel far back to another place in another era--allowing us to focus our attention on this one man's life, clinging closely to his side. Hopefully, as a result, our lives will never again be the same.

Join pastor and bestselling author Charles Swindoll as he explores the lives of 13 biblical hidden figures whose stories have remained in the shadows of history for long enough.Somehow life has taught us poorly. We're trained to think that the most significant people are star athletes, actors, and musicians--the ones we applaud, those whose autographs we seek, or those who have worldly fame.But Swindoll teaches us that most often, the people really worth noting are those who turn from a 'nobody' into a 'somebody' but never receive credit. Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives reminds us of a core truth: success in God's kingdom and in the church depends upon faithful people the public rarely knows.The Old Testament contains numerous fascinating stories of forgotten lives--unsung heroes whose actions, sacrifices, or battles failed to ascribe them worldly applause. These great lives, however, reveal significant people whom God honors in the pages of His Word and, therefore, deserve our serious attention and emulation.From the misfortunes of Esau to the bravery of Abigail, each of these unlikely heroes has four unique elements in common:A selfless sense of devotionA missionA love of harmonyA contagious joyJoin Swindoll in this eighth volume of the bestselling Great Lives from God's Word series as he examines little-remembered Bible characters and events, helping you discover biblical principles and practical applications for living so that you can be who you already are in God's eyes--a person of true significance.

Now, more than ever, we're in need of men and women who aren't afraid to live courageously. Thankfully, the Bible gives us timeless examples of great leaders who gracefully stood up for what they believed in, including God's mighty prophet Elijah. Join bestselling author Charles Swindoll as he explores the life and legacy of this incredible man of faith. Exploring the depths of Elijah's fascinating life as a prophet of God, Swindoll doesn't gloss over his human weaknesses; rather, he presents an honest picture of this ordinary man who God transformed into His personal spokesman to confront idolatry and evil in the ancient world.In Elijah, renowned Bible teacher Swindoll analyzes the impact of the Old Testament prophet. Elijah was uncompromisingly strong, yet self-controlled. Disciplined, yet forgiving. Audaciously courageous, yet kind. Heroic in the heat of battle, yet humble in the aftermath.The fifth book in Swindoll's Great Lives series, Elijah will give you the encouragement you need to:Walk humbly on the path that God has set out for youExhibit heroism under pressureUncover the life-changing power of prayerWithin the pages of Elijah, you're sure to find a life worth emulating.

Who do you say that I am?Whether or not you know it, this question, posed by Jesus, is the most important question you'll ever answer. But it's not only a question for those who haven't trusted Jesus for salvation; it's also one for those who call themselves followers of Christ.Many will claim to know the answer, but even Peter, who answered it correctly, didn't fully understand who Jesus was until later. And in a culture two millennia removed, Jesus' true identity and purpose are often obscure, making His question relevant and vital, both for non-Christians and Christians alike.This Bible Companion is designed to help you answer His question, so that you might know Jesus?the real Jesus as revealed in the Bible. But be warned. This book doesn't offer a mere biographical study because He was no mere man. Regardless of what you think of Jesus, encountering Him in the Bible is a mind-changing and life-altering event.So, if you're ready to answer Jesus' question truthfully, then this Bible Companion will serve as a good guide to His life and teachings. And it can help you grow to know Him better than you ever have.

Nelson was a young South African with a reputation for trouble-making. Who would have thought he would one day lead his people to freedom? Nelson grew up at a time when black South Africans suffered terrible injustice. He was determined to change this - even if it meant grave personal danger. Twenty seven years of his life were spent in prison, and everyone seemed to be against him - even his own family - but Nelson never stopped fighting for what he believed in: true equality for all, no matter what the colour of their skin.