Odysseus Books – serie

A young Protestant man from the Bible Belt experiences miraculous healing at a Marian shrine in Ireland. A Methodist woman sees Mary through "a tear in the world" and receives a life-saving warning. A world-renowned composer discovers that every musical composition "is a little incarnation." In an age of spiritual hunger and cultural confusion, people from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox backgrounds are turning to Mary as their spiritual mother.Part spiritual memoir, part theological exploration, When Mary Calls is an emotionally resonant narrative tapestry of deeply personal, testimonial-style stories of Marian encounters today, reflecting Margarita Mooney Clayton's unique voice as both scholar and spiritual witness. Through seven compelling personal stories—including Clayton's own dangerous missions to help dissidents in her mother's homeland of Cuba—this book reveals Mary's maternal protection at work and explores how she binds believers to authentic faith communities. Through these contemporary encounters with Mary, Clayton shows how the Mother of God offers what our disenchanted age desperately seeks: an alternative to sterile rationalism and a path to authentic spiritual renewal. Each chapter shares a "Pentecost moment" that leads not just to personal transformation but to binding with the living community of faith. Mary emerges as a model of true creativity rooted in humility rather than self-assertion. The diverse expressions of love for Mary offer embodied devotional practices that bridge time-tested traditions and our mysterious longings for personal encounter with the divine. When Mary Calls demonstrates how the Mother of God continues to draw seekers into deeper relationships with Christ, transforming extraordinary encounters into sustained spiritual practices which offer meaning and to a world searching for hope.

This honest and riveting Revolutionary War memoir is now republished during the American semiquincentennial year with an introduction by #1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas.This is the definitive edition of the very entertaining and truly extraordinary memoir by Revolutionary War soldier Joseph Plumb Martin.

“A fantastic story.” —Dick CavettThis is the definitive biography of one of the most important comedians you've never heard of.Well, I'll Be a Dirty Bird: The George Gobel Show—Forgotten Fifties Phenomenon uncovers the remarkable rise, fall, and enduring legacy of George Gobel, the understated comedian who became one of the biggest stars of 1950s television. Drawing on extensive research, interviews, and newly uncovered kinescopes, Karl Tiedemann tells the story of a performer who seemed to appear out of nowhere in 1954 to become the“comedy sensation of the year,” winning Emmy and Peabody honors while captivating millions of viewers. At a time when television was dominated by larger-than-life personalities and broad slapstick, Gobel's gentle, self-deprecating humor, Midwestern charm, and everyman appeal offered something refreshingly different—a style that would later influence comedians from Bob Newhart to Norman Lear.Beginning with Gobel’s childhood in Chicago, his years on the National Barn Dance, service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and hard-earned success on the nightclub circuit, the book traces the evolution of a uniquely American comic voice. Readers follow his transformation from singer and storyteller to television pioneer, famous for routines about the “little man” confronting bureaucracy, family life, and the absurdities of everyday existence. Central to the narrative is Gobel's creative partnership with legendary writer Hal Kanter, whose innovative vision helped shape The George Gobel Show into one of television's most original programs—a groundbreaking blend of sitcom, sketch comedy, and direct audience conversation that perfectly captured the spirit of the Golden Age of Television. More than a celebrity biography, this richly detailed television history explores the fleeting nature of fame, the artistry behind classic comedy, and the technological realities that caused many beloved live broadcasts to vanish from public memory. Through behind-the-scenes stories, celebrated guest stars, production challenges, network politics, and Gobel's lasting influence on American comedy, the book restores a forgotten television landmark to its rightful place. Essential reading for fans of classic television, 1950s pop culture, TV comedy history, and the Golden Age of Broadcasting, this engaging volume reveals why George Gobel was once one of the most admired entertainers in America—and why his work deserves rediscovery today.