Deborah Howard Knihy

Precious spices and textiles, imported from distant trading posts in the eastern Mediterranean, stocked Venetian markets in the Middle Ages; but Venice's merchants imported more than material goods from the East -- they acquired also a wealth of visual ideas and information from Muslim culture. This lively and richly illustrated book investigates the influence of oriental trade and travel on medieval Venice and its architecture.Architectural historian Deborah Howard examines the experiences of Venetian merchants overseas, focusing on links with Egypt, Syria, and Palestine, as well as with Persia and the Silk Route. She argues that many Venetians gained insight into Islamic culture through personal contacts with their Muslim trading partners. Based on wide-ranging multidisciplinary research, this book examines the mechanisms that governed the exchange of visual culture across ideological boundaries before the age of printing. Howard explores a range of building types that reflect the impact of Islamic imagery, paying special attention to two icon buildings, San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale. She considers the complexities of importing Muslim ideas to an unambiguously Christian city, itself the point of embarkation for pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Set against the backdrop of the Indian Territory, Cordelia Lawson's life transforms dramatically after leaving Baltimore to join her soldier husband. Torn between her loyalty to him and her growing empathy for the Southern Cheyenne, she embarks on thrilling adventures that challenge her beliefs and resilience. With impulsive decisions leading to unexpected encounters, including with her least favorite person, Cordelia must navigate danger and controversy. Her journey promises growth and the potential for triumph over her tumultuous circumstances.

Takes a biblical look at the ways God uses suffering to mold us as He intends us to be. We should see our sufferings through a spiritual lens and respond in godly ways.

Situated between Western Europe and the civilizations of Byzantium and the Islamic world, Renaissance Venice was uniquely positioned at the crossroads of East and West. In the beautiful Adriatic city, ideas and aesthetics were exchanged and developed in a remarkable age of cultural fusion. Venice’s distinctive architecture is already well known for integrating divergent cultural influences, but the impact of this synthesis on Venetian painting has not been fully explored. This gorgeous book focuses on the work of the remarkable Bellini family of painters—Jacopo and his  sons Gentile and Giovanni—who transformed Venetian painting in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.The authors examine the influence of Venetian trade with the East on Bellini paintings; the Byzantine influence on Venetian art; the impact of a visit to Mehmed II’s court in 1479 on Gentile Bellini, as well as his effect on Eastern-trained artists there; and much more. The book is abundantly illustrated with the Bellini family’s paintings and examples of the Eastern objects that inspired them.

This book is the indispensable guide to the history of architecture in Venice, encompassing the city's fascinating variety of buildings from ancient times to the present day.

The Mystery of Telling My Truth, Standing My Ground, is the story of an incest survivor who struggled to find her voice and believe in herself despite having only wispy, murky memories of her abuse. After unearthing memories of being sexually molested by her father, Deborah spends decades struggling against her parents’ invalidation of her experience, suffering from painful self-doubt in the process. Finally, she decides to become a detective to find evidence to conquer her doubts.

Cordelia Lawson faces the challenge of rebuilding her life in Baltimore after being separated from her beloved Robert. As she begins to find her footing, news of Robert's discovery in Hot Springs, Arkansas, brings a whirlwind of emotions. Upon finding him, Cordelia grapples with uncertainty, as the man before her resembles Robert but raises questions about his true identity. This journey explores themes of love, loss, and the quest for closure amidst unexpected revelations.

Jacopo Sansovino was one of the major artists forced to flee the Sack of Rome in 1527. He took refuge in Venice and spent the rest of his life there, working as both a sculptor and an architect. Deborah Howard’s fluent and fascinating book examines the historical background to Sansovino’s remarkably varied range of architectural commissions and offers a more perceptive assessment of his achievement. The author explores the different types of patronage, both secular and religious, and the relationships between the architect and his employers. She looks at the functions of the various buildings and the way in which each project was administered and financed, and suggests how Sansovino derived inspiration from the practical and economic opportunities in each instance.

Wisdom from Jonathan Edwards on the journey towards death, with application for modern life. Death is inevitable. Whether we're facing the death of a loved one, or our own passing from this world to the next, we cannot avoid it. Death is something we never get used to. But it is something that we can get ready for. Deborah Howard has taken Jonathan Edwards' intensely encouraging sermon on the Christian Pilgrim and, drawing on her own experiences as a hospice nurse, has written this book to encourage us to live with our final destination in mind. Focussing on scripture truth, the reader is encouraged to think about the journey that leads us towards our final destination. How are we spending our lives, as we live in the light of eternity? This combination of classic sermon and modern application makes this book an essential addition to any Christian's bookshelf.