In 701 B.C. the Assyrian empire was in its ascendancy. It had already vanquished the kingdom of Israel to the north including the capital at Samaria. It then prepared an assault on Judah and its capital at Jerusalem.
But in one of those significant events that changes the course of world history, Assyria was repelled. Jerusalem was saved until 586 B.C. when the Babylonians sacked the city, forcing its leadership class into exile.
Henry Aubin, in a major feat of scholarship, determines that Jerusalem was aided by a Kushite army from Africa which had marched northeast from the Nile valley. While the Bible attributes the Assyrian retreat to an angel and secular commentators cite pestilence, Aubin, in a meticulously documented work, demonstrates that an alliance with the African nation of Kush bolstered Jerusalem’s defences.
Kush, also known as Nubia, was located in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. A monarchy that existed for more than 1000 years, from 900 B.C. to A.D. 350, Kushites held sway over Egypt from 712 B.C. to about 660 B.C. Of Egypt’s 31 dynasties, this, the 25th Dynasty, is the only one that all scholars agree, was black.
The commander of the Kushite expeditionary force was Taharqa (or as the Bible calls him Tirhakah). This Kushite prince, who had his own interests in halting Assyrian expansion, likely caught the aggressors by surprise as they prepared their siege of Jerusalem.
Aubin offers a thrilling military history and a stirring political analysis of the ancient world. He also sees the event as influential over the centuries.
The Kushite rescue of the Hebrew kingdom of Judah enabled the fragile, war-ravaged state to endure, to nurse itself back to economic and demographic health, and allowed the Hebrew religion, Yahwism, to evolve within the next several centuries into Judaism. Thus emerged the monotheistic trunk supporting Christianity and Islam.
Praise for We Generation:
“Can the “Me Generation†of baby boomers raise a “We Generation†of consciously compassionate, less self-involved kids? Canadian psychologist Ungar believes so… Each of these eight, action-oriented chapters offers anecdotes, self-evaluation tools, lists of activities and strategies for generating excitement about being part of a wider world… [This book] is timely. Just as cardigan-clad Mr. Rogers embodied this concept in his PBS neighborhood, Ungar reframes it for today’s families.”
Publishers Weekly
“In this uplifting book, Ungar reminds parents of the essential work ahead if we hope to raise socially responsible children. Children, Ungar says, “want roots, wings and an audience to appreciate them.”â€
Montreal Gazette
“Michael Ungar does a brilliant job of pointing out why, in a world that offers them more social connections in one year that a mere couple of generations ago would have had in an entire lifetime, children still feel alone, since they are inherently social creature with a desire to help others. He also does a brilliant job of explaining how parents (as well as teachers and coaches) can help children develop this inherent sense of altruism, enhanced by the shockingly contradictory reality offered by today’s ‘Me-society’.”
blogcritics.com
Dundurn 2015
I Still Love You
Nine Tips for Parenting Really Difficult Kids
Michael Ungar, who is world-renowned on topics of families and youth in crisis, knows about troubled children. He knows what puts them at risk and he knows what makes them safe and resilient.
In this beautiful and helpful book, Michael Ungar takes us into his world each Wednesday when he meets with three families with very troubled children. But here, Michael is not the all-knowing therapist. He, too, had been a troubled teen, growing up in an emotionally neglectful and physically abusive home, and he shares his struggles.
In the group, Michael discusses nine strategies for raising problem-free and flourishing children. They are: structure, consequences, parent-child connections, lots of peer and adult relationships, a powerful identity, a sense of control, a sense of belonging, spirituality and life purpose, fair and just treatment by others, and safety and support.
Hopeful in tone, and using knowledge gathered across cultures, I Still Love You: Nine Tips for Parenting Really Difficult Kids does more than just tell parents what to do. Recounting the stories of three struggling families, Ungar shows that it is never too late to help a child.
I Still Love You is not only a guide for parents and a gritty tale of the everyday heroics of parenting challenging kids, but it is also a singular work of literature.
Dr. Ungar is also the author of We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids, Too Safe for Their Own Good: How Risk and Responsibility Help Teens, and Playing at Being Bad: The Hidden Resilience of Troubled Teens. He appears regularly on radio and TV and is in demand as a lecturer and keynote speaker at conferences and workshops for parents and professionals. For information on Michael Ungar’s speaking engagements, please visit http://www.keynotespeakerscanada.ca/speaker/michael-ungar
Michael Ungar was awarded the Canadian Association of Social Workers Distinguished Service Award for Nova Scotia for his career contribution.
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