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.
“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 painting 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
McClelland & Stewart Canada 2009
Da Capo/Perseus US 2009
Allen & Unwin ANZ 2009
We Generation
“A must read …Michael Ungar’s book is rich in advice and anecdotes showing how we can help kids avoid the trap of ‘me, mine, and more’ and embrace instead ‘us, ours, and enough.’” Barbara Coloroso
In the age-old lament about “the kids these days,†a disturbing new charge is emerging. It is becoming increasingly evident that we are raising a generation of selfish, self-centered kids with a gigantic sense of entitlement. It is bad for them and bad for society.
In We Generation, Michael Ungar reassures parents and educators that they can acquire the skills to raise children to think “we†in “me†thinking times. He shows through stories from his clinical work with families and from research around the world that children want to connect. They want to be touched: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
In his warm, compassionate voice, Michael Ungar provides practical suggestions on teaching children responsibility, and fostering respect and altruism. He also provides concrete suggestions on how parents can remain connected to their children at the same time that they want and need to separate. He argues persuasively that forging connections at home is still the best way to protect kids from the dangers of early sexual activity, drug abuse, delinquency and other risky behavior.
Michael Ungar is a Professor of Social Work, and a marriage and family therapist, based in Halifax at Dalhouseie University. He is internationally recognized for his work in more than a dozen countries on resilience and at-risk youth.
Dr. Ungar is also the author of several previous books including: Too Safe for Their Own Good: How Risk and Responsibility Help Teens Thrive (McClelland & Stewart, 2007; Les Editions de L’Homme, 2008; Allen & Unwin, 2008), and Playing at Being Bad: The Hidden Resilience of Troubled Teens (McClelland & Stewart, 2007). 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 details see his web site www.michaelungar.com
Michael Ungar was awarded the Canadian Association of Social Workers Distinguished Service Award for Nova Scotia for his career contribution.
Click here for an interview with Michael Ungar conducted by Commitmentnow.com:
