The Gold Thread

** A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK ** 'Fascinating . . . The history of the world through the eye of a needle . . . I recommend this book to anyone' THE SPECTATOR 'A charming, absorbing and history that takes us on a journey from the silk roads to sportswear, from ruffs to spacesuits . . . I devoured this quietly feminist book' SUNDAY TIMES 'Joyful and beautiful' NATURE 'Will make you rethink your relationship with fabric' ELLE DECORATION All textiles begin with a twist. From colourful 30,000-year old threads found on the floor of a Georgian cave to what the linen wrappings of Tutankhamun's mummy actually meant; from the Silk Roads to the woollen sails that helped the Vikings reach America 700 years before Columbus; from the lace ruffs that infuriated the puritans to the Indian calicoes and chintzes that powered the Industrial Revolution, our continuing reinvention of cloth tells fascinating stories of human ingenuity. When we talk of lives hanging by a thread, being interwoven, or part of the social fabric, we are part of a tradition that stretches back many thousands of years. Fabric has allowed us to achieve extraordinary things and survive in unlikely places, and this book shows you how -- and why. With a cast that includes Chinese empresses, Richard the Lionheart and Bing Crosby, Kassia St Clair takes us on the run with escaped slaves, climbing the slopes of Everest and moonwalking with astronauts. Running like a bright line through history, The Golden Thread offers an unforgettable adventure through our past, present and future.

LONGLISTED FOR THE ALCS "GOLD DAGGER" AWARD FOR NON-FICTION CRIME WRITING Uncover the story behind the death of renowned diplomat and UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld in this true story of spies and intrigue surrounding one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century. On September 17, 1961, Dag Hammarskjöld boarded a Douglas DC6 propeller plane on the sweltering tarmac of the airport in Leopoldville, the capital of the Congo. Hours later, he would be found dead in an African jungle with an ace of spades playing card placed on his body. Hammarskjöld had been the head of the United Nations for nine years. He was legendary for his dedication to peace on earth. But dark forces circled him: Powerful and connected groups from an array of nations and organizations—including the CIA, the KGB, underground militant groups, business tycoons, and others—were determined to see Hammarskjöld fail. A riveting work of investigative journalism based on never-before-seen evidence, recently revealed firsthand accounts, and groundbreaking new interviews, The Golden Thread reveals the truth behind one of the great murder mysteries of the Cold War.

Do you feel like you are barely holding on? Let the golden thread of God's presence be the calm on the other side of chaos. It could be that He is weaving a brilliant new beginning in the middle of your mess. “I know your faith will be lifted and increased with this new treasure.” —Chris Tomlin Join beloved worship leader and songwriter of “Shout to The Lord”, Darlene Zschech as she traces God’s goodness through her recent transitions. Perfect for anyone who’s: Battling cancer or another health scare Moving to a new city Starting a church or a new job Struggling through a season of doubt or change Darlene urges us to maintain joy in the middle of it all. Rather than seeing her many life changes as a zigzag of unrelated events, Darlene and her family have learned to trace God’s goodness through every crisis—even as she faced the battle for her life, cancer. Your heart will be encouraged, and your faith will soar right along with Darlene’s.

Children are often confused by their own and others' feelings as the emotions come and go, especially in the time of grief. This story provides a guide for the healing journey of grief for children of all ages."The Golden Thread" will help children identify the feelings and experiences related to their grief. The story provides an honest, open approach to death. It allows children to begin their developmental understanding of the process of life and death.The concepts of death and dying are complex and can even be difficult for adults to comprehend. Your children will discuss and explore these concepts directly and indirectly for the rest of their life. This book is intended to be read and reread many times.

The Golden Thread traces the interconnectedness of esoteric wisdom in the Western world, from classical antiquity to contemporary Europe and America. Joscelyn Godwin lends personal perspective to an arrangement of text that is historical and wisdom that is timeless, creating a source of inspiration that calls us to action in our everyday spiritual practice. Every chapter, therefore, makes reference to some aspect of contemporary life and issues of immediate concern. Elegantly written and not without irony and humor, readers will appreciate the non-threatening tone of Godwin’s writing, which is not meant to preach or convert but rather inform the public on an often baffling field. Educated readers who are curious about the esoteric and mystery traditions and interested in finding surprising, new approaches to subjects that veer away from the trends of current thought will be particularly drawn to this book.

This is a love story between a believer's heart and the great and loving heart of God. Journey with the author as God gradually wins her love and as He faithfully carries her through a long, dark valley of suffering to a place of peace, joy, and victory. Witness the powerful message of the cross at work in her life and find yourself drawn to the One who suffered and died on the cross for you.The background of this story offers a rare look at the inner workings of a controversial church in which the author was persecuted for her personal Christian beliefs. It depicts the gradual development of an environment of deception and provides insight into how people seeking God can be caught up in such groups. The lessons the author learned, the knowledge she gained about Christ and Him crucified, and the truth that set her free are invaluable.As God's purpose for her life begins to take shape and her tangled experiences begin to make sense, a beautiful part of God's masterpiece unfolds--one that God has skillfully and patiently crafted. You will realize that you, too, have a unique place and purpose in His universal tapestry, one He is waiting to show you.

Do you want a life pleasing to God? The author believes that true worship is more than what we do on Sunday morning; in fact he believes that worship is the underlying theme from Genesis to Revelation. Every Christian should read and heed this invaluable explanation of how to worship in spirit and truth.

From the simple representative shapes used to record transactions of goods and services in ancient Mesopotamia, to the sophisticated typographical resources available to the twenty–first–century users of desktop computers, the story of writing is the story of human civilization itself. Calligraphy expert Ewan Clayton traces the history of an invention which—ever since our ancestors made the transition from a nomadic to an agrarian way of life in the eighth century BC—has been the method of codification and dissemination of ideas in every field of human endeavour, and a motor of cultural, scientific and political progress. He explores the social and cultural impact of, among other stages, the invention of the alphabet; the replacement of the papyrus scroll with the codex in the late Roman period; the perfecting of printing using moveable type in the fifteenth century and the ensuing spread of literacy; the industrialization of printing during the Industrial Revolution; the impact of artistic Modernism on the written word in the early twentieth century—and of the digital switchover at the century's close. The Golden Thread also raises issues of urgent interest for a society living in an era of unprecedented change to the tools and technologies of written communication. Chief among these is the fundamental question: "What does it mean to be literate in the early twenty–first century?" The book belongs on the bookshelves of anyone who is inquisitive not just about the centrality of writing in the history of humanity, but also about its future; it is sure to appeal to lovers of language, books and cultural history.