The Hardest Place

COLBY AWARD WINNER • “One of the most important books to come out of the Afghanistan war.”—Foreign Policy “A saga of courage and futility, of valor and error and heartbreak.”—Rick Atkinson, author of the Liberation Trilogy and The British Are Coming Of the many battlefields on which U.S. troops and intelligence operatives fought in Afghanistan, one remote corner of the country stands as a microcosm of the American campaign: the Pech and its tributary valleys in Kunar and Nuristan. The area’s rugged, steep terrain and thick forests made it a natural hiding spot for local insurgents and international terrorists alike, and it came to represent both the valor and futility of America’s two-decade-long Afghan war. Drawing on reporting trips, hundreds of interviews, and documentary research, Wesley Morgan reveals the history of the war in this iconic region, captures the culture and reality of the conflict through both American and Afghan eyes, and reports on the snowballing missteps—some kept secret from even the troops fighting there—that doomed the American mission. The Hardest Place is the story of one of the twenty-first century’s most unforgiving battlefields and a portrait of the American military that fought there.

Many today pursue knowledge and even wisdom. But what about truth? In an age that disputes whether truth can be universalized beyond one's own personal experience, it seems quaint to speak of finding truth. But whether in the ivory towers of the academy or in the midst of our everyday lives, we continue to seek after the true, the beautiful and the good. Since its founding at Harvard in 1992, The Veritas Forum has provided a place for the university world to explore the deepest questions of truth and life. What does it mean to be human? Does history have a purpose? Is life meaningful? Can rational people believe in God? Now gathered in one volume are some of The Veritas Forum's most notable presentations, with contributions from Francis Collins, Tim Keller, N. T. Wright, Mary Poplin and more. Volume editor Dallas Willard introduces each presentation, highlighting its significance and putting it in context for us today. Also included are selected question and answer sessions with the speakers from the original forum experiences. Come eavesdrop on some of today's leading Christian thinkers and their dialogue partners. And consider how truth might find a place in your own life.

. a missionary hero of a different sort - far more like you and me. In The Hardest Place, Helen Miller introduces powerful, passionate Warren & Dorothy Modricker. As part of Warren's team her personal knowledge brings this biography alive. She saw their strengths and weaknesses and shares their love for the Somali People. This is the story of reaching a culture damaged by sin and colonization, embittered toward one another by Communism and shattered by the remaining tribalism. Both God and faith are alive and well in this book. Brian Seim, Director, SIM Culture Connexions Helen Miller has captured the vision, passion and sacrifice of Warren and Dorothy Modrickers' lives. They gave all their energy and gifts to bring the gospel and the written Word to the Somali people. Their children are also "heroes" in this account and deserve our thanks. The Modrickers' story represents that of many other pioneers who gave their love and energy to open the way for the gospel in unreached places. You will be awed and challenged as you read this account. One day Somali brothers and sisters will be singing in the eternal choir that gives praise to the Lamb! Dr. Jim Plueddeman, former General Director of SIM International Through grade school and high school, Helen Miller had a strong desire to write. With the passage of time, that desire was supplanted by the desire to go to Africa and minister to Muslims. After high school, she enrolled in Multnomah School of the Bible, graduating in 1956. She sailed for Somalia in 1962. While there she met John Miller, who would become her husband. They served in Somalia until 1972, followed by stints in Ethiopia (1974-76) and Kenya (1977-89). They moved to Caronport, SK, where Helen returned to school and revisited her desire to write. After graduating with a BA in 1991, the Millers moved to Toronto to minister with Somali people. The Hardest Place is Helen's second book.

"'Marvellous, powerful, beautiful' KIJ JOHNSON, multi-times winner of the HUGO AND NEBULA AWARDS 'Beautifully written, meaningful, top-drawer storytelling. An extraordinary novel in the tradition of great old-school literary science fiction like Atwood and Bradbury' - LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY AUTHORS" Misty woods; abandoned towns; secrets in the landscape; a forbidden life by night; the scent of bygone days; a past that lies below the surface; and a door in a dream that seems to hold the answers. Paftoo is a 'bod'; made to serve. He is a groundsman in the last remaining countryside estate, once known as Harkaway Hall and now a theme park. Paftoo holds scattered memories of the old days but they are regularly deleted to keep him productive. When he starts to have dreams of the Lost Lands past, Paftoo is thrown into a nightly battle for his memories, his soul and his cherished connection with Lifeform Three. Includes an appendix of suggested questions for reading groups. "'I really didn't want this book to end; it's that good' - BUILD ANOTHER BOOKCASE"

COLBY AWARD WINNER • “One of the most important books to come out of the Afghanistan war.”—Foreign Policy “A saga of courage and futility, of valor and error and heartbreak.”—Rick Atkinson, author of the Liberation Trilogy and The British Are Coming Of the many battlefields on which U.S. troops and intelligence operatives fought in Afghanistan, one remote corner of the country stands as a microcosm of the American campaign: the Pech and its tributary valleys in Kunar and Nuristan. The area’s rugged, steep terrain and thick forests made it a natural hiding spot for local insurgents and international terrorists alike, and it came to represent both the valor and futility of America’s two-decade-long Afghan war. Drawing on reporting trips, hundreds of interviews, and documentary research, Wesley Morgan reveals the history of the war in this iconic region, captures the culture and reality of the conflict through both American and Afghan eyes, and reports on the snowballing missteps—some kept secret from even the troops fighting there—that doomed the American mission. The Hardest Place is the story of one of the twenty-first century’s most unforgiving battlefields and a portrait of the American military that fought there.

Volumes 7-77, 80-83 include 13th-83rd, 86th-89th annual report of the American Baptist missionary union.

Volumes 7-77, 80-83 include 13th-83rd, 86th-89th annual report of the American Baptist missionary union.