Shakib Arsalan’s Why Muslims Lagged Behind and Others Progressed

In the fall of 1928, the Imam of Java, a certain Mohammad Basyuni Imran, had a letter delivered to the Lebanese author and scholar, Shakib Arsalan. In his letter, Basyuni Imran requested Arsalan to explain the reasons for the backwardness of Muslims of the time compared to other nations. Furthermore, Basyuni asked Arsalan to suggest what they need to do to join the ranks of nations that have overtaken them and, in many cases, rule over them.

Arsalan published his response in a series of articles written for the Cairo-based Islamic journal, Al-Manar. Subsequently, these articles were combined and published in a book in 1930 with the title: Why did Muslims lag behind? And why did others progress?

In his response, Arsalan begins with an analysis of what has gone wrong. He addresses the belief of some that Islam is to blame for the backwardness of Muslims. He goes on to give examples of how advanced nations progressed while holding firmly onto their religious beliefs.

In simple, elegant prose, Arsalan takes the reader on a fascinating walk through history. There are references to pre-Islamic times and the early Islamic period, French colonialists in North Africa and their efforts to convert Muslim populations to Christianity, goings on in the British Houses of Parliament on the issue of transubstantiation, and much more.

The latter part of the book has examples of recent (1930s and earlier) achievements of Muslims when they set their minds on doing something.

It is a measure of the merit and excellence of Arsalan’s words that his book has never been out of publication. It remains among Arabic speakers as popular and relevant today as at the time it was first published almost a century ago.

Shallow Water

Private Investigator Agnes Trout once again finds herself investigating intriguing and dangerous cases. After she saves the life of an unconscious truck driver by dragging him out of his burning cab, he decides to engage her services, leading to her coming face to face with a cool, unbalanced protagonist who simply kills to resolve his problems. Agnes needs to use all of her resources to survive a violent encounter with this determined killer.
At the same time, through the designs of a cunning schemer, she emerges as the central suspect in the possible kidnapping and murder of the wife of a client. She mounts her own investigation, which leads her to a surprising and compelling resolution.

Shaw Vengeance

Amid an escalating series of attacks, Australian Intelligence Service Agent Max 'Prince' Shaw hunts for the leader of a local terror group, known as The Pilot. Driven to stop the unfolding events, Max is thrown into a relentless pursuit across Australia, from Sydney to Canberra and Melbourne. Willing to do whatever it takes to protect the innocent, Max is ruthless and determined, but conflicted, as he is put on a collision course with his past. He is forced to question how he can live the life he always wanted while being the agent the country needs. Is it truly better to have loved and lost, and what would you do to honour your partner's memory and in the name of love? What lengths would you go to to protect your country and its people? When wronged, and in anguish and pain from loss, can you make it right and find peace and closure through vengeance?

Shikari Shaitan

This book is an account of four and a half years spent hunting man-eaters in the jungles of southern India. It also mentions some of the people the author met. There is also a description of the areas mentioned in the book. Finally, the book is a plea to the world that no effort should be spared in preserving the panthers and tigers of the Indian subcontinent.

Ships, Trips and Rites of Passage

This is a true-life story of a young man’s life in the Royal Navy during the early 1970s. The book provides insight into what life was like for young men joining Her Majesty’s Forces at that time and of the journeys that followed during a five-year period. The book takes the reader through basic naval training and to far-flung places visited aboard HMS Albion (RO7) “The Old Grey Ghost”, a 22,000-ton Centaur-class Light Fleet Carrier, until its decommission. The story relays the difficulties and struggles of one young man and his decision to leave a career after moving to shore bases. The book offers a historical perspective of the Royal Navy from the eyes of a rating and a world much different from today.

Shunta the Sheep

Shunta the sheep is so naughty! He likes to annoy all the animals on the farm and make a total nuisance of himself.

So, what do you think Farmer George will do with Shunta, so all the animals can enjoy some peace and quiet on the farm? I wonder what Farmer George will do!

Sign Character Card Book

This book is ideal for parents who would like to expand their child’s mental capacity and raise them on a bilingual household. This book would be great when spending one-on-one time with your child or on those long car-journeys. This book will keep your children occupied.

Silver Planet

Death is no longer a mystery.
The magic of eternity has been found.

I often hear people wondering if life carries on after death. It always makes me smile. That’s exactly what happens.

And I used to think no one would discover the truth while they were alive. I was wrong. A sixteen-year-old boy just did. His name is Jonathan Powers and this is his story.

Jonathan’s from a planet called Centurian, but that’s not where his story begins. It begins on Earth with the tragic death of a boy from London, Jonathan Prior.

Jonathan Prior’s soul travelled from Earth to Centurian and became part of Jonathan Powers. That much is as it should be. Humans join the consciousness of other humans on a distant planet when they die.

It’s what happened next that I don’t understand. Jonathan Powers entered the world of the dead, alive.

I’m still searching for answers to how he did it and I’m supposed to know about these things. My name is Rose. I’m a little robin. You might have met me outside your house or in a local park.

Don’t worry if you haven’t, you’ll meet me inside this book. I’m helping Jonathan find a way home. It’s one thing to go where only the dead have been, quite another to find a way back.

Simple Dog

"You talk funny!" the other dogs would say. Simple Dog would be speechless and it was difficult for him to make friends...

Despite Simple Dog's disability, he never gives up hope!

Simple Dog reminds us that when we believe in ourselves, we can achieve great things!

Simple Dog is a fun, colourful, playful, and feel-good read.

Sitting Down With Evil

West Belfast, 1972. The government has lost control. The streets of Northern Ireland are on fire, with violence escalating on both sides. Lance Corporal Owen Twill is snatched up by the IRA and held captive for ten days. On his release he leaves the army and returns to England, a broken and bitter man, obsessed with visiting revenge on the Provo commander responsible for his injuries.

It’s 2016, and one by one, members of Owen Twill's old unit are dying in suspicious circumstances. When he learns the dark secret behind his betrayal, a chain of events is set in motion, the aftermath of which is felt from Belfast to New York City.

As he tracks down former colleagues, he uncovers a powerful cabal with tentacles that reach to the corridors of Westminster. A conspiracy that pitches friend against friend in a battle to be the last man standing.

Skimmer - Deep Sea

A contractor sub-surface mining skiff is delivering deep sea minerals collected by its drones to the moonpools of a giant Chinese-owned GlobeCorpMining Harvester ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The artificial intelligence or AI operating the skiff and its drones is monitored by a small young crew. Onboard, one of them with family connections to mining in ‘the Area’ is coerced into acquiring a revolutionary AI technology being developed by another crew member. It becomes apparent that Xed Ocean Academy crew monitoring and communications security has been compromised. Another mining skiff has also disappeared off ‘the Area’ grid. As the situation becomes ever more desperate no one seems to know who is behind all the deception and why. Somehow the Sea Hunters who patrol ‘the Area’ and GlobeCorpMining are also involved. Against the odds, and with the Sea Hunters in pursuit the young crew must learn to work together and overcome betrayal.

Sled Dog Gun: Aviemore Dreaming

Jim Bryde, sled dog racer, always had the ambition to place first in the pinnacle of Britain's sled dog racing, the competition ‘Aviemore'. This is the story of his life shared with Siberian Huskies; the trouble, love and tragedy that can come with a passion for racing and indeed for the dogs themselves.
Jim's beloved dogs include the loveable Joker, stubborn Dansa, the placid and friendly Bandit, but could it be Gun, son of Fly and Maji, and Gun's subsequent bloodline, who can finally lead Jim's team to victory, after many years of placing second?
While Jim's personal life sometimes overlaps into the world of racing, the passion for his hobby can be felt in every word of this endearing account of sled dog racing. To those interested in owning Siberian Huskies and racing sled dogs, his own individual accounts of his experiences are full of valuable tips.