This book was the first comprehensive biography of this magnetic figure and perfect Exemplar of Baha'i life, and remains the foremost source for subsequent accounts. Abdu'l-Bahá was one of the most outstanding, active and exemplary people in human spiritual history. Through many stories and vignettes, as well as a history of his life, this book presents perhaps the most comprehensive biography of Abdu'l-Bahá available.

The Hand of the Cause of God George Townshend was designated by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, as ... the best writer we have ... the pre-eminent Bahá'í writer.' This volume brings together some of his particular writings about 'Abdu'l-Bahá. In this way his own portrait of the Master emerges, with befitting reverence to the Centre of the Covenant, the Exemplar, the Mystery of God.

A closely-observed account of part of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's 1912 visit to North America. Mrs Parsons kept meticulous notes on 'Abdu'l-Bahá's activities and lectures when He stayed at her summer home in New Hampshire, where He received guests from all walks of life, giving spiritual refreshment to all who sought it. This fascinating book provides unique insights into the Master's public and private moments, and another apportunity to rediscover His wisdom. Supplemented by extracts from Mahmud's diary.

Recollections of Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi.

A warm, personal account of the author's experiences with Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi between 1910 and 1920, Blessings Beyond Measure is one of the few accounts about Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi written in English by someone familiar with Persian customs.

To visit Akka--that was the ardent desire of every early American Baha'i. And there, to "attain the presence of the Master."

This is the account written by Thornton Chase, designated by Abdu'l-Baha as the "first" American Baha'i, of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1907. This is one of the few "pilgrim's" notes--Juliet Thompson's book is another-- that gives a well-written narrative description of the journey. The book is also notable for the high quality of the photographs of the Holy Land that Chase was able to publish.

Chase, along with a few other American Baha'is, had their pilgrimage tragically cut short when the governor of Beirut was notified of their visit. They spent only four days in Akka. Nonetheless, Chase was transformed. Abdu'l-Baha himself recalled that during his pilgrimage, Chase "became free from the troubles of this world." You must read this poignant and heart-warming memoir.

Here are collected three of the most important, and most touching, accounts of pilgrimages to the Holy Land in the time of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. These are are three classic works of Bahá'í history and literature.

Roy Wilhelm's account is from 1907. Stanwood Cobb's remarkable "Memories of 'Abdu'l-Bahá" discusses his meetings with the Master in 1908, 1910, 1912, and 1913. Genevieve Coy made her pilgrimage in 1920, and spent a week in the Holy Household. All three others record their experiences faithfully and allow us to share the joys and pains of their visits. The experience is unforgettable.

We hope that republishing these accounts will put an new generation of believers in touch with its spiritual heritage.

In the spring of 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá set off from Alexandria on His historic journey to America. Among his small entourage was Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání, who became, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, 'the chronicler of His travels'. Mírzá Mahmúd went everywhere with 'Abdu'l-Bahá, making extensive notes not only of the Master's many public talks and conversations with individuals but also of the new sights and experiences they found in America as well as the daily routines of eating, writing letters and travelling. Mahmúd remarks on the novelty of the New York skyscrapers, electric lights and American foods and customs for 'Abdu'l-Bahá's party as well as the picturesque spectacle provided to the Americans by His entourage in their 'abás and Persian hats. The result was a unique diary 'regarded as a reliable account of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's travels in the West and an authentic record of His utterances, whether in the form of formal talks, table talks or random oral statements. Mírzá Mahmúd was a careful and faithful chronicler and engaged in assembling and publishing his work with the permission of the beloved Master . . .' (The Universal House of Justice). The translations of the talks of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and His words found in the present volume were read and revised at the Bahá'í World Centre.

Includes many newly translated talks of 'Abdu'l-Bahá not available elsewhere.

An American lawyer from New York, Phelps was not himself a Baha'i but was deeply attracted to the Baha'i teachings and had come to know and to love Abdu'l-Baha. Here he offers a unique and priceless portrait of Abdu'l-Baha. His daily life and habits, His service to the poor, His crushing workday, His tolerance, gait, and gestures and even the food He ate are all included.

Translated by Riaz Masrour

Here is the long-awaited translation of the memoirs of Dr. Afroukhteh, who served 'Abdu'l-Baha as His trusted secretary and interpreter from 1900-1909. These were difficult years when the Master was imprisoned in the city of 'Akka, His every move subject to misrepresentation by the Arch-breaker of the Covenant and his associates, and even His life in danger. At the same time the period saw the victories of the construction of the Shrine of the Bab and the House of Worship in 'Ishqabad, and the rise of the Cause of Baha'u'llah in the West.

This important historical record, published in 1952 on the instructions of Shoghi Effendi, has been described as "pre-eminent among those works dealing with the history of Covenant-breaking". At the same time it chronicles the daily life in 'Akka of 'Abdu'l-Baha and of the little band of devoted believers whose chief joy in life was to be of service to Him; it also describes the pilgrimages to 'Akka of many eminent early Western Baha'is including Thomas Breakwell, Hippolyte Dreyfus, Lua Getsinger and Laura Barney, the compiler of "Some Answered Questions".

Over those nine years Jinab-i-Khan (the title by which Dr. Youness Afroukhteh was honoured by 'Abdu'l-Baha) served the Master in 'Akka as secretary, translator, envoy and physician. His account of some of the most significant events of the period, his graphic and stirring pen-portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and the description of his own emotions - all expressed in a lively and at times mischievous language of humour and wit - make this volume uniquely memorable.

The Most Mighty Branch answers these questions in a simple, straightforward style. It provides 65 short stories about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life suitable for children’s classes, for reading aloud, and for use in study circles, particularly Books 3 and 5 training teachers of children and junior youth.

The book covers all important events of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s childhood, his imprisonment in ‘Akká, his journeys to the West, and his significance as Centre of the Covenant of the Bahá’í Faith.

Beautifully written by Hitjo Garst, a writer for children with long experience of teaching children’s classes, this translation by Olive McKinley captures the style and spirit of the original and is captivatingly illustrated by Anja Shanmugampillai.

Hitjo Garst was born in the Netherlands into an orthodox Protestant family and became a Bahá’í in 1972. For many years he has been involved in the translation of books for the Dutch Bahá’í community and in the development of Bahá’í children’s classes. His first book, From Mountain to Mountain: Stories about Bahá’u’lláh, first published in 1983, has become a children’s classic.

This is the charming story of a twelve-yerar old girl who travelled with her parents from America to the Holy Land to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá, shortly after the end of the Great War. Each of the twelve days of her visit is candidly descrobed, making this a refreshing addition to the growing range of first-hand accounts by early Western believerswho spent time in the presence of the Master. Beautifully designed, with many attractive illustrations, this wonderful book also makes a thoughtful gift.

First published in 1937 this is an incomparable and unique account of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to America by one of His own disciples.

'Here I saw a man who, outwardly, like myself, lived in a world of confusion, yet, beyond the possibility of doubt, lived and worked in that higher and real world . . . And, which is to me a most inspiring and encouraging fact, He took it for granted that you and I . . . could enter into and live and move in that world if we could.' Portals to Freedom is a personal record which brings the historical figure of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to warm life, and His message close to the heart.

Here is a clear, straight-forward and easily readable account of the remarkable life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith. A companion to Hour of the Dawn and Day of Glory, Servant of the Glory continues the story of the establishment and growth of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh as it spread across Europe and North America.

"They called the kings together at the place, called in Hebrew, Armageddon. The seventh angel emptied his bowl into the air, and a voice shouted from the sanctuary, 'The end has come'. Then there were flashes of lightning and peals of thunder and the most violent earthquake that anyone has ever seen since there have been men on the earth." Revelation 16:16-18

The world war, which has raged across Europe, North Africa and the Ottoman Empire for four years, is finally drawing to a close. General Edmund H. H. Allenby -broad-shouldered, square-jawed man possessed of great physical strength, 'an explosive general' -marches his army north past Megiddo, 'the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon'. The goal: the town of Haifa in the north of Palestine. In Haifa the small and terrified Bahá'í community gathers in the house of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the head of the Bahá'í Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá calms the excited Bahá'ís and calls them to prayer. He assures them that all will be well. But His own life has been threatened by the Ottoman leader, Djemal Pasha.

Here is the intriguing story of a battle foretold in the Hebrew Bible that linked the lives of two men who shaped history in very different ways. Published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Armageddon.

A unique collection of stories, sayings and comments, providing a special insight into the life, character and station of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.