Showing results by author "Anura Guruge" in All Categories

A look at popes and the papacy through the prism of the names associated with the popes -- whether they be birth, priestly, or assumed names. It is the first in-depth exploration of papal names and their meanings with a revised history of papal name changes, a complete account of the rationales for the 125 known instances of assumed names, and a slew of new ‘factoids.’ The first documented instance of papal name change was when Mercurius, in 533 A.D., opted not to introduce the name of a pagan god into the papal rolls. Marcellus II, in 1555, was the last pope, to date, to have retained ...

As 2024 unwinds, it is hard to shrug off the feeling that a conclave can’t be that far away – if not this year, then soon afterwards. This book, with the ‘2024’ in the title, was specifically crafted for this coming conclave. It is a combo deal that deals with both ‘next pope’ spotting, and a conclave mechanics. It justifies and identifies the top 10 papabili (per the author’s much reasoned criteria), as well as assiduously detailing all of the conclave and balloting requirements, protocols, and nuances. The author, Anura Guruge, has been an unrepentant ‘next pope’ junkie ...

Everything you ever wanted to know about conclaves (and papal transitions)’ would not be a good description for this book. That would not have been enough of a challenge for the author. What motivates him is arcana, demographics, obscurity, data analysis, history & trivia. Hence, a better description for this book would be ‘Everything you never realized you wished to know about conclaves (and papal transitions)’. Hopefully, that gives you a flavor of what is in store.It is detailed enough that all Catholic cardinals will find it of value – as was the case with the author’s ‘The ...

This book is a ‘fancy that’ crossed with a ‘believe it or not’ look at certain aspects of papal history with emphasis on the unexplored and the obscure – with considerable embellishment from computer-aided analytics (by now a well recognized forte of the author). The ‘101’ bullet points dealt with in this book, per its title, covering at least 202 nuggets of insight, are divided across 7 chapters, titled: Ecumenical Councils, Names, Firsts, Dates, Conclaves, Pope Celestine V and Pope Francis. The chapter on ‘Dates’ looks at topics such as the first precisely recorded date ...

A ‘Twitter-age’, bullet-point biography of the ‘Good Pope’, still the most popular pope ever (Pope Francis notwithstanding), to mark his April 27, 2014 canonization by Anura Guruge, the author of ‘The Next Pope 2011’ [which had Cardinal Bergoglio in the ‘Top 10’], ‘Popes and the Tale of their Names’, ‘The Last 10 Conclaves’ etc. He is also the publisher of the blogs ‘popes-and-papacy’ and ‘papam.wordpress.com’ where his work, especially his research and analysis of papal history has been cited on ‘Vatican Radio’ and ‘Rome Reports’. Though structured ...

The 2011 version of Anura Guruge's well received 'The Next Pope' book that was initially published in early 2010. This updated and expanded version, 29 pages longer, is meant to be the definitive, no stones left unturned handbook for the next papal election, post 2011, following the reign of the current pope, Benedict XVI. The Catholic News Agency (CNA) in its review of the 2010 book, by Brother Benet S. Exton, on June 4, 2010, said: 'This book will be of interest to scholar and general reader and it is a must for those interested in anything about the Papacy.' 'The Next Pope 2011,' deals, ...

A full update, refresh and augmentation to ‘The Last 9 Conclaves: 1903 to 2005’ that was published ahead of the 2013 conclave to now include details of Pope Francis’ election as well as additional background material. Refer to the ‘Table of Contents’ accessible through the ‘Look Inside’ feature. This book details the last ten (10) papal conclaves, 2013 to 1903, in a consistent format with information about: dates, duration, location, constitution, Camerlengo, Dean, size of the College of Cardinals, eligible electors, electors participating, composition of the electors, ...

If you constantly struggle with confounding pain you may have Central Pain Syndrome (CPS) and not know about it. Doctors are often reluctant to tell you that your pain may be due to Central Pain – since it is a condition that is difficult to explain and rationalize. Intense chronic pain, widespread and varied, that appears to be treatment-resistant, and often accompanied by burning, numbness, stiffness, itching, or pins-and-needles, may very well be CPS. What you may have believed was Fibromyalgia might actually be CPS – though this is not of major consequence since the treatment ...

This book details over 101 separate, diverse, self-contained true facts about human orgasms. They are divided into five categories: Hers, His, ‘Fancy That’, In the Media and ‘Basking in the Afterglow’. Though the book is meant to be an entertaining and educational celebration of all things orgasmic, it could also be viewed as a ‘Believe It Or Not’ or a ‘Well I Never’ guide to orgasms. Would you, for example, be willing to believe that women who have ‘vaginal orgasms’ walk differently to those that have ‘clitoral orgasms’? Well check item #92 of the book. Have you ...

This book will make you an expert – with minimum effort – on what happens when Pope Francis’ successor has to be elected. It is book about the next conclave & election – post Pope Francis. What sets this book apart is that it is meant to be a ‘Goldilocks’ book, i.e., in terms of content it tries to get it just right, not too much, nor too little. Hence, the ‘expert – with minimum of effort’. Just enough to make you a true expert without all of the history, precedents, laws & minutia. If you seek that level of information check out the author’s 518-page ‘The Conclave’...

The ‘Bold Coast’ is 60-miles further up Maine’s fabled Downeast from ‘Acadia’. The Bold Coast offers Acadia’s visual glory distilled to its essence, ruggedized & minus the crowds. The word ‘Acadia’ way, way back referred to a ‘refuge’ – an idyllic place. Well, the Bold Coast is certainly that. If you like Acadia, the Bold Coast will enchant you. If you (like the author) love Acadia, the Bold Coast will entrance you. It is not one or the other. They complement each other. This is a simple, informal & inexpensive guide to the Bold Coast primarily aimed at ‘senior’ ...

An educational guide to comets and cometary lore (from the author of two books on Comet ISON) in the form of 101 easy-to-digest ‘longish tweets’ – i.e., ‘bang, bang, bang’, cut-to-the-chase, tightly condensed 101 ‘nuggets of knowledge’. Today’s pell-mell lifestyles prevent many from having the time to learn about new things, in this case comets, from traditional books. So, this is a book that can be read, casually, at will, non-sequentially, for a few minutes at a time. Nonetheless, it will provide a fairly comprehensive tutorial on comets; one detailed enough to make the ...

Look up “Alzheimer’s prevention” and you will invariably encounter references to the need for sustained mental activity. You will come across phrases such as ‘brain aerobics’, ‘thinking skills’ and ‘mental stimulation’. The ‘Think-A-Day’ program helps you maximize your daily mental activity so as to keep Alzheimer’s at bay. It encourages you to think, with intent. This stimulates the production of good brain chemicals to ensure beneficial brain chemistry. Brain chemistry dictates mental health and ‘Think-A-Day’, unashamedly, sets out to promote healthy brain ...

‘Brain meditation’ will make you more productive, more content and most of all to be blessed with a sense of serenity that you will come to cherish! As such this book will change your life fundamentally and forever for the better. It does so by changing the way you interact with the most important organ in your body – your brain. This book, written as a self-help guide, will enable you to establish a very empowering, but at the same time very soothing, oneness with your brain. You will come to regard your brain as your best friend for life. That is good since if you think about it, ...

This is a book for those of YOU who do not meditate because you do not have the time. You are too busy; life is just too hectic. That is OK. This book will help you fit in meditation into your life irrespective of how busy you are! ‘Quick & Easy’ is a minimalistic, laid-back, go-with-the-flow approach to meditation with minimal demands on your time. As such it is ideally suited for the hectic lifestyles of the 21st century. ‘Quick & Easy’ makes meditation enjoyable, relaxing, refreshing and rewarding. As such you will look forward to doing it each and every day – in focused, short...

The last 30-mile stretch of Maine’s celebrated Downeast, starting to the east of Cutler and ending at Quoddy Head, is the Bold Coast. If you like Acadia and outdoor recreation (hiking in particular) the Bold Coast will blow you away. It is as the best was left to last. Maine’s coastal beauty and allure does not end at Acadia. 60 miles beyond, at the Bold Coast you can enjoy breathtaking views that second to none. The Bold Coast complements Acadia, each enhancing your appreciation of the other. The Bold Coast, however, is not a single entity and cannot be seen, let alone enjoyed, from ...

This is an insightful, definitive guide to Maine’s breathtakingly spectacular Bold Coast – the hitherto unsung furthermost corner of fabled Downeast. The glory of Maine’s coastal beauty does not end at Acadia. It flourishes again, dramatically and uncommercialized 60 miles further up. That is the Bold Coast. The 30-mile span of the Bold Coast, from Cutler to Lubec, however, cannot be seen, let alone enjoyed, from the road. That is a huge difference from Acadia with its loop roads and scenic overlooks. In order to see the Bold Coast you have to get out and venture down a trail – even...

Third Edition. Significantly revised and updated in August 2013 to coincide with print edition. A comprehensive guidebook to Comet ISON, C/2012 S1 (ISON), which could by year-end 2013 become ‘The Great Comet of 2013’, possibly ‘The Comet of the Century’ and maybe even a ‘once-in-a-civilization’ comet. This book, the Kindle version of which will be regularly revised during the rest of 2013 (for free downloads), captures all that is known of this sungrazing (but not a Kreutz) comet, which, with luck, on Boxing Day, i.e., December 26, 2013, will flyby Earth at a (very safe) ...

Do YOU like Christmas? Do YOU know anyone who lives for Christmas (as does the author’s youngest daughter)? If YOU got this far, you must also qualify as being curious and/or a live wire. If so, YOU have to get this book. There is no point quibbling about this. This book, an unashamed glorification of all things Christmas, will ENHANCE YOUR Christmas. Make it more fun and rewarding. This book is priced to be affordable. Less than a fancy cup of latte. It is a perfect stocking-stuffer. An ideal gift for those that relish the holiday. The ‘175’ in the title is an intentionally lowball ...

255 Questions (& Answers (at the back of the book)) about everything to do with Christmas. ** ** ** These quizzes, quite a few notches above the banal ones found online, will scintillate your Christmastide (and if you so wish, your Advent as well) with sizzle and spice. You will have fun. Your Christmas will graduate from just ‘Merry’ to definitely ‘Rollicking’. You will also be intrigued and come away better informed. As it states in the Preface, this book will entertain and educate. It is, as such, a two-in-one deal. Quite the bargain (especially as it is priced with Christmas ...