The Assassin Legends: Myths of the Isma'ilis


Farhad Daftary - 1994
    The legends first emerged in the 12th and 13th centuries, when Crusaders in Syria came into contact with the Nazari Isma'ilis, one of the communities of Shi'ite Islam who, at the behest of their leader Hassan Sabaa (mythologized as the "Old Man of the Mountain"), engaged in dangerous missions to kill their enemies. Elaborated over the years, the tales culminated in Marco Polo's claim that the "Old Man" controlled the behaviour of his self-sacrificing devotees through the use of hashish and a secret garden of paradise. So influential were these tales that the word "assassin" entered European languages as a common noun meaning "murderer".Daftary traces the origins and early development of the legends - as well as investigating the historical context in which they were fabricated and transmitted. As such, this book reveals an extraordinary programme of propaganda rooted in the medieval Muslim world and medieval Europe's ignorance of this world. This book also provides the first English translation of French orientalist Silvestre de Sacy's famous 19th-century "Memoire" on the Assassins.

Easy Paleo Slow Cooker Meals: Over 25 quick prep, nutrient-rich, grain-free recipes


Arsy Vartanian - 2014
    More than half of the recipes in this book, require 10 minutes or less of prep work. All of the recipes are gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free. When following a diet that is free of grains, legumes and dairy and full of nutritious whole foods, we can often find ourselves spending all of our spare time cooking. The delectable recipes in this book will nourish you, while saving you time in the kitchen. Recipes Included: Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Artichoke Honey Mustard Chicken Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Verde Slow Cooker Poached Chicken Slow Cooker Curry – Beef Slow Cooker Curry - Chicken Pork Roast with Kraut Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs Easy Slow Cooker Taco Meat Paleo Teriyaki Chicken Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Morengo Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken Maple Glazed Turkey Breast with Cranberries Maple Orange Pork Shoulder Citrus Braised Carnitas Balsamic Braised Short Ribs Chocolate Rubbed Pot Roast Paleo Sloppy Joes Smoky BBQ Beef Brisket Beef and Butternut Squash Stew Slow Cooker Chorizo Mashed Yams Classic Italian Meatballs Barbacoa Indian Chicken Curry Mexican Inspired Chunky Chicken Soup Turkey Chili Slow Cooker Chicken Broth Slow Cooker Beef Broth