Showing posts with label Justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justice. Show all posts
Friday, May 9, 2014
Friday, August 2, 2013
Who is Zenobia? A 3rd century warrior queen from Syria
A recent article on buzzfeed.com talked about the top 11 queens in history and Zenobia ranked #7. Here is the link to the full article:
"Queen Zenobia ruled the Palmyrene Empire in Roman Syria during the third century. When her husband (King Septimius Odaenathus) died, Zenobia took over. She fought the Romans, conquered Egypt and expanded her empire before eventually being defeated."
Today our world is experiencing so much sadness and injustice, especially in Zenobia’s home country of Syria. My heart goes out to these people and especially the children who are suffering. Here is a full article from abcnews.com:
Author Russ Wallace was impressed with Zenobia and he decided to write a series following her life story. In Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, we can learn a great deal from Zenobia’s example. Zenobia's experience can even help us today battle for justice. A novel that not only entertains but educates us and motivates us into action is what we need. Zenobia as a 3rd century warrior queen fought against Rome and today she would once again battle for justice to free her ancestral homeland Syria. Turning our hearts to our ancestors can help us through these hard times.
Book one, Zenobia – Birth of a Legend is now available at www.geodepress.com ;
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94629; and participating bookstores and libraries.
Book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend will be released soon.
Wallace dedicated his first book to: “For oppressed girls and women everywhere. Hang on to your dreams and know that a better world is coming.” I think this book series is not only for strong women everywhere but for all who battle for justice.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Book Review
"Zenobia is an inspirational story of a young woman trying to find her way in a male dominated world. She fights her passion for learning and her quest for justice, for her desire to prove a girl can be just a good warrior as any man.
Enjoy her adventures as you read this wonderful novel by Russell Wallace."
Review by Maria Romrell
I received this review for Zenobia – Birth of a Legend the other day and the reader said I've never done a review before. I thought about the thousands of readers who also have never written a review. Author http://www.melissafoster.com/and owner of http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/ posted this statement. “Did you know that positive reviews and sharing of books you love is a great way to thank and support your favorite authors? Even authors with hundreds of reviews appreciate each one they receive. Authors work hard to produce books you can enjoy. Share the love.”
Every time I post a review on Amazon I get a computer generated email that says thanks for reviewing as millions of buyers depend on this.
Why I started writing book reviews? I am reading all the time and when I started a blog for my writing (because that’s what my writing group suggested), coming up with material to blog about wasn't as easy and so the decision to combine my love for reading into my blog was a simple idea. On my blog I shared a great article on how to write a review: http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-decided-since-i-love-reading-i-might.html
Hopefully this will help you write a review for the next book you read. You may still ask yourself why should I write a review? Here are a couple thoughts on why I think everyone should write a review:
- As a personal journal to keep track of books you read and enjoyed
- To socialize and share with others what you loved reading
- To let authors know you appreciate the time and talent they share with the world
There are probably many other reasons to write a review but these are a few that motivate me. As a reviewer, every time I read a book I post a review on my blog, on Amazon, on Barnes and Noble, and on Goodreads in hopes it will help you decide on your next book to read; and if you do the same than I can decide on my next book To Be Read.
Happy reading and sharing!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday Teaser – Are you a lover of Justice like Zenobia?
Are you a lover of justice like Zenobia? Ch 13 in Zenobia- Challenging a Legend in her critical thinking class in Alexandria, Egypt they are discussing how to build an empire. At the time Egypt is ruled by Rome. Here is a discussion that took place in class when they questioned her on how she would overthrow Rome.
“I, for one, hate that!” exclaimed Zenobia. “To oppress a weaker people is unjust and unrighteous! Lovers of justice should try to fix that.”
“And what exactly would Miss Righteous do?” Philander asked indignantly.
“Yes, Zenobia,” agreed Hermeseus, “history shows that rebels don’t live long!”
“I don’t consider cowering in fear to be living, and ‘rebels,’ as you call them, have toppled world empires. Assyria conquered Egypt, Babylon conquered Assyria, Persia conquered Babylon, Greece conquered Persia, …”
….
“The answer lies in the ingredients needed to build the empire,” she began. “Remove those and the empire will collapse, or be weakened enough to be conquered.”
….
“Hypothetically speaking of course, what would happen in Rome if the grain ships from Egypt suddenly stopped sailing?” she asked. The simple question hung in the air for a moment, and then the students erupted, a dozen making comments at the same time.
Hope you enjoy the Tuesday Teasers and this holds you over until Book two is available.
For a chance at a free copy of book one go to Jan 3rd post (http://geodepress.com/zenobia-birth-of-a-legend-free-book-giveaway/) and answer one of the Trivia Questions and email the answer.
Zenobia- Birth of a Legend is a 2012 IPPY award winner in Historical Fiction
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thinking Thursday - Zenobia learns the challenges of being a leader
In Zenobia
- Birth of a Legend chapter 24, we share a scene with Zenobia
and Cam her mentor who's training her as a warrior. They discuss the
heartbreaks that can come from being a leader. Cam explained to her that
justice has many enemies and rulers have shorter more turbulent
lives. Cam states, "Justice has a cost". Read below as Zenobia
questions why Cam would allow her to follow a path that could lead to so much unhappiness.
She decided to ask the
obvious question. "Then why are you training me as a warrior?"
"Because I
agreed to. I was caught off guard that night when we made the bet about the
melon. Of course, I had watched you at a few contests, and I figured you would
win our wager, but I couldn't let the others know that. I was just happy that
you and your mother were going to live. I didn't consider all the ramifications
until later. Then I felt I couldn't go back on our bet. Honestly, you are a
strong warrior already, and you will be a great one.
"I am also
training you because of what you had to endure for the first nine years of your
life. I felt you deserved to get what you wanted, and that was what you wanted.
Had you wavered in that, I would have been glad, but, of course, that has not
happened. Still, if I could grant you a peaceful, protected life in a paradise
somewhere, and if I knew you could be content there, I would do it in a
heartbeat."
She looked at
her mentor wistfully. "We both know that is not to be," she said.
"The desert goddess proclaimed it otherwise. Cam, are you dodging my
question about the father of Odenathus?"
He paused in
thought. He had needed to say what he did, fruitless though it had been, but
her question remained. "As to the father of Odenathus, there are
conflicting accounts, as is often the case. However, the most plausible seems
to be that a high Roman official feared that the Senator of Tadmor
was becoming too powerful and therefore, with the approval of Rome, had him
assassinated. Which substantiates the point I was making earlier."
"But Tadmor
was a colony and an ally of Rome," she objected, "and its citizens
were also Roman citizens. That would have been a treacherous betrayal!" It
was redundantly emphatic, but Cam Thought it certainly made the point.
"When
powerful allies gain sufficient strength, they frequently strike out on
their own and turn on their former allies. The Roman governor evidently feared
this, especially since Tadmor was so far from Rome on the eastern frontier of
the empire."
"But,
clearly," Cam concluded, "it was a betrayal of the worst kind, so I
agree with you."
"Have they
no honor!" Zenobia exclaimed angrily.
"Some have
a lot, some have only a little, and some have none. Remember, Zenobia, the most
dangerous enemy is the one whom you believe to be your friend. They can hurt
you like no one else. They can come from allies, from your own tribe, from your
close friends, or even from your own family. They take advantage of your trust
and strike where and when you least expect it. You are never completely safe
from them.
This was
sobering information. "So," she asked at length, "what does
one do?"
"Sometimes
people unconsciously reveal their true motives, but we can talk about that
another time. For now, we should get back to camp."
Zenobia had one
more question for Cam, but she was afraid to ask it. She did not know if she
ever would. The question was, Would you have let my father and the
tribal leaders kill me?
Instead she
said, “I wish I could get the education I need in Tadmor, but Odenathus says I
will have to go to Alexandria for that, and I agree. It seems that
you and Mother do also. I am glad up are considering it."
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
WHO IS ZENOBIA?
Until my father-in-law
Russ Wallace started talking about writing a book I had never even heard about
the true historical figure Zenobia. I did the survey on our blog and found
many others also had never heard of her. Take the survey at http://geodepress.blogspot.com/
My husband, Jason
Wallace, loves to describe the book as, “Zenobia is the most powerful
woman you've never heard of.”
Why is this, I
wondered? In my opinion why she has been unknown until now is because the
victors are the ones who write the history books. Rome wanted to silence the
Warrior Queen. They certainly didn't want anyone else to know how
close she came to actually overthrowing Rome.
Some accounts
portray her as a power hungry woman who ruined a beautiful part of the country.
It’s true if you visit Palmyra, Syria today you will find massive structures
that are now rubble, and she did bring her army against Rome which caused
temples and buildings to be destroyed. I have even heard some history accounts
say she killed her own husband to become Queen and rule. Another account says
in the end she turns on those close to her just to save herself.
Is there another side?
We have to read between the lines and try to figure out what may have really
happened. Russ Wallace did, he asked himself many questions to get into the
mind and thoughts of what inspired her. Based off of true historical accounts
we know she did become Queen and she was a powerful warrior who fought
alongside her troops. We also know she lost, because we've all heard
of Rome but not Zenobia.
I believe her
motivation wasn't about power as much as it was about justice. There
are many events in Zenobia –
Birth of a Legend, the historical fiction novel Russ Wallace wrote, that
show her experiencing injustice.
In beginning of
the novel, we learn how she should have been put to death at birth just because
she was a girl. She was raised pretending to be a boy. You can only imagine
this experience would teach her life is not fair. You have two choices when you
face the cruelty of life, you either become a victim or you become an advocate
to fight against injustice. Zenobia decided to fight.
When her true
identity was revealed the tribe decides to spare her life because she shows
great potential to be a leader and is skilled in archery.
Most historians agree
she was extremely smart. She spoke many languages and surrounded herself with
scholars. What would inspire a woman in the 3rd century to be
educated and trained like a man? Wallace answers those questions by writing her
as having a strong personality. She was curious as a girl and in her travels
she saw many things she wanted to change.
As she grows up, most
women of her time get married off as trading leverage but not her, instead she
was trained as a warrior, became proficient in archery, and educated
in Egypt. One of her professors, Longinus, was known in Alexandria, Egypt as a
great thinker. His influence plays a major part in her life and in the future it’s
documented that he becomes her top adviser.
A highly
intelligent woman, who is as skilled as a man, what would lead her to a life of
war and bloodshed? Wallace answers this in book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend.
Which will soon be released and we can read what motivates her into action.
Most of book two will take place in Alexandria, Egypt where she is focusing on
her education. Until some highly affluence men challenge her and
she has to battle against injustice. Not all of what Wallace portrays may have
actually happened, but many of the influencing factors are realistic.
We may not know
all the facts but we can think about what would motivate us to battle against
the greatest empire. Is money and power really a great motivator to do
something so completely dangerous? I think not, our hearts would need to be
fully behind such a daring act. She was a great leader in her time and I
believe the love for her people made her stand up against the injustices.
She didn't want to live in fear. She wanted the same world we all
dream about; a place where everyone is equal and your thoughts and ideas
matter.
Today our world
is experiencing so much sadness and injustice, especially in Zenobia’s home
country of Syria. A novel that not only entertains and educates us, but
motivates us into action is just what we need.
I think it’s
time for everyone to learn about this great historical figure. Book one will
take you on an adventures through the Syrian Desert, Ancient Tadmor (which is
Palmyra, Syria today), the Great Pyramids of Giza, and Alexandria, Egypt.
You'll experience the excitement of lion attacks, archery, horse
races, and education with the greatest philosophers.
Wallace dedicated his
first book to, “For oppressed girls and women everywhere. Hang on to your
dreams and know that a better world is coming.” I think this book series is not
only for strong women everywhere but TO THOSE WHO BATTLE FOR
JUSTICE.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thinking Thursday - Zenobia Questions Justice
In Zenobia –
Birth of a Legend, chapter eleven, on her visit to the Temple of the Sun
she confronts a Priest with a burning question.
When they descended to the temple’s main
level, the same priest who had unlocked the tower access for them met them
again. Zelina gave him a donation. Zenobia tugged at her mother’s robe and
said, “Ask him, Mother.”
“Ask him what, dear?”
“You know. What we talked about this
morning.” The issue had been churning in the back of her mind since their visit
to the judicial building, and now she wanted an answer. Hadn’t her mother said
that perhaps the priests would know? She had discerned that the question would
be better received coming from an adult.
“O.” she turned to the priest and asked,
“My daughter and I were wondering, does the sun god care about the injustice in
the world?”
The priest was surprised and just looked
at them while he pondered the import of their question. He decided that
questions like this had the potential to be dangerous. Finally, he replied in a
condescending tone, “It is not for women and girls to concern themselves with
such matters. That is the business of the priests.”
Instantly, the fire of curiosity in
Zenobia flared up into indignation. “Justice is the business of all of us! And
if the gods care about us, they should care about justice!”
“Zenobia!” Her mother saw what was coming
and tried to interrupt her, but she was like a hungry leopard running down its
prey.
“But if they do not care about us, then
they do not deserve our worship, nor our…,” the rest of her words were muffled
by her mother’s hand clamped firmly over her mouth!
…..This
mollified the priest only a little. He said, “It seems you have more than
enough to occupy you in taming your little wildcat. Leave questions of theology
to the experts!” He turned sharply and walked briskly away. He intended to
speak to Odenathus about this effrontery.
Zenobia looked at her mother, who had
crossed her arms and was glaring at her daughter with her sternest expression.
“Mistake?” Zenobia asked rhetorically.
“All this from a girl who only two hours
ago told me, ‘don’t worry, Mother, I’m careful!’ Let’s get out of here before
we get stoned.”
The quest for justice is an inspiration through-out Zenobia’s life.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thinking Thursday –Critical Thinking and Ancient Egypt
On the documentary channel an interesting program called The
Pyramid Code http://www.pyramidcode.com/
talks about the pyramids and what we can learn from Ancient Egypt. Dr. Carmen Boulter is the director, producer,
and creator of this great program. Episode # 5 “A New Chronology” talks about how
today in a test driven educational system and memorizing facts will not help
our youth expand their knowledge. Instead we should teach them to seek truth
and justice by living the Ancient law of Maat; which is the Ancient Egyptian
concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice.
In Zenobia – Birth of
a Legend, Zenobia’s mom takes her to Egypt for her to study and learn. Even
though there isn’t strong evidence that Zenobia indeed took this trip we know
she was highly educated and thirsted for truth and knowledge in her pursuit of
justice. It only makes sense that she was taught the Ancient law of Maat.
Here’s an excerpt of one of Zenobia’s classes, Critical
Thinking found in Chapter 34 of Zenobia –
Birth of a Legend:
“Wrong thinking leads to wrong conclusions,
which, in turn, lead to wrong actions,” began Longinus. “Correct thinking,
obviously, will lead us to right actions, that is, successful actions. But, how
are we to know when an idea is wrong? Or, worse, when a pattern of thinking is
false? How can we discern between truth and falsehood? Is there a key?” He
paused for effect and to allow his class to reflect on his questions.
His manner and presence commands
attention, thought Zenobia…
“I believe the key to discovering truth is
to want the truth. Then we will more likely ask the right questions and be open
to the answers.”...replied Zenobia, “not everyone wants the truth, and I can
prove it! This leads to huge injustices in the world. But I do agree with you
that it is not so easy to discern the best questions.”
What is critical
thinking? Zenobia even as a student understands that we need to be asking the
right questions to get the right answers. Until you are ready for the truth you
will not find it.
The New York Times has
a challenge a day on Critical thinking. This is a great way to
broaden your education like Zenobia did. Click on the link and let your critical
thinking class begin. http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/new-feature-test-yourself-critical-thinking/
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