Damaris Books
Damaris' entire book publishing is licensed to Authentic Media - thus Damaris Books is an imprint of Authentic. All Damaris books are therefore published and distributed to the trade by Authentic.
You can download the free Damaris Books brochure here (1.6Mb)
All Damaris Books are available on the Damaris online store for purchase by individuals and organisations that are not part of the book trade (book trade must get them from Authentic Media).
NB Advance notices of all publications (and discount vouchers for money off purchases) are sent to members of the Damaris Internet Community.
Titles
The titles that are currently available from Damaris Books are:
Focus: The Art and Soul of Cinema
Films have never been more popular or, with the increase in television channels and home rentals, so readily available. But how much of what we watch do we really understand? Focus: The Art and Soul of Cinema explains how films communicate the worldview of the film-maker, helping us to engage more fully with the films we watch - and so to enjoy them more. With a passion for film and a deep concern to develop a robust Christian understanding of our culture, Tony Watkins equips us to recognise and respond to the messages in today's movies. Essential reading for anyone who enjoys films and who wants to get more out of their viewing experience.
Dr Trevor Stammers and Tim Doak offer practical, down to earth responses to common questions that teenagers have about relationships and sex.
Saving SexEach chapter includes an introduction offering a biblical perspective, followed by real questions from real teenagers, with answers that balance professional medical experience, straight talking and thoughtful pastoral care.
'Full of honesty, sensitivity and insight, Saving Sex provides answers to the questions most teens have about sexual issues. A must read for young people, youthworkers and parents.' Rachel Gardner and Dan Burke, Youth Workers and presenters of BBC2’s No Sex Please, We’re Teenagers
Teenagers: Why Do They Do That?
'If there's one book to read to understand teenagers, it's this one.' Dr Trevor Stammers, Senior Tutor in General Practice, St. George’s Hospital Medical School.
Get More Like Jesus While Watching TV
Following the structure of Romans 12:1-2, the book helps us to think about how our TV viewing habits can be either a force for good or ill in shaping our lives. Packed full of references and illustrations from the world of television, and packed full of explanations of relevant Bible passages. This book is ideal for anyone who watches TV (or who knows people who do) and who wants to be more like Jesus and more effective at sharing their faith.
The book includes study questions at the end of each chapter, and is ideal for use with small groups, as well as for individual reading.
If Only
"If only I were rich and successful. If only I were free to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. If only I were healthy and secure. Then I would be happy. Then I would be content."
We spend our lives searching for happiness - but are we looking in the right place? This book tells the true-life stories of three people in search of an answer. Andy wants to be a millionaire and doesn't care how many people he treads on - until he is faced with his own mortality. Sharon wants to be free to use her own body and the bodies of others - until she ends up in a brothel. Jacqui thinks she will be happy when she forms her own stable, secure family - until personal tragedy strikes.
I Wish I Could Believe In Meaning
Peter S. Williams digs beneath our sceptical culture and invites us to take time out from the ‘party’ to seriously consider some of life’s big questions – about truth, knowledge, goodness and beauty. He builds a convincing case for belief in meaning and purpose. In critiquing the arguments of zoologist Richard Dawkins he presents a serious challenge to naturalism. This book offers an alternative to atheism that addresses some of our deepest questions about life.
The Thinking Fan's Guide series
Written by fans for fans, the Thinking Fan’s Guide series is a celebration of what makes some of popular culture so good, and a critical analysis of the ideas that underpin the books, films and TV programmes covered. Written from a Christian perspective, but with no assumptions about the worldview of the reader, these books are ideal conversation-starting presents to give to Christians and non-Christians alike.
Back In Time: A Thinking Fan's Guide to Doctor Who
The third title in our increasingly popular Thinking Fan's Guide series, written by Steve Couch, Tony Watkins and Peter S. Williams.Back In Time is a celebration of the cult TV series Doctor Who, telling the story of the show from it's birth in 1963 to its 2005 return to British television screens, and offering a Christian perspective on the underlying themes of the show - such as death, tolerance and the human condition.
This is an ideal book for the Doctor Who fan in your life, Christian or otherwise.
'Fascinating and intelligent – a must for anyone who’s ever considered the why of Who'
Rob Shearman, scriptwriter on the 2005 series of Doctor Who
Dark Matter: A Thinking Fan's Guide to Philip Pullman
The second title in our popular Thinking Fan’s Guide series. Philip Pullman is a masterly storyteller, whose His Dark Materials trilogy has captivated readers across the world. More than this, he has described himself as deliberately writing to undermine the basis of Christianity. Tony Watkins considers the many merits of Pullman’s writing, as well as examining his themes and ideas.An ideal book for any devotee of Philip Pullman’s work, who wants help in understanding the vast issues that Pullman raises.
‘Excellent analysis that will be insightful to new readers and long-time fans alike'
Phillip Pullman fan-site www.bridgetothestars.net
Matrix Revelations: A Thinking Fan's Guide to the Matrix Trilogy
The first of many Damaris 'rapid response' books about popular culture. Published only 36 days after the cinematic release of The Matrix Revolutions, we believe this is the first book to be published covering the whole Matrix trilogy.The writers/directors Andy and Larry Wachowski have been using a powerful story to raise very big questions from beginning to end of the Matrix trilogy (despite the failure of some film critics to realise this). This book enables you to identify and consider those questions. In depth analysis of the films themselves, plus a Christian perspective on the ideas underpinning the trilogy.
Written by fans of the films for fans of the films who want more than just to fast forward to the next fight scene.
‘A multi-faceted, rich, illuminating and serious exploration of the Matrix film trilogy, and the major ideas behind it.’
Mark Greene, London Institute of Contemporary Christianity
Damaris’s Talking About series provides a mixture of articles and study guides exploring how popular culture, and the Bible respond to the big questions of the day.
Playing God: Talking About Ethics in Medicine and Technology
Playing God considers the impact that new developments in medicine and technology have on the life and death decisions that we constantly see reported in the news.
Nick Pollard, Dr Trevor Stammers, Tony Watkins, Caroline Puntis, Peter S. Williams, Dr Rebecca Lewis, Louise Crook and Dr Peter May look at the films Million Dollar Baby, Vera Drake, I, Robot, and The Island, the novels Oryx and Crake and My Sister’s Keeper, TV medical dramas and the philosophy of Peter Singer.
Spooked: Talking About the Supernatural
Spooked explores the growing fascination that many people have for the world of the supernatural and helps Christians to respond to friends who describe themselves as ‘spiritual, but not religious’.
Nick Pollard, Ian Hamlin, Mark Stafford, Steve Couch, Tony Watkins, Rebecca Ward, Emily Dalrymple, Louise Crook and Peter S. Williams look at TV illusionist Derren Brown, film director M. Night Shyamalan, the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose, the growth of children’s supernatural fiction (including Philip Pullman and Harry Potter), the cult TV show Lost, the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and the philosophy of A.J. Ayer.
Sex and the Cynics: Talking About the Search for Love
Sex and the Cynics explores the nature of love, with Nick Pollard, Tony Watkins, Caroline Puntis, Annie Porthouse, Steve Tilley, Steve Couch, Louise Crook, and Peter S. Williams, looking at Desperate Housewives, Love Actually, Closer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The History of Love.
Truth Wars: Talking About Tolerance