Beyond the Blood

This book takes us on an epic journey throughout Africa, Western and Central Asia, and Europe to explore the lives, culture, and landscape of the Judaic, Christian, and Muslim worlds. Motivated by a yearning to learn about and understand the "other," regardless of culture and faith, the author invites us on her adventures to ancient cities, architectural masterpieces, stunning landscapes, and even a camelback expedition in the desert. Marie-Laure Valandro shares her insights, joys, and inner struggles--and her human-to-human and down-to-earth encounters with the people she meets along the way--as she endeavors to move beyond mere tolerance, to a place of true understanding and respect for the other. Her words of wisdom, as well as the insights of anthroposophists, theologians, poets, and historians, help to decipher the mysteries behind Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Not only are we, too, brought to a new place of understanding and wonderment, but we are also inspired to embark on our own journey of discovery.