The Old Man of the Mountain: The ‘Trial’ of the Assassin He was a powerful influencing reference as Britain’s Bernard Lewis, who would become the foremost authority on Islamic history and traditions, traced the origins of the 'Assassin sect' in the Shi’ite branch of Islam and began to chronicle both their doctrines and the life of their enigmatic founder, the legendary “Old Man of the Mountain.” The Assassins were the first group to make planned, systematic, and long-term use of murder as a political weapon, and their ideals and methods have since found many imitators. Bernard Lewis was just about to publish, in 1967, one of his first books entitled the “The Assassins.” Once published it was to be the most comprehensive, readable, and authoritative account of history’s first terrorists. When Lewis’ book was published Dr. Ahmed Abdulla did take some exceptions on one major historical account but in all he was very pleased with the historical context of Lewis’ factual history. Where they differed would continue to be preserved and concealed, unknowingly, in Lewis’ account as one of the most guarded secrets in the history of the assassin’s legacy. Ahmed and Iran’s self-imposed exiled Ayatollah Khomeini, allegedly, were two of the very few Shi’ites in the world that knew about this well guarded secret. As descendants of the “Old Man” each was entrusted with continuing to pass the legacy down through history until the call would come to carryout the assassination. However, it was the one called Ahmed didn’t want to get because it was diametrically in opposition to his principles of democracy, tolerance and religion.

Now in its second edition, this expanded work catalogs every person, animal, ship and cannon mentioned by name in the 21 books of Patrick O'Brian's series on the maritime adventures of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. The novels, renowned for their "far-ranging web of wit and allusion," teem with thousands of characters and ships, both imaginary and historical. From Master and Commander to 21: The Unfinished Voyage, this book distinguishes the fictional from the factual, making a useful series companion for the casual reader and the most ardent fans. Each of the more than 5,000 alphabetized entries provides a reference to the novels and chapters in which the topic appears. Additionally, biographical notes on the historical figures are included, with sources provided in an annotated bibliography.

From the city of Calais, on the northern coast of France, one may look over the water on a clear day and see the white cliffs of Dover, in England. At this point the English Channel is only twenty-one miles wide. But this narrow water has dangerous currents, and often fierce winds sweep over it, so that small ships find it hard to cross. This rough Channel has more than once spoiled the plans of England's enemies, and the English people have many times thanked God for their protecting seas.