Bahá'í Books & Authors

Why would you want to read a book about a farming village? The story of 'Adasíyyih will open your eyes to the society building power within the Bahá'í Faith. 1901, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá purchased land in what is now Jordan that would become the village of ‘Adasíyyih. Through His guidance and unending inspiration, Bahá’í pioneers from Iran would soon settle there and transform a degraded parcel of land—which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reportedly described as the most inhospitable place on Earth—into the site of a thriving farm and prosperous community whose residents embodied the Bahá’í teachings.The story of ‘Adasíyyih is offered within the context of the extensive agricultural activities of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith and the early Bahá’í communities They nurtured. It was this farming village—along with several others in the region of the Galilee—that produced a surplus of crops, which enabled ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to keep famine at bay for so many people during World War I, a feat that would earn Him a knighthood from the British Empire and a title that He would never use. In time, ‘Adasíyyih would become a model village for Jordanians, and Jordan’s royalty would become frequent guests.This podcast is an interview with Paul Hanley, the author of 'Adasíyyih. Visit BahaiBookStore.com to purchase this book.

Roy Wilhelm is described by his biographers as quiet and gentle, but iron-willed. Relative to some of his contemporaries in the early Bahá'í community of North America, his is a life perhaps less explored and examined so far by historians. This may be in part because many of the services he rendered were of a behind-the-scenes or administrative nature. What becomes abundantly clear when reading about the life of this brilliant and steadfast individual, however, is that he earned the unwavering trust of both ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi for his tireless and selfless devotion to the Cause.Wilhelm’s life story is a rich and varied one that takes the reader from the coffee farms of Costa Rica to Wall Street to the picturesque environs of the properties that remain associated with his life and the Faith he held so dearly. He was a smart businessman with a keen intellect and a wide range of interests. The extent of his services to the Faith and the establishment of its institutions in North America is hard to overstate. A pivotal figure in laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Bahá'í Administrative Order, Roy was also a dynamic and effective teacher of the Faith who shared its message with many people, including Martha Root and Curtis Kelsey. Shouldering massive responsibility for the well-being and functioning of the early American Bahá'í community throughout the years of the first World War and the Great Depression, he was called upon time and time again by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and later Shoghi Effendi to rise to numerous roles and challenges. When one reads of his wisdom, discretion, and generosity, it is no surprise that the beloved Guardian described him as an “immovable pillar” and a “Herald of the Covenant,” and posthumously appointed him as a Hand of the Cause of God.

When the Moon Set Over Haifa by Angelina Allen is a moving account of the time surrounding the passing of the head of the Bahá’í Faith, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, on November 28, 1921. There were six Western believers in Haifa on the night of the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: John Bosch and Louise Stapfer Bosch; Dr. Florian Krug and Grace Krug; and Johanna Hauff. All of them were there as pilgrims. The only other Western believer present in Haifa was Curtis Kelsey, who was in Haifa to install electrical power plants to light the shrines of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.“This book tells the story of these believers—their journeys to the Bahá’í Faith, the circumstances that brought them to Haifa, and how their experiences during the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá influenced their paths of service to the Cause. The intent is to transport the reader to the Holy Land one hundred years ago, when the moon of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set over Haifa.”—Excerpted from When the Moon Set Over HaifaThis episode of Bahá’í Books & Authors features an interview with author Angelina Allen. Hosted by Jan Grammer, the discussion delves into the backstories of the book and provides a deeper look at the historical period marking the beginning of the Formation Age of the Bahá’í Faith which began with the passing of the ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This episode also highlights the lives of individuals who experienced this poignant moment in history.Purchase When the Moon Set Over Haifa here or visit www.BahaiBookStore.com.This podcast was produced by World Unity Media. Music by The Licata Brothers.Bahá’í Books & Authors © 2025 Bahá’í Publishing Trust. All rights reserved. To use all or any part of this podcast, please request permission in writing to: info@BahaiBookstore.com.