28-06-2023: “Mother Teresa: The Saint and Her Nation” by Dr Gezim Alpion, an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Birmingham, has received international acclaim and recently won the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) Excellence in Publishing Award 2023 for biographies. This well-received book offers a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of Mother Teresa, delving into various aspects of her life and work.
Dr Alpion’s book takes a holistic approach to understanding Mother Teresa by considering her familial background, as well as the ethnic, cultural, and spiritual contexts in which she lived. It explores her personal experiences, challenges, and accomplishments as both a private individual and a public missionary. Furthermore, the book delves into her complex spirituality and sheds light on newly-discovered information about her family, the spiritual traditions of the Albanian nation, and the influence of the Vatican and other powerful entities on her people throughout history.
Published by Bloomsbury Academic, “Mother Teresa: The Saint and Her Nation” has garnered positive reviews from scholars, reviewers, and specialist media. It has been featured on the front cover of The Tablet and received special recognition in LIFE Magazine. The book’s release has also provided Dr Alpion with numerous speaking opportunities at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and Georgetown University.
Dr Alpion’s expertise in Mother Teresa studies stems from two decades of dedicated research in the fields of sociology of religion, nationalism, fame, race, media, film, and authorship. He is regarded as the leading English-language authority on St. Teresa of Calcutta and is recognized as the founder of Mother Teresa Studies.
In 2021, Dr Alpion received the “Mother Teresa Award” from the president of Albania, acknowledging his valuable contributions to the in-depth study of Saint Mother Teresa’s life and work, as well as his efforts in promoting her Albanian national heritage worldwide.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition and reception of his latest book, Dr Alpion stated his delight in the overwhelming response it has received. He expressed appreciation for the ACP award and extended congratulations to his fellow winners. Dr Alpion emphasized that the study of Mother Teresa has remained his passion for two decades, and he finds it remarkable that even after all this time, new discoveries continue to emerge, and individuals maintain a deep and personal connection to her as a person, her story, and her humanitarian work.
R. Chandra Sekhar, Publisher at Bloomsbury Academic India, expressed delight for Professor Gezim Alpion’s latest award, commending his seminal book and expressing gratitude for his decision to publish with Bloomsbury. The team at Bloomsbury India also extended thanks to the ACP for acknowledging the book’s merits and Professor Alpion for his scholarly contributions.
“Mother Teresa: The Saint and Her Nation” is available in both Ebook and print formats through Bloomsbury, allowing readers worldwide to delve into the life and legacy of this iconic figure.