NEW YORK, NY.- A new book on Kahlil Gibran, the celebrated and best-selling early 20th century Arab-American poet-artist and writer (often most known in the West as the author of The Prophet) written by Paul-Gordon Chandler, has just been released by Rowman and Littlefield (September 1, 201), the largest independent publishing house in the US. The book’s release was celebrated at a lecture by Paul-Gordon Chandler hosted by The Kahlil Gibran Chair for Values and Peace at the University of Maryland.

The new book, titled In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran, is a journey through the all-embracing nature of Kahlil Gibran, author of the bestselling book The Prophet. Capturing the readers imaginations and enriching their spirits, Paul-Gordon Chandler explores this beloved writer and poet-artist, a mystic who sought to build bridges and tear down walls.

In Search of a Prophet is not a traditional biography, but a compelling spiritual journey through Gibran’s writings, art, and the places he lived. From his birthplace village high in the snowy mountains of Lebanon, Chandler leads the reader through Gibran’s emigration to Boston, art training in Paris, career in New York, and to the far-reaching places of influence his writings and art have traveled, such as to Mexico City’s Museo Soumaya.

Delving into passages of some of Gibran’s writings—both famous and lesser-known— Chandler breathes life into this captivating poet artist who moved beyond religion to the core of universal spirituality and was a unique blend of East and West. He highlights how Gibran’s voice is timeless, appealing to heart and mind, faith and reason, a muchneeded guide for our times.

The Gibran lecture that launched the book by author Paul-Gordon Chandler’s was held at the University of Maryland on September 27, 2017, and was titled “Kahlil Gibran: An Unparalleled Guide for our Times”.

This coming fall 2017 and winter-spring 2018, Paul-Gordon Chandler will be on a book lecture tour, speaking about how Kahlil Gibran, his life, writings and art, as the supreme East-West figure, is an unparalleled guide for us in the midst of today's global challenges - as his life, approach and work touches on most of the important issues of today: a bridge for us between the creeds and the cultures, respect for the environment, equality for women, interest in spirituality as opposed to religion, immigration, status of refugees, inclusive embrace of different faiths and learning from the best in each tradition, etc.

The book speaking tour for In Search of a Prophet will take Chandler to venues that relate directly to Gibran's life, both then and now, including such cities as Boston, Detroit, Beirut, Paris, New York, Washington DC, Mexico City, Cairo and Savannah.

New York times best-selling author Reza Aslan (No god but God and Zealot) comments on In Search of a Prophet: “Paul-Gordon Chandler takes us on a profound spiritual journey into the life and work of one of the most famous and beloved poets, Kahlil Gibran, showing us how this timeless poet is a much-needed guide for our times. In his hands, Kahlil Gibran becomes an intimate friend.”