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Book Synopsis300 million years ago, dog-sized scorpions and millipedes walked the earth and tropical rainforests towered into the sky. George R. McGhee Jr. explores that ancient world, explaining its origins, its downfall in the end-Permian mass extinction, and its legacies, to offer insight into past and present extinction events and climate change.Trade ReviewCarboniferous Giants and Mass Extinction is a superb and unique synthesis of the current knowledge of processes and conditions during the Late Paleozoic, incorporating the results from all subdisciplines of the earth and life sciences. McGhee demonstrates his expertise and knowledge in all the subdisciplines in a magnificent way. The book is a pleasure to read and at the same time erudite. -- Hermann Pfefferkorn, University of PennsylvaniaCarboniferous Giants and Mass Extinction is comprehensive and well researched, and provides fascinating insights into the complex Carboniferous world. It has amazing presentation, including depth, perception, and interpretation, and the writing style is readable and captivating. This work will be a valuable reference for geology students and others interested in past earth climates. -- Peter E. Isaacson, University of IdahoA valuable contribution to our understanding of ancient environments and the incredible plants and animals that once inhabited the Earth. * Everything Dinosaur *Highly recommended. * Everything Dinosaur *Table of ContentsPreface1. Harbingers of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age2. The Big Chill3. The Late Carboniferous Ice World4. Giants in the Earth . . .5. The End of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age6. The End of the Paleozoic World7. The Legacy of the Late Paleozoic Ice AgeNotesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe award-winning classic on why we must revolutionise the fashion industryTrade Review'Makes a strong case for nothing less than a revolution' -- Emma Watson, actor'An incredible accomplishment' -- Susie Orbach, author of 'Fat is a Feminist Issue''Interrogates today's fashion landscape with rigour - will make you view your wardrobe through a different lens' -- Lucy Siegle, author of 'Turning the Tide on Plastic''A masterclass in unpicking the threads of injustice, exploitation and oppression woven into our clothing. By joining the dots between fashion and capitalism, this is a route map to weave a different story for our clothing, our planet and its people' -- Asad Rehman, Executive Director of War on Want'Thoroughly researched with a reach extending both globally and historically, the book is packed with interesting examples, and Hoskins' engaging style makes it eminently readable' -- 'LSE Review of Books''A staple of contemporary fashion literature' -- ‘Austrian Fashion Association’'A classic read for all fashion students, and of course those interested in the politics of fashion. I will refer to my copy for a long time to come' -- Caryn Franklin MBE, fashion commentator and body image activist'A book that hangs like a garment on a coat-hanger. A garment with many pockets. In the pockets numberless notes and remarks about clothes and history. Take it off the hanger and put it on. By which I mean - read it and walk through history' -- John Berger'A controlled demolition, Hoskins uses facts to strip away the apparel trade's decorative exterior and then dynamites the foundations' -- 'Monthly Review''Once you see the fashion industry through Hoskins' anti-capitalist lens what lies behind cannot be unseen' -- 'Public Reading Rooms''A failure to imagine the end of capitalism goes hand-in-hand with a failure to imagine the end of fashion as a commodified sphere in which countless exploited workers labour so that the powerful can wear power-affirming garments. Hoskins' book does wonders to help its readers overcome both failures' -- Yanis VaroufakisTable of ContentsForeword by Andreja Pejić Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Owning It 2. The Fashion Media 3. Buyology 4. Stitching It 5. A Bitter Harvest 6. The Body Politic 7. Is Fashion Racist? 8. Resisting Fashion 9. Reforming Fashion 10. Revolutionising Fashion About the Illustrator Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisGo on a new epic adventure with Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy in this exciting sticker book featuring more than 100 stickers.Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen are back! Join them as they face off against a powerful villain. Meet exciting new characters including Spider-Man 2099 and many more. With more than 100 full-color stickers, this book will appeal to young Marvel fans looking for adventure.This stunning sticker book features:- Cool stickers from the latest Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse animated movie.- Informative and fun text captions to add detail to the stickers.- Over 100 full-color stickers.Featuring the latest characters, locations and plotlines from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, this is the perfect sticker book for children aged 5+ who are fans of Spider-Man and the Marvel movies.

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Book SynopsisThe nineteenth century seems to have been full of hysterical women - or so they were diagnosed. Where are they now? The very disease no longer exists. In this fascinating account, Andrew Scull tells the story of Hysteria - an illness that disappeared not through medical endeavour, but through growing understanding and cultural change. More generally, it raises the question of how diseases are framed, and how conceptions of a disease change through history.The lurid history of hysteria makes fascinating reading. Charcot''s clinics showed off flamboyantly ''hysterical'' patients taking on sexualized poses, and among the visiting professionals was one Sigmund Freud. Scull discusses the origins of the idea of hysteria, the development of a neurological approach by John Sydenham and others, hysteria as a fashionable condition, and its growth from the 17th century. Some regarded it as a peculiarly English malady, ''the natural concomitant of England''s greater civilization and refinement''. Women were the majority of patients, and the illness became associated with female biology, resulting in some gruesome ''treatments''. Charcot and Freud were key practitioners defining the nature of the illness. But curiously, the illness seemed to swap gender during the First World War when male hysterics frequently suffering from shell shock were also subjected to brutal ''treatments''. Subsequently, the ''disease'' declined and eventually disappeared, at least in professional circles, though attenuated elements remain, reclassified for instance as post-traumatic stress disorder.Hysteria: the biography is part of the Oxford series, Biographies of Diseases, edited by William and Helen Bynum. In each individual volume an expert historian or clinician tells the story of a particular disease or condition throughout history - not only in terms of growing medical understanding of its nature and cure, but also shifting social and cultural attitudes, and changes in the meaning of the name of the disease itself.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Elegantly constructed book...Skull is otherwise exemplary on the whole historical curve. * George Rousseau, TLS *The stories they tell are often fascinating and alarming - pitched somewhere between farce, genius, horror and a lab report. * The Scotsman *These four 'biographies' of diseases go far beyond questions of biology or medical practice; they talk politics, sex and class, faith. * The Scotsman *The notion of an ailment having a birth, a lifespan, and - ideally - a demise...is an illuminating and useful concept. * Wendy Moore, British Medical Journal *Andrew Scull's exploration...provides an utterly enthralling study of medical ideology and sociology. * Wendy Moore, British Medical Journal *Should be required reading for all students of medicine. * Wendy Moore, British Medical Journal *Table of ContentsPrologue: Suffocation of the mother ; 1. Mysteria ; 2. Neurologie ; 3. An English malady? ; 4. Reflexly mad ; 5. American Nervousness ; 6. A hysterical circus ; 7. Freudian hysterics ; 8. The wounds of war ; 9. L'hysterie morte? ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisIran has rarely been out of the headlines. Yet media interest and extensive coverage has tended to hinder rather than help our understanding of Iran as an idea, an identity, and a people, leading to a superficial understanding of what is a complex and nuanced political culture and civilization. This Very Short Introduction presents a radical reinterpretation of Iranian history and politics, placing the Islamic Revolution in the context of a century of political change and social transformation. By considering the various factors that have contributed towards the construction of the idea of Iran and the complex identity of Iranians themselves, Ali Ansari steers a clear path towards a more realistic understanding for us all. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewIt is a considerable challenge to sum up the essense of Iran, with its recorded history of more than 2,500 years, in only a little more than a hundred pages. But Ali Ansari does so effectively by focusing on the multi-layered identity of the Iranians. * David Blow, The Times Literary Supplement *This book is written in a lively and accessible style. It is full of insights into modern Iran, the most important of which is the continuing impact of Iran's mythology and long history on the present. It should be required reading for anyone proposing to negotiate with Iranians, whether in politics or business. * Geopolitics and Security, Francis Robinson *Table of Contents1. Preface ; 2. The West and Iran ; 3. Iran and Persia ; 4. Iran and Islam ; 5. Iran and the West ; 6. Conclusion ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisWhat is a grimoire? The word has a familiar ring to many people, particularly as a consequence of such popular television dramas as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. But few people are sure exactly what it means. Put simply, grimoires are books of spells that were first recorded in the Ancient Middle East and which have developed and spread across much of the Western Hemisphere and beyond over the ensuing millennia. At their most benign, they contain charms and remedies for natural and supernatural ailments and advice on contacting spirits to help find treasures and protect from evil. But at their most sinister they provide instructions on how to manipulate people for corrupt purposes and, worst of all, to call up and make a pact with the Devil. Both types have proven remarkably resilient and adaptable and retain much of their relevance and fascination to this day. But the grimoire represents much more than just magic. To understand the history of grimoires is to understand the spread of Christianity, the development of early science, the cultural influence of the print revolution, the growth of literacy, the impact of colonialism, and the expansion of western cultures across the oceans. As this book richly demonstrates, the history of grimoires illuminates many of the most important developments in European history over the last two thousand years.Trade ReviewFor anyone interested in magical writing and publication, it's essential. * Steven Moore, Fortean Times *Undoubtedly an important contribution to the field...The range of research here is, frankly astonishing. * Steven Moore, Fortean Times *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Ancient and Medieval Grimoires ; 2. The War against Magic ; 3. Enlightenment and Treasure ; 4. Across the Oceans ; 5. Rediscovering Ancient Magic ; 6. Grimoires USA ; 7. Pulp Magic ; 8. Lovecraft, Satan, and Shadows ; 9. Epilogue ; Further Reading ; Notes ; Index

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Book SynopsisIn Books 6 to 10 of his monumental history of Rome, Livy deals with the period in which Rome recovered from its Gallic disaster to impose mastery over almost the entire Italian peninsula in a series of ever greater wars. Vivid portrayals of personalities, politics, warfare, and religion bring 4th-century Italy vividly alive in this new translation.

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Book SynopsisThe Level 9 Biff, Chip and Kipper Stories, written by Roderick Hunt and illustrated by Alex Brychta, provide a rich story context to help develop language comprehension and decoding skills. Stories and More Stories A continue to provide a mix of fantasy settings and familiar situations. More complex sentences with conceptually more challenging storylines develop stamina, ensuring that readers will be able to progress to more demanding texts with confidence.Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with childrens reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.

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Book SynopsisThe Level 5 Biff, Chip and Kipper Stories, written by Roderick Hunt and illustrated by Alex Brychta, provide a rich story context to help develop language comprehension and decoding skills. Stories, More Stories A, More Stories B and More Stories C take the children from familiar, predictable events at home and school into the less certain realms of fantasy through the magic key adventures.Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with childrens reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.

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Book SynopsisWhy has the magic key taken Biff and Chip to a town where everyone is asleep? Find out in Wake Up!. The non-fiction book that accompanies this title is Sleep.Oxford Reading Tree Explore with Biff, Chip and Kipper is a series of paired fiction and non-fiction books linked by curriculum-related topics. Each pair consists of an engaging story featuring well-loved characters and a compelling non-fiction book. These topic-linked pairings will develop and deepen their reading comprehension and foster a love of reading across both text types. This book is one of six titles at Oxford Level 9, which are phonically decodable featuring vocabulary to enrich the texts and support language development. All the books in the series are carefully levelled, so it is easy to match every child with the right book and enable them to progress.

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Book SynopsisFilled with rituals, exercises, and meditations, Tending Brigid's Flame presents the beloved Celtic goddess through three aspects of her sacred flame: the Hearth, the Temple and the Forge

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Book SynopsisThe Birth of Venus Meowsterpiece puzzle is a witty, affectionate parody of Boticelli''s iconic work by contemporary cat artist Susan Herbert! This gorgeous 1000-piece puzzle is the perfect gift for cat and art lovers alike! Galison puzzles are packaged in stylish matte-finish sturdy boxes, perfect for gifting, reuse, and storage• 1000 pieces• Box Size: 11.25 x 8.25 x 2, 86 x 210 x 51 mm• Puzzle Size: 27 x 20, 508 x 686 mm• Ribbon Cut Pieces• Includes Insert with full puzzle image

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Book SynopsisJane Austen's beloved and subtly subversive final novel of romantic tension and second chances. Now a motion picture from Netflix starring Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding, and a TikTok Book Club Pick.Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot, a woman who – at twenty-seven – is no longer young and has few romantic prospects. Eight years ago, she was persuaded by her friend Lady Russell to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a handsome naval captain with neither fortune nor rank. When Anne and Frederick meet again, he has acquired both, but still feels the sting of her rejection. A brilliant satire of vanity and pretension, Austen’s last completed novel is also a deeply felt and relatable love story tinged with the heartache of missed opportunities.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a gloTrade Review“Critics, especially [recently], value Persuasion highly, as the author’s ‘most deeply felt fiction,’ ‘the novel which in the end the experienced reader of Jane Austen puts at the head of the list.’ . . . Anne wins back Wentworth and wins over the reader; we may, like him, end up thinking Anne’s character ‘perfection itself.’” –from the Introduction by Judith Terry

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Book SynopsisThe whole world has fallen in love with this international bestseller - hundreds of thousands of copies have been sold across 25 countries. Now it's Australia's turn to rediscover this jewel of a book on mindfulness.Trade ReviewMore than statistics and theories, we really trust anecdotes and narratives. Our brains and beings are wired to learn deeply and easily via stories, and this splendid collection of 108 Buddhist-based tales proves the point with lasting, gentle, pervasive teachings ... In the dozen compelling and practical sections on topics like perfection, love, commitment, fear, pain, anger, forgiveness, happiness, freedom and humility, he weaves a long, rich tapestry of understanding using short threads of stories only a couple of pages long. Many tales lead one to the other, but each also stands alone. Resurrecting several 'chestnuts' as well as crafting new stories, Brahm avoids the pitfall of esoteric, inscrutable renderings sometimes found in Buddhist writing. Instead, without compromising integrity, he favours modern cadences and references (e.g., iPods and the World Wildlife Fund) to make the stories sail along ... this is a wonderful collection that can be enjoyed by a broad audience. - Publishers Weekly Ajahn Brahm is the Seinfeld of Buddhism. - Sumi Loundon, editor of Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists and The Buddha's Apprentices

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPollan is always an entertaining writer, and a deep thinker with a light touch ... it's a trip - engrossing, eye-opening, mind altering. -- Sophie McBain * New Statesman *This fascinating insight into our relationship with mind-altering plants weaves personal experimentation with cultural history ... Pollan is the perfect guide through this sometimes controversial territory; curious, careful and, as his book progresses, increasingly open minded. -- Tim Adams * The Guardian *Expert storytelling ... Pollan masterfully elevates a series of big questions about drugs, plants and humans that are likely to leave readers thinking in new ways. -- Rob Dunn * New York Times Book Review *Brilliant, compulsively readable ... Pollan's storytelling is deft, forthright and fascinating. -- Charles Foster * The Oldie *Like it or not, we are undergoing a drugs revolution ... thankfully Pollan is here to guide us through this putative challenge ... [this] relatable, middle class New York plant fancier might be the ideal standard bearer for today's calmer, more scientific approach to the subject. -- Josh Glancy * Sunday Times *Pollan's intertwining of reportage, citizen science and historical scholarship is a delightful and informative read ... [he] has a rational optimism that might tempt even the most sober and sceptical to try to broaden their horizons. -- AJ Lees * Literary Review *Pollan is a gentle, generous writer. -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *Michael Pollan weaves tales of drug experimentation into a historical account of our long relationship with them. -- Simon Ings * New Scientist *This Is Your Mind on Plants is witty, entertaining and polite, but it is not trivial. Subtly but assuredly, Pollan argues that which plants (and fungi) we are allowed and how depends, consciously or otherwise, on the interests of power. -- Josh Raymond * Times Literary Supplement *The descriptions of London's coffee house culture and Honoré de Balzac's barbarous habit of ingesting dry coffee grounds to fuel all-night scribbling sessions are worth the book's price alone ... The book is really about the relation between each plant and the humans who consume it, tackled in a non-judgmental and objective way that seeks to dispel the ignorance, prejudice and demonisation they attract. * Financial Times *Fascinating and occasionally terrifying ... His opium chapter is mesmerising. -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *A tour around three substances: caffeine, mescaline and opium. The first is legal, the others remain mostly illegal. Pollan offers us rich historical contexts for them that are often surprising. -- Peter Carty * Independent *Every now and then to be put in touch with what really matters - what could be more important than that? -- Emily Hourican * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGrounding, calming, and quietly revolutionary. -- Robert MacFarlaneI give daily thanks for Robin Wall Kimmerer for being a font of endless knowledge, both mental and spiritual. -- Richard PowersGathering Moss is fantastic and offers an extraordinary point of view on the natural world -- Natalie PortmanSoulful, accessible... informed by both western science and indigenous teachings alike ... Kimmerer blends, with deep attentiveness and musicality, science and personal insights to tell the overlooked story of the planet's oldest plants * Guardian *Beneath your feet, barely visible to the eye, is another world: a rainforest in miniature ... Read Kimmerer's book and you're unlikely ever again to waste precious gardening time scraping moss from paving stones. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Beautiful ... Her scientific training and knowledge of plants from her Potawatomi heritage create a unique lens, teaching us how to look and watch... Reading this has made me stop to wondrously admire any patch of moss I come across. * Quietus *

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Book SynopsisChosen as a Book of the Year by The Times, Daily Telegraph, TLS, BBC History Magazine and Tablet''Compulsive, brilliantly clear and superbly well-written, it''s a charismatic evocation of another world'' Ian Mortimer, author of The Time Traveller''s Guide to Medieval EnglandThe Middle Ages were a time of wonder. They gave us the first universities, the first eyeglasses and the first mechanical clocks as medieval thinkers sought to understand the world around them, from the passing of the seasons to the stars in the sky. In this book, we walk the path of medieval science with a real-life guide, a fourteenth-century monk named John of Westwyk - inventor, astrologer, crusader - who was educated in England''s grandest monastery and exiled to a clifftop priory. Following the traces of his life, we learn to see the natural world through Brother John''s eyes: navigating by the stars, multiplying Roman numerals, curing disease and tTrade ReviewStunning: both exquisitely written and so very clever. By following the life of one little-known monk, John of Westwyk, Falk opens up for us the sophisticated and utterly different ways in which people in the Middle Ages thought and makes us question our assumptions about the medieval past. -- Suzannah Lipscomb * BBC History Magazine Books of the Year *Turns our understanding of medieval science on its head ... Falk shows how scientific inquiries central to the Renaissance actually began generations earlier than we thought, and despite our perception of the church as the enemy of science, those intellectual pioneers were often monks * The Telegraph Books of the Year *As fascinating as it is exquisitely written . . . the range of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering is impressive. More impressive still is the elegance with which Falk tells the tale -- Tom Whipple * Times Books of the Year *Remarkable ... a book that illuminates not just the visionaries of the past but also the troubled state of anti-intellectualism in the modern world * Financial Times *"Might it change minds?" is my criterion. The Light Ages might. Seb Falk's dazzling study of a late-medieval scientist is an uncontainably tentacular monograph, reaching from a windswept cell at Tynemouth, where John of Westwyck built an astrolabe, to penetrate unexplored recesses of the history and philosophy of science, and extending across Christendom into the cultures that surrounded and informed it. Falk excises errors about the Middle Ages without filleting their enchantment -- Felipe Fernández-Armesto * TLS Books of the Year *Unambiguously and successfully an antidote to the cliché of the 'Dark Ages' as a millennium of stagnation and regression . . . Falk's approach is to explain the things we share with our medieval forebears and the things we differ on: to reveal how they saw the universe * Literary Review *Riveting. . . a brilliant study of medieval astronomy and learning . . . I agree with Falk. We need to give more respect to the giants of the Middle Ages on whose shoulders we stand * Spectator *Fascinating . . . the Dark Ages were anything but dark; Falk's book is a lucid and eloquent reproof to anyone who says otherwise * Prospect *Seb Falk lays out the wonders of medieval science. . . The mechanical clock, spectacles, advances in navigation, a grasp of tides and currents - these were among the achievements of the Middle Ages * The Economist *A wonderful book, as at home bringing to life the obscure details of a Hertfordshire monk as it is explicating the infinite reaches of space and time. Required reading for anyone who thinks that the Middle Ages were a dark age -- Tom Holland, author of DominionCompulsive, brilliantly clear, and superbly well-written, The Light Ages is more than just a very good book on medieval science: it's a charismatic evocation of another world. Seb Falk uses the monk John of Westwyk to weld us into the medieval ways of imagining as well as thinking. And there are surprises galore for everyone, no matter how knowledgeable they may think they are. I can't recommend it highly enough -- Ian Mortimer, author of The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval EnglandIf you think the term 'medieval science' is a contradiction then you should read this hugely enlightening and important book -- Jim Al-Khalili, Author of The World According to PhysicsLike a fictional scientist cloning dinosaurs from wisps of DNA, Seb Falk takes barely surviving fragments of evidence about an almost forgotten astronomer in a storm-chilled, clifftop cell to conjure the vast, teeming world of scientific research, practice and invention in the late Middle Ages. Profoundly scholarly, wonderfully lucid and grippingly vivid, The Light Ages will awe the pedants and delight the public -- Felipe Fernández-Armesto, author of Out of Our MindsSeb Falk has framed a fascinating book around his personal quest to understand how scientific thinking flourished. The Light Ages reveals the intellectual sophistication that flourished against a backdrop of ritual and liturgy. It offers for most of us a novel perspective on a 'dark' historical era, and should fascinate a wide readership -- Lord Martin Rees, author of On the FutureLong before the word 'scientist' was coined, John of Westwyk devised a precision instrument to explore the universe and our place in it. Falk recreates the schooling of this ordinary (if gadget-obsessed) medieval monk in loving detail. There's a world of science on every page -- Nancy Marie Brown, author of The Abacus and the Cross

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Book Synopsis''Why can''t a human be more like a cat? That is the question threaded through this vivid patchwork of philosophy, fiction, history and memoir ... a wonderful mixture of flippancy and profundity, astringency and tenderness, wit and lament'' Jane O''Grady, Daily Telegraph''When I play with my cat, how do I know she is not passing time with me rather than I with her?'' MontaigneThere is no real evidence that humans ever ''domesticated'' cats. Rather, it seems that at some point cats saw the potential value to themselves of humans. John Gray''s wonderful new book is an attempt to get to grips with the philosophical and moral issues around the uniquely strange relationship between ourselves and these remarkable animals.Feline Philosophy draws on centuries of philosophy, from Montaigne to Schopenhauer, to explore the complex and intimate links that have defined how we react to and behave with this most unlikely ''pet''.At the heart of the book is a sense of gratitude towards cats as perhaps the species that more than any other - in the essential loneliness of our position in the world - gives us a sense of our own animal nature.Trade ReviewThe intellectual cat's pyjamas ... Gray's is the perfect book for the estranging oddness of the pandemic. -- Tim Adams * The Observer *Why can't a human be more like a cat? That is the question threaded through this vivid patchwork of philosophy, fiction, history and memoir ... Feline Philosophy is a wonderful mixture of flippancy and profundity, astringency and tenderness, wit and lament. -- Jane O'Grady * Daily Telegraph *Engaging, amusing, perceptive and untimely, in the most admirable Nietzschean sense. -- Mark Rowlands * New Statesman *An elegant philosophical study of the good life ... one of the most important thinkers alive ... It's a mark of the book's subtlety that you're not quite sure how seriously to take him. -- James Marriott * The Times *A scratching, spitting, and finally purring tour de force. -- Will Self

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSpectacular and terrifyingly true. David Graeber's theory of the broken capitalist workforce is right - work has become an end in itself. A timely book from the most provocative anthropologist and thinker of our time. -- Owen JonesEqually explosive, my anarchist friend, David Graeber, yet again has thrown a hand grenade into the political economy debate with his Bullshit Jobs (Allen Lane), a call to strike out for freedom from meaningless work. -- John McDonnell * New Statesman, Books of the Year *Here's a gift for a friend working in PR or HR. David Graeber's thesis is that they are working in"bullshit jobs". A bullshit job, he says, is one that its holder knows to be pointless or pernicious even though they must pretend otherwise. There are five sorts: flunkies (commissionaires, receptionists), goons (lobbyists, lawyers), duct tapers (who sort out problems others have created), box tickers, and taskmasters (management). It's a provocative case ... but you get the feeling he is on to something; there do seem to be a lot of pointless jobs in the modern economy -- Robbie Millen * The Times, Books of the Year *Anthropologist David Graeber embarks on a provocative quest to find and explain the existence of countless mindless and pointless roles. He divides them into "flunkies", "goons", "duct-tapers", "box-tickers", and "taskmasters". It is an entertaining, if subjective study of a problem and an examination of potential answers, including a universal basic income. -- Andrew Hill * Financial Times, Business Book of the Year *Anthropology professor and colourful anarchist David Graeber has opened a Pandora's box of the modern era by questioning the relevance of the swollen ranks of middle management and bullshit jobs that have cropped up across a variety of industries. A controversial but thought-provoking endeavour * City AM Book of the Year *An LSE anthropologist with a track record of countering economic myths through a mix of anecdote, erudition, and political radicalism, Graeber is as good an analyst of the increasingly cowpatted field of modern employment as one could wish. And entertaining and thoroughly depressing read... it is extremely thought-provoking -- Tim Smith-Laing * Telegraph *A provocative, funny and engaging book... that captures the imagination and deserves our attention * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom the world''s most respected wine critic, the essential guide to wine in 100 pagesWine is now one of the most popular drinks in the world. Many wine drinkers wish they knew more about it without having to understand every detail or go on a wine course. In The 24-Hour Wine Expert, Jancis Robinson shares her expertise with authority, wit and approachability. From the difference between red and white, to the shape of bottles and their labels, descriptions of taste, colour and smell, to pairing wine with food and the price-quality correlation, Robinson helps us make the most of this mysteriously delicious drink.Jancis Robinson has been called ''the most respected wine critic and journalist in the world'' by Decantermagazine. In 1984 she was the first person outside the wine trade to qualify as a Master of Wine. The Financial Times wine writer, she is the author/editor of dozens of wine books, including Wine Grapes (Allen Lane), The Oxford Companion to Wine (OUP) and The World Atlas of Wine (Mitchell Beazley). Her award-winning website, www.JancisRobinson.com has subscribers in 100 countries.Trade ReviewFor those who have an appetite to learn, but don't quite know where to start, The 24-Hour Wine Expert offers a perfectly compact solution -- Emily Miles * Berry Bros & Rudd *What makes it special is Robinson's well-honed sense for delivering the goods along with a wry sense of critical insight -- Christopher Waters * Toronto Sun *This thin volume manages to cover the major aspects of wine appreciation at a very high level * Terroir Guru *It's easy to read, good content, up-to-date, in plain language, giving the bare bones of learning about wine quickly * goodfood.com.au *[Praise for WINE GRAPES] a work of astounding scholarship -- John Lanchester * Guardian Books of the Year 2012 *[Praise for WINE GRAPES] A magnificent achievement: colossally informative, illuminating and intriguing * Decanter *

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Book SynopsisNew NEC4 Contract launched June 2017

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Book SynopsisIt''s the first day at PIRATE SCHOOL for Ziggy, Smudge, Carkella and Flo and they have lots of new things to contend with. Their headteacher is the scary Patagonia Clasterbotton and they have to take lessons include walking the plank and hand-to-hand fighting. When out on the pirate ship a storm blows up, resulting in the children having to rescue Patagonia when she''s swept overboard, and they learn that really Patagonia is not so scary after all!

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Book SynopsisKnowing the times tables is vital to success in maths. Times Tables Practice gives children extensive practice in all the times tables relevant to their age group, providing enjoyable activities with attractive illustrations that will hold their attention throughout. All the activities have been devised to support the National Curriculum.

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Book SynopsisA newly updated edition of the landmark translation by one of our greatest religious scholarsSince its publication in 1962, esteemed biblical expert Géza Vermes's translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls has established itself as the authoritative standard. The original manuscripts, discovered in the Judean Desert between 1947 and 1956, completely transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism, and the origin of Christianity. Now in its seventh edition, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English has been updated with a number of previously unpublished texts, as well as extensive new introductory material and notes. Some sixty years after the Scrolls' discovery, this revised and expanded volume crowns a lifetime of research by Vermes.For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookTrade ReviewNo translation of the Scrolls is either more readable or more authoritative than that of Vermes -- John J. Collins * The Times Higher Education Supplement *Fascinating, not least because of Geza Vermes' wonderful introduction and translation -- Justin Cartwright * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisIn this one-of-a-kind volume, indispensable for students of art, architecture and film,Alex Danchev presents 100 Artists'' Manifestos, each reproduced with an introduction on the author and the associated movement, in Penguin Modern Classics.This remarkable collection of 100 manifestos from the last 100 years is cacophony of voices from such diverse movements as Futurism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Feminism, Communism, Destructivism, Vorticism, Stridentism, Cannibalism and Stuckism, taking in along the way film, architecture, fashion, and cookery.Artists'' manifestos are nothing if not revolutionary. They are outlandish, outrageous, and frequently offensive. They combine wit, wisdom, and world-shaking demands. This collection gathers together an international array of artists of every stripe, including Kandinsky, Mayakovsky, Rodchenko, Le Corbusier, Picabia, Dalí, Oldenburg, Vertov, Baselitz, Kitaj, Murakami, Gilbert and George, together with their allies and collaborators - such figures as Marinetti, Apollinaire, Breton, Trotsky, Guy Debord and Rem Koolhaas.Editor Alex Danchev is the author of an acclaimed biography of artist Georges Braque and is Professor of International Relations at the University of Nottingham. His other works include Alanbrooke War Diaries: Field Marshall Lord Alanbrooke, The Iraq War and Democratic Politics and On Art and War and Terror.If you enjoyed 100 Artists'' Manifestos, you might like John Berger''s Ways of Seeing, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.''The Manifesto is remarkable for its imaginative power ... it is the first great modernist work of art'' Marshall BermanTrade ReviewThe Manifesto is remarkable for its imaginative power ... it is the first great modernist work of art * Marshall Berman *This collection is a must ... because the passion that erupted in the early 20th century is in such counterpoint to our own more apathetic era -- Lesley McDowell * Independent *This ingenious anthology...is an inspiring book * Scotland on Sunday *100 Artists' Manifestos [is] deftly selected and stylishly introduced by Alex Danchev -- Terry Eagleton * Times Literary Supplement *An absorbing capsule history of culture over the past century -- John Gray * Literary Review *

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Book Synopsis''Be prepared to be amazed'' GuardianCan anyone get a perfect memory?Joshua Foer used to be like most of us, forgetting phone numbers and mislaying keys. Then he learnt the art of memory training, and a year later found himself in the finals of the US Memory Championship. He also discovered a truth we often forget: that, even in an age of technology, memory is the key to everything we are.In Moonwalking with Einstein he takes us on an astonishing journey through the mind, from ancient ''memory palace'' techniques to neuroscience, from the man who can recall nine thousand books to another who constantly forgets who he is. In doing so, Foer shows how we can all improve our memories.''Captivating ... engaging ... smart and funny'' The New York Times''Delightful ... uplifting ... it shows that our minds can do extraordinary things'' Wall Street Journal''Great fun ... a book worth remembering'' Trade ReviewI'd never thought much about whether I could improve my memory, but I now think I could after reading Joshua Foer's book ... It's absolutely phenomenal, one of the most interesting books I've read this summer -- Bill GatesA marvelous overview of one of the most essential aspects of what makes us human - our memory ... Witty and engaging -- Dan ArielyMemory...makes us who we are...passionate and deeply engrossing ...The more we challenge ourselves, the greater our capacity. It's a fact that every teacher, parent and student would do well to learn. The lesson is unforgettable. * Washington Post *Captivating ... Engaging ... Mr. Foer writes in these pages with fresh enthusiasm. His narrative is smart and funny -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *[D]elightful...empathetic, thought-provoking and...memorable. -- Elizabeth Pisani * Prospect *Riotous -- Alexandra Horowitz * New York Times *[An] endearingly geeky world...witty and revelatory...[The] journey certainly demonstrates how much memory matters...Apart from anything else, filling up our mental storehouses in the right way can make life feel longer. -- Oliver Burkeman * Guardian *In this marvelous book, Joshua Foer invents a new genre of non-fiction. This is a work of science journalism wrapped around an adventure story, a bildungsroman fused to a vivid investigation of human memory. If you want to understand how we remember, and how we can all learn to remember better, then read this book -- Jonah LehrerOne year, Joshua Foer is covering the US Memory Championships as a freelance journalist, the next he returns as a competitor - and wins it...How he pulled off this extraordinary feat forms the spine of this crisply entertaining book. -- Matt Rudd * Sunday Times *Combines erudite analysis, historical context, a mind-bending adventure and extremely suggestive sex - some of it involving Foer's grandmother. -- Tony Allen-Mills * Sunday Times *A labyrinthine personal journey that explains how our author ended up in the finals of the US Memory Championship - a compelling story arc from sceptical journalist to dedicated participant. I can't remember when I last found a science book so intriguing. -- David Profumo * Literary Review *[A] charming book...interwoven with informed exposition about the psychological science of memory. -- Professor Larry R Squire * Nature *A fascinating, engaging and very well-written book. -- Dallas Campbell * Science Focus *Addictive and fascinating...extraordinary. [Foer] attended the US Memory Championship as a journalist and returned the next year as a competitor and won...It is Foer's gifts as a teacher and a storyteller that make this book essential reading. -- Leo Robson * Scottish Sunday Express *Take, for example, the emergence of Downing Street as a salon for intellectuals from around the world, and not only economists and political scientists. Under David Cameron-or, more accurately, Steve Hilton, the prime minister's most influential adviser-the thinkers invited to hold court there often have little to say about policy per se. Joshua Foer, a young American who has written an acclaimed book about how memory works, was a recent guest. Mr Hilton's rationale is that governments have more to learn from fields of research that investigate how humans behave, such as neuroscience and social psychology, than from conventional technocrats. There is now a policy team devoted to "behaviourial insight" in the Cabinet Office. * Bagehot, The Economist *Foer's book is great fun and hugely readable, not least because the author is a likeable sort of Everyman-science nerd whom we want to become a memory champion. Always fascinating and frequently mind-boggling, Moonwalking with Einstein is a book worth remembering. -- Mark Turner * The Independent *

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Book Synopsis''The most comprehensive history in any language of the disastrous epoch of the Third Reich'' Ian Kershaw, author of Hitler''The most gripping account I''ve read of German life before and during the rise of the Nazis'' A.S. Byatt, Times Literary SupplementThe Coming of the Third Reich: How the Nazis Destroyed Democracy and Seized Power in Germany explores how the First World War, the Weimar Republic and the Great Depression paved the way for Nazi ruleThey started as little more than a gang of extremists and thugs, yet in a few years the Nazis had turned Germany into a one-party state and led one of Europe''s most advanced nations into moral, physical and cultural ruin and despair. In this consummate and compelling history, the first book in his acclaimed trilogy on the rise and fall of Nazi Germany, Richard Evans reveals how and why it happened, questions whether the rise of Hitler was inevitable and dramatically re-creates the maelstrom of disorder, economic disaster, violence and polarization that gave rise to the terror of the Third Reich.

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Book SynopsisA reference work for those looking for help in order to write a letter, prepare a speech, solve a crossword, or write any manner of prose or poem. It includes various buzzwords and phrases, information about signs of the zodiac and the origins of familiar quotations.

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Book SynopsisArt history: A critical introduction to its methods provides a lively and stimulating introduction to methodological debates within art history. Offering a lucid account of approaches from Hegel to post-colonialism, the book provides a sense of art history’s own history as a discipline from its emergence in the late-eighteenth century to contemporary debates. By explaining the underlying philosophical and political assumptions behind each method, along with clear examples of how these are brought to bear on visual and historical analysis, the authors show that an adherence to a certain method is, in effect, a commitment to a set of beliefs and values. The book makes a strong case for the vitality of the discipline and its methodological centrality to new fields such as visual culture.This book will be of enormous value to undergraduate and graduate students, and also makes its own contributions to ongoing scholarly debates about theory and method.Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgements1. Introduction2. A variety of interpretations: a preview3. Hegel and the birth of art history4. Connoisseurship5. Formalism: Heinrich Wölfflin and Alois Riegl6. Iconography – Iconology: Erwin Panofsky7. Marxism and the social history of art8. Feminism9. Psychoanalysis10. Semiotics11. Postcolonialism12. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis selection of writings from the sixth and seventh century AD provides a powerful insight into the early history of the Christian Church in England and Ireland. From Bede's Life of Cuthbert and Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow to the anonymous Voyage of St Brendan - a whimsical mixture of fact and fantasy that describes a quest for paradise on earth - these are vivid accounts of the profoundly spiritual and passionately heroic lives of Christian pioneers and saints. Both vital religious writings and a revealing insight into the reality of life at a formative time for the church, they describe an era of heroism and bitter conflict, and the rapid spread of the Christian faith.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Table of ContentsThe Age of Bede IntroductionBede: Life of CuthbetEddius Stephanus: Life of WilfridBede: Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and JarrowThe Anonymous History of Abbot CeolfrithThe Voyage of St. BrendanFurther ReadingMap of the British IslesMap of Western EuropeIndex

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Book SynopsisThe writings in this volume cast a glimmer of light upon the emerging traditions and organization of the infant church, during an otherwise little-known period of its development. A selection of letters and small-scale theological treatises from a group known as the Apostolic Fathers, several of whom were probably disciples of the Apostles, they provide a first-hand account of the early Church and outline a form of early Christianity still drawing on the theology and traditions of its parent religion, Judaism. Included here are the first Epistle of Bishop Clement of Rome, an impassioned plea for harmony; The Epistle of Polycarp; The Epistle of Barnabas; The Didache; and the Seven Epistles written by Ignatius of Antioch—among them his moving appeal to the Romans that they grant him a martyr's death.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics repreTable of ContentsTranslated by Maxwell StaniforthRevised Translation, Introductions and New Editorial Material by Andrew LouthGeneral IntroductionGeneral BibliographyNote on the TextThe First Epistle of Clement to the CorinthiansThe Epistles of IgnatiusTo the EphesiansTo the MagnesiansTo the TralliansTo the RomansTo the PhiladelphiansTo the SmyrnaeansTo the PolycarpThe Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians and The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Epistle to DiognetusThe Epistle of BarnabasThe DidacheMap of Ignatius's route

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Book SynopsisA stunning Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of the world's most famous military treatise, by the award-winning translator of the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching For more than two thousand years, Sun-tzu's The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics and management strategies. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today's readers. Capturing the literary quality of the work, Minford presents the core text in two formats: first, the unadorned ancient words of wisdom ascribed to Sun-tzu; then, the same text with extensive running commentary from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators. A lively, learned introduction and other valuable apparatus round out thisTrade Review"The strategic advice that [The Art of War] offers concerns much more than the conduct of war. It is an ancient book of proverbial wisdom, a book of life." —John Minford, from the IntroductionTable of ContentsThe Art of WarAcknowledgmentsIntroductionA Note on the TextSuggestions for Further ReadingA List of Chinese CommentatorsCronologiesDyanastiesHistorical EventsThe Art of WarChapter 1: Making of PlansChapter 2: Waging of WarChapter 3: Strategic OffensiveChapter 4: Forms and DispositionsChapter 5: Potential EnergyChapter 6: Empty and FullChapter 7: The FrayChapter 8: The Nine ChangesChapter 9: On the MarchChapter 10: Forms of TerrainChapter 11: The Nine Kinds of GroundChapter 12: Attack by FireChapter 13: EspionageThe Art of War with CommentaryChapter 1: Making of PlansChapter 2: Waging of WarChapter 3: Strategic OffensiveChapter 4: Forms and DispositionsChapter 5: Potential EnergyChapter 6: Empty and FullChapter 7: The FrayChapter 8: The Nine ChangesChapter 9: On the MarchChapter 10: Forms of TerrainChapter 11: The Nine Kinds of GroundChapter 12: Attack by FireChapter 13: Espionage

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Book SynopsisWilla Cather's My Ántonia is considered one of the most significant American novels of the twentieth century. Set during the great migration west to settle the plains of the North American continent, the narrative follows Antonia Shimerda, a pioneer who comes to Nebraska as a child and grows with the country, inspiring a childhood friend, Jim Burden, to write her life story. The novel is important both for its literary aesthetic and as a portrayal of important aspects of American social ideals and history, particularly the centrality of migration to American culture.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and cont

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Book SynopsisAn insight into moral skepticism of the 20th century. The author argues that our every-day moral codes are an ''error theory'' based on the presumption of moral facts which, he persuasively argues, don''t exist. His refutation of such facts is based on their metaphysical ''queerness'' and the observation of cultural relativity.

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Book SynopsisSashiko, the traditional Japanese technique of needlework quilting, uses simple running stitch to create beautifully decorative patterns ideal for patchwork, quilting and embroidery. Sashiko (pronounced shash-ko) means ''stab stitch'' and refers to the small running stitch that is worked to build up distinctive decorative patterns, of which there are hundreds. The book begins by exploring the origins of the technique to strengthen clothes and to make them warmer. Getting Started describes everything you need to begin stitching, including selecting suitable fabrics and threads, marking out patterns on the fabric, as well as the stitching technique itself. Ten project chapters show how easy it is to use sashiko patterns to make beautiful items for the home. The sashiko patterns are described in step-by-step detail in the pattern library, showing you exactly how to achieve each individual pattern with ease. Finally a gallery of work by contemporary Japanese textile artists provides extra inspiration.Table of ContentsIntroduction History of Sashiko - illustrated with examples of original sashiko; Getting Started - equipment, tools, marking out distortions, starting and finishing, threads and needles stitching action, fabrics, sashiko for patchwork and quilting, counted sashiko; The Projects Framed samplers X 3 Coasters X 12 Greetings cards X 6 Table mats X 2 Sampler cushions X 2 Tote bags X 2 Noren curtain (traditional door hangings) Drawstring bags X 2 Zabuton floor cushions X 2 Table runner Pattern Library; Running Stitch; Patterns - square, square and spiral, shippo and curves, starfish, waves, hemp leaf, weaves, square grid, diamonds, hexagons, saya brocade, and variations on each; One-Stitch; Patterns rice, coin, persimmon flower, woven, darned, and variations on each; Motifs Gallery Acknowledgments Suppliers Bibliography Pattern Index General Index

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Book Synopsis(Music Sales America). Book 1 covers the first 15 notes on the descant recorder, introducing each note with illustrations. Book 2 completes the study of the descant recorder, then proceeds to teach the treble recorder.

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Book SynopsisHumans think they invent everything, but the fact is, us animals have invented ways of solving problems, making unbelievable materials, ways of getting around and working out how to survive on our own for millions of years. In this book you will meet the animal inventors who have shared their super inventing powers to make amazing things for humans. Trade Review‘Packed full of information, it is extremely accessible and enticing, using humour and attractive illustrations to engage the reader from the moment they pick it up. […] Completely absorbing, ‘Invented by Animals’ inspires a different way of looking at our amazing world!’ * North Somerset Teacher's Book Award *'It’s fascinating and educational, the animals featured are varied and there are plenty of ‘wow, I didn’t know that’ moments to enjoy!’ * Armadillo Magazine * ‘A real celebration of animals often being steps ahead of humans when it comes to technology. […] This is another great non-fiction book from Wide Eyed which is fascinating in its own right but is also full of potential for curriculum work.’ * Books for Topics *

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Book SynopsisFollow Buzzwing the honeybee on a beautifully illustrated journey through the world of bees filled with amazing science and intriguing folklore.Welcome to my honey hive home. It’s where I live with my family. I’m small and fuzzy and striped black and gold. I’m Buzzwing the hardworking honeybee! Did you know that bees love to dance? Or that they have an amazing sense of smell to help them find the best flowers? In The Secret Life of Bees, Buzzwing shares with you all the details of her life as a bee, in and out of the hive, starting with the day she was born. Learn the secrets of this worker bee’s tiny world, including: The bee life cycle Bee anatomy How bees collect nectar and make honey What happens inside the hive The different types of bees Why bees are so important to humans How bees can thrive in the city Trade ReviewEngaging bee facts combine with stories and folk tales in this beautiful non-fiction guide narrated by Buzzwing the honey bee. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *There is so much to be learned about bees in these pages, showing just how fascinating their ‘secret’ lives are. * NSTBA *‘What a lovely, thoughtful book The Secret Life of Bees is […] a book children will want to linger with.’ * Books For Topics *

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Book SynopsisJust Draw Botanicals offers creative painting tips and accessible advice, providing both practical information and inspiration.Table of ContentsFlipping through this book Visual index Why botanical? The artworks Botanical fundamentals Materials Further resources Artist index Index Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974, transforming a generation and continuing to inspire millions. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. Resonant with the confusions of existence, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a touching and transcendent book of life.Trade ReviewProfoundly important...full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas * New York Times *Mr Pirsig has written a work of great, perhaps urgent, importance... Read this book * Observer *The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby Dick are patent * New Yorker *Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an unforgettable trip * Time *Disturbing, deeply moving, full of insights...this is a wonderful book * Times Literary Supplement *

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