Business, Finance & Law Books

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Book Synopsis* THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *Young Mary Newton, born into a large Irish family in a small Watford semi, was always getting into trouble. When she wasn’t choking back fits of giggles at Holy Communion or eating Chappie dog food for a bet, she was accidentally setting fire to the local school. Mary was a trouble magnet. And, unlike her brothers, somehow she always got caught…Britain in the 1970s was a world where R White's lemonade was drunk in secret, curry came in a cardboard box marked Vesta and Beanz meant Heinz. In Mary’s family, money was scarce. Clothes were hand-me-downs, holidays a church day out to Hastings and meals were variations on the potato. But these were also good times which revolved around the force of nature that was Theresa, Mary’s mum.When tragedy unexpectedly blows this world apart, a new chapter in Mary’s life opens up. She takes to the camp and glamour of Harrods window dressing like a duck to water, and Mary, Queen of Shops is born…Trade ReviewPortas writes with wit and verve... The book has the narrative charm of Anita and Me or The Buddha of Suburbia; so when the darkness comes it's genuinely shocking. Shop Girl is a testament to survival. But most of all it is a love letter to her mother, Mary Flynn. Every joke, argument, cake baked, tenderness proffered, sings off the page. 'To my mum - How lucky was I getting you' is the book's dedication. And we are lucky to read it. * Independent *Enormous fun, readable, nostalgic, poignant and authentic... Read it then give it to your daughter * Daily Express *Absolutely fabulous... Colourful, camp and unexpectedly heart-rending, I loved it. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *Her school stories are hilarious... a nostalgia-fest * Heat *Portas's memoir is witty, fascinating and, at times, sad but always compelling * Stylist *It breezes along seamlessly... with levels of charm, depth and humour * The Observer *Poignantly described * Telegraph *Heartbreaking * The Times *Inspiring and emotional * OK! *[A] delightful memoir... full of evocative images * Choice Magazine *Warm, witty and evocative, Shop Girl is a cloudless trip down memory lane * The Tablet *Undeniably compelling * Irish Sunday Independent *Searingly honest... A fascinating memoir * Hello! *[Shop Girl] is both a beautifully nostalgic look back at a world long gone and a testament to family ties and our inherent strength * Irish Independent *

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Book Synopsis_________________'Macdonald zeros in on the slipperiness of factuality, offering an array of case studies from the worlds of history, commerce and – of course – politics.' New York Times True or false? It’s rarely that simple.There is always more than one truth in every story. Eating meat is nutritious but it’s also damaging to the environment. The Internet disseminates knowledge but it also spreads hatred. As communicators, we select the truths that are most useful to our agenda.We can select truths constructively to inspire nations, encourage children, and drive progressive change. Or we can select truths that give a false impression of reality, misleading people without actually lying. Others can do the same, motivating or deceiving us with the truth. In Truth, communications strategy expert Hector Macdonald explores how truth is used and abused in politics, business, the media and everyday life. Combining great storytelling with practical takeaways and a litany of fascinating, funny and insightful case studies, Truth is a chilling and engaging read about how profoundly our mindsets and actions are influenced by the truths that those around us choose to tell.For fans of Factfulness, A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics and The Art of Thinking Clearly, a fascinating dive into the many ways in which ‘competing truths’ shape our opinions, behaviours and beliefs.Trade ReviewMacdonald zeros in on the slipperiness of factuality, offering an array of case studies from the worlds of history, commerce and – of course – politics. * New York Times *The merit of Hector Macdonald’s Truth is precisely that it forces us to remember how few claims can be definitively established as beyond dispute * Washington Post *In a time when truth is under assault, Hector Macdonald is here to defend it. He offers clear-eyed, compelling guidelines for becoming a more accurate consumer and producer of information. * Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of ORIGINALS and OPTION B with Sheryl Sandberg *Delightful… beautifully explores the truth that truth can look very different to different people. -- Matt Ridley, author of Genome and The Red QueenNo one can tell the whole truth in all its glory. Hector Macdonald's Truth explores how communicators spin reality, whether in the name of clarity or skullduggery. Macdonald is a deft guide to a topic that could not be more timely. -- William Poundstone, author of Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?Engrossing -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *As an expert on choice, I’ve long believed that our choices define who we are. This book explores the ways in which the decision to tell the truth is a choice that uniquely shapes who we are. While it’s easy to assume that the act of lying is more complicated one than telling the truth, the choice to tell the truth can be equally, if not far more complex.This book is not simply about telling the truth, but rather a guide to navigate the tough decisions that lead to truth. -- Sheena Iyengar, author of The Art of ChoosingAn engaging primer in critical thinking, Truth will enable you to defend yourself against fake news, from bots on Twitter to loudmouths on cable television. Read the book attentively and from then on you'll be carrying the most important concealed weapon of all: an informed mind. -- Peter Robinson, former White House speechwriterA fascinating look at how such an abstract concept can be shaped to many purposes, the ethics of bending the truth, and what consumers can do to analyze the innumerable truths presented to us. * Booklist *A useful, commonsensical framework for making reasonable, responsible, and effective decisions. * Publishers Weekly *Ultra-timely...perfect for our fake news era * Inc. *With the phrase ‘fake news' dominating the conversation in 2017, Hector Macdonald's Truth feels like timely reading. Drawing from examples including the infamous Brexit bus and the way the Texas Department of State Health Services spread misinformation to pregnant women, the author asks whether it is ever morally acceptable for marketers to lie? It also looks at how consumers can protect themselves from misleading truths. * Marketing Week - Recommended Reading *Illuminating, judicious and lucid ... It will surely change the way you read the news and see the world. -- Patrick West * Catholic Herald *

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Book Synopsis'There aren't many books that can claim to change your life, but this one will.' Clare Balding'A force for good, for change. This book will make you change the way you think. Mary is my hero.' Scarlett Curtis, author of Feminists Don't Wear PinkAre you ready to be your best self at work? Packed with advice, tips and decades of business experience from Mary Portas, this is a book for every one of us: whatever level you are, wherever you work.It's about calling time on alpha culture and helping every one of us to be happier, more productive and collaborative.It's time to #WorkLikeAWoman.'Mary Portas doesn't want to lean in, she wants a whole new office culture.' Evening StandardTrade ReviewReally enjoyed reading this and recommending it to everyone. There aren't many books that can claim to change your life, but this one will. * Clare Balding *I loved this book. Ideas, solutions, wisdom, kindness and zero whining... Everyone should be handed this book with their contract of employment. * Sali Hughes *A force for good, for change. This book will make you change the way you think. Mary is my hero. * Scarlett Curtis, author of Feminists Don't Wear Pink *Mary Portas is a woman on a mission. * Forbes *Full of advice for working women. * Observer *Mary Portas doesn't want to lean in, she wants a whole new office culture. * Evening Standard *Find out why channelling our 'inner goddess' could lead to happiness and success in the workplace. * The Pool *The fab Mary Portas calls us to arms. * Jeanette Winterson *If anyone knows how to get ahead in business it's 'Queen of Shops' Mary Portas. * Huff Post *

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Book SynopsisIt is a myth that either of the World Wars liberated women.The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919 was one of the most significant pieces of legislation in modern Britain. It marked at once political watershed and a social revolution; the point at which women of 21 and over were recognised in law as being as competent as men. But were they? What actually happened when this bill was passed? This is the story of what happened next.Ladies Can't Climb Ladders focuses on the lives of six women - six pioneers - forging paths in the fields of medicine, law, academia, architecture, engineering and the church. Robinson's startling study into the public and private lives of these women sheds light not on the desires and ambitions of her subjects but how family and society responded to the working woman and what their legacy looks like today. This book is written in their honour. It is a book about live subjects: equal opportunity, the gender pay gap, and whether women can expect, or indeed deserve, to have it at all.'An important and crackingly good read.' - TelegraphTrade ReviewArrestingly written…a stirring testament to unsung heroines * The Observer *A well researched and entertaining read…a wonderful celebration of female pioneers * The Sunday Times *Robinson writes with an often witty touch, which only serves to throw into furious relief the seriousness of the resistance women faced . . . An excellent companion to Robinson's Bluestockings. * The Financial Times *An entertaining guide, dipping into ladies’ journals of the time to add levity to what indeed is a serious message. -- Mia Levitin * Spectator *Jane Robinson’s book is a lesson in how unthinkingly we wear freedom. Well known as a writer and social historian excavating ordinary women’s lives, Robinson focuses this time on the emergence of lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, architects, scientists and churchwomen after the passing of the landmark law of 1919. Modern professional women will read it with a slow burn of anger and heightened respect for those whose actions, such a relatively brief time ago, made today possible . . . We ride on the shoulders of female giants — courageous, eccentric, clever pioneers. Robinson is a wryly amusing companion and this is an entertaining book, teeming with characters. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe Art of War enjoys enduring popularity among readers. It is a classic study of strategy and how to shape your tactics to cope with an ever-evolving situation - in some cases how to fight without actually committing yourself to battle. Despite being written so long ago, its theories are still considered shrewd and penetrating, and are used today as a source of insight into office politics, business management and corporate strategy. The lessons in the text can be applied to many areas of life.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.

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Book SynopsisAll the tools you need for management success, this effective, compact guide will enable you to quickly grasp key management concepts and techniques. Contents include: Benchmarking, Branding, Core competition, Empowerment, Leadership, Mergers and acquisitions, Project management and the Supply chain.

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Book SynopsisPathways to Excellence: Developing and Cultivating Leaders for the Classroom and Beyond examines how leadership and layers of leaders are developed and cultivated from the classroom to the boardroom. A wide body of research exists that focuses on specific educational leadership development and training programs. Evidence of being ready to lead upon program completion and performance post preparation is less available. Scant attention has been paid to programs that prepare leaders in different layers of an organization to not only become individually high performing but to also work collaboratively to create great schools. The book contends that the principal cannot effectively lead a school alone - other key players are critical. The editors have cast a wide net of respected contributors from various levels of organizational school leadership and specialties including traditional schools, charter schools, teacher education, district level leadership, special education, master teacher leadership, university and college level leadership. Implications for theory and practice will be discussed as it relates to leadership development and preparation of key players and constituents.Table of ContentsAbout the Authors. Copyright page. Pathways to Excellence: Developing and Cultivating Leaders for the Classroom and Beyond. List of Contributors. Advances in Educational Administration. Pathways to Excellence: Developing and Cultivating Leaders for the Classroom and Beyond. Introduction. How to Love Change and Lead It. The Department Chair: A Conundrum of Educational Leadership versus Educational Management. The Vice Principalship: The Forgotten Realm. Research-Based Instructional Strategies in the Classroom: The Missing Link in the School Improvement Process. Ready to Lead: Creating a Pathway that Ensures Readiness. The Unique Aspects of High Performing School Leaders. Grounded in Practice: Designing & Implementing Relevant and Student-Centered Curriculum. The CASLA Chorus: Leader’s Voices in the Field. Providing Effective Special Education Teachers in Low-Income Urban Settings: Implications for Educational Leadership. The Development of the Teacher-Leader through the TTT Lab School. Recruitment, Selection, Placement, and Support in the Preparation of Quality of Urban Secondary Teachers. A Collaborative Evaluation of Programs to Prepare Highly Qualified Teachers. Dispositions Matter! Now What? Exploring Leader Dispositions, Measurement, and Practical Applications for Helping School Leaders to Grow. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book is timely in its investigation of the environmental influence of globalization and China. Volume 14 focusses on: Theoretic modeling of environmental impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on host countries, international openness and corporate environmental performance in China, environmental regulation and Chinese firm productivity, industrial sector data in China, environmental impact of foreign vs. domestic capital investment in China, globalization and climate change and new empirical panel data evidence This book answers the following questions: Does FDI affect the environment of host countries? How international openness influences China's corporate environmental performance? Is lax environmental regulation attractive for multinationals to invest in China? The impact of corporate social responsibility on multinationals? Does FDI play a role trade and ISO14001 certification? Can rigorous environmental regulation enhance Chinese firm productivity? Does FDI concentrate in pollution intensive sectors in China? Is globalization good or bad for climate change? How does FDI and social corporate responsibility stack up against the pollution haven hypothesis?Table of ContentsComparative Environmental Regulation and Foreign Investment Inflows: Is China a Pollution Haven?. Environmental Impact of Foreign Direct Investment toward Host Countries. Environmental Impact of Foreign vs. Domestic Capital Investment in China. Foreign Direct Investment and Pollution Havens Hypothesis: Firm-Level Panel Data Evidence from China. Are Multinational Enterprises in China Cleaner or Dirtier than Their Local Counterparts?. Environmental Regulation and Firm Productivity in China. Environmental Regulation and the Heterogeneity of Industrial Selection of Foreign Investment. The Distribution of Foreign Direct Investment in China’s Pollution-Intense Industries. Does Lax Environmental Regulations Attract Chinese Outward Foreign Investment? Evidence from Micro-Data. Copyright page. Globalization and the Environment of China. Globalization and the Environment of China. About the Editors. List of Contributors. Frontiers of economics and globalization. Corporate Social Responsibility and the Pollution Haven Hypothesis: Evidence from Multinationals’ Investment Decision in China. About the series: Frontiers of Economics and Globalization.

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Book SynopsisThe volume starts with the trends in bank deposits (and hence available financial resources) in the region around North Dakota's Bakken Formation oil reserves. Then comes a contribution analyzing how various regulatory uncertainties are undermining real estate investment. We have a study of corporate governance and firm performance for companies listed on the Indian Exchange, plus an ex-dividend analysis of emerging country stocks listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), where the tax rate is higher on dividends than on capital gains. Further analysis of dividend policy includes a study of how executives manage dividend growth in companies included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Index (with data from 1989 into 2011). Also on the global stage we have analysis of systemic risk and financial contagion in Morocco. Then we also have an analysis of hedge fund performance. We also have analysis of share price response to operating cash flow in corporate bankruptcies. In the quantitative arena we have an application of the IZO Model (using a principal component approach), and improved empirical estimation of option volatility.Table of ContentsThe Effect of Oil Production on Bank Deposits in North Dakota’s Bakken Formation. An Options Approach to the Project Activation Decision in the Aerospace Industry. Democracy and Stock Market Development: The African Experience. Ex-day Stock Price Behavior in an Emerging Market. How Do Managers Manage Dividend Growth Rates?. The Responsiveness of Share Price to Operating Cash Flow in Modern Corporate Bankruptcies. Systemic Risk and Financial Contagion in Morocco: New Approaches of Quantification. A Least-Squares Approach for Estimating the Volatility Implied by Option Premia: Overcoming Smiles and Frowns. Effect of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance – A Study of Selected Indian Listed Companies. List of Contributors. Overlaps of Private Sector with Public Sector around the Globe. Overlaps of Private Sector with Public Sector around the Globe. Copyright page. Introduction. Research in Finance.

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Book SynopsisThe Rootes Group once dominated the British motor industry, and its legacy lives on in thousands of carefully maintained cars – most notably Hillmans, Humbers, Singers and Sunbeams. In this book, using beautiful images from the Rootes Archive Centre, Richard Loveys details the Group’s history and leading car models, from its creation as a car dealership by William and Reginald Rootes, through its transition into motor manufacture, and expansion by taking companies over and developing their car and commercial vehicle ranges. It was a significant contributor to the war effort in 1939–45, producing large numbers of military aircraft and vehicles, and in its post-war heyday produced such icons as the Sunbeam Alpine and Hillman Imp.Trade ReviewThis excellent and affordable paperback ... is an ideal introduction to the once-vast empire, including its impressive war efforts and not shying away from its rise and fall. * Classic & Sports Car *Table of ContentsIn the Beginning Expansion The Second World War Consolidation Changing Fortunes Difficulties and Decline Places to Visit and Car Clubs Abbreviations Index

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Book SynopsisHave you ever watched wagon after wagon of a goods train thunder past and wondered where it is heading, what it is carrying, and how it works its way between the passenger services? While goods services now tend to be shrouded in anonymity, in past times they were celebrated, prominently advertised, and in many cases were the raisons d’être for a rail route. Throughout the nineteenth and much of the twentieth century, goods trains were the lifeblood of the nation, transporting precious raw materials, construction and industrial items, and fresh produce from coastal areas and farms into the centres of bustling cities. This informative illustrated history shows how rail freight has been carried since Victorian times, and how systems have been organized, from the train itself to the sidings, railway clearing houses, goods sheds and final destinations – whether villages, towns, cities, factories or docks. It also examines the basic rolling stock of these trains, from the humble coal wagon to today’s hi-tech containers.Trade ReviewA remarkably informative work of reference. * Journal of the Railway and Canal Historical Society *Table of ContentsIntroduction A Brief History of Railway Goods Operation The Development of Goods Trains Goods Infrastructure Wagons and Loads Further Reading Places to Visit Index

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Book SynopsisVauxhall cars have been central to motoring in Britain for over a century. The company built a formidable reputation in its early years with notable machines like the Prince Henry, the 30/98 and the 1914 Grand Prix cars, and then moved into a more mainstream area of the market, remaining in the forefront of innovation during the 1930s. The post-1945 years saw the company as one of the foremost in Britain, catering for family needs with cars like the Velox, the Cresta, and the Victor, and then building the highly successful Viva range of smaller models. Closely aligned with its German cousin, Opel, Vauxhall relied increasingly on Opel’s designs after the mid-1970s. Astra, Cavalier, Nova and Carlton were among the best-loved cars of their era, and no-one can forget the giant-killing 176mph Lotus Carlton. This illustrated introduction explores the history of Vauxhall cars from its beginning in 1903 to the city cars and SUVs that have led the Vauxhall product lines, as the company continues to excel in the twenty-first century.Table of ContentsEarly Days A Change of Approach Brave New World Transatlantic Designs Germany Triumphant Globalisation Winds of Change Further Reading Places to Visit Index

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Book SynopsisMove Beyond Time ManagementBecome a Time MasterHave you tried the latest time management techniques and still feel overwhelmed? Are you fed up with having to ''think'' about prioritising, decision making and squeezing things in? Do you wish life would just flow better? Then this is the book for you.This book will allow you to master your own time and not be controlled by other people''s priorities. Understand how your own preferences, style and interests impact how you use your time and be able to:- Incorporate simple changes in your day to day activities that give you back control.- Learn how other people see time and how you can use that to help them become more efficient and effective.- Make the most of your time for the things that are important to you.Whether you want to get more done at work, delegate better, manage the priorities at home or just spend more time doing things that bring you joy, Karen and John will help you develop an approach to time that is efficient and fits with your unique personality.

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Book SynopsisBased on face-to-face interviews with over 20 self-made billionaires.There are thousands of books on millionaire thinking. The knowledge they offer isn't enough to get you to the highest ranks of wealth. The richest people of our times are billionaires. Only 1 in 5 million world citizens belongs to this group. Billionaires are extremely rare, and their mindset differs hugely from that of ordinary millionaires."The Billion Dollar Secret" offers firsthand knowledge of billionaire entrepreneurs told in their own words. Never before has someone interviewed 20+ self-made billionaires across the world for a book project. The author worked for years with some of the very best entrepreneurs on the planet and distilled their secrets into 20 mental principles that enabled them to start from zero and create billions of dollars in value during one life span.This book gives you the road map to follow their path to extreme wealth and success.There is no other book available anywhere in the world that contains this much entrepreneurial experience, insight, and wisdom in it. from the Foreword by Jack Canfield, multiple #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Success Principles and the Chicken Soup for the Soul seriesThis book is recommended by billionaires:I recommend all entrepreneurs to have a look at this sensational book. Cho Tak Wong, self-made billionaire and the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2009Rafael Badziag has compiled a [. . .] book about what it is to be a billionaire in the world of digital and exponential growth. Chip Wilson, self-made billionaire, founder of Lululemon AthleticaI highly recommend this book. It is a very thoroughly researched book on successful philosophies of life. Tony Tan Caktiong, self-made billionaire and the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2004The following billionaires contributed to this book: Manny Stul, the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Mohed Altrad, the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 Cho Tak Wong (Cao Dewang), the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Tony Tan Caktiong, the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 N. R. Narayana Murthy, the World Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 Jack Cowin Cai Dongqing Sergey Galitskiy Peter Hargreaves Frank Hasenfratz Navin Jain Kim Beom-Su Hüsnü Özyegin Lirio Albino Parisotto Dilip Shanghvi Ron Sim Micha? So?owow Petter Stordalen Frank Stronach Chip Wilson

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2021.Professional Relationships MatterYou can often tell the quality of a leader not just from the calibre of his or her relationships, but by the ease with which they draw on them and the speed and willingness with which people respond.Professional relationships lie at the heart of executive success. Despite this, many leaders leave their professional relationships to chance and actively discourage their staff from forming strong bonds.In this new book professional relationships expert Andy Lopata explores just how important strong relationships are and how to build a network of people who are:In a position to support you Want to support you Know exactly what support you need

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Book SynopsisWomenâs voices are simply heard less. It explains why gender balance is still proving so hard to achieve, decades after legislative frameworks have been put in place. This book is a handbook for millennial women, designed to help them speak and be heard, to help them navigate the challenges, maximise their success and fast forward their careers.

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Book SynopsisHow do the media cover the Middle East? Through a country-by-country approach, this book provides detailed analysis of the complexities of reporting from the Arab World. Each chapter provides an overview of a country, including the political context, relationships to international politics and the key elements relating to the place as covered in Western media. The authors explore how the media can be used to serve particular political agendas on both a regional and international level. They also consider the changes to the media landscape following the growth of digital and social media, showing how access to the media is no longer restricted to state or elite actors. By studying coverage of the Middle East from a whole range of news providers, this book shows how news formats and practices may be defined and shaped differently by different nations. It will be essential reading for scholars and practitioners of journalism, especially those focusing on the Arab World.Table of ContentsIntroduction Reporting Lebanon Reporting Palestine/Israel Reporting Gaza Reporting Jordan Reporting Iraq Reporting Saudi Arabia Reporting Turkey Reporting Iran Reporting Egypt Reporting Syria Conclusion: Thoughts on Reporting the Middle East

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Book SynopsisBetween the ninth and the fifteenth centuries, Central Asia was a major political, economic and cultural hub on the Eurasian continent. In the first half of the thirteenth century it was also the pre-eminent centre of power in the largest land-based empire the world has ever seen. This third volume of Christoph Baumer's extensively praised and lavishly illustrated new history of the region is above all a story of invasion, when tumultuous and often brutal conquest profoundly shaped the later history of the globe. The author explores the rise of Islam and the remarkable victories of the Arab armies which - inspired by their vital, austere and egalitarian desert faith - established important new dynasties like the Seljuks, Karakhanids and Ghaznavids. A golden age of artistic, literary and scientific innovation came to a sudden end when, between 1219 and 1260, Genghiz Khan and his successors overran the Chorasmian-Abbasid lands. Dr Baumer shows that the Mongol conquests, while shattering to their enemies, nevertheless resulted in much greater mercantile and cultural contact between Central Asia and Western Europe.Trade ReviewA rarity - a labour of love, scholarship and high-class publishing ... an astounding achievement. * Literary Review *Many have written about Genghis Khan and his successors' national and international military campaigns. But seldom has the prose been so lucid and the illustrations so illuminating ... Under Baumer's expert guidance and firm hand, historians, religious scholars and the non-specialist can follow Genghis Khan's Islamic predecessors and the Mongols along the surface of the earth. * The Spectator *

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Book SynopsisHow does advertising work? Does it have to attract conscious attention in order to transmit a ‘Unique Selling Proposition’? Or does it insinuate emotional associations into the subconscious mind? Or is it just about being famous... or maybe something else? In Paul Feldwick’s radical new view, all theories of how advertising works have their uses – and all are dangerous if they are taken too literally as the truth. The Anatomy of Humbug deftly and entertainingly picks apart the historical roots of our common – and often contradictory – beliefs about advertising, in order to create space for a more flexible, creative and effective approach to this fascinating and complex field of human communication. Drawing on insights ranging from the nineteenth-century showman P.T. Barnum to the twentieth-century communications theorist Paul Watzlawick, as well as influential admen such as Bernbach, Reeves and Ogilvy, Feldwick argues that the advertising industry will only be able to deal with increasingly rapid change in the media landscape if it both understands its past and is able to criticise its most entrenched habits of thought. The Anatomy of Humbug is an accessible business book that will help advertising and marketing professionals create better campaigns.Trade Review“A unique and extraordinary book” -- Rory Sutherland * Ogilvy London *'Buy this book. Reserve an evening or two to settle down with it and prepare for a sensory overload. It really is that good' -- Darren Ingram Media

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Book SynopsisBook of the Week: The IdlerIt Gets Worse is the second instalment of Nicholas Lezard’s rueful, dissolute life. Beginning where his first volume, Bitter Experience Has Taught Me, ended, Nick’s fortunes have not improved. At home in the Hovel, his bachelor existence makes a further descent into chaos, yet the misadventures are faced with sardonic wit, pathos and something like dissident wisdom.Trade ReviewThis is a hugely entertaining book. Lezard is, as anyone who has enjoyed his writing as a critic knows, a perceptive chronicler of human strengths and weakness, and so he is with himself. His compassionate decency shines through – as he writes, “other people’s troubles start bothering you almost as much as your own” – and buying this for a Christmas present is undoubtedly the most joyful act of charity that you can perform this year. -- Alexander Larman * Observer *Lezard is a magnet for misfortune — his finances, love life and domestic skills are equally disaster-prone, and he shares his book-infested lodgings with a variety of uninvited wildlife. Rueful and funny, this is a book to relish in the comfort of a tidy living room. -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *Lezard unashamedly takes his cue from Orwell’s essay “Confessions of a Book Reviewer” with its comfortless picture of an ill-paid hack in the mid-1940s, scratching a living “in a moth-eaten dressing gown” surrounded by “cigarette ends and half-empty cups of tea”. Regular readers will be used to dispatches from the Hovel, and encounters with the Beloved, and the Estranged Wife (one hopes that they are sufficiently anonymized). They will also know that Lezard frequently has “too much month at the end of his money”, plus the hypochondriac twinges that borderline poverty and a sedentary lifestyle inevitably lead to. “Last night I dreamed that I got paid again. Say it in the cadences of the opening line of Rebecca. It’s a nice dream, one of my favourites, but sometimes I wonder is it better to have a horrible dream which you are relieved, on waking, to discover was only a dream; or a pleasant one to which reality is an insulting and uncouth rebuke?” This is the true Lezard: not just wallowing in misery, but examining it with the ascetic curiosity of a stylite. -- Brian Morton * TLS *

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Book Synopsis'If the word 'blockchain' makes you want to call a plumber, or you think Satoshi is some kind of raw fish, you need to read Cryptocurrency today. If you're already a bit-convert, you'll still learn a lot' Niall Ferguson, author of The Ascent of Money1988 saw the birth of the internet. 2008 gave us bitcoin. Today, cybercurrencies are changing the world we live in. What would a world without banks, credit cards or national currencies look like for all of us?For centuries, the system that governs how money works has stayed the same. Now there's an alternative, and it puts us on the cusp of a revolution that could reshape our world. At the heart of this lie, cryptocurrencies, a technology with the transformative potential of the printing press or the internet. They bypass the elites and cut out the gatekeepers. Unlike traditional money, they don't have a nationality, they're digital and democratic. They are also lawless.From Silicon Valley to the streets of Beijing, this is a story about a revolution in the making, a tale of human invention, and a guide to the future. The perfect book for future proofing your money, let Cryptocurrency teach you everything you need to know about the future of finance.'Fascinating' The Times'Not only demystifies and explains bitcoin, but shows where it fits into the cultural zeitgeist and where it's pointed, and what that may mean for our financial system' John Mauldin, New York Times bestselling author'I can think of no better guide to what the future holds' Eswar Prasad, author of The Dollar TrapTrade ReviewAdmirably clear and judicious … If the word ‘blockchain’ makes you want to call a plumber, or you think Satoshi is some kind of raw fish, you need to read Cryptocurrency today. If you're already a bit-convert, you'll still learn a lot -- Niall Ferguson, author of The Ascent of MoneyInvaluable ... a fascinating field guide to the phenomenon in which three of the most powerful forces shaping our world today meet - the reform of finance, technological innovation, and the rejection of traditional politics -- Felix Martin, author of Money: the Unauthorised BiographyFascinating... Vigna and Casey are cautious, though enthusiastic guides to this strange new world... they know how to dig beneath the surface and they also know how to write. The book is full of fascinating stories, from the origins of money... to the Silk Road bust... Somewhere in this world of blockchains and cryptocurrencies lies the seed of the next online revolution- one that brings radical decentralization, autonomous organisations, a cull of brokers and fixers, a new constraint on government and fiat currencies, and a supercharge to the sharing economy * The Times *Engaging, lucid, and thought-provoking … I can think of no better guide to what the future holds -- Eswar Prasad, author of The Dollar TrapNot only demystifies and explains bitcoin, but shows where it fits into the cultural zeitgeist and where it's pointed, and what that may mean for our financial system -- John Mauldin, New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisThe gripping and definitive in-the-room account of the revolution that has swept the news industry over the last decade and reshaped our world.The last decade has seen the News industry face unprecedented change. The sometimes-century old institutions which were once the bastions of truth have had their dominance eroded by vast innovations in viral technology and, as millennial appetites force the industry to choose between principles of objectivity and impartiality, the survivors must confront the horrifying cost of their success: sexual scandal, fake news, the election of President Trump and the shaking of democracy.Taking us behind the scenes at four media titans - BuzzFeed, VICE, The New York Times and The Washington Post - Abramson reveals the human drama behind this shift: one involving deal-making tycoons, thrusting reporters, hard-bitten editors, egomaniacs, bullshitters, provocateurs and bullies, with some surfing and others drowning in the breaking wave of change. 'A cracking, essential read… Abramson knows where most of the bodies are buried and is prepared to draw the reader a detailed map' GuardianTrade ReviewA cracking, essential read … [Abramson] knows where most of the bodies are buried and is prepared to draw the reader a detailed map * Guardian *A masterwork … a vastly useful immersion in the ways of contemporary journalism * Financial Times *Chock-full of arresting titbits … describes the perfect storm that has engulfed newspapers over the past dozen years * Telegraph *Amazing. Filled with colourful inside stories, this book is essential for anyone who wants to understand today’s media and how it is affecting our society -- WALTER ISAACSONDeeply researched, wonderfully written and filled with fascinating portraits. Jill Abramson tells the truth about the news business as only she can tell it. An important book at a crucial time -- GAY TALESEA fascinating read -- Liz Thomson * The Arts Desk *

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Book SynopsisThe gripping life story of the great war correspondent Marie Colvin told by one of her closest friendsSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARDWINNER OF THE JAMES TAIT BLACK AWARD Marie Colvin was glamorous, hard-drinking, braver than the boys, with a troubled and rackety personal life. She reported from the most dangerous places in the world and her anecdotes about encounters with figures like Colonel Gaddafi and Yasser Arafat were incomparable. She was much admired, and as famous for her wild parties as for the extraordinary lengths to which she went to tell the story. Fellow foreign correspondent Lindsey Hilsum draws on unpublished diaries and interviews with friends, family and colleagues to produce a story of one of the most daring and inspirational women of our times. A Sunday Times Book of the Year'A stunningly good biography' WILLIAM BOYDTrade ReviewAn extraordinary account of one reporter's fearless and ultimately fatal dedication... Hilsum draws an empathetic portrait of a woman whose courage often crossed into recklessness, both in combat zones and outside them... Now, thanks to Hilsum's deeply reported and passionately written book, Colvin has the full accounting that she deserves -- Joshua Hammer * New York Times *A wonderful book – a fitting tribute, certainly, but also a well-told tale of a remarkable life -- Jane Bonham Carter * Sunday Times *A stunningly good biography – compelling, revelatory and very moving. Lindsey Hilsum is the perfect writer to tell the story of Marie Colvin's rackety, brave and charismatic life -- William BoydWriting a biography of Marie Colvin is like capturing lightning in a bottle, but Lindsey Hilsum has the knowledge and personal experience to help us understand what drew Colvin to rush towards the eye of the storm at such great risk. It is a superbly fitting tribute -- Annie LennoxRarely has a friend and colleague written such a brave and uncompromising testament to such a rare, brave and uncompromising woman. Would that a few more of us should be so blessed in our courage and our friends -- Shami ChakrabartiHilsum marshals not just empathy for her subject, who was also a friend, but investigative and critical skills and damn fine storytelling... Hilsum's understanding of the background to each conflict, and the reality of life as a correspondent in the field, is one of the great strengths of the book... In Extremis rescues Marie Colvin from the rubble of Baba Amr, and brings her tragically, and tenderly, to life * Irish Times *Superb. A fitting account of the life of one of the finest war correspondents of our time, written by another. I admired Marie greatly, and In Extremis showed me I was right to do so -- John SimpsonThe clearest and most rounded picture...emerges from Hilsum's book. Colvin herself, courageous and often tortured, rises again from its pages -- Emma Graham-Harrison * Observer *One of the modern world’s most experienced and admired foreign correspondents, Lindsey Hilsum, has now written a riveting, intimate and deeply moving account of the epic life of her late friend and colleague, Marie Colvin, who will be long remembered – not least because of Hilsum’s fine work in this book – as amongst the great war reporters of her generation -- Jon Lee AndersonAn inspiring and intimate biography of one of the bravest journalists of our time by one of her finest colleagues. Lindsey Hilsum takes us inside the world of a woman who changed the world around her -- Lyse Doucet

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Book SynopsisThis is a book that none of us can afford to ignore – an agenda-setting, campaigning investigation that shows how global finance works for the few and not the many.** A Financial Times Book of the Year **‘Essential reading’ YANIS VAROUFAKISWe need finance – but when finance grows too big it becomes a curse.The City of London is the single biggest drain on our resources, sucking talent out of every sphere, siphoning wealth and hoovering up government time. Yet to be ‘competitive’, we’re told we must turn a blind eye to money laundering and appease big business with tax cuts.Tracing the curse back through economic history, Nicholas Shaxson uncovers how we got to this point. Moving from offshore tax havens to the bizarre industry of wealth management, he tells the explosive story of how finance established a stranglehold on society – and reveals how we can begin to break free.‘A radical, urgent and important manifesto for improving our country’ Oliver Bullough, Observer‘Superbly written… A must-read’ Misha Glenny, author of McMafia‘Hard-hitting, well written and informative’ Financial TimesTrade ReviewUtterly convincing… The Finance Curse is a radical and important manifesto for improving Britain -- Oliver Bullough, author of MONEYLANDThis is a splendid polemic against modern finance, in general, and the City of London, in particular. It is hard-hitting, well written and informative. Instead of enabling productive investment, the predominant activity of contemporary finance is rent extraction. This comes in many different guises: modern finance does not only promote tax avoidance and evasion, but, argues Shaxson, enables gangsterism and corruption on an enormous scale. I fear he is right. -- Martin Wolf * Financial Times *This superbly written book shows definitively how global finance has been grossly mis-sold to us all. It’s a must-read for anyone who lives, works and spends in this country -- MISHA GLENNY, author of McMafiaGripping . . . a superbly written overview * Times Literary Supplement *Searing… Shaxson has form on being prescient ... his ideas should not be dismissed lightly -- Caroline Binham * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**Yanis Varoufakis, world renowned economist, writes to his daughter to teach her the hazards of capitalism.'Why is there so much inequality?' asked Xenia to her father. Answering her questions in a series of accessible and tender letters, Varoufakis educates her to what economics and capitalism is and why it is so dangerous.Taking from memories of her childhood and a variety of well-known tales - from Oedipus and Faust to Frankenstein and The Matrix - Varoufakis turns Talking To My Daughter into an enjoyable and engaging read, without ever shying from the harder truths. Greece's former finance minister explains everything you need to know to understand why economics is the most important drama of our times.In answering his daughter's deceptively simple questions, Varoufakis disentangles our troubling world with remarkable clarity and child-like honesty, as well as inspiring us to make it a better one.'Utterly accessible, deeply humane and startlingly original - a potent democratic tool at the perfect time' Naomi Klein, author of The Shock DoctrineTrade ReviewIt's great fun to read ... Varoufakis has started a debate here, and he's done it brilliantly * Evening Standard *Utterly accessible, deeply humane and startlingly original – a potent democratic tool at the perfect time -- Naomi Klein, author of No Is Not EnoughA provocative, challenging, yet non-patronising analysis of the global economy. By using ancient myths, contemporary culture and family stories, Varoufakis makes the text intimate and accessible -- Nigel Jones * Observer *Experts have often found it easier to hide behind opaque language than to explain complex concepts in simple terms … Varoufakis wants to smash this barrier. . . He equips his readers with the beginnings of a new language, and punctures myth after myth – anna minton, guardian -- Anna Minton * Guardian *Varoufakis's brief history of capitalism unspools with characteristic fluency and verve ... those seeking to better understand the 'black magic' of bankers should look no further * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis** The Sunday Times #1 Bestseller**'One of the greatest political memoirs of all time' GuardianWhat happens when you take on the European establishment? Read as world-famous, provocative economist, and former Greece finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, blows the lid on his battle with EU officials over the Greek debt crisis. Varoufakis sparked one of the most spectacular and controversial battles in recent political history with his attempt to renegotiate Greece’s relationship with the European Union. Yet despite the mass support of the Greek people, and simple logic of his arguments, he succeeded only in provoking the fury of Europe’s political, financial and media elite. Exposing the real business taking place behind the EU’s closed doors, Varoufakis reveals all in this fearless, personal account. Adults In The Room is an extraordinary tale of brinkmanship, hypocrisy, collusion and betrayal that will shake the European and economic establishment to its foundations. Varoufakis is sending out an urgent wake-up call to renew European democracy before it is too late.**ONE OF THE GUARDIAN'S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE 21st CENTURY**Trade ReviewVaroufakis has written one of the greatest political memoirs of all time [and] one of the most accurate and detailed descriptions of modern power ever written * Guardian *An important, terrifying must-read. In particular, it anatomises the way in which EU leaders operate with a brutal clarity … shocking and ultimately tragic … He gets to the heart of their failure more acutely than anyone … Varoufakis has the greatest political virtues of all – courage and honesty * The Times *A tremendously indiscreet account … drawing upon his own audio recordings and diaries of top-level meetings. It is deeply personal and very well written * Financial Times *The most jaw-dropping segments are the accounts of phone calls and closed-door meetings – often verbatim, courtesy of his secret recordings – between ministers and technocrats ... We see duplicity and cynicism ruling supreme .. A convincing critique ... Our own government should take note * Daily Telegraph *This is a superbly written account of the struggle to alleviate the austerity imposed upon the Greek people by the eurozone. Greece, argues Varoufakis, has been put in a debtors’ prison and robbed of autonomy and dignity for the indefinite future. Critics would argue that he failed as finance minister in 2015 because he was insufficiently politic. More plausibly, he could never have succeeded, such were the vested interests arrayed against him. This outcome was — and is — a tragedy, because he was — and is — right. The bulk of Greek debt should indeed be cancelled outright. Read and weep -- Martin Wolf, Financial Times Summer ReadsAstonishing … not simply a political biography but a reflection on the nature and meaning of power in our times … This really is an important book … you should read it … This book could be a game changer if it shakes we the people from our compliant slumber as passengers within the sinking ship of contemporary high power * Open Democracy *Riveting … an extraordinary account of low cunning at the heart of Greece’s 2015 financial bailout … Admirably, he eschews denunciations, finding the human in his adversaries, even in his darkest moments * Observer *A blistering account ... should be required reading for David Davis and the government’s Brexit negotiating team * Scotsman *A fascinating reveal on the hidden world of what he calls the "deep establishment"… Varoufakis is a master of clarity and, as Theresa May prepares to steer the good ship GB through the dangerous shoals of Brexit, this is an invaluable account of how the political establishment really works * City AM *One of my few heroes. As long as people like Varoufakis are around, there still is hope -- Slavoj ŽižekTogether with Bernie Sanders, Varoufakis is the only other honest politician around -- Noam ChomskyThe most interesting man in the world * Business Insider *The Thucydides of our time -- Jeffrey SachsA brilliant economist * Bloomberg *Few finance ministers have such a talent for economics as Yanis Varoufakis -- Joseph StiglitzIt is important to take note of the ideas that Varoufakis continues to espouse … the essence of [his] agenda was – and remains – largely correct -- Mohamed El-ErianA global celebrity * Economist *His words about the European crisis speak universal truths about democracy, capitalism and social policy * Guardian *Timely and important * Big Issue *Timely and important * Big Issue *A whistle-blowing memoir that doubles as a penetrating analysis of the eurozone crisis, one caused in Varoufakis’s view by the stubbornness and ideological dogmatism of what he calls Europe’s “deep establishment.” As Britain prepares to enter exit negotiations with the EU, many will turn to this book for insights… Adults in the Room has a fly-on-the-wall quality that makes it a captivating read -- Chris Bickerton * Prospect *Passionate, indiscreet and forceful revenge on the smug elite of the European Union -- Colm Tóibín * Irish Times *Varoufakis’ book… should be required reading for anyone who believes that a Brexit outcome satisfactory to the UK is likely -- Richard Joyner * Times Higher Education *Outstanding -- William Hague * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWe can't stop shopping but we must stop shopping - the consumer dilemma that defines our lives and our future. What would happen if we did?We are using up the planet at almost double the rate it can regenerate. To support our economies, we're told we must shop now like we've never shopped before, yet the scale of our consumption remains the biggest factor in the ruination of the world. But what would life look like if we stopped? Visiting places where economies have experienced temporary shut-downs, artisan producers, zero-consumption societies and bringing together a host of expert views, this is both a history of our relationship with consumption and a story about the future.'Lays out a wealth of knowledge and wisdom' Ronald Wright, author of A Short History of ProgressTrade ReviewLays out a wealth of knowledge and wisdom -- Ronald Wright, author of A Short History of ProgressA delight. MacKinnon has given us a powerful exploration of a riddle central to our days and lives * Andrew Blum, author of Tubes *Stands out for its curiosity, humanity and genuinely global appreciation of why we consume too much and what to do about it -- Frank Trentmann, author of Empire of ThingsAn exciting and truly inspiring read. I couldn't put it down -- Joel Bakan, author of The CorporationA delight. MacKinnon shows us afresh the world we thought we knew through a kaleidoscopic lens of startling facts, illuminating insight and flatout-wonderful writing. (Praise for The Once and Future World) -- John Vaillant, author of The Tiger

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the Sunday Times Number One Bestseller Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White HouseRupert Murdoch is one of the greatest deal-makers alive. His companies possess extraordinary political and cultural power. Whether it is the Sun and the rise of Thatcher, BSkyB and the transformation of football, or Fox News and the war on terror, we have been living in the age of Murdoch since the late seventies. But who is he? What drives him? With unprecedented access to Murdoch and his inner circle, Michael Wolff chronicles the astonishing growth of the mogul’s giant media kingdom. Drawing upon hundreds of hours of interviews he offers us a portrait of a Machiavellian titan; overbearing, but loving, father; love-struck husband; and a cynical and brilliant newsman. The resulting book is unrivalled in its intimacy and candour and tells a tale of business that is both the story of a man’s life, and the story of our times.Trade ReviewUp close and personal * Independent *Wolff provides rich insights into the workings of News Corp, his relations with wives and children, his handling of rivals and enemies. He explains all vividly and lucidly, and doesn’t pull his punches * Guardian *Full of interesting titbits and insights * Irish Times *A deeply satisfying experience…full of the kind of detailed ticktock that makes business seem brutally exciting * New York Times *Gripping…fascinating * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisTrace the evolution of the supercar through the technology that drives it.With an introduction by David Coulthard.This is the definitive story of the science behind the art of supercar design. Written by bestselling author Martin Roach and featuring bespoke technical illustrations from F1 insider Neil Waterman, plus contributions from the biggest names in the supercar world, including: Adrian Newey - legend of Formula 1 design Gordon Murray - creator of the McLaren F1 Achim Anscheidt - chief designer of the Bugatti Chiron Tony Hatter - Porsche design guru Horacio Pagani - founder of Pagani Nigel Mansell - Formula 1 world champion Christian von Koenigsegg - founder of Koenigsegg And many, many more.From the earliest supercharged monsters to the complex machines of today, The Science of Supercars traces the evolution of the supercar through the technology that powers it.

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Book SynopsisEmily P Webber completed a PhD at the University of Reading and University of Exeter, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Her research focused on masculinity and the British mining industry from nationalization in 1947 through to pit closures at the end of the twentieth century. Over the last few years, she has spoken to over a hundred miners, collecting their memories of the industry, and travelled across Britain's former mining communities.She was previously the Research Manager of the Imperial War Museum and contributed to several public-facing publications and acted as a curator for the award-winning Holocaust Exhibition. She is passionate about bringing history to wider audiences and was recently selected as one of fifteen successful candidates for the Television Festival's TV PhD Talent Scheme. She was also awarded the University of Reading's PhD Researcher of the Year award for the Humanities. She has presented her research at conferences both in the UK and overseas, including at Northwestern University, the Institute of Historical Research, and the University of Birmingham, and she has published in History Workshop Journal, Contemporary British History and Twentieth Century History. She has also written for Time Out London.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1965, Reading Capital is a landmark of French thought and radical theory, reconstructing Western Marxism from its foundations. Louis Althusser, the French Marxist philosopher, maintained that Marx's project could only be revived if its scientific and revolutionary novelty was thoroughly divested of all traces of humanism, idealism, Hegelianism and historicism. In order to complete this critical rereading, Althusser and his students at the École normale supérieure ran a seminar on Capital, re-examining its arguments, strengths and weaknesses in detail, and it was out of those discussions that this book was born.Previously only available in English in highly abridged form, this edition, appearing fifty years after its original publication in France, restores chapters by Roger Establet, Pierre Macherey and Jacques Rancière. It includes a major new introduction by Étienne Balibar.Trade ReviewOne of the central texts of French structuralism (and of modern Marxism as well). Its critique of humanism and what Althusser called historicism remains relevant and ought to be renewed in our time. -- Fredric JamesonThe complete edition of Reading Capital returns us to the excitement of the book's first publication. It not only makes available some remarkable essays not included in previous English editions but also allows us to see clearly how the essays emerged from the dynamic interactions of a university seminar. -- Michael Hardt, co-author of the Empire trilogy

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Book SynopsisHistorian and political thinker Ellen Meiksins Wood argues that theories of "postmodern" fragmentation, "difference", and contingency can barely accommodate the idea of capitalism, let alone subject it to critique. In this book she sets out to renew the critical programme of historical materialism by redefining its basic concepts and its theory of history in original and imaginative ways, using them to identify the specificity of capitalism as a system of social relations and political power. She goes on to explore the concept of democracy in both the ancient and modern world, examining its relation to capitalism, and raising questions about how democracy might go beyond the limits imposed on it.Trade ReviewReading a Wood essay is a shock to the system, demanding the reader take a position, often leaving you invigorated and slightly bruised in the process. -- Michael Watson * Red Pepper *

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