Cultural studies Books

Book SynopsisIf you had a 10 percent chance of having a fatal car accident, you'd take necessary precautions. If your finances had a 10 percent chance of suffering a severe loss, you'd reevaluate your assets. So if we know the world is warming and there's a 10 percent chance this might eventually lead to a catastrophe beyond anything we could imagine, why aren'Trade Review2016 Outstanding Book of the Year "Most Likely to Save the Planet," Independent Publisher Book Awards One of Financial Times (FT.com) Best Books in Economics 2015, chosen by Martin Wolf A Financial Times Summer Books 2015 selection One of the Globalist's Top Books of 2015 Longlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year 2015 "[Climate Shock] is a witty, far-ranging, and literate set of observations...[I]t is always informed by a deep understanding of the complexities of economics and particularly the difficulties of reaching international environmental agreements."--William D. Nordhaus, New York Review of Books [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-NYRB-Nordhaus] "'Top 10: Business & Economics' for Spring 2015."--Publishers Weekly [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-PublishersWeekly] "Economists Gernot Wagner and Martin Weitzman deliver a high-voltage shock in their analysis of the costs of climate change."--Nature [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-Nature] "[U]seful for policy workers in helping shape dollars-and-cents arguments about the environment and global climate."--Kirkus [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-Kirkus] "[A]n impressive (and concise) book."--Diane Coyle, Enlightened Economist [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-EnlightenedEcon] "This informative, convincing, and easily read book offers general audiences the basic case for global climate mitigation."--Ian Parry, Finance & Development [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-FD-Parry] "This book represents a synthesis of research and offers a clear-headed look at what must be done."--Toronto Star [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-TorontoStar] "Climate Shock is refreshing in many ways: it starts with a pop quiz, reveals the script of a (possible) new James Bond film and gives you the solution to climate change on page 23. That should be enough to entice a broad readership. However, the book's true value lies elsewhere, in the authors' ability to present a complex and multifaceted topic in plain, simple terms. They challenge assumptions and don't shy away from a clear call for action."--Swenja Surminski, Times Higher Education "For the intelligent lay reader wanting a lively, lucid assessment of the economic consequences of global warming... [W]ell worth reading."--Pilita Clark, Financial Times [See full review http://www.bit.do/ClimateShock-FT-Clark] "[Climate Shock] combines sophisticated analysis with a breezy, informal style."-- Foreign Affairs [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-FA-Cooper] "[A] sobering wake-up call ... In my mind, this book should be required reading for any policymaker. The world might actually make some real progress, then."--Tibi Puiu, ZME Science [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-ZMES-Puiu] "In Wagner and Weitzman's new book, they present a well written analysis of the tradeoffs we collectively face as we unintentionally unleash climate change. They argue that a risk averse person or nation should buy insurance to protect itself--especially when the losses from climate change are ambiguous and fat tail risk could be huge. The book is well argued and I highly recommend it. The economic approach to discussing climate change offers a new prospective relative to the issues that climate scientists focus on."--Matthew E. Kahn, Green Economics [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-GE-Kahn] "[A] welcome new addition to the growing library of depressing but important books about climate change."--Tom Watson, Real Change News [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-RCN-Watson] "[Climate Shock] delivers a brief but thorough look at the changing climate from economists' perspective, comparing global warming with other risks and dangers that humanity faces... [T]he book does serve as a call to arms for business owners and leaders, economists, and policymakers who have been searching for a purely rational, finance-focused take on climate change."--Katie Fehrenbacher, Strategy + Business [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-Strategy-Fehrenbacher] "[A] punchy new book."--Martin Wolf, Financial Times [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-FT-Wolf] "[A] terrific new book."--Martin Sandbu, Financial Times [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-FT-Sandbu] "Climate Shock should shift our narrative on climate change... Wagner and Weitzman have some policy recommendations, including electricity-grid reform and higher gas taxes. But the real power of their book is its explanation of the right way to think about climate change. Do we really want to take an 11 percent gamble with the planet?"--Peter Orszag, Bloomberg View [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-Bloomberg-Orszag] "Climate Shock is an authoritative call to arms for tackling the defining environmental and public policy issue of our time."--LSE [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-LSE] "[A] lively and thought-provoking book."--Financial Times [See full review http://bit.do/ClimateShock-FT-summerbooks] "Climate Shock could have reasonably been called But Will the People Notice? It's a layperson's survey of climate economics, a field that includes cost-benefit analysis and other economic research on climate change impacts and climate change policies... Beyond just being mathematically accessible--an accomplishment in itself--Climate Shock is an unconventional book that takes risks in an effort to connect with audiences who might otherwise turn away."Yoram Bauman, Reports of the National Center for Science Education "Overflowing with analytical insights and simple suggestions to transform the way we live and manage ourselves."--Deccan Herald "A brilliant analysis of the fragility of our debt-fuelled economies."--Martin Wolf, Financial Times, a FT Best Book of 2015 "Economists Gernot Wagner and Martin Weitzman deliver a stinging slap to the reluctant or somnolent negotiator."--Barbara Kiser, Nature.com's A View from the Bridge blog "A great book on global warming risk and economics."--Andrew Revkin, NYTimes.com's Dot Earth blogTable of ContentsPreface: Pop Quiz ix Chapter 1. 911 1 Chapter 2. 411 30 Chapter 3. Fat Tails 48 Chapter 4. Willful Blindness 80 Chapter 5. Bailing Out the Planet 92 Chapter 6. 007 116 Chapter 7. What You Can Do 128 Epilogue: A Different Kind of Optimism 148 Acknowledgments 153 Notes 155 Bibliography 207 Index 243

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Book SynopsisFrom healthcare to workplace conduct, the federal government is taking on ever more responsibility for managing our lives. This book provides a range of examples and an enormous body of evidence to explain why so many domestic policies go awry - and how to right the foundering ship of state.Trade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2015 PROSE Award in Government & Politics, Association of American Publishers Selected for the Claremont Review of Books CRB Christmas Reading List 2015 "[A] sweeping history of policy disappointments."--David Leonhardt, New York Times "In Why Government Fails So Often, Peter H. Schuck takes up this vital question in what amounts to a systematic survey of the limits of American public administration. It is a profound book, and a sobering one... Peter H. Schuck has written an essential manual for 21st-century policy makers."--Yuval Levin, Wall Street Journal "Schuck does a beautiful job of laying out all the problems with government intervention... [T]here are many gems in this book."--David Henderson, Econlog "Schuck makes a compelling case that many domestic programs, including those that have considerable public support among Republicans as well as Democrats, deliver benefits at costs that are much higher than necessary and contain damaging unintended consequences."--Glenn Altschuler, Boston Globe "Anyone who wants clear insight into government's modern wayward momentum, and its toll on society, should hear Peter Schuck... His recommendations for change are refreshing."--Colorado Springs Gazette "This lively and authoritative account of government failure deserves to be read by advocates of all political persuasions... This admirable work offers compelling evidence that government might do far better by doing far less."--Gene Epstein, Barron's "Peter Schuck's new book Why Government Fails So Often provides a thoughtful if pessimistic analysis."--Laura Tyson, Project Syndicate "Peter Schuck's Why Government Fails So Often is one of the most important books of the year and may be one of the most important books of the decade. Although I have seen this prolific author's name over the years, I had never read any of his work. My loss. Fortunately, I have read every page--including endnotes--of his latest book, and it is a tour de force."--David R. Henderson, Regulation "[Why Government Fails So Often] is a timely book in light of the steep declines in the public's regards for government, a Congress that is increasingly hostile to federal programs, and a civil service whose morale keeps sinking lower with every survey. Schuck's analysis helps explain why the government is so reviled and thus helps us think about remedial steps and the kinds of policies that should be avoided in the future."--Timothy B. Clark, Government Executive "Very highly recommended for academic and community library Political Science collections, Why Government Fails So Often: And How It Can Do Better is an impressive work of meticulous scholarship that is so well written and presented that it is equally accessible for political science students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in understanding the mechanics, development, and implementation issues concerning governmental policies on the federal level."--Jack Mason, Midwest Book Review "[S]ubstantive, and important... [R]ealizing exactly where we are is the first step towards moving to a better state of affairs. This volume sets us squarely down that path."--Matt E. Ryan, Public Choice "Schuck's important book reminds us about the allure of expert judgments and the need for public discourse at each step along the traverse of policy formulation and implementation."--David M. Levy and Sandra J. Peart, Journal of Economic LiteratureTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1 PART 1: The Context of Policy Making 37 CHAPTER 2: Success, Failure, and In Between 39 CHAPTER 3: Policy-Making Functions, Processes, Missions, Instruments, and Institutions 64 CHAPTER 4: The Political Culture of Policy Making 91 PART 2: The Structural Sources of Policy Failure 125 CHAPTER 5: Incentives and Collective Irrationality 127 CHAPTER 6: Information, Inflexibility, Incredibility, and Mismanagement 161 CHAPTER 7: Markets 198 CHAPTER 8: Implementation 229 CHAPTER 9: The Limits of Law 277 CHAPTER 10: The Bureaucracy 307 CHAPTER 11: Policy Successes 327 PART 3: Remedies and Reprise 369 CHAPTER 12: Remedies: Lowering Government's Failure Rate 371 CHAPTER 13: Conclusion 408 Notes 413 Index 463

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Book SynopsisTrouble in the Tribe explores the increasingly contentious place of Israel in the American Jewish community. In a fundamental shift, growing numbers of American Jews have become less willing to unquestioningly support Israel and more willing to publicly criticize its government. More than ever before, American Jews are arguing about Israeli policieTrade Review"A meticulous, precise, well-organized survey that takes into account the many different views and will certainly facilitate the heated conversation."--Kirkus (Starred Review) "A valuable road map to an ongoing and very important conflict."--Murray Polner, History News Network "As a primer on the American Jewish machloket (argument) over Israel, Trouble in the Tribe is extremely useful. Its data is copious ... its charts are handy; its perspective mostly balanced... It is an excellent guide for the perplexed."--Jay Michaelson, Moment Magazine "As Waxman convincingly demonstrates in this valuable and important book, the very thing that once united the American Jewish community--Israel--now is the thing that divides us most of all."--Moti Rieber, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle "Brave and unsettling."--Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal "[A] detailed and meticulously balanced account... Both Waxman's complex picture of American Jewry and the plea for--critical engagement--emerging from it deserve our serious consideration."--William Kolbrener, Times Higher Education "An accessible, readable introduction to the topic."--Choice "Gently insightful, richly documented, clearly presented, and illuminatingly broad."--Ari Y. Kelman, Middle East Journal "Waxman deserves plaudits for tackling an important and very timely subject that has heretofore been ignored by the scholarly literature on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He analyzes a complicated and contentious topic with rare objectivity, ample research and calm reasoning. Trouble in the Tribe is an indispensable volume for anyone seeking to understand why American Jews quarrel over Israel and why such fraternal infighting will further complicate the quest for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."--Michael Rubner, Middle East PolicyTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments vii Introduction 1 1. THE CHANGING AMERICAN JEWISH RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL 18 2. THE END OF "ISRAEL, RIGHT OR WRONG" 55 3. THE ARGUMENT ABOUT ISRAEL 91 4. THE EROSION OF CONSENSUS 123 5. THE FRACTURING OF THE PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY 147 6. THE CHALLENGE TO THE JEWISH ESTABLISHMENT 174 7. THE POLARIZATION OF AMERICAN JEWRY 193 CONCLUSION 210 Notes 217 Bibliography 291 Index 309

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2017 PROSE Award in Environmental Science, Association of American Publishers "Easily understandable regardless of a reader's familiarity with China or environmental policy, this excellent resource will interest readers of the environmental situation in China and its impact on the global community."--Library Journal "Blue Skies Over Beijing is ... a shot of good news when talking about China's environmental issues. Economic development, rather than hurting China's environmental performance, may in fact improve it."--Asian Review of BooksTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Chapter One: Introduction 1 Part I: A Geographic Overview of Urban Pollution Production in China Chapter Two: Made in China 21 Chapter Three: The Migration to Cities 50 Chapter Four: The Causes and Consequences of Chinese Suburbanization 76 Chapter Five: Private Vehicle Demand in Urban China 108 Part II: The Rising Demand for Green Cities Chapter Six: The Rising Demand for Blue Skies and Urban Risk Reduction 135 Chapter Seven: Recent Empirical Evidence on the Demand for Lower Pollution Levels 147 Part III: Promoting Environmental Accountability in a One-Party State Chapter Eight: The Central Government's Increased Desire to Promote Environmental Sustainability 159 Chapter Nine: Will Local Governments Create Green Cities? 186 Chapter Ten: Conclusion 212 Appendix 1 233 Appendix 2 235 Notes 237 Index 263

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Book SynopsisAs a child growing up in Manhattan, William Helmreich played a game with his father called "Last Stop." They would pick a subway line, ride it to its final destination, and explore the neighborhood. Decades later, his love for exploring the city is as strong as ever. Putting his feet to the test, he decided that the only way to truly understand NeTrade ReviewWinner of the 2015 GANYC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Book Writing, The Guides Association of New York City Honorable Mention for the 2013 PROSE Award in Sociology & Social Work, Association of American Publishers "The delight is definitely in the details in William B. Helmreich's The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City. Professor Helmreich, a sociologist at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, invites readers on a romp through largely unexplored neighborhoods that is as entertaining as it is enlightening."--Sam Roberts, New York Times "Helmreich set himself a formidable task: he walked every block in New York City over a four-year period, producing what he calls an 'ethnographic study' comprised of vignettes based on interviews with hundreds of residents on sidewalks, streets, and even in private homes. The result: a magisterial work that examines how people live in this large, complex, and evolving urban landscape... This is a landmark achievement, for those wanting to dig deeper than The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson. Highly recommended to sociologists, urban demographers, New York historians, and all walking enthusiasts in the city."--Richard Drezen, Library Journal starred review "An excellent introduction to one of the most ethnically diverse and vibrant cities in the world, and a model of urban sociology."--Christian Century "The author exudes great love and admiration for his hometown on every page, and this collection of anecdotes brings New York to life with unprecedented humanity and detail. This book is pure joy; even the most dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker will learn something new about this vibrant city."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "To know a man, you have to walk a mile in his shoes. To truly know New York, you may have to walk 6,000. Or, you can just read Helmreich's account of visiting every inch of the city. His journey from the Bronx to Staten Island allowed him to mingle with plenty of fellow flaneurs, like Mayors Bloomberg and Ed Koch."--New York Observer "[The book] recognises the fact that the everyday experience of the city--the people you meet, the odd things that happen--are important... For me, the best bits are Helmreich's detailed descriptions of chance encounters... He gives a powerful depiction of the numbing dullness of some people's jobs, from the security guard in the museum to the man waving a flag outside a garage. These are described with tenderness and not a little wry humour."--Flora Samuel, Times Higher Education "Fascinating."--Michael Potemra, National Review "An uncommon portrait of the city in 2013: a look at its diverse neighborhoods and the urban issues--like immigration, community, use of public space and gentrification--that run through all of them. The book is not a guidebook, but a very accessible sociological study, full of color and anecdote."--Sandee Brawarsky, Jewish Week "By necessity, given the size of the city, Helmreich calls his book no more than a much-needed 'introductory work' to the diversity of New York City. His method is, in some ways, a throw back to a much earlier form of social criticism, when walking was curiously in vogue for the self-styled intellectuals and elites of 19th century Europe. Think of Charles Dickens's night walks through London or the well-dressed flaneurs of Paris. And it's one that anyone can learn from. 'If I accomplish anything besides sociology,' Helmreich says, 'it's to encourage people to walk through what I call the greatest museum in the world.'"--Stephanie Garlock, The Atlantic "The New York Nobody Knows is not a walking tour or a mere list of city highlights. The book is a 450-page sociological examination of New York through the eyes of a keen observer. It is segmented into parts on the city's ethnic composition, gentrification, environs and what the future may hold for America's melting pot. And yes, there's a section on what makes New York fun, too... The New York Nobody Knows is gratifyingly deep with analysis on the city's history and demographics while also reading like a survival guide at times."--Colin Devries, Daily News "[E]xcellent... [T]he voices and stories of the people [Helmreich] encounters are what make this book so memorable... It's refreshing to read a book that celebrates so unreservedly the ethnic diversity of a city and entirely fitting that it should be about a metropolis that has always been defined by its cosmopolitan culture."--PD Smith, The Guardian "It's a story of Helmreich's encounters with hundreds of New Yorkers from every walk of life and from every part of the globe, including Mayors Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. His observations--all touching on various aspects of the multifarious lives of the estimated 8.3 million people wgi live, work, survive and thrive in the world's greatest metropolitan city--are poignant and insightful, heartfelt and charming."--Amsterdam News "In the genre of 'books tallying mammoth heroic self-imposed feats' comes William B. Helmreich's engaging account of how he logged 6,000 miles on foot through all the boroughs of NYC, accumulating many insights into the eternal, multi-ethnic metropolis."--Barnes and Noble Review "If Walt Whitman contained 'multitudes' within himself, this fine book contains multitudes more--the beating, dynamic heart of New York is here."--City-litcafe "Helmreich's shoe leather was worth it; the book is a thorough study."--Grace Lichtenstein, PopMatters "[E]ngaging ... easily-read and nicely-paced."--Tommy Barker, Irish Examiner "This exploration of New York City is built from the souvenirs of a formidable journey. Sociologist Helmreich presents the city as a richly diverse place whose residents are eager to share insights and opinions. At its best, the volume reflects the author's willingness to listen, to observe, and to be amazed... [T]his is an original study, and one that will inspire others to set out to walk, and talk, their way across the city."--Choice "The New York Nobody Knows really does (socially) traverse the New York nobody knows; while in so doing, invariably opening a menagerie of colourful doors I suspect most people didn't even know existed. Myself wholeheartedly included."--David Marx, davidmarx.co.uk "Helmreich's book is clearly a labor of love for both the city as a collective project and the city of individual human lives and stories."--Michael Minn, Geographical Reviews "The New York Nobody Knows exemplifies the richness that the ethnographic approach affords... It must be read with a flexible mind-set, but once read that way, can be revisited and mined for its rich data. Helmreich added to the knowledge base typically gleaned from categorical analysis, and overcame many of the blind spots usually present in such research. Helmreich's work inspires social scientists to lace-them-up and do it elsewhere."--David B. Broad, Ph.D., International Social Science ReviewTable of ContentsPreface ix Acknowledgments xiii Maps xvi 1 Introduction 1 2 Selling Hot Dogs, Planting Flowers, and Living the Dream: The Newcomers 21 3 Diners, Love, Exorcisms, and the Yankees: New York's Communities 71 4 Dancing the Bachata, Playing Bocci, and the Chinese Scholars' Garden: Enjoying the City 137 5 Tar Beaches, Sidewalk Carvings, Irish Freedom Fighters, and Superman: Spaces in the Big Apple 169 Illustrations following page 215 6 From Washington Heights to Hudson Heights, from Soho to Soha: Gentrification 231 7 Assimilation, Identity, or Something Else: The Future of Ethnic New York 296 8 Conclusions 346 Notes 369 Neighborhood Glossary 395 Bibliography 401 Index 437

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An utterly absorbing journey from the wheel to the iPhone."---Sharon Shinn, BizEd"A compact book whose easy-reading style could easily obscure the profundity of its argument. Daniel Cohen’s ultimately hopeful message is that the waning of the religion of growth could create the space for a renewed humanism." * Prospect *"[A] stimulating book of wide scope drawing on a range of disciplines."---David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer"The book is a statement of hope, a plea for mankind to stop running in the rat race and start seeing the roses. Amen!"---J. Bhattacharya, Choice

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Honorable Mention for the 2017 PROSE Award in Environmental Science, Association of American Publishers""Easily understandable regardless of a reader's familiarity with China or environmental policy, this excellent resource will interest readers of the environmental situation in China and its impact on the global community." * Library Journal *"Blue Skies Over Beijing is . . . a shot of good news when talking about China's environmental issues. Economic development, rather than hurting China's environmental performance, may in fact improve it." * Asian Review of Books *"A well-written description of what China’s urban residents and their government are doing to live with and reduce air pollution."---Herman F. Huang, China Review International

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A penetrating, well-considered look behind the polished scenes of the influencer industry." * Kirkus *"Emily Hund’s remarkable book is a timely contribution. . . . Hund’s book arrives at a point when the influencer industry has penetrated the mainstream ​​to an unprecedented degree. It is a fascinating moment to reflect on a role which finds itself at the interface between a number of societal transformations."---Mark Carrigan, LSE Review of Books"[The Influencer Industry] should be read by anyone who desires a greater knowledge of the influencer industry, as well as any course on media industries and internet culture."---Mariah L. Wellman, Media Industries Journal

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Book SynopsisThis work suggests that gossip has unexpected virtues. The contributors argue that gossip contributes to community cohesion and helps individuals better understand their own predicaments, problems and personal idiosyncrasies in the light of knowledge about the life experiences of others.Trade ReviewGossip is inherently democratic, concerned with private life rather than public issues, 'idle,' in the sense that it is not instrumental or goal oriented. Yet it can serve to expand our consciousness of what life is about in ways that are effectively inaccessible to other modes of inquiry." —Ronald de Sousa from Good Gossip"This topic is interesting and in need of serious study. The book is partially an attempt to exonerate gossip from its bad reputation by pointing to the various positive values it may promote. A worthy contribution to the study of gossip." —Irwin Goldstein, Davidson College

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Book SynopsisThe ghostly presence stands in for numerous other ""voices"" in a range of American films. In this synthesis of film and politics, Ray Pratt aims to show how such movies are deeply rooted in post-war American culture and continue to exert an enormous influence on the national imagination.Table of ContentsVisionary Paranoia; Film Politics; The Dark Vision of Film Noir; The Culture of Resistance in the Films of the 1960s; ""You may think you know what's going on here""; Family Values? - The View from Reagan's Closet; ""She was bad news"" - Male Paranoia and Femme Fatales; Women and Sexual Paranoia; Bad Cops and their Politics; From Assassination to Surveillance Society.

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Book SynopsisChronicles how Indians came to represent themselves in Wild West shows, Hollywood films, sports, music, and their use of the automobile. This book examines longstanding stereotypes of Indians as invariably violent, suggesting that, even as such views continued in American popular culture, they were also transformed by the violence at Wounded Knee.Trade ReviewDeloria is as good a cultural historian as there is writing today. Here he takes what in lesser hands would be the ephemera of American Indian life and uses it to illuminate a whole world not apart from American society but locked in the heart of it. - Richard White, author of It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own: A History of the American West ""A provocative, intriguing, and fascinating book that demonstrates a new sophistication in cultural studies about identity and power, continuity and change, and authenticity and artifice."" - George Lipsitz, author of American Studies in a Moment of Danger ""Deloria's endpoint is to quiz stereotypes for their impact on ideological discourse, which he accomplishes with humor, grace, and depth. Highly recommended."" - Choice ""Subtle and complex, this fascinating, well-researched book will no doubt find its way into unexpected places of honor in American cultural studies."" - Santa Fe New Mexican ""An excellent book that reveals a secret history of Indian modernity too often obscured by our powerful wish to associate Indians with the traditional, the primitive, and 'the blanket.'"" - Werner Sollors, author of Neither Black Nor White Yet Both

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Book SynopsisWhat is the future of the American West? This book look at works of utopian, dystopian, and apocalyptic science fiction to show how narratives of the past and future powerfully shape our understanding of the present-day West.

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Book SynopsisCelebrates hip-hop and confronts the cult of authenticity that defines its essential character. Deftly balancing an insider's love of the culture with a scholar's detached critique, the author traces hip-hop's rise as a cultural juggernaut and challenges widely held notions that hip-hop is socially dangerous - to black youth in particular.Trade ReviewEasily one of the most substantial and thoughtful works on the cultural politics of hip-hop. Ogbar successfully balances an insider's love of the culture with a scholar's critical eye. William Jelani Cobb, author of To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip-Hop Aesthetic ""What does it mean now to 'keep it real'? Is hip-hop ripping society apart? Ogbar shows that these questions - among the many more that rap music raises - are much more complicated than they first seem. Hip-Hop Revolution compellingly examines race, gender, authenticity, and this African American generation's quest for true democracy and liberation."" Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation ""A wide-ranging and knowledgeable addition to the expanding field of hip-hop studies. Ogbar addresses many aspects of this controversial and influential cultural phenomenon: its charged gender and racial politics; its engagement with the repressive criminal justice system; its fierce investment in authenticity; its potential for political mobilization; and the music's effects on young listeners. This book is full of engaging readings, informed contextualization, and fresh ideas."" - Journal of American History ""Hip-hop mogul Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter once rapped about 'Politics as Usual,' but little has been usual since the emergence of hip-hop as a global phenomenon. As Ogbar highlights throughout his thoughtful and provocative book, hip-hop culture is on the cutting-edge of all that matters in contemporary America."" - Mark Anthony Neal, author New Black Man ""A far-reaching historical account of the social, cultural and political influences of hiphop past and present. Ogbar probes deeply into the roots and realities of hiphop's image, its 'keeping it real' mantra, and its rebellious reputation.... An important book that offers insight into how hiphop is involved in shaping the future and how forces have attempted to co-opt its most powerful voices."" - Marcyliena Morgan, director, Hiphop Archive, Stanford University, and author of Language, Discourse, and Power in African American Culture ""This is a primer for those wanting to delineate hip-hop's salient debates, making it a solid resource for undergraduate classes."" - H-Net Book Reviews

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Book SynopsisWhy, wonders Thomas Bullard, don't persistent UFO sightings command more urgent attention from scientists, scholars, and mainstream journalists? The answer, in part, lies in Bullard's wide-ranging magisterial survey of the mysterious, frustrating, and ever-evolving phenomenon that refuses to go away and our collective efforts to understand it.

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Book SynopsisTakes the study of race beyond Western notions of the individual

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA timely analysis of mass media representations of the 'War on Terror' that dismantles the myths and rhetoric used to consolidate western power.Trade Review'An original, incisive and elegantly written analysis of contemporary warfare, rhetoric and power' -- Karen Ross, Professor of Media and Public Communication, University of Liverpool'Dismantles the myths of the war on terror and demonstrates how the rhetoric of terror provides a pretext for the consolidation of state security and the expansion of military power' -- Stephen Morton, University of SouthamptonTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: The Composition of the 'Terror War' 1. From The 'War On Terror' To 'Overseas Contingency Operations' 2. War, Terror And the Real 3. Media and the Reproduction Of Meaning 4. Surveillance, Authority and Linguistic Categories 5. Film, Bureaucracy and the Gendered Protagonist 6. Economic Transformation, Protest and the State Conclusion: Democracy and the Terror War Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe restoration of humanism to the radical leftTrade Review'A major intervention into contemporary discussions about the resources of political hope, this volume insists upon the continuing indispensability and, indeed, radicalness of humanism as both a critical philosophy and a moral-political template' -- Neil Lazarus, Professor of English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of WarwickTable of ContentsSeries Preface Introduction: Humanism’s Other Story - Timothy Brennan 1. The Rise, Decline and Possible Revival of Socialist Humanism - Barbara Epstein 2. Marxist Humanism after Structuralism and Post-structuralism: The Case for Renewal - Kevin Anderson 3. Postcolonialism is a Humanism - Robert Spencer 4. Queer Theory, Solidarity and Bodies Political - David Alderson Conclusion - David Alderson and Robert Spencer Index

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Book SynopsisAn auto-ethnography of cross-dressing, framed by Marxism and psychoanalytic theoryTrade Review'Cremin explores the relationship between theory and life with intelligence and wit' -- Juliet Jacques, author of Trans: A Memoir (Verso, 2016)'Laced with some occasional edginess, it is a wonderful book, erudite, politically astute, brilliantly written, and at times wickedly funny. It's my favourite I've read for quite some time' -- Jeff Hearn, Hanken School of Economics, Finland; University of Huddersfield, UK; author of Men of the WorldTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. What’s In A Dress? 2. On The Lavatory Question 3. The Aesthetic of Cross-Dressing 4. Everyone’s a Fetishist 5. How Popular Culture Made Me (a Woman) 6. Full Exposure Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWhat is the consequence of commodifying experiences?Trade Review‘Well written and extensively researched, this book is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the nature of consumption and experience in contemporary society' -- Garry Crawford, co-author of 'Video Games as Culture''An enlightening grand tour of the neoliberal experience economy. Probing beneath the ideological rhetoric of self-expressive consumer choices, Miles reveals how the psycho-social effects of the experience economy are governed by new forms of capitalist influence' -- Professor Craig Thompson, the James R. McManus-Bascom Professor in Marketing and the Gilbert and Helen Churchill Professor in the Marketing Department of the Wisconsin School of Business'Takes us on a powerful analytic journey that exposes the underpinning ideological processes that define who and what we are as citizens of a society driven by consumerism' -- Pauline Maclaran, Professor of Marketing & Consumer Research in the School of Management at Royal HollowayTable of ContentsPreface 1. Introducing the Experience Society 2. Consumption, Identity, Experience 3. Leisure and Tourism 4. Work Experience 5. Technologies of Self 6. Space, Place and the Architecture of Experience 7. The Spectacle of Sport 8. The Coffee Shop Experience 9. Consumer Capitalism Rebooted References Index

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Book SynopsisA compelling and accessible textbook, by a pre-eminent Marxist literary critic.Trade Review'Invigorating and lucid - a fine introduction to Marxism in general and to Marxist literary criticism. Foley has done a superb job writing a book that is useful both for novices and for teachers who wish to show how literature is inescapably connected to the material world' -- Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of 'The Sympathizer''Widely surveying contemporary critical theory and practice, Barbara Foley's magisterial book demonstrates the crucial significance of Marxism to our historical moment, and it will be a valuable resource for students, critics, and activists for years to come' -- Robert T. Tally Jr., Texas State University'Foley deftly sketches the lineaments of traditional Marxism, then some main interests of traditional criticism, and then shows in readings of literary texts what depth of insight comes from conjoining the two traditions. I warmly recommend this book especially for those who want to change the world as well as interpret it' -- Richard Ohmann, Wesleyan University'This is a book many have longed for. Readers of literature will find Foley's lucid exposition of Marxist criticism an invaluable guide.' -- Rosemary Hennessy, Rice UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Prologue PART I: MARXISM 1. Historical Materialism Materialism Production Dialectics Class Base and Superstructure Relative Autonomy Mediation Levels of Generality 2. Political Economy Commodities Commodity Fetishism Labor Power and Exploitation Surplus Value Alienation Capital 3. Ideology Three Definitions of Ideology in Marx Dominant Ideology Relative Autonomy and Mediation Revisited Ideology as Smorgasbord Reification Interpellation Hegemony and Alternative Hegemony PART II: LITERATURE 4. Literature and Literary Criticism Defining Literature Fictionality Density Depth Concreteness and Particularity Showing Not Telling Defamiliarization Universality Empathy Individuality Group Identity Formal Unity Autonomy Beauty Greatness 5. Marxist Literary Criticism Rhetoric and Interpellation Ideology Critique Symptomatic Reading Humanism Realism Proletarian Literature and Alternative Hegemony 6. Marxist Pedagogy Alienation Rebellion Nation War Money Race and Racism Gender and Sexuality Nature Mortality Art Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when our society is faced with an existential crisis?Trade Review'Just what we need so desperately in this moment. How we come out of this pandemic will shape the future of humanity. Now, as never before, we have to break the deadly logic of capital. A beautiful and important book.' -- John Holloway, author of 'Change the World Without Taking Power''In the midst of a global crisis, we must listen, learn, and build with people from around the world - the essays and insights collected here help us do just that. A crisis is a turning point, and this valuable book can serve as a guide to a better future.' -- Astra Taylor, director of 'What Is Democracy?''These stories teach us of the enormous potential for love and resistance in a world threatened by apocalyptic capitalism.' -- Mike Davis, author of 'City of Quartz''Mutual aid, solidarity and commoning become most visible during periods of deep crises. This book inspires us all on the path to social change.' -- Massimo De Angelis, author of 'Omnia Sunt Communia: On the Commons and the Transformation to Postcapitalism''If you take a break from doom-scrolling to read Pandemic Solidarity you’ll learn how we launched the largest mobilization of mutual aid projects in history' -- Indypendent‘Helps us to rethink and re-imagine an egalitarian society where no one is left behind’ -- ‘LSE Review of Books’Table of ContentsList of Figures Series Preface Foreword by Rebecca Solnit Introduction by Marina Sitrin About Colectiva Sembrar PART I - GREATER MIDDLE EAST (ROJAVA, TURKEY AND IRAQ) 1. Communal Lifeboat: Direct Democracy in Rojava (NE Syria) - Emre Sahin and Khabat Abbas 2. “Capitalism Kills, Solidarity Gives Life”: A Glimpse of Solidarity Networks from Turkey - Seyma Özdemir 3. Solidarity Network in Iraq During Covid-19: This Time the Enemy is Invisible - Midya Khudhur PART II - SOUTH AND EAST ASIA (TAIWAN, SOUTH KOREA AND INDIA) 4. Sharing Spaces and Crossing Borders: Voices from Taiwan - Chia-Hsu Jessica Chang 5. Standing in Solidarity with Those Who Must Refuse to Keep Social Distance: Disability Activism in South Korea - Ji Young Shin (translated by Han Gil Jang) 6. Rethinking Minority and Mainstream in India - Debarati Roy PART III - SOUTHERN AFRICA (MOZAMBIQUE, SOUTH AFRICA AND ZIMBABWE) 7. Confronting State Authoritarianism: Civil Society and Community-Based Solidarity in Southern Africa - Boaventura Monjane PART IV - EUROPE (PORTUGAL, GREECE, ITALY AND THE UK) 8. On Intersectional Solidarity in Portugal - Lais Gomes Duarte and Raquel Lima 9. Solidarity Flourishes Under Lockdown in Italy - Eleanor Finley 10. Solidarity Networks in Greece - EP and TP 11. Viral Solidarity: Experiences from the UK - Neil Howard PART V - TURTLE ISLAND (NORTH AMERICA) 12. Turtle Island - carla bergman and magalí rabasa with Ariella - Patchen and Seyma Özdemir PART VI - SOUTH AMERICA (ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL) 13. Argentina: Injustices Magnified; Memories of Resistance Reactivated - Nancy Viviana Piñeiro and Liz Mason-Deese 14. On Grassroots Organizing: Excerpts from Brazil - Vanessa Zettler Concluding to Begin - Colectiva Sembrar Notes on Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisA Marxist investigation into the forms of resistance occurring in the UK call centre todayTrade Review'A sharp reminder of the difficulties faced by call-centre workers' -- Financial Times'Jamie Woodcock shows us what call centres can tell us about bleakness and resistance in the modern workplace' -- VICE'Jamie Woodcock's brilliant insider account of life in a British call-centre reveals the dirty realities of digital capitalism ... a book that is sure to become a classic' -- Peter Fleming, author of The Mythology of Work (Pluto, 2015)'In this urgent and incisive study, Woodcock identifies the imposing challenges to organising against exploitation in conditions of atomised precarity, while also giving us precious glimpses of what a counter-offensive against capital might look like. A masterful lesson in how sociology can serve both to interpret and change a world of labour under the pall of austerity' -- Alberto Toscano, Reader in Critical Theory, Department of Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London'Woodcock knows not only his theory but his subject inside out. There's casualisation, cruelty and regimentation, but also subversion, and his focus on employee resistance offers a flicker of hope' -- Times Higher Education'Everyone should read Jamie Woodcock's book' -- Manchester Review of Books'A theoretically sophisticated and empiracally rich account of what it is like to work in a call centre' -- Red PepperTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Working in the Call Centre 3. Management 4. Moments of Resistance 5. Precarious Organisation 6. Conclusion Notes References Index

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Book Synopsisaeo Brings together all the material about parents and education (including adult education) previously found only in disparate places. aeo Adds a distinctive perspective highlighting gender issues, which have had their origins in changes in family life and their effects on education. aeo Important contribution to a key debate.Trade Review'Parents now play a more central part in educational policy through their role as parent governors in schools. But despite this, policy, or indeed assumptions about the ways in which schools should operate, are not based on a realistic view of the lives of mothers and fathers or on the ways in which family life has changed in recent years. Miriam David argues convincingly that we cannot sensibly discuss schooling without taking account of what goes on in the home. This book breaks new ground in its analysis of the relationship of home and school and is essential reading for anyone concerned with children, education or parenthood.' Martin Richards, Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge 'This is a timely and thorough review of changes in party political positions, policy approaches and the preoccupations of social science research regarding education that enables us to appreciate the magnitude of the 1980s changes, particularly in respect of the shifting meaning of the partnership between home and school.' Jane Lewis, The London School of Economics and Political Science 'A timely and interesting book.' Political Studies 'David provides a good summary of family change in recent decades together with a balanced and comprehensive account of educational policy.' Social PolicyTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. 1. Introduction: Parents, Education Reforms and Social Research. 2. The Family Policy Context: The War over the Family and Family Life Changes: 1944-1992. 3. The Education Policy Context: The Idea of a `Meritocracy' from 1944-1976. 4. The Education Policy Context: The Idea of a `Parentocracy' from 1976-1992. 5. Parents and Education: The Social Democractic Reformer-Researcher Partnersip over Equal Opportunities. 6. A Parental `Voice' in Education as Community, or Consumer, Involvement?. 7. Parental or Family Choice of School, or of Education. 8. Parental Involvement for School Effectiveness or Home Improvement?. 9. Mothers in Education, or Mum's the Word?. 10. Debating the Effects of Family Changes and Circumstances on Children's Education. 11. Conclusions: Family Changes, Social Research and Education Reforms. Bibliography. Index. Index of Authors.

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Book SynopsisThis book is the first detailed study of Woody Allen''s life and work, and an original attempt to locate Allen''s work in the great tradition of American popular culture. It explores that inimitable New York Jewish voice in the themes, dreams, hopes and hidden meanings of Allen''s urban humour, with countless examples of Allen''s own hilarious comic lines.Trade Review'McCann's book is incisive, perceptive and adept at examining the Woody Allen persona.' City Limits 'A praiseworthy shot at paying sustained and serious attention to a mainstream film-maker ... a brave foray into uncharted territory.' The Guardian 'McCann has written a critical biography that's a model of concision and acuity ... a rigorous and rewarding read.' Empire '...[a] wide-ranging, highly intelligent, generally smart critique ... [McCann] excels at improvising creative riffs of prose around a theme.' The Times 'Thorough and readable study' Daily TelegraphTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction. 1. New Yorker. 2. The Bluebird of Anxiety. 3. Love and Death. 4. Celebrity & Integrity. 5. Stardust Memories. 6. Part of the Experience. Bibliography. Index.

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Book Synopsisaeo This is the first new interpretation to be made of the role of the intellectual for many years. aeo It has a strongly comparative approach. aeo The author is well known for his work on social movements. aeo This is the first new interpretation to be made of the role of the intellectual for many years.Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. 1. What is an Intellectual. 2. The Making of a Tradition. 3. Intellectual Generations. 4. Contexts. 5. Constructing the Intellectual. 6. Reconstructions. 7. Tradition, Role and Context. References. Index.

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Book Synopsis* A sophisticated account of the work of key German thinkers, including Benjamin and Simmel, and their writings about the city. * Will have a wide--ranging approach, appealing to students and scholars of social theory but also urban studies and architecture. * Features 15 illustrations.Trade Review"This book by David Frisby has his characteristic hallmarks: it is meticulously well researched and it makes unexpected and exciting connections between bodies of thought not commonly linked together. Indeed the playing off of social theory and architectural theory is one of its distinctive contributions. His various asides, for instance his interest in detective stories, or on expressionism, are always provocative and interesting. A book to be celebrated." Mike Savage, University of Manchester ‘A wonderfully incisive dissection of new configurations of "cities" in the contemporary world' John Urry, Lancaster University "The collection as a whole offers empirically rich and theoretically sophisticated contextual readings of major sociologists' reflections on urban life....In Frisby's hands, spatial dynamics become an indispensable component of sociological theory." Environment and Planning "the collection as a whole offers empirically rich and theoriectically sophisticated contextual readings of major sociologists' reflections on urban life. In Frisby's hands, spatial dynamics become an indipensable component of sociological theory". Thomas Lekan, Department of History, University of South Carolina.Table of ContentsIllustrations. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Chapter 1: The City Observed: The Flâneur in Social Theory. Chapter 2 : The City Detected: Representations and Realities of Detection. Chapter 3: The City Interpreted: Georg Simmel's Metropolis. Chapter 4: The City Compared: Vienna is not Berlin. Chapter 5: The City Designed: Otto Wagner and Vienna. Chapter 6: The City Dissolved: Social Theory, the Metropolis and Expressionism. Chapter 7: The City Rationalized: Martin Wagner's New Berlin. Conclusion. Notes. Bibliography. Index

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Book Synopsisaeo An excellent introduction to a rapidly growing field -- Lesbian Studies. aeo Provides a clear and engaging account of the contradictory meanings of lesbian sexuality in Western culture. aeo It is both a valuable and original contribution to current debates concerned with lesbian studies.Trade Review'Lesbian Configurations is at once a light-casting journey through some of the densest thickets in contemporary literary and psychoanalytic theory and a work of generous, energizing scholarship. These are bravura, resolute readings: intelligent, alert, often droll, and rich in insights about the paradoxical place of the lesbian in the modern imagination.' Terry Castle, Stanford University 'renée hoogland's Lesbian Configurations is an engaging and lucid analysis of contemporary lesbian theories. Its intriguing readings of The Color Purple and The Bell Jar lead the way to a sophisticated and enlightening lesbian critical practice. Her astute analyses of contemporary film and other popular cultural texts demonstrate clever and useful strategies for lesbian reading.' Judith Roof, Indiana University 'The growing visibility of lesbian sexuality in mainstream western culture has been accompanied by a rapidly developing lesbian academic interest in tracing the cultural configurations of same-sex female desire, a project that situates lesbian scholarship and theoretical critique on the cutting edge of contemporary cultural theory. [This book is] a welcome addition to this dynamic, growing body of work.' Cultural StudiesTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Defining Differences: The Lavender Menace and The Color Purple. . 2. Basic Instinct: The Lesbian Spectre as Castrating Agent. 3. Impossible Subject Among Multiple Crossovers: Roman Polanski's Bitter Moon. 4. Sex/Textual Conflicts in The Bell Jar: Sylvia Plath's Doubling Negatives. 5. Queer Undercurrents: Disruptive Desire in Elizabeth Bowen's Friends and Relations. . 6. Fatal Attractions: Feminist Theory and the Lesbian Lure. Epilogue. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

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Book Synopsisaeo An excellent introduction to a rapidly growing field -- Lesbian Studies. aeo Provides a clear and engaging account of the contradictory meanings of lesbian sexuality in Western culture. aeo It is both a valuable and original contribution to current debates concerned with lesbian studies.Trade Review'Lesbian Configurations is at once a light-casting journey through some of the densest thickets in contemporary literary and psychoanalytic theory and a work of generous, energizing scholarship. These are bravura, resolute readings: intelligent, alert, often droll, and rich in insights about the paradoxical place of the lesbian in the modern imagination.' Terry Castle, Stanford University 'renée hoogland's Lesbian Configurations is an engaging and lucid analysis of contemporary lesbian theories. Its intriguing readings of The Color Purple and The Bell Jar lead the way to a sophisticated and enlightening lesbian critical practice. Her astute analyses of contemporary film and other popular cultural texts demonstrate clever and useful strategies for lesbian reading.' Judith Roof, Indiana University 'The growing visibility of lesbian sexuality in mainstream western culture has been accompanied by a rapidly developing lesbian academic interest in tracing the cultural configurations of same-sex female desire, a project that situates lesbian scholarship and theoretical critique on the cutting edge of contemporary cultural theory. [This book is] a welcome addition to this dynamic, growing body of work.' Cultural StudiesTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Defining Differences: The Lavender Menace and The Color Purple. . 2. Basic Instinct: The Lesbian Spectre as Castrating Agent. 3. Impossible Subject Among Multiple Crossovers: Roman Polanski's Bitter Moon. 4. Sex/Textual Conflicts in The Bell Jar: Sylvia Plath's Doubling Negatives. 5. Queer Undercurrents: Disruptive Desire in Elizabeth Bowen's Friends and Relations. . 6. Fatal Attractions: Feminist Theory and the Lesbian Lure. Epilogue. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

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Book Synopsisaeo An exciting new book by one of the leading social and feminist theorists writing today. aeo Brings together Barretta s work on key issues in the social sciences and humanities. aeo Highly original and interdisciplinary.Trade Review"In this lucid book, Barrett engages timely issues in great range and depth: humanism, anti-humanism, and ecological responsibility; the disciplinary constitution of objects of study and the writerliness of theory; the relationship of politics and aspiration. Contesting all reductionisms, Michele Barrett is acutely aware of but not paralysed by her own "disciplinary cathexis". She supplements Marxism, interacts with post-structuralism, situates postmodernism in postmodernity, and remains firmly focused on historical change within feminism. She brings us all the way into popular culture - Star Trek and Ken Follett - and ends with a virtuoso encounter between Virginia Woolf and Michel Foucault." Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak "Imagination has not been contemporary social theory's strongest suit. Michele Barrett is one of the few theorists who has consistently argued for thee importance of this interface and in these elegantly written, lucidly formulated, vigorously argued essays on a variety of cognate themes, she develops and enlarges her exploration of this complex terrain of enquiry." Stuart Hall "In this astute and lively book, Michèle Barrett takes the reader on a memorable and informed trip through the highs and lows of twentieth-century culture and its analysis. Framed by two challenging and entertaining essays on Virginia Woolf - as she encountered Freud and might have encountered Foucault - Imagination in Theory explores the dynamism of the century-association of literature and theory, and provides one of the best arguments for the productive energy of that alliance." Cora Kaplan "She writes with clarity and elegance about complex issues and is a pleasure to read. This is a useful collection of her interdisciplinary work for both the uninitiated and those already acquainted with her fascination for the juncture between culture, creativity, theorizing and sociology." Melanie Mauthner, Feminist Theory. "Another impressive book, Imagination in Theory which contains eleven engaging essays that take culture, theory and writing as themes." Years Work in Critical Cultural TheoryTable of Contents1. Introduction: Culture, Theory, Writing. 2. Words and Things. 3. Virginia Woolf: Subjectivity and Politics. 4. Aesthetics and Cultural Criticism. 5. Feminism and Cultural Politics. 6. The Concept of 'Difference'. 7. Psychoanalyses and Feminisms. 8. Rethinking the Marxist/Feminist Encounter. 9. Stuart Hall and Cultural Studies. 10. Human Nature. 11. Virginia Woolf Meets Michel Foucault. Notes. Select Bibliography. Index.

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Book Synopsisaeo An exciting new book by one of the leading social and feminist theorists writing today. aeo Brings together Barretta s work on key issues in the social sciences and humanities. aeo Highly original and interdisciplinary.Trade Review"In this lucid book, Barrett engages timely issues in great range and depth: humanism, anti-humanism, and ecological responsibility; the disciplinary constitution of objects of study and the writerliness of theory; the relationship of politics and aspiration. Contesting all reductionisms, Michele Barrett is acutely aware of but not paralysed by her own "disciplinary cathexis". She supplements Marxism, interacts with post-structuralism, situates postmodernism in postmodernity, and remains firmly focused on historical change within feminism. She brings us all the way into popular culture - Star Trek and Ken Follett - and ends with a virtuoso encounter between Virginia Woolf and Michel Foucault." Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak "Imagination has not been contemporary social theory's strongest suit. Michele Barrett is one of the few theorists who has consistently argued for thee importance of this interface and in these elegantly written, lucidly formulated, vigorously argued essays on a variety of cognate themes, she develops and enlarges her exploration of this complex terrain of enquiry." Stuart Hall "In this astute and lively book, Michèle Barrett takes the reader on a memorable and informed trip through the highs and lows of twentieth-century culture and its analysis. Framed by two challenging and entertaining essays on Virginia Woolf - as she encountered Freud and might have encountered Foucault - Imagination in Theory explores the dynamism of the century-association of literature and theory, and provides one of the best arguments for the productive energy of that alliance." Cora Kaplan "She writes with clarity and elegance about complex issues and is a pleasure to read. This is a useful collection of her interdisciplinary work for both the uninitiated and those already acquainted with her fascination for the juncture between culture, creativity, theorizing and sociology." Melanie Mauthner, Feminist Theory. "Another impressive book, Imagination in Theory which contains eleven engaging essays that take culture, theory and writing as themes." Years Work in Critical Cultural TheoryTable of Contents1. Introduction: Culture, Theory, Writing. 2. Words and Things. 3. Virginia Woolf: Subjectivity and Politics. 4. Aesthetics and Cultural Criticism. 5. Feminism and Cultural Politics. 6. The Concept of 'Difference'. 7. Psychoanalyses and Feminisms. 8. Rethinking the Marxist/Feminist Encounter. 9. Stuart Hall and Cultural Studies. 10. Human Nature. 11. Virginia Woolf Meets Michel Foucault. Notes. Select Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis new book provides an accessible and wide--ranging introduction to the main features of Chinese society. Drawing on a wealth of material, the author offers a fresh understanding of a unique society that has undergone continuous transformation and upheaval throughout the twentieth century.Trade Review"Stockman examines the world's most populous nation beginning with pre-revolutionary times, and turns his focus on today's rapidly modernizing society. Especial attention is paid to the fate of cultural traditions in the industrial and post-industrial world." Reference and Research Book News "Textbooks on China are readily available, but this book makes its mark by integrating sociological theories with the investigation of social change in China ... Stockman has an ability to combine various works into a coherent discussion of a specific topic ... The issues Stockman addresses will be ones that interest students in Western universities." The China Journal "A book for readers who may not have a detailed and complex understanding of Chinese history." Political Studies "Norman Stockman's book fills the gap between undergraduate sociology textbooks, which pay little attention to China, and a specialist research literature on China, which is often inaccessible to students." Times Higher Education Supplement "A valuable base work offering important background information for any further research and more detailed study of contemporary Chinese society. Moreover, for all its analytical and theoretical import, Understanding Chinese Society never loses its accessibility. Though intended primarily for sociology students, it in fact can also be a useful reference book for any student studying modern and/or contemporary Chinese politics" History Now "This is a book that one can recommend to students with the certainty that they will not be led astray by it in any important respect." Times Higher Education SupplementTable of ContentsAcknowledgements vi Note on Romanization and Names ix 1 The Study of Chinese Society 1 2 Which China? Whose China? 23 3 Rural and Urban in China 45 4 Individual and Society in China 69 5 Chinese Family: Continuity and Change 94 6 Power and Revolution: Economic and Political 120 7 Power and Revolution: Cultural 149 8 Changing Patterns of Social Inequality 177 9 The Differentiation of Chinese Society 203 Notes 228 Glossary of Chinese Terms 236 Bibliography 239 Index 264

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Book SynopsisThe surviving correspondence between Walter Benjamin and Theodor W. Adorno. This is the first time all of the surviving correspondence between Adorno and Benjamin has appeared in English. Provides a key to the personalities and projects of these two major intellectual figures. Offers a compelling insight into the cultural politics of the period, at a time of social and political upheaval. An invaluable resource for all students of the work of Adorno and especially of Benjamin, extensively annotated and cross-referenced. Trade Review"[In this volume] the reader witnesses the hesitant, tension-filled process by which two individuals come together - individuals who could scarcely have approached each other in any other way than through the mediation of this literary form. True, they both repeatedly affirm their desire for personal meetings and face-to-face conversation. But the continued series of postponed and prevented visits (Adorno came to Paris, briefly, only twice) does not simply reflect adverse circumstances; it also bespeaks an unavowed preference for the obliqueness of letter writing. One gets the impression that the constraints of this medium protect the withdrawn Benjamin from the uncertainties and importunities of direct contact, and at the same time grant the austere Adorno greater freedom of critical expression." Jurgen Habermas, Die Zeit "Where Benjamin's cycles reveal the deliberately closed and enigmatic self-defensive nature of his personality, Adorno's letters are among the most remarkable things he himself ever wrote. Those letters document one of the most painful moments in Benjamin's life. Not the least interest of this correspondence is the questionable light in which it throws both of its protagonists: Benjamin for the riddle-like nature of his personality and the withdrawals and strategic or tactical evasions, so often evident here; and Adorno for the often self-important way in which he stages the flights of his own intelligence. The extraordinary and unique qualities of this correspondence stem from the confrontation in stages between two of the most intense and energetic minds of the century" Fredric Jameson, Duke University "These are complex, challenging texts that highlight the intellectual achievements of these two important thinkers. In discussions of such central concepts as the dialectical image, the problem of mediation between socioeconomic formations and cultural products, and especially the interrelation of new media technologies and aesthetics, these letters offer some of the most penetrating cultural theory written this century in any language." Michael Jennings, Princeton UniversityTable of ContentsAbbreviations. The Correspondence 1928-1940. Editor's Afterword by Henri Lonitz. Textual Notes and Source References. Bibliographical Index. Name Index.

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Book Synopsisaeo Highly readable and bold defence of the relevance and importance of Freuda s theories to contemporary culture. aeo A lucid application of Freudian concepts to current theoretical issues in the social sciences and the humanities. aeo Includes contributions from highly distinguished scholars in the social sciences and the humanities.Trade Review"A number of stimulating contributions." British Medical JournalTable of ContentsEditor's Note. Contributors. Preface. Introduction: Anthony Elliott. 1. Psychoanalysis, Science and 'Truth': Stephen Frosh. 2. Just, Lasting, Comprehensive: Jacqueline Rose. 3. Freud and Violence: C. Fred Alford. 4. Freud, Feminism and Postmodernism: Anthony Elliott. 5. The Primal Leap of Psychoanalysis, from Body to Speech: Freud, Feminism and the Vicissitudes of the Transference: Jessica Benjamin. 6. Reading Freud's Life: Madelon Sprengnether. 7. Freud and the Dynamics of Modernity: Harvie Ferguson. 8. Freud, Dreams and Imaginative Geographies: Steve Pile. 9. The Humanist Freud: Joanne Brown and Barry Richards. 10. The Future of Freud in Law: David S. Caudill. Index.

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Book Synopsisaeo Highly readable and bold defence of the relevance and importance of Freuda s theories to contemporary culture. aeo A lucid application of Freudian concepts to current theoretical issues in the social sciences and the humanities. aeo Includes contributions from highly distinguished scholars in the social sciences and the humanities.Trade Review"A number of stimulating contributions." British Medical JournalTable of ContentsEditor's Note. Contributors. Preface. Introduction: Anthony Elliott. 1. Psychoanalysis, Science and 'Truth': Stephen Frosh. 2. Just, Lasting, Comprehensive: Jacqueline Rose. 3. Freud and Violence: C. Fred Alford. 4. Freud, Feminism and Postmodernism: Anthony Elliott. 5. The Primal Leap of Psychoanalysis, from Body to Speech: Freud, Feminism and the Vicissitudes of the Transference: Jessica Benjamin. 6. Reading Freud's Life: Madelon Sprengnether. 7. Freud and the Dynamics of Modernity: Harvie Ferguson. 8. Freud, Dreams and Imaginative Geographies: Steve Pile. 9. The Humanist Freud: Joanne Brown and Barry Richards. 10. The Future of Freud in Law: David S. Caudill. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Contours of American Politics takes a fresh look at the political culture of the United States. In its complexity and diversity, America fascinates. Its politics are brash and exciting, and its political impact upon the wider world is profound.Trade Review‘Jon Roper's elegant book about aspects of American political culture should prove accessible to students encountering American politics for the first time at university whilst also challenging more advanced students. Well-grounded in an understanding of American film and literature, this intelligent text provides an enjoyable and thoughtful account of the social contexts of American government and politics' Nigel Bowles, St Anne's College, Oxford ‘Jon Roper's treatment of American politics stands as refreshingly different from the standard textbook on this subject. Roper has creatively integrated the essentials of the US political system with the persistent influence of the American historical experience and the often-overlooked impact of American cultural tensions. From his clever Huckleberry Finn metaphors to his invocation of images from classic American films, Roper has produced a readable and thoughtful text, one which reflects an awareness of the reader as well as a solid scholarly foundation. He is at his finest when reminding readers that current debates in domestic and foreign policy take place not in a vacuum, but in a vibrant historical and cultural context' Harold Molineu, Department of Political Science, Ohio University "Roper has produced a lively and entertaining book which not only covers all the essential factual detail needed for a student text but also provides fresh insight for the specialist as well". Michael Boyle. International Relations Theory. "There is much to admire in Roper's interpretation...Roper writes well; the book never fails to sustain reader interest" Richard M. Merelman, Political Science QuarterlyTable of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. 1 Lighting Out for the Territory. 2 The Politics of Nostalgia. 3 The Challenges of the Constitution. 4 The Framework of Government. 5 Playing the Political Game. 6 Making Headlines. 7 Faultlines. 8 In Country. 9 Back on the Raft. Notes. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisAn important work by one of the leading social thinkers of the late twentieth century. This book is one of Luhmann's most systematic statement about the nature of the media. He examines the media from the distinctive perspective of his theory of social systems.Trade Review'This brilliant book is of interest both as an insightful contribution to media studies theory and as a lively and readable application of Luhmann's ingenious and influential system, which neatly descibes the paradoxes of media(ted) reality.' William Outhwaite, University of SussexTable of Contents1. Differentiation as a Doubling of Reality. 2. Self-reference and other-reference. 3. Coding. 4. System-specific Universalism. 5. News and In-Depth Reporting. 6. Ricúpero. 7. Advertising. 8. Entertainment. 9. Unity and Structural Couplings. 10. Individuals. 11. The Construction of Reality. 12. The Reality of Construction. 13. The Function of the Mass Media. 14. The Public. 15. Schema Formation. 16. Second-order Cybernetics as Paradox. Notes. Index.

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Book SynopsisMedia, Communication, Culture offers a bold and comprehensive analysis of developments in the field amidst the effects of postmodernism and globalization. James Lull, one of the leading scholars in the discipline, draws from a wide range of social and cultural theory, including the work of John B.Trade ReviewFrom reviews of the first edition: 'A comprehensive and fair-minded overview of the key media theoreticians, past and present ... an admirably scrupulous textbook.' Times Literary Supplement 'An entertaining and useful book ... a delight to read. Abstruse theoretical concepts are presented in a readable and engaging manner, perfectly suited for the student. Lull often braces his assertions with examples drawn from the recent popular culture, which undergraduates will enjoy. The text is amplified by a useful glossary and reference section, as well as interesting graphics ... Lull's work is certainly recommended.' MultiCultural Review 'A most readable book on theory with examples to help explain concepts like hegemony and post-modernism ... a good introduction to media, communication, and culture for graduate or upper-level students in communication.' Journalism and Mass Communication Educator 'A useful glossary of common terms in media and cultural studies. Lull brings his extensive experience in teaching and cross-cultural audience research to good use, and there is an impressive breadth of theoretical reference ... good, student-friendly text.' Media International Australia 'This book needs to be taken seriously - what the author says is actually quite frightening and offers a glimpse into the real world of global media domination. A valuable addition to the study of media that will have people thinking.' The LecturerTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Ideology, Consciousness, Hegemony. 2. Social Rules and Power. 3. Culture and Cultural Power. 4. The Active Audience. 5. Meaning in Motion. 6. Itineraries of the Everyday. Notes. Glossary. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis exciting new reader brings together some of the best recent sociological writing on British society. The volume features carefully selected extracts from books and journals, which have been chosen for the high quality of their sociological analysis and their relevance to understanding social change.Trade ReviewUp-to-date, relevant and chosen with care, this collection is essential reading for students and their teachers.' Stephen Hill, Professor of Sociology, London School of EconomicsTable of ContentsPreface: How to use this book. Acknowledgements. 1. Changing Britian. . Part 1 Globalization. 2. Global economy (Peter Dicken). 3. Local interpretations of global music (Andy Bennett). 4. The framing of Scottish national identity (Frank Bechhofer, David McCrone, Richard Kiely and Robert Stweart). 5.Local and global political protest (Sasha Roseneil). Part 2 Social Divisions. 6.The restructuring of work since 1980 (Duncan Gallie, Michael White, Yuan Cheng and Mark Tomlinson). 7.The persistence of class inequalities (John Westergaard). 8.The condition of the contemporary middle classes (Mike Savage). 9. In search of a British underclass (Fiona Devine). 10.Women at work in the City of London (Linda McDowell). 11.Work, gender and unemployment (Lydia Morris). 12. Women avoiding being working class (Women Avoiding being Working Class (Beverly Skeggs). 13. Racial harassment (Satnam Virdee). . Part 3 Family and Household. 14.Changing families (Sarah Irwin). 15. Divorce and the new family (Carol Smart). 16. British youth cultures in the 1990s (Ken Roberts). . 17.Family relationships and family responsibilities (Janet Finch and Jennifer Mason). 18.The local networks of the elderly (Chris Phillipson, Miriam Bernard, Judith Phillips and Jim Ogg). Part 4 Fragmentary Cultures. 19. The dance music industry (David Hesmondhalgh). 20.The transformation of the British Press (Brian McNair). 21.Food and class (Alan Warde). 22.The relationship between television and real life in a London Punjabi community (Marie Gillespie). 23. Shopping and the work of femininity (Celia Lury). 24. Consumption, tribes and identity (Kevin Hetherington). Part 5 Old and New Politics. 25. The political implications of the 1997 General Election (David Sanders). 26. The social backgrounds of MPs (Pippa Norris and Joni Lovenduski). 27.Sexuality and citizenship (Diane Richardson). 28. Social class and choice of secondary schooling (Sharon Gewirtz, Stephen Ball and Richard Bowe). 29. Student peer groups and Masculinity (Mairtin Mac an Ghaill). 30.Women's careers in teaching (Sandra Acker). 31.Inequalities in Health (Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health). 32. New Public attitudes and the NHS (K. Judge, J.-A. Mulligan and B.). 33. Juvenile Crime (Anne Worrall). 34. Moral Panics about sex and AIDS (Kenneth Thompson). Index.

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