Non Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAS FEATURED ON ''BBC RADIO 4 ''GOOD READS''.Woodlands Awards 2019: Woodland Books of the Year''The oak is the wooden tie between heaven and earth. It is the lynch pin of the British landscape.'' The oak is our most beloved and most common tree. It has roots that stretch back to all the old European cultures but Britain has more ancient oaks than all the other European countries put together. More than half the ancient oaks in the world are in Britain. Many of our ancestors - the Angles, the Saxons, the Norse - came to the British Isles in longships made of oak. For centuries the oak touched every part of a Briton''s life - from cradle to coffin It was oak that made the ''wooden walls'' of Nelson''s navy, and the navy that allowed Britain to rule the world. Even in the digital Apple age, the real oak has resonance - the word speaks of fortitude, antiquity, pastoralism.The Glorious Life of the Oak explores our long relationshTrade ReviewA beautiful object and a very British story written with real lyricism - some of the finest sentences I've read. -- Neil Oliver * BBC Radio 4: A Good Read *Lewis-Stempel is one of the best of the new generation of nature writers, an oak himself in that particular corner of the literary forest. As a working farmer, from a long line of Herefordshire farmers, he has daily exposure to his source material. In books such as Meadowland, The Running Hare and, most recently, The Wood, he has distilled his knowledge and his enthusiasm into a style that is as rich and earthy as its subject. * Spectator *Our greatest nature writer * Books Are My Bag *A lively little book * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'A cornucopia of our weirdest and most wonderful archaeological sites and artefacts. They make you feel proud to be a citizen of these gloriously intriguing isles.' Sir Tony RobinsonAn Ice Age cannibal’s skull cup, a hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold, a seventeenth century witch bottle… anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota unearths more than 70 of Britain's most intriguing ancient places and artefacts and explores the mysteries behind them. Britain is full of ancient wonders: not grand like the Egyptian pyramids, but small, strange places and objects that hint at a deep and enduring relationship with the mystic. Secret Britain offers an expertly guided tour of Britain’s most fascinating mysteries: archaeological sites and artefacts that take us deep into the lives of the many different peoples who have inhabited the island over the millennia. Illustrated with beautiful photographs, the wo

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Book SynopsisA Waterstones Book of the Year'Glen Matlock - singer, songwriter, bassist, natural storyteller and a damn fine bloke. It is no surprise Triggers is a brilliant journey' DEBBIE HARRY'A page turner filled with colourful, illuminating tales' MOJO'The clearest view yet of punk' LOUDER THAN WARA fascinating new book charting the life and career of Sex Pistols legend Glen Matlock through the lens of his most formative songs - from the ones that influenced him as a child to the ones he wrote and played on as a star.Sharing insider tales of the Sex Pistols' earliest gigs and stormiest reunions, as well as their most idiosyncratic inter-band dynamics, Triggers offers a vivid insight into the ultimate icons of punk. Yet, having performed and recorded with so many musical luminaries over the decades, Glen also reflects on his time with the likes of Iggy Pop, David Bowie,

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Book SynopsisRobert M. Pirsig was born in 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He holds degrees in chemistry, philosophy, and journalism and also studied Oriental philosophy at Benares Hindu University in India. He is the author of this book's sequel, entitled Lila.Trade ReviewMr Pirsig has written a work of great, perhaps urgent, importance. Read this book * Observer *Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an unforgettable trip * Time *Disturbing, deeply moving, full of insights. This is a wonderful book * Times Literary Supplement *The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism.The analogies with Moby-Dick are patent * New Yorker *Profoundly important-full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas * New York Times *

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

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Book SynopsisMarx's major work was the product of 30 years' close study of the most advanced industrial society of his day. Marx devoted most of his adult life to analyzing theTable of ContentsCapital Introduction by Ernest MandelTranslator's PrefacePreface to the First EditionPostface to the Second EditionPreface to the French EditionPostface to the French EditionPreface to the Third Edition (by Engels)Preface to the English Edition (by Engels)Preface to the Fourth Edition (by Engels)BOOK I: THE PROCESS OF PRODUCTION OF CAPITAL Part One: Commodities and MoneyChapter 1: The Commodity1. The Two Factors of the Commodity: Use-Value and Value (Substance of VAlue, Magnitude of Value)2. The Dual Character of the Labour Embodied in Commodities3. The Value-Form, or Exchange-Value(a) The Simple, Isolated, or Accidental Form of Value(1) The two poles of the expression of value: the relative form of value and the equivalent form(2) The relative form of value(i) The content of the relative form of value(ii) The quantitative determinacy of the relative form of value(iii) The equivalent form(iv) The simple form of value considered as a whole(b) The Total or Expanded Form of Value(1) The expanded relative form of value(2) The particular equivalent form(3) Defects of the total or expanded form of value(c) The General Form of Value(1) The changed character of the form of value(2) The development of the relative and equivalent forms of value: their interdependence(3) The transition from the general form of value to the money form(d) The Money Form4. The Fetishism of the Commodity and Its SecretChapter 2: The Process of Exchange Chapter 3: Money, or the Circulation of Commodities1. The Measure of Values2. The Means of Circulation(a) The Metamorphosis of Commodities(b) The Circulation of Money(c) Coin. The Symbol of Value3. Money(a) Hoarding(b) Means of Payment(c) World MoneyPART TWO: THE TRANSFORMATION OF MONEY INTO CAPITAL Chapter 4: The General Formula for CapitalChapter 5: Contradictions in the General FormulaChapter 6: The Sale and Purchase of Labour-PowerPART THREE: THE PRODUCTION OF ABSOLUTE SURPLUS-VALUEChapter 7: The Labour Process and the Valorization Process1. The Labour Process2. The Valorization ProcessChapter 8: Constant Capital and Variable Capital Chapter 9: The Rate of Surplus-Value1. The Degree of Exploitation of Labour-Power2. The Representation of the Value of the Product by Corresponding Proportional Parts of the Product3. Senior's "Last Hour"4. The Surplus ProductChapter 10: The Working Day 1. The Limits of the Working Day2. The Voracious Appetite for Surplus Labour. Manufacturer and Boyar3. Branches of English Industry without Legal Limits to Exploitation4. Day Work and Night Work. The Shift System5. The Struggle for a Normal Working Day. Laws for the Compulsory Extension of the Working Day, from the Middle of the Fourteenth to the End of the Seventeenth Century6. The Struggle for a Normal Working Day. Laws for the Compulsory Limitation of Working Hours. The English Factory Legislation of 1833-647. The Struggle for a Normal Working Day. Impact of the English Factory Legislation on Other CountriesChapter 11: The Rate and Mass of Surplus-Value PART FOUR: THE PRODUCTION OF RELATIVE SURPLUS-VALUEChapter 12: The Concept of Relative Surplus-ValueChapter 13: Co-operationChapter 14: The Division of Labour and Manufacture1. The Dual Origin of Manufacture2. The Specialized Worker and His Tools3. The Two Fundamental Forms of Manufacture - Heterogeneous and Organic4. The Division of Labour in Manufacture, and the Division of Labour in Society5. The Capitalist Character of ManufactureChapter 15: Machinery and Large-Scale Industry 1. The Development of Machinery2. The Value Transferred by the Machinery to the Product3. The Most Immediate Effects of Machine Production on the Worker(a) Appropriation of Supplementary Labour-Power by Capital. The Employment of Women and Children(b) The Prolongation of the Working Day(c) Intensification of Labour4. The Factory5. The Struggle between Worker and Machine6. The Compensation Theory, with Regard to the Workers Displaced by Machinery7. Repulsion and Attraction of Workers through the Development of Machine Production. Crises in the Cotton Industry8. The Revolutionary Impact of Large-Scale Industry on Manufacture, Handicrafts and Domestic Industry(a) Overthrow of Co-operation Based on Handicrafts and on the Division of Labour(b) The Impact of the Factory System on Manufacture and Domestic Industries(c) Modern Manufacture(d) Modern Domestic Industry(e) Transition from Modern Manufacture and Domestic Industry to Large-Scale Industry. The Hastening of this Revolution by the Application of the Factory Acts to those Industries9. The Health and Education Clauses of the Factory Acts. The General Extension of Factory Legislation in England10. Large-Scale Industry and AgriculturePART FIVE: THE PRODUCTION OF ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE SURPLUS-VALUE Chapter 16: Absolute and Relative Surplus-ValueChapter 17: Changes of Magnitude in the Price of Labour-Power and in Surplus-Value1. The Length of the Working Day and the Intensity of Labour Constant; the Productivity of Labour Variable2. The Length of the Working Day and the Productivity of Labour Constant; the Intensity of Labour Variable3. The Productivity and Intensity of Labour Constant; the Length of the Working Day Variable4. Simultaneous Variations in the Duration, Productivity and Intensity of LabourChapter 18: Different Formulae for the Rate of Surplus-Value PART SIX: WAGESChapter 19: The Transformation of the Value (and Respectively the Price) of Labour-Power into WagesChapter 20: Time-WagesChapter 21: Piece-WagesChapter 22: National Differences in WagesPART SEVEN: THE PROCESS OF ACCUMULATION OF CAPITALChapter 23: Simple ReproductionChapter 24: The Transformation of Surplus-Value into Capital1. Capitalist Production on a Progressively Increasing Scale. The Inversion which Converts the Property Laws of Commodity Production into Laws of Capitalist Appropriation2. The Political Economists' Erroneous Conception of Reproduction on an Increasing Scale3. Division of Surplus-Value into Capital and Revenue. The Abstinence Theory4. The Circumstances which, Independently of the Proportional Division of Surplus-Value into Capital and Revenue, Determine the Extent of Accumulation, namely, the Degree of Exploitation of Labour-Power, the Productivity of Labour, the Growing Difference in Amount between Capital Employed and Capital Consumed, and the Magnitude of the Capital Advanced5. The So-Called Labour FundChapter 25: The General Law of Capitalist Accumulation 1. A Growing Demand for Labour-Power Accompanies Accumulation if the Composition of Capital Remains the Same2. A Relative Diminution of the Variable Part of Capital Occurs in the Course of the Further Progress of Accumulation and of the Concentration Accompanying It3. The Progressive Reduction of a Relative Surpluse Population or Industrial Reserve Army4. Different Forms of Existence of the Relative Surplus Population. The General Law of Capitalist Accumulation5. Illustrations of the General Law of Capitalist Accumulation(a) England from 1846 to 1866(b) The Badly Paid Strata of the British Industrial Working Class(c) The Nomadic Population(d) Effect of Crises on the Best Paid Section of the Working Class(e) The British Agricultural Proletariat(f) IrelandPART EIGHT: SO-CALLED PRIMITIVE ACCUMULATION Chapter 26: The Secret of Primitive AccumulationChapter 27: The Expropriation of the Agricultural Population from the LandChapter 28: Bloody Legislation against the Expropriated since the End of the Fifteenth Century. The Forcing Down of Wages by Act of ParliamentChapter 29: The Genesis of the Capitalist FarmerChapter 30: Impact of the Agricultural Revolution on Industry. The Creation of a Home Market for Industrial CapitalChapter 31: The Genesis of the Industrial CapitalistChapter 32: The Historical Tendency of Capitalist AccumulationChapter 33: The Modern Theory of ColonizationAppendix: Results of the Immediate Process of Production Introduction by Ernest MandelI. Commodities as the Product of CapitalII. Capitalist Production as the Production of Surplus-ValueIII. Capitalist Production is the Production and Reproduction of the Specifically Capitalist Relations of ProductionIV. Isolated FragmentsQuotations in Languages Other than English and GermanIndex of Authorities QuotedGeneral IndexNote on Previous Editions of the Works of Marx and EngelsChronology of Works by Marx and Engels

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Book SynopsisArchaeologist and historian, Joyce Tyldesley has written many successful books about ancient Egypt, including acclaimed biographies of Rameses the Great and Cleopatra (a Radio 4 Book of the Week), and Egypt: How a Lost Civilization was Rediscovered, which accompanied a major BBC television series. She teaches Egyptology at Manchester University and is an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool University. She lives in Bolton, Lancashire.Trade ReviewTyldesley, by painstakingly analysing the myths and therefore the beliefs, of the ancient population, endeavours to get under the skin of Egyptian life ... befuddling myth-stories are clarified -- Bettany Hughes * The Times *Required reading for Egypt's imaginative tour guides * The Sunday Times *her great strength is her story-telling * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Everything Bad is Good For You, Steven Johnson''s The Ghost Map vividly recreates Victorian London to show how huge populations live together, how cities can kill - and how they can save us. Steven Johnson is one of today''s most exciting writers about popular culture, urban living and new technology. In The Ghost Map he tells the story of the terrifying cholera epidemic that engulfed London in 1854, and the two unlikely heroes - anesthetist Doctor John Snow and affable clergyman Reverend Henry Whitehead - who defeated the disease through a combination of local knowledge, scientific research and map-making. In telling their extraordinary story, Steven Johnson also explores a whole world of ideas and connections, from urban terror to microbes, ecosystems to the Great Stink, cultural phenomena to street life. ''A wonderful book''  Mail on Sunday ''A thumping page-turne

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Book SynopsisSudhir Venkatesh the young sociologist who became famous in Freakonomics (Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?) describes his time living with the gangs on the Southside of Chicago and answers another question: what''s it like to live in hell?In the Robert Taylor Homes projects on Chicago''s South Side, Sudhir befriends J.T., a gang leader for the Black Kings. As he slowly gains J.T.''s trust, one day, in order to convince Sudhir of his own CEO-like qualities, J.T. makes him leader of the gang... Why does J.T. make his henchmen, the ''shorties'', stay in school? What is the difference between a ''regular'' hustler and a ''hype'' - and is Peanut telling him the truth about which she is? And, when the FBI finally starts cracking down on the Black Kings, is it time to get out - or is it too late?Trade Review'A rollicking read ! a vivid insight into gang culture' The Times 'Darkly entertaining ! an absorbing and self-effacing odyssey' The Guardian 'An absolutely incredible book ... equal parts comedy and tragedy ... I promise you will not be able to put it down' - Steven D. Levitt, co-author, Freakonomics

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Book SynopsisIn one of the most influential philosophical works ever writen, John Stuart Mill explores the risks and responsibilities of liberty. Examining the tyranny that can come both from government and from the herd-like opinion of the majority, Mill proposes a freedom to think, unite, and pursue our pleasures as the most important freedoms, as long as we cause no harm to others. GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

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Book SynopsisThe articles collected in George Orwell''s Essays illuminate the life and work of one of the most individual writers of this century - a man who elevated political writing to an art. This outstanding collection brings together Orwell''s longer, major essays and a fine selection of shorter pieces that includes ''My Country Right or Left'', ''Decline of the English Murder'', ''Shooting an Elephant'' and ''A Hanging''. With great originality and wit Orwell unfolds his views on subjects ranging from a revaluation of Charles Dickens to the nature of Socialism, from a comic yet profound discussion of naughty seaside postcards to a spirited defence of English cooking. Displaying an almost unrivalled mastery of English plain prose, Orwell''s essays created a unique literary manner from the process of thinking aloud and continue to challenge, move and entertain.This Penguin Modern Classics edition includes an introduction by Bernard Crick.

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Book SynopsisKenyan novelist and playwright Ngugi wa Thiong'o is the author of WEEP NOT CHILD (1964), THE RIVER BETWEEN (1965), and PETALS OF BLOOD (1977). Ngugi was chair of the Department of Literature at the University of Nairobi from 1972 to 1977. He left Kenya in 1982 and taught at various universities in the United States before he became professor of comparative literature and performance studies at New York University in 1992.

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Book SynopsisThe Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings is a collection that displays the full force of Edgar Allan Poe''s mastery of both Gothic horror and the short story form. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with an introduction and notes by David Galloway.This selection of Poe''s critical writings, short fiction and poetry demonstrates his intense interest in aesthetic issues, and the astonishing power and imagination with which he probed the darkest corners of the human mind. ''The Fall of the House of Usher'' is a slow-burning Gothic horror, describing the final hours of a family tormented by tragedy and the legacy of the past. In ''The Tell-Tale Heart'', a murderer''s insane delusions threaten to betray him, while stories such as ''The Pit and the Pendulum'', ''The Raven'' and ''The Cask of Amontillado'' explore extreme states of decadence, fear and hate.In his introduction, David Galloway re-examines the myths surrounding Poe''s life and reputation. This edition includes a new chronology and suggestions for further reading.As well as his remarkable literary output, Boston-born Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) had a variety of occupations - he served in the US army and was a magazine editor. Towards the end of his life, he was plagued by mental instability. If you enjoyed The Fall of the House of Usher, you might like Horace Walpole''s The Castle of Otranto, also available in Penguin Classics.''The most original genius that America has produced''Alfred, Lord Tennyson''Poe has entered our popular consciousness as no other American writer''The New York Times Book ReviewTable of ContentsThe Fall of the House of Usher and Other WritingsChronologyIntroductionFurther ReadingA Note on the TextPoemsStanzasSonnet - To ScienceAl AaraafRomanceTo HelenIsrafelThe City and the SeaThe SleeperLenoreThe Valley of UnrestThe RavenUlalumeFor AnnieA ValentineAnnabel LeeThe BellsTalesMS. Found in a BottleLigeiaThe Man that was Used UpThe Fall of the House of UsherWilliam WilsonThe Man of the CrowdThe Murders in the Rue MorgueA Decent into the MaelströmEleonoraThe Oval PortraitThe Masque of the Red DeathThe Pit and the PendulumThe Tell-Tale HeartThe Gold BugThe Black CatThe Purloined LetterThe Facts in the Case of M. ValdemarThe Cask of AmontilladoHop-FrogEssays and ReviewsLetter to B--Georgia ScenesThe Drake-Halleck Review (excerpts)Watkins TottleThe Philosophy of FurnitureWyandottéMusicTime and SpaceTwice-Told TalesThe American Drama (excerpts)HazlittThe Philosophy of CompositionSong-WritingOn ImaginationThe Veil of the SoulThe Poetic Principle (excerpts)Notes

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Book Synopsis''Subtle and self-reflexive. . . an excellent overview of the debates and issues that have shaped this hugely influential social science'' - GuardianHow does anthropology help us understand who we are?What can it tell us about culture, from Melanesia to the City of London? Why does it matter?For well over one hundred years, social and cultural anthropologists have traversed the world from urban Zimbabwe to suburban England, Beijing to Barcelona, uncovering surprising facts, patterns, predilections and, sometimes, the inexplicable, in terms of how humans organize their lives and articulate their values. By weaving together theories and examples from around the world, Matthew Engelke brilliantly shows why anthropology matters: not only because it allows us to understand other points of view, but also because in the process, it reveals something about ourselves too.Trade ReviewEngelke's subtle and self-reflexive study presents an excellent overview of the debates and issues that have shaped this hugely influential social science. . . Using an eclectic range of examples, including "bridewealth" in modern China and the role of social values in Downton Abbey, he shows how anthropology reveals both the limits of common sense and the universal lessons that can be drawn from communities everywhere -- PD Smith * Guardian *Think Like an Anthropologist sets forth the anthropological sensibility as a mode of thinking that might encourage us to better appreciate the complexity and diversity of the modern world -- Lamorna Ash * TLS *Informing -- and perhaps occasionally startling readers who aren't themselves anthropologists -- is a profoundly important goal. Engelke achieves his goal with crystal-clear writing, and occasional humor, too -- Barbara J. King * NPR *Brilliant, lively, short(ish) introduction into the key issues that shape anthropology. The ideal introduction for a general reader, a student - or the parent of a teenager who does not understand why their kid wants to study anthropology instead of accounting. (Don't worry; they can still find a job.) -- Gillian Tett * Guardian *An affable introduction to the discipline -- James Ryerson * New York Times Book Review *Clearly the work of an author having tremendous fun with material he knows inside out . . . Thinking like an anthropologist is something that we should all do more often -- Simon Underdown * Times Higher Education *We may not do research in faraway places or even nearby, among our curious neighbors, but we all need to be anthropologists. Thinking like an anthropologist means stopping to consider our common-sense categories in critical, comparative, and historically informed ways. Matthew Engelke's admirably lucid book gives us the tools we need -- James Clifford, author of Returns: Becoming Indigenous in the Twenty-First CenturyA terrific introduction to the field. Beautifully written, winningly told, and provocative, the book captures the basic feature of the discipline: that anthropology is a way of seeing and thinking. Anthropology invites you to see yourself as someone else might see you. In this way, it is the most world-changing of fields -- T. M. Luhrmann, author of When God Talks BackPlayful and perceptive, Matthew Engelke welcomes readers into the fascinating history and profound insights of anthropology. This elegant synthesis shows how the discipline can change the way we think about the world -- Caitlin Zaloom, author of Out of the Pits

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BBC REITH LECTURER 2021''The most important book I have read in quite some time'' Daniel Kahneman; ''A must-read'' Max Tegmark; ''The book we''ve all been waiting for'' Sam HarrisHumans dream of super-intelligent machines. But what happens if we actually succeed?Creating superior intelligence would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, according to the world''s pre-eminent AI expert, it could also be the last. In this groundbreaking book, Stuart Russell sets out why he has come to consider his own discipline an existential threat to humanity, and how we can change course before it''s too late. In brilliant and lucid prose, he explains how AI actually works and its enormous capacity to improve our lives - and why we must never lose control of machines more powerful than we are. Russell contends that we can avert the worst threats by reshaping the foundations of AI to guarantee that machines pursue our objectives, not theirs. Profound, urgent and visionary, Human Compatible is the one book everyone needs to read to understand a future that is coming sooner than we think.LONGLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES & McKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR''Thought-provoking'' Financial Times''Fascinating and significant'' Sunday Times''The most important book on AI this year'' GuardianTrade ReviewSurely the most important book on AI this year. -- Ian Sample * The Guardian, Book of the Day *A brilliantly clear and fascinating exposition of the history of computing thus far, and how very difficult true AI will be to build. -- Steven Poole * The Spectator *Fascinating and significant. -- James McConnachie * The Sunday Times *Worth reading Human Compatible by Stuart Russell (he's great!) about future AI risks and solutions. -- Elon Musk * Twitter *A thought-provoking and highly readable account of the past, present and future of AI . . . Russell deploys a bracing intellectual rigour . . . but a laconic style and dry humour keep his book accessible to the lay reader. * The Financial Times *It's asking a lot of a book about the potential end of civilisation to be strewn with humour and wry asides, but this is what Russell manages . . . it's worth sticking with, for the sake of the species. -- Best Science, Nature and Ideas Books of 2019 * The Guardian *An excellent, nuanced history. * The Telegraph, Best New Science Books for Christmas *Russell is an assiduous and conscientious scholar ... [he] provides a wealth of information. This is one of those intellectual voyages where both the journey and the destination matter. -- John Naughton * The Literary Review *This is the most important book I have read in quite some time. It lucidly explains how the coming age of artificial super-intelligence threatens human control. Crucially, it also introduces a novel solution and a reason for hope. * Daniel Kahneman, winner of the Nobel Prize and author of 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' *Of the many books published this year on artificial intelligence, this is probably the best. Stimulating and scary stuff. -- Best Books of 2019: Technology * The Financial Times *A must-read: this intellectual tour-de-force by one of AI's true pioneers not only explains the risks of ever more powerful artificial intelligence in a captivating and persuasive way, but also proposes a concrete and promising solution. * Professor Max Tegmark, MIT, author of 'Life 3.0' *Stuart Russell has long been the most sensible voice in computer science on the topic of AI risk. And he has now written the book we've all been waiting for. Human Compatible is a brilliant and utterly accessible guide to what will be either the best or worst technological development in human history. -- Sam Harris, author of five New York Times bestsellers and host of the Making Sense podcastHuman Compatible made me a convert to Russell's concerns with our ability to control our upcoming creation -- super-intelligent machines. Unlike outside alarmists and futurists, Russell is a leading authority on AI. His new book will educate the public about AI more than any book I can think of, and is a delightful and uplifting read. -- Judea Pearl, Turing Award-winner and author of 'The Book of Why'Stuart Russell, one of the most important AI scientists of the last 25 years, may have written the most important book about AI so far, on one of the most important questions of the 21st century: How to build AI to be compatible with us. The book proposes a novel and intriguing solution for this problem, while offering many thought-provoking ideas and insights about AI along the way. An accessible and engaging must-read for the developers of AI and the users of AI - that is, for all of us. -- James Manyika * Chairman and director of McKinsey Global Institute *The man set on stopping the machines taking over. * The Telegraph *In clear and compelling language, Stuart Russell describes the huge potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence, as well as the hazards and ethical challenges. It's specially welcome that a respected leading authority should offer this balanced appraisal, avoiding both hype and scaremongering. -- Professor Martin Rees, Emeritus Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics, University of Cambridge, and author of 'On the Future'A strong case for planning for the day when machines can outsmart us. * Kirkus Review *Persuasively argued and lucidly imagined, Human Compatible offers an unflinching, incisive look at what awaits us in the decades ahead. Stuart Russell's diagnosis of the risks and dangers of AI is convincing, and his prescription for action is compelling. No researcher has argued more persuasively about the risks of AI, nor has shown more clearly a pathway forward. Anyone who takes the future seriously should pay attention. -- Brian Christian, author of 'Algorithms to Live By'Can we coexist happily with the intelligent machines that humans will create? "Yes," answers Human Compatible, "but first..." Through a brilliant reimagining of the foundations of artificial intelligence, Russell takes you on a journey from the very beginning, explaining the questions raised by an AI-driven society and beautifully making the case for how to ensure machines remain beneficial to humans. A totally readable and crucially important guide to the future from one of the world's leading experts. -- Tabitha Goldstaub, co-founder of CognitionX and Head of the UK Government's AI CouncilThe same mix of de-mystifying authority and practical advice that Dr. Benjamin Spock once brought to the care and raising of children, Dr. Stuart Russell now brings to the care, raising, and yes, disciplining of machines. He has written the book that most -- but perhaps not all -- machines would like you to read. -- George Dyson, author of 'Turing's Cathedral' and 'Project Orion'This beautifully written book addresses a fundamental challenge for humanity: increasingly intelligent machines that do what we ask but not what we really intend. Essential reading if you care about our future. -- Professor Yoshua Bengio, Computer Science and Operations Research, Université de Montréal, winner of the 2018 Turing AwardA book that charts humanity's quest to understand intelligence, pinpoints why it became unsafe, and shows how to course-correct if we want to survive as a species. Stuart Russell, author of the leading AI textbook, can do all that with the wealth of knowledge of a prominent AI researcher and the persuasive clarity and wit of a brilliant educator. -- Jaan Tallinn, co-founder of Skype

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Book SynopsisDo your children have a favourite story? One that they like to hear over and over again? You probably already know that stories are powerful teaching tools, particularly with younger learners. But did you know that the new edition of Classic Tales now makes it even easier to bring the magic of good storytelling into your English classroom Use this award-winning series to effortlessly enrich your English lessons with practice in the four key skills reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Reading Children find the much-loved stories irresistible. Vibrant, colour illustrations on every page bring the stories to life and make it easy for them to follow the narrative. They love looking for the details and finding their favourite characters. A picture dictionary or illustrated glossary helps them with the meaning of key words. Writing The Storybooks support writing through comprehension activities, and the Activit

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Book SynopsisWhat was Shakespeare''s attitude to Semitism? The Introduction to this edition of The Merchant of Venice opens by addressing this vital issue raised by the play, and goes on to study the sources, background, and date, includuing a discussion of Sigmund Freud''s essay on ''The Three Caskets''. Professor Halio interprets the play''s contradictions, inconsistencies, and complementarities, especially as these relate to the overarching theme of bonds and bondage. A survey of the play''s stage history ranges from discussions of its early staging to important twentieth-century productions and performances outside England, particularly in Israel.The text, based on a fresh examination of the early editions, is presented in modernized spelling and punctuation. Unfailingly lucid and helpful, this is an ideal edition for students, actors, and the general reader. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Trade ReviewThe annotation, generally proficient, is admirably frank in rendering sexual doubles entendres and is frequently illuminating in its references to modes of staging ... As in the other volumes of this Oxford Shakespeare series, there is a good range of pictorial material and a very useful index ... this edition of The Merchant of Venice is creditable, lucid, and practical. * Cedric Watts, University of Sussex, Review of English Studies, Vol. 47, No. 186, May '96 *

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Book SynopsisThe Bible is the most important book in the history of Western civilization, and also the most difficult to interpret. It has been the vehicle of continual conflict, with every interpretation reflecting passionately-held views that have affected not merely religion, but politics, art, and even science. This unique edition offers an exciting new approach to the most influential of all English biblical texts - the Authorized King James Version, complete with the Apocrypha. Its wide-ranging Introduction and the substantial notes to each book of the Bible guide the reader through the labyrinth of literary, textual, and theological issues, using the most up-to-date scholarship to demonstrate how and why the Bible has affected the literature, art and general culture of the English-speaking world. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Trade ReviewThe World's Classics Bible [is] a quite extraordinary success. It is learned but entirely accessible, full of fascinating information ... and executed with great skill and enthusiasm * Frank Kermode *[The editors] seem to have read everything ... and their commentary consistently illuminates everything it touches upon, from the meaning of single words to the largest issues ... A magnificent achievement * Gabriel Josipovici *

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Book SynopsisOne of the greatest artistic works of the twentieth century, Finnegans Wake is both an outrageous epic and a wildly inventive comedy that rewards its readers with never-ending layers of meaning. This edition helps readers get past its reputation for difficulty in order to enjoy its astonishing originality and imaginative achievement.Trade Reviewenhances the reader's textual awareness...The captivating, accessible and rich introduction by Finn Fordham enthuses first-time readers * James Joyce Broadsheet, Dirk Van Hulle *The editors have provided a lucid introduction and a chapter-by-chapter outline which gives one at last a vague hold on what's going on, but it's not overburdened with notes, which frees one to stop worrying and just enjoy the surrealism and exuberance of Joyce's language. * Independent on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''A poetic, erudite exploration of history and myth'' Financial TimesAn unforgettable journey through centuries and across cultures to the pivotal moment in evolution - when humans did something that no species had yet tried - when we became the hunter and no longer the prey. Informed by Greek and Egyptian myth, the stories of poets, shamans and gods, Roberto Calasso''s expansive exploration of our relationship to animals and sacrifice, encourages us to reframe our understanding of our place in history, and in the world. ''Calasso has created a much discussed original genre for these books ... a dense pastiche of myth, biography, criticism, philosophy, history and minutiae ... woven together by Calasso''s unflagging vision'' The New YorkerTrade ReviewBeguiling, captivating, vital ... Informed by myth, this damning exploration of man's detachment from the animal world is ninth in a staggeringly learned series -- Stuart Jeffries * Guardian *The Celestial Hunter is an "initiation through the book", speculative but capable of changing how you see things -- Dominic Green * Spectator *A spellbinding modern magus . . . he writes like a poet, not a professor, in glinting, enigmatic nuggets of narrative. At a moment when atavistic kinds of peril, awe and terror seem close at hand, it feels no great stretch to share Calasso's core belief that "the gods always return" -- Boyd Tonkin * Financial Times *Calasso is especially good at describing the characters of myth and legend with a novelist's omniscient authority ... leaves you feeling not out of your depth, but smarter and better read -- A. E. Stallings * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisNow Brando looked at people with assurance, and with what can only be called a pitying expression, as though he dwelt in spheres of enlightenment where they, to his regret, did not.This mesmerizing profile of an insecure, vulnerable young Marlon Brando, brooding in a Kyoto hotel during a break from filming, is a peerless piece of journalism.Penguin Modern: fifty new books celebrating the pioneering spirit of the iconic Penguin Modern Classics series, with each one offering a concentrated hit of its contemporary, international flavour. Here are authors ranging from Kathy Acker to James Baldwin, Truman Capote to Stanislaw Lem and George Orwell to Shirley Jackson; essays radical and inspiring; poems moving and disturbing; stories surreal and fabulous; taking us from the deep South to modern Japan, New York''s underground scene to the farthest reaches of outer space.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA thought-proving and enjoyable book that revels in seeing the global in the local. Erling Kagge reveals new ways to view home and homo sapiens, and, as he travels leisurely, we grow slowly wiser. -- Tristan Gooley, author of 'The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs''If you are a walker this book will resonate with you, if you have seldom or never walked this book should be compulsory reading' -- Rosamund Young, author of 'The Secret Life of Cows'Erling Kagge is a philosophical adventurer - or perhaps an adventurous philosopher * New York Times *A thoughtful book-length essay on a taken-for-granted human activity. * Kirkus *[Walking is] much more subtle than a typical self-help . . . Erling Kagge uses his acquaintance with extreme environments to reflect on the mental and physical benefits of walking * Economist *Part rumination, part walking coach and companion . . . and one that might just do more for your health and happiness than your treadmill alone ever could * New York Journal of Books *Drawing on the experiences of Kagge's extraordinary life in wild places, this is a book of great concentration * Robert Macfarlane, on Silence *Fascinating * The Times, on Silence *

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Book SynopsisWhere do animals live? Do all animals have homes? Find out all about nests, shells and coral reefs.Do You Know? is a series of levelled non-fiction books featuring video content, project work and critical-thinking activities to motivate and engage young learners. Covering a range of STEM topics from nocturnal animals to climate change, Do You Know? takes an enquiry-based approach, developing children''s language, communication and investigation skills.Recommended for children aged 7+, there are four levels progressing from CEFR level Pre-A1 to level A2. Each reader is accompanied by online video content, audio, video and comprehension activities, and suggestions for project work. Animal Homes, a Level 2 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework and supports YLE Movers exams. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past tense and some simple adverbs.

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Book SynopsisPenguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers'' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. Alec Leamas, a British spy, is worn out and ready to stop working. But his boss wants him to do one final job: to spread false information about an important man in East Germany. Can Alec end his career and finally come in from the cold?

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Book Synopsis100 Marvel comics that built a universe.Which comic books have helped define Marvel Comics and make them the pop-culture phenomenon they are today? Find out in Marvel Greatest Comics, a compelling showcase of some of the most trailblazing and inspiring comic books ever created. From the groundbreaking original Human Torch and his aquatic adversary Namor, the Sub-Mariner in 1939 to the game-changing 1960s Super Hero icons such as Spider-Man, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four, to smart modern makeovers in the 21st century like Guardians of the Galaxy and Squirrel Girl, Marvel have set the pace.This book''s specially curated and expertly appraised selection is a stunningly illustrated and insightful assessment of Marvel Comics and its legacy through the comics that made the company great. These are the comics that changed the face of an industry. These are Marvel''s greatest comics. 2020 MARVEL

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Book SynopsisPenguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers'' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.Roald Dahl flew planes in the Second World War (1939- 1945) when Germany, Italy and Japan fought against Britain and other countries. Going Solo is Dahl''s time with the RAF (Royal Air Force). He writes, I did not need to leave out anything here because every moment was, to me, totally interesting.

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Book SynopsisPenguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers'' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.David Copperfield lives happily with his mother and his nurse, Peggotty. Then his mother marries Mr Murdstone, and he and his sister come to live with them. Suddenly everything changes . .

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Book SynopsisPenguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers'' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.Companies and leaders often have great ideas. But, before they can turn their ideas into successful products, they need to answer some big questions. Now there is a way to answer these questions without weeks or months of meetings and discussions. It is called the sprint.

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Book SynopsisIn twenty short books, Penguin brings you the classics of the environmental movement.From the ravages of the global economy to the great pleasures of growing a garden, Wendell Berry''s powerful essays represent a heartfelt call for humankind to mend our broken relationship with the earth, and with each other.Over the past 75 years, a new canon has emerged. As life on Earth has become irrevocably altered by humans, visionary thinkers around the world have raised their voices to defend the planet, and affirm our place at the heart of its restoration. Their words have endured through the decades, becoming the classics of a movement. Together, these books show the richness of environmental thought, and point the way to a fairer, saner, greener world.

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Book SynopsisSee more than 350 of the world''s greatest buildings come to life in the most spectacular way! A world of beauty and genius is unveiled in this comprehensive architecture book. Discover the world''s most incredible buildings, from the ancient world to the present day.From the Louvre and the Colosseum to the Sydney Opera House and the Gherkin, this book offers a truly visual worldwide survey of global architecture. Bursting with breathtaking photography and informative entries on more than 350 of the world''s most famous buildings, Architecture: A Visual History gives you an unspoilt view of their fascinating features. This accessible reference book will transport you to the most impressive and iconic buildings on earth: - 500 photographs and 13 CGI artworks that dissect magnificent buildings around the world- Clear explanations and cross-sections of each building, along with exquisite photography of specific details- Close

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Book SynopsisPotty training has never been so easy - or so much fun! Follow the twins, Jasmine and Jack, on their journey to using the potty. This charming board book is a humorous telling of the ups and downs of toilet training. It teaches hygiene practices, positive reinforcement and a reminder that it is okay when accidents happen. Time to Use the Potty helps toddlers adjust to potty training in a relatable way. This potty book includes: - A host of relatable characters - twins Jack and Jasmine, their parents/carers, and Teddy!- Covers the various steps children need to gain the confidence to use the potty, including choosing a potty, the transition from nappies to pants, and the importance of personal hygiene- Encourages positive reinforcement for the twins when they use the potty correctly- Suitable for both boys and girls with practical advice for parents- Bright and engaging illustrations with actions that children can copy

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Book SynopsisAndrew Graham Dixon is one of the world's most prominent commentators on the visual arts. Highly knowledgeable, and with a gift for communicating complex ideas clearly and imaginatively, he is the author of Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane, the best-selling biography of the Renaissance artist Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. He is also the writer and presenter of several BBC art documentaries and the co-presenter of five series on the art and food of Italy alongside the chef Georgio Locatelli.

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Book SynopsisOS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities such as walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. The series provides complete GB coverage and can now be used in all weathers thanks to OS Explorer - Active, a tough, versatile version of OS Explorer.

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Book Synopsis''Original, thought-provoking and a joy to read'' Tim HarfordWinner of best smart thinking book (Business Book Awards) and a Guardian best books of 2021When it comes to what we believe, humans see what they want to see. In other words, we have what Julia Galef calls a ''soldier'' mindset. From tribalism and wishful thinking, to rationalising in our personal lives and everything in between, we are driven to defend the ideas we most want to believe - and shoot down those we don''t.But if we want to get things right more often we should train ourselves to think more like a scout. Unlike the soldier, a scout''s goal isn''t to defend one side over the other. It''s to go out, survey the territory, and come back with as accurate a map as possible. Regardless of what they hope to be the case, above all, the scout wants to know what''s actually true.In The Scout Mindset, Galef shows that what makes scouts better at getting things right isn''t that they''re smarter or more knowledgeable than everyone else. It''s a handful of emotional skills, habits, and ways of looking at the world - which anyone can learn.With fascinating examples ranging from how to survive being stranded in the middle of the ocean, to how Jeff Bezos avoids overconfidence, to how superforecasters outperform CIA operatives, to Reddit threads and modern partisan politics, Galef explores why our brains deceive us and what we can do to change the way we think.''Highly recommended. It''s not easy to become (more of) a scout, but it''s hard not to be inspired by this book'' Rutger Bregman''With insights that are both sharp and actionable, The Scout Mindset picks up where Predictably Irrational left off. Reading it will teach you to think more clearly, see yourself more accurately, and be wrong a little less often'' Adam GrantTrade ReviewJulia Galef doesn't simply harangue us for not thinking clearly; she diagnoses why we do it, and suggests concrete ways to improve our rationality. This is a book that will make a real difference in how you think -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply HiddenJulia Galef is an intellectual leader of the rationalist community, and in The Scout Mindset you will find an engaging, clearly written distillation of her very important accumulated wisdom on these topics -- Tyler Cowen, author of Big Business and The Great StagnationDrawing on her extensive knowledge of the scientific literature and of popular culture, Julia Galef explores the remarkable human capacity for self-deception - and shows us how we can catch ourselves in the act of fooling ourselves -- Philip Tetlock, author of SuperforecastingThe Scout Mindset offers an insightful, entertaining and genuinely useful guide to thinking more clearly -- Don Moore, author of Perfectly ConfidentAn engaging and enlightening account from which we all can benefit * Wall Street Journal *Highly recommended. It's not easy to become (more of) a scout, but it's hard not to be inspired by this book -- Rutger Bregman, bestselling author of Humankind and Utopia for RealistsWe know a lot about how flawed human reasoning is, but surprisingly little about how to repair it in our daily lives. Thankfully, Julia Galef is here to change that. With insights that are both sharp and actionable, her book picks up where Predictably Irrational left off. Reading it will teach you to think more clearly, see yourself more accurately, and be wrong a little less often -- Adam Grant, author of Originals and Give and Take, host of WorkLife podcastJulia understands human thinking with incredible clarity and she's a master at communicating that clarity to others through her writing and metaphors. I haven't stopped thinking about the scout mindset ever since I first heard Julia explain it -- Tim Urban, writer and creator of Wait But WhyJulia Galef is one of the smartest, most exciting voices not just in American rationalism, but in American writing period. She is consistently fascinating -- Johann Hari, international bestselling author of Stolen Focus and Lost ConnectionsJulia Galef, one of our foremost experts on identifying the problem of motivated reasoning and cognitive biases, has produced the best work to date on what to do about it, both personally to improve our lives and socially to make the world a more rational and reasonable place for all. A must-read for all who have trouble saying "I was wrong" and "I change my mind", which is all of us -- Michael Shermer, writer, founder of Skeptic, and New York Times bestselling author of The Moral ArcThe Scout Mindset is essential reading for understanding how the stories we tell ourselves sacrifice better decision-making in the long-term for a short-term boost to our egos . . . A must-read for anyone looking be more rational in their choices -- Annie Duke, author of Thinking in BetsMost books tell you what to think. This is something rarer, and more valuable: A book about how to think and how to learn, without the fear or favour that so often holds us back from inching closer to the truth. The beauty of The Scout Mindset demonstration is it is, itself, an example of the ethos it teaches. The delight it takes in questioning its own premises, and understanding the alternative arguments, will make you want to be a scout, too -- Ezra Klein, cofounder of Vox, author of Why We Are Polarized, and host of The Ezra Klein Show podcastI've learned more about how to think and reason well from Julia Galef than from almost anyone -- Dylan Matthews, senior correspondent at Vox

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Book SynopsisFrom the top ten bestselling author of Normandy 44 and Sicily 43The Second World War is the most cataclysmic and violent sequence of events in recent times. But for the past seven decades, our understanding of it has relied upon conventional wisdom, propaganda and an interpretation skewed by the information available. James Holland has spent over twelve years conducting new research, interviewing survivors, visiting battlefields and archives that have never before been so accessible and challenging too-long-held assumptions about the war that shaped our world. In Germany Ascendant, the first part of this ground-breaking new history, James Holland introduces the war, beginning with the lead-up to its outbreak in 1939 and taking us up to mid-1941 as the Nazis prepared to unleash Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia. To tell the real story, he weaves together the experiences of dozens of individuals, from civilians and soldiers, to sailors, Trade Review"A marvellously readable book" -- Gary Sheffield BBC History Magazine - Books of the Year 2015 "Impeccably researched and superbly written ... Holland's fascinating saga offers a mixture of captivating new research and well-considered revisionism. The next two volumes should be unmissable." -- Alexander Larman Observer "Holland's history is a work of revisionism with a vengeance. Through his emphasis on logistical support and technology, he continually demolishes cherished myths about the war ... This is a magnificent, authoritative contribution to the study of the Second World War." -- Leo McKinstry Literary Review "This brilliant, lucid and intimate history is a game-changer, the Second World War will never seem the same again. If you think you know the real history of the Second World War this book will astonish you: it renders other popular histories redundant" -- Professor David Edgerton King's College, London "The most refreshing and engaging book about the Second World War that I have read in a long time. The absorbing narrative is laced with a passion and enthusiasm and stands head and shoulders above the current crop of titles in the genre" Soldier Magazine "James Holland is the best of the new generation of WW2 historians. His epic new venture convincingly challenges many received ideas about the war and draws some exciting new conclusions" -- Sebastian Faulks "James Holland's War in the West takes a fresh look at the familiar and finds much food for thought - turning several conventions on their heads in a compelling and revelatory way" -- Al Murray "This book stands apart and for all the right reasons: Holland has something new to say. Every page is alive with a level of excitement and enthusiasm. Here is a perspective that turns on its head what I thought I understood about those astonishing years - filled with insight and detail" -- Neil Oliver "With this magnificent, hugely readable debut, James Holland's War in the West is set fair to become one of the truly great multi-volume histories of the Second World War" -- Andrew Roberts "James Holland has produced a gripping multi-layered study of the War in West. It weaves together accounts from all levels of those caught up in the opening stages of the war and provides an accessible and captivating narrative. More importantly still it offers a challenging reappraisal that forces us to rethink our attitudes to the conduct of the most destructive and important war in history. Essential reading" -- Professor John Buckley, Professor of War Studies, Wolverhampton University & author of Monty's Men

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the world-wide bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: ' A beautiful novel, a tonic for the soul and a complete joy to read.' Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep.1988.Trade ReviewRachel Joyce tells wonderful stories. In her hands, ordinary lives are given dignity and triumph. She is a champion of humanity, and The Music Shop is no exception. It is a joyous love song that pulses with hope and benevolence and laughter. -- Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit and Tin ManHer speciality is writing with empathy on the quirkier aspects of life...[The Music Shop] has the feel of a summer hit: warm-hearted, unusual and romantic, with a sense of hope pervading all manner of misfortunes... Joyce's gift is in using simple language to convey profound observations on human nature. -- Will Hodgkinson * The Times *The Music Shop is wonderful - a tender and moving love story which captures brilliantly the healing, redemptive power of music and its ability to console, empower and reassure. I adored it. -- Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of UsRachel Joyce hits all the right notes with her love letter to vinyl… This is the most beautiful ode to music, community and love, that overflows with charm and warmth. -- Jane Craddock * The Sun *[Joyce] writes with unquestionable charm and and with her considerable heart never far from her sleeve.Joyce's charm and good-heartedness remain undiminished, as does her ability to create a highly appealing, semi-magical world... and to make us root for her characters all the way. -- James Walton * The Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThis concise, easy to read guide provides the perfect foundation to mindfulness, setting you on the path to peace and tranquillity.''The monk who taught the world mindfulness'' - TIME''Hyde''s book delivers a profound vision: The simple magic of the human heart'' - SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEWHAT READERS ARE SAYING:***** - ''A solid book to start you off on making mindfulness a part of your everyday life.''***** - ''Do yourself a favour and read this book. Over and over.''***** - ''A wonderful book that gives helpful tips to quiet the mind.''*******************************************************************In Peace of Mind, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that integrating body and mind is the only way to feel truly alive in each moment.Bringing together ancient wisdom and contemporary thinking on the subject of mindfulneTrade ReviewYou could spend the rest of your life reading and rereading this deceptively simple book; it is that deep... Like all great teachers, Hanh transmits profound insights through simple heart-opening words. His voice is so intimate and open, reading this book is like sitting with him, in his transforming presence...This book shows you how to bring mind and body together to illuminate and heal each one. * Rick Hanson *Practice the gentle exercises in this graceful book to achieve the peace and happiness that mindful awareness of the fundamental union of body and mind can bring to oneself and to others. * Richard Shusterman *

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Book SynopsisThis railway atlas presents a much wider range of railway types and their features than those shown on most existing maps. Its coverage begins with the earliest railways and carries through to the present day. The area covered in this volume extends from Cornwall in the South West to Hampshire in Central Southern England and as far north as Bristol and Swindon. Industrial railways are shown as well as passenger carrying lines. Each map is accompanied by a detailed key to the public and private railway systems shown. This includes dates of operation, gauges and significant topographical features. Information on stations includes the opening and closing dates and any name changes which occurred. A chronology of the public railway routes also accompanies each map, which includes independent public railways and any independent private railways with public rail involvement. Approximately 76 pages of detailed information about the railway system in the areas covered and a chronology preface

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Book SynopsisThis guide is written to help users to produce Scope for the NEC3 Professional Services Contract (PSC) and is produced in Association with Mott McDonald. Good quality Scope is vital to achieving better outcomes for professional services contracts, and reducing misunderstandings and disputes. Scope should be prepared with individual service requirements and the operation of the PSC in mind.Table of Contents• Foreword • Preface • Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The status of the Scope • The function of the Scope • The relationship between the Scope and the Contract Data • The relationship between the Scope and pricing documents • Inconsistencies within the Scope and between the Scope and other documents Chapter 3 Drafting the Scope • Incorporation of standard sets of requirements • Assumptions • Interfaces • Management of risks • Health and safety information • The Scope for a PSC subcontract • Examination of typical traditional requirements • General drafting advice Chapter 4 PSC references to Scope Chapter 5 The structure of the Scope • A Example Scope structure

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Book SynopsisThe dramatic story of Scotland - by charismatic television historian, Neil Oliver.Scotland is one of the oldest countries in the world with a vivid and diverse past. Yet the stories and figures that dominate Scottish history - tales of failure, submission, thwarted ambition and tragedy - often badly serve this great nation, overshadowing the rich tapestry of her intricate past.Historian Neil Oliver presents a compelling new portrait of Scottish history, peppered with action, high drama and centuries of turbulence that have helped to shape modern Scotland. Along the way, he takes in iconic landmarks and historic architecture; debunks myths surrounding Scotland''s famous sons; recalls forgotten battles; charts the growth of patriotism; and explores recent political developments, capturing Scotland''s sense of identity and celebrating her place in the wider world.Trade ReviewOliver has a great passion for his subject...an entertaining, well balanced and informative read. * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *A vivid and compellnig picture of a country we may thnk we know, but one that can still surprise. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisThis is the first English translation of Miftah al-falah, a thirteenth century Sufi text, written by Ibn ''Ata'' Allah, one of the great masters of the Shadhili Sufi order. It is considered to be one of his most important works because it sets out the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices, shedding light on the sacred invocations, and associated practices, such as the spiritual retreat.Written in a clear, lucid style, it offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the 7th Islamic century and allows us to see almost at first hand how the novice was guided by the Sufi Shaykh and, above all, the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the invocation, dhikhru''llah. Ibn ''Ata'' Allah sets out to define it, to explain its nature and power, to show its results and to prove that it is part of the Prophet''s Sunnah, or practice. The author goes to great lengths to point out many Qur''anic verses where dhikru''llah is mentioned and cites many noted authorities.

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Book SynopsisThe trickster whose warnings of Pandora's box evils were ignored.

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