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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisPressure for independence remains a major force in Scotland, but the case for it has changed substantially since the referendum of 2014. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 60 per cent of the Scottish electorate voted to remain part of the European Union– the only part of the UK to reject Brexit so unequivocally. This new analysis takes into account a host of economic issues including deficit, debt, currency, energy (including North Sea oil and gas), pensions, mortgages and the financial sector. It weighs up the advantages of rejoining the EU single market, either as a full EU member or as a member of the EEA, with the disadvantages of a hard border with the rest of the UK. Independence would create opportunities, but it would also bring many thorny problems which the Scottish government, and the Scottish people, would have to face. Trade Review'After Brexit calmly and objectively takes readers through the key economic aspects of secession. In doing so, and in the matter-of-fact way it deals with economic reality, it almost feels like an act of subversion' * The Spectator *'Dedicated to the art of impartiality… this study of the economics of Scottish independence offers plenty of insights' -- Joyce McMillan * The Scotsman *'This well balanced look at Scotland’s view of independence following Brexit is an essential guide for anyone interested in politics and economics' * Scots Magazine *'While the effect of Brexit could lead to more support for independence… McCrone highlights several challenges he says independence would bring' * The Times *'I strongly recommend that it should be read by everyone interested in the facts of a debate that tends to go on and on' * Energy Voice *'In the debate over the economics of Scottish independence, no name resonates more loudly than that of Gavin McCron ... this study of the economics of independence offers plenty of insights, but no easy answers' * Scotsman Politics and Current Affairs Summer Edit *

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Book Synopsis'Feminism' wrote Marie Shear in 1986, 'is the radical notion that women are people'. But, simple and powerful though this definition is, feminism is not a single, clear narrative. It doesn't begin with a specific event at a particular moment in time, it can't be identified with any one political organization or movement, and it isn't defined by the contributions of a handful of great thinkers. Here, Professor Deborah Cameron unpicks the various strands that constitute one of history's most important intellectual and political movements. In her clear and incisive account, she discusses oppression, sexuality, violence, academic theory and practical activism, shows how feminism can be a way of viewing the world and provides an overview of its history. In an era of #metoo, pay gap scandals and online harrassment, it's impossible to deny that gender inequality is a fact of life. And as long as that continues to be true, we will need to understand and engage with the ideas and history of the feminist movement.Trade ReviewAn energetic primer on women's rights, both past and present. Cameron breaks key topics down in a clear and comprehensible way, without ever seeming patronising...The suggested reading at the end is a delight * Diva *Relevant to both general readers and veteran feminist scholars and activist...A lucid entry point into our current puzzling feminist moment * Times Higher Education *

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Book Synopsis'Bernie Sanders has changed US politics forever' Owen Jones The Sunday Times bestseller Bernie Sanders is one of the most influential voices in a global movement fighting injustice. He has dominated two Democratic primary races, and changed the political conversation around the world. But he began as an unknown underdog. So how did he get here? In this remarkable memoir, Sanders shows how a young man from Brooklyn, via Civil Rights demonstrations and a lifetime of independent politics, became one of the most radical voices in America. He provides a unique insight into the campaign that galvanized a movement, and shares experiences from the campaign trail as well as the ideas and strategies that shaped it. And, drawing on decades of experience as an activist and public servant, he outlines his vision for continuing this revolution.Trade ReviewPraise for Bernie Sanders: 'Gives us a glimpse of what politics could be like' -- Yanis VaroufakisA decent, honest person. It's pretty unusual in the political system. -- Noam ChomskySanders' success today shows that much of America is tired of rising inequality and these so-called political changes, and intends to revive both a progressive agenda and the American tradition of egalitarianism. -- Thomas PikettyOnly Bernie Sanders can break the power of capitalism -- Paul Mason

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Book SynopsisLying at the centre of a tumultuous region, the Central African Republic and its turbulent history have often been overlooked. Democracy, in any kind of a meaningful sense, has eluded the country. Since the mid-1990s, army mutinies and serial rebellion in CAR have resulted in two major successful coups. Over the course of these upheavals, the country has become a laboratory for peacebuilding initiatives, hosting a two-decade-long succession of UN and regional peacekeeping, peacebuilding and special political missions. Drawing together the foremost experts on the Central African Republic, this much-needed volume provides the first in-depth analysis of the country’s recent history of rebellion, instability, and international and regional intervention.Trade Review[T]his book is a much-needed contribution to our understanding of the CAR crisis. * African Affairs *This is the essential book on CAR. Tatiana Carayannis and Louisa Lombard have assembled the scholars and analysts who know most about this important but under-researched country, and have produced the authoritative volume on its history, society and politics. * Alex de Waal, author of Darfur and Advocacy in Conflict *Bringing together the most prominent experts, this book provides a unique, compelling and definitive analysis of the deeply rooted political crisis in the CAR. With no issue left untouched, it is essential reading for anyone interested in, or dealing with the current conflict. * Koen Vlassenroot, Ghent University *Carayannis and Lombard definitively depict what Africans call "the heart of the continent" not as a blank spot on colonial maps, nor as an aberrant absence or failure of contemporary national and international governance, but rather as a complex "hive" of geopolitical, cultural and economic rivalries and alliances key to Africa's prosperity and stability in coming decades. It is a boldly executed and timely corrective to much recent media and policy analysis on civil conflict and prospects for sustainable peace in the Central African Republic. * Rebecca Hardin, University of Michigan *Table of Contents1. Making Sense of CAR: An Introduction - Louisa Lombard and Tatiana Carayannis 2. CAR's History: The Past of a Tense Present - Stephen W. Smith 3. Being Rich, Being Poor: Wealth and Fear in the Central African Republic - Roland Marchal 4. Local Dynamics in the PK5 District of Bangui - Faouzi Kilembe 5. The Elite's Road to Riches in a Poor Country - Stephen W. Smith 6. A Multifaceted Business: Diamonds in the Central African Republic - Ned Dalby 7. The Autonomous Zone Conundrum: Armed Conservation and Rebellion in North-Eastern CAR - Louisa Lombard 8. CAR and the Regional (Dis)order - Roland Marchal 9. Pathologies of Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding in CAR - Nathaniel Olin 10. From Being Forgotten to Being Ignored: International Humanitarian Interventions in the Central African Republic - Enrica Picco 11. CAR's Southern Identity: Congo, CAR, and International Justice - Tatiana Carayannis 12. In Unclaimed Land: The Lord's Resistance Army in CAR - Ledio Cakaj 13. A Central African Elite Perspective on the Struggles of the Central African Republic - Laurence D. Wohlers 14. A Concluding Note on the Failure and Future of Peacebuilding in CAR - Tatiana Carayannis and Louisa Lombard

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Book SynopsisBeginning with the election of Donald Trump ("The Loneliest Man in the World") and expanding back and forth into American history, surveillance, violence against the individual, the denormalizing of misogyny and the rehumanizing of public space. The ultimate focus of the book is climate and feminist activism, bringing Solnit's trademark deep analysis to bear on a range of contemporary crises. And again, and spectacularly, she shows us how to hope.

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Book SynopsisQuick, accessible, compact guide to understanding key political concepts. Contents include: Liberty, Justice, Equality, Human rights, Social contract, Democracy, Monarchy, Anarchism, Capitalism, Socialism, Nationalism and Globalisation.

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Book Synopsis'Moving and rich...overflowing with warmth and humanity' The Times In this pioneering work of life-writing and reportage, Anthony DePalma reconstructs the interwoven stories of five ordinary citizens and their families to bring the true story of the Cuban people to the world. From Castro's heyday, through the devastation of post-Soviet collapse, to the false dawn of recent years, we witness the hardships of life across six decades of socialist state control - where even today the government decides what work you can do and where you live; where food is rationed, and basic medicines are unavailable. The Cubans maps a country where the revolution that once inspired its people has since tested their faith with tragedy and disillusionment, revealing the daily acts of heroism and the endlessly adaptive resilience that are required of them to survive.'Page-turning...revealing and unputdownable' Claire Boobbyer, Cuba travel expert 'A deeply reported...account of Cuba's bittersweet realities' Financial TimesTrade ReviewVibrant and hugely enjoyable ... DePalma is a terrific reporter, with a novelist's eye for detail. He uses the extraordinary trust he has gained from his subjects to paint a vivid, deeply sympathetic picture of Cuban life, and the quiet fortitude of its people * Telegraph *An immersive and compelling read ... DePalma wanted to 'reach beyond the myths, to show the real Cuba and the real Cubans who live there' ... In this, he has succeeded brilliantly * Literary Review *A moving and rich account ... DePalma's book is overflowing with warmth and humanity - much like the Cuban people * The Times *Remarkably revealing ... [DePalma] renders a Cuba few tourists will ever see ... You won't forget these people soon, and you are bound to emerge from DePalma's bighearted account with a deeper understanding of a storied island * The New York Times *Think of this as an anti-Fidel corrective to the scores of volumes fixated on the ruler-for-life-force-of-nature-movie-star dictator * Washington Post Sunday *

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Book Synopsis'Fascinating' - Eamon Dunphy'Meticulously researched' - Sunday Independent'A wonderful account of the special relationships between Ireland and the USA' Bertie AhernThe links between Ireland and US presidents extend much further and deeper than JFK: from Andrew Jackson in 1829 to Woodrow Wilson in 1913 and Joe Biden in 2021, Ireland's sway in the White House is hugely significant.Spanning the centuries, from the American Revolution to the birth of the Irish Republic and JFK's heady glamour, The Green and White House takes in political machinations and the firebrands who pushed for freedom, justice and peace for Ireland.For centuries, Irish emigrants crossed the Atlantic by boat, but an intense diplomatic bromance has seen American commanders-in-chief returning to remote Irish villages via Air Force One and armoured limousines. Each homecoming turns local people into international media darlings, but this transatlantic courtship has secured Ireland an annual invite to the White House - something no other nation can rival.The Green And White House takes a wry look at the special relationship one tiny nation shares with the world's greatest superpower.

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Book Synopsis'Adam Plowright's excellent book captures the strangeness of Macron's life' Evening StandardTHE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF EMMANUEL MACRON IN ENGLISHFrom total unknown to one of Europe's most powerful men in just a few years, at 39, France's youngest leader since Napoleon is intent on conquering the world stage. But what lies beneath the façade of this youthful, ultra-confident and calculating president? How did someone from small-town France assemble -- in just 12 months -- the network, team and finances to win the presidency? Now elected, can he make the French feel better about themselves? Can he rally Europe around him and turn the tide of right-wing nationalism sweeping the continent? Critically, what will his presidency mean for Britain?Featuring never-before printed interviews with key members of Macron's team, his friends, mentors and political detractors, acclaimed Paris-based journalist Adam Plowright asks: can the shine on this brilliant new president last? And for how long?Trade ReviewAdam Plowright's excellent book captures the strangeness of Macron's life -- Richard Vinen * Evening Standard *Eye-catching detail * Financial Times *For real insight into the remarkable rise - and character - of the new French president, Plowright's is the book to read * Financial Times *a highly readable and well-judged portrait of a fascinating character whose emergence on the world stage earlier this year took many outside France entirely by surprise. * The Times *Written in a highly approachable style, the book reveals how a combination of intelligence, charm and good fortune helped Macron get to the top, and also explores the possible pitfalls that lie ahead. * French Property News *

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Book SynopsisThe emergence of Leo Varadkar in Irish politics and his election to the post of Taoiseach is a remarkable tale from any perspective. Journalists Philip Ryan and Niall O'Connor tell the inside story of how the son of an Indian immigrant battled against adversity and with his own sexuality to become the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland. This will be the definitive account of how an outspoken young politician has shaped Ireland's future by coming out as gay in full view of the public before going on to orchestrate a secret two-year campaign which saw him become leader of the country. Along the way, he put his political career on the line to defend police whistleblowers and survived an internal party purge after he backed the loser in a failed leadership heave against former Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. In the book, family, friends and colleagues have for the first time provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes account of Mr Varadkar's meteoric rise to power. Ryan and O'Connor, both prominent political correspondents working for Ireland's biggest newspaper group, Independent News and Media, have spent months analysing in detail Mr Varadkar's personal and political background to comprehensively tell the story of the most talked-about Irish politician in decades.

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Book SynopsisAnti-elitism has become a common staple of media commentary and political rhetoric. But we are taking aim at the wrong enemy. The populist right have diverted public anger away from the real corporate and financial elites and onto those who treat us when we are sick, champion our rights in court, represent our interests in Parliament and create and curate the best literature, art and ideas. This important book argues that the real elites escape scrutiny, while everything that makes our lives worth living becomes 'worthy' and dumbed down. Culture and education have been made to function as merely symbolic arenas of democratisation, but gross inequality remains intact. Liberals have lost their nerve, accepting the anti-elitism slur at face value and worrying that promoting cultural high standards means protecting social privilege. For too long, conservatives have had a monopoly on upholding aesthetic values. But now that they've become ruthless modernisers, it's time for progressives to take on that task. Elitism: A Progressive Defence provides powerful ammunition for the fight, arguing that, rich or poor, beauty and truth belong to us all.Trade Review"Eliane Glaser's polemic demolishes the canard that expertise, intellectual achievement and cultural excellence are somehow 'elitist' and, as such, undemocratic. Words matter. Glaser shows that we must distinguish quality from economic privilege, ability from mediocrity. Perhaps we cannot restore the word elitism to its just esteem, but we must guard what it represents." - Simon Jenkins “A seriously smart and audacious examination of what exactly we mean by ‘elites’, and whether the rhetoric of the populist right has encouraged the wrong ones to be demonised.” – Matthew d’Ancona

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Book SynopsisOur political leaders spend their careers spinning their images and polishing their achievements; Michael Cockerell has spent his professional life stripping off the gloss. Over fifty years, he has gained unrivalled access to the secret chambers of Westminster and Whitehall. Here, he reveals in illuminating and often hilarious stories what our top politicians are really like behind the mask. Drawing on his unique experience of having filmed all the past ten Prime Ministers, Cockerell tells how he manages to lull some of the most wary people in the land into candour, and shows how questions of sex are never far from the surface in Westminster. Amongst much else, he recounts: how Margaret Thatcher flirted with him on screen but attacked him by name in the Commons; how Tony Blair said he would willingly 'pay the blood price' in Iraq; how David Cameron learned from Enoch Powell always to make a big speech on a full bladder - and how Boris Johnson admitted to doubts about his ability to be Prime Minister. Revealing how our politicians have reacted during some of the most pivotal events in our recent history, Unmasking Our Leaders also provides a compelling insight into a career working in political television and foreign reporting, where tensions, rivalries and life-threatening danger are all part of the package.Trade Review"I am hugely excited by Michael Cockerell's book. His remarkable access to the great and the good gives him endlessly compelling insights into our leaders and what it is to wield power." - Emily Maitlis "From the man whose camera captured them, and whose questions revealed them, comes the compelling tale of politicians' relationship with television, from Churchill's secret screen test to this day. Stuffed with intimate anecdotes and scattered with decades of his own scoops, Michael Cockerell reminds us why he is the master." - Laura Kuenssberg "The most delightful, absorbing and thoroughly entertaining book about politics you will ever read. A triumph." - Alan Johnson "Hugely entertaining and revealing - my political book of the year." - Iain Dale "Michael Cockerell is the David Attenborough of the political animal kingdom - endlessly fascinated and fascinating." - Rory Bremner "From Heath to Johnson, Michael Cockerell has known them all, and done more than any political journalist to go beyond the caricatures. This richly entertaining memoir casts fresh light on what he made of them ... and what they made of him." - Steve Richards "The master chronicler of our political age tells the story behind the stories of those who've held power in Britain." - Nick Robinson "Michael Cockerell is the Holbein of the televisual political portrait. I have been nagging him for years to write this book. It was worth the wait - and how." - Professor Peter Hennessy "From Heath to Johnson, Michael Cockerell has known them all, and done more than any political journalist to go beyond the caricatures. This richly entertaining memoir casts fresh light on what he made of them ... and what they made of him." - Steve Richards “As enthralling a history of modern British politics as you will find anywhere… it is richly stuffed with anecdotes and gags and as compelling as a Jack Reacher thriller, though with fewer dead bodies.” - Roger Alton, Daily Mail

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Book Synopsis“For God’s sake, bring me a large Scotch. What a bloody awful country!” Home Secretary Reginald Maudling, returning from his first visit to Northern Ireland in 1970 As a long and bloody guerrilla war staggered to a close on the island of Ireland, Britain beat a retreat from all but a small portion of the country – and thus, in 1921, Northern Ireland was born. That partition, says Kevin Meagher, has been an unmitigated disaster for Nationalists and Unionists alike. Following the fraught history of British rule in Ireland, a better future was there for the taking but was lost amid political paralysis, while the resulting fifty years of devolution succeeded only in creating a brooding sectarian stalemate that exploded into the Troubles. In a stark but reasoned critique, Meagher traces the landmark events in Northern Ireland’s century of existence, exploring the missed signals, the turning points, the principled decisions that should have been taken, as well as the raw realpolitik of how Northern Ireland has been governed over the past 100 years. Thoughtful and sometimes provocative, What a Bloody Awful Country reflects on how both Loyalists and Republicans might have played their cards differently and, ultimately, how the actions of successive British governments have amounted to a masterclass in failed statecraft.Trade Review"A timely and lucid analysis of the Troubles that asks hard questions of successive British governments. The good news for the current government is that it also offers some answers." Rory Carroll, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisAntisemitism is supposed to have disappeared long ago, but despite our abhorrence of racism and oppression in all its forms, this ancient prejudice continues to thrive. Anti-Jewish hate crime is rising, Jewish blood is spilt in Europe once more and arguments over antisemitism, whether in politics or music, theatre or sport, are increasingly hard to avoid. At a time of economic, political and social turmoil, fuelled by conspiracy theories on your smartphone or conflict in the Middle East, antisemitism is back, and we need to know why. It would be tempting to put this down to a handful of extremists, but antisemitism endures at an everyday level in the stereotypes and assumptions about Jews that are woven into the fabric of our world. It is these almost-unnoticed prejudices that perpetuate violent hatred, and until we all understand where they came from, how they are sustained and how they can be challenged, they will continue to do so. Blending personal anecdotes, contemporary examples and historical insights, Everyday Hate takes you on a journey through this contentious and often confusing subject. Spanning Shakespeare to South Park, Israel to Covid-19 and ancient stereotypes to internet memes, it reveals surprising truths about how antisemitism continues to thrive in the interactions, assumptions and views of decent people around the world - and how we can change this for the better.

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Book Synopsis'This book rewarded me with dark, dry chuckles on every page' Reni Eddo-Lodge'Hilarious . . . This original approach to discussing race is funny, intellectual and timely' Independent'The work of a true mastermind' Benjamin ZephaniahI learned early on that, for me as a black professional, to rise through the ranks and really attain power, I needed to adopt the most ruthless of mindsets possible: the mindset of the White Man who would tear your cheek from your face before he even considered turning his one first.Trade ReviewCutting!! This book rewarded me with dark, dry chuckles on every page. I had to laugh, because if I didn't, I would cry -- RENI EDDO-LODGEI really can't think of any comedian, satirist or journalist (with a sense of humour) that has made me laugh out so loud and be so stimulated intellectually at the same time. No messing people, Nels Abbey has written the most original book ever . . . It takes hold of your cerebral cortex then grabs your funny bone, and it doesn't let go until the very end. Honestly. Even the appendices shine with brilliance. What kind of book is this? I don't know. Just read it and see how difficult it is to put the label on the work of a true mastermind -- BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAHA book like no other, taking you on a thrill ride/thrill guide through the world of default white dominance. Nels Abbey has created a work of the blackest humour (pun intended) and it is unrepentantly rewarding . . . Wicked in every sense of the word. -- JEFFREY BOAKYE * * Observer * *I can't recommend this book enough . . . Hilarious work from Nels Abbey -- DANE BAPTISTEHugely entertaining and entirely unapologetic . . . as comical as it is bleak * * Cosmopolitan * *Hilarious . . . This original approach to discussing race is funny, intellectual and timely * * Independent * *I have no doubt this is the book to shake up 2019 the same way Reni Eddo-Lodge's Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race did 2017 -- Derek Owusu * * Big Issue * *Hilariously captures the realities of working in corporate spaces . . . although lighthearted in tone, he approaches the topic with a level of care and understanding that allows readers to engage beyond the satire and confront the ways in which they navigate the workspace * * Trench * *As humorous as it is dark, this memorable and timely 'self-help gospel' . . . may be one of the most original debuts in years * * AnOther Magazine * *

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Book SynopsisWhy is the Horn such a distinctive part of Africa? This book, by one of the foremost scholars of the region, traces this question through its exceptional history and also probes the wildly divergent fates of the Horn's contemporary nation-states, despite the striking regional particularity inherited from the colonial past. Christopher Clapham explores how the Horn's peculiar topography gave rise to the Ethiopian empire, the sole African state not only to survive European colonialism, but also to participate in a colonial enterprise of its own. Its impact on its neighbours, present-day Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia and Somaliland, created a region very different from that of post-colonial Africa. This dynamic has become all the more distinct since 1991, when Eritrea and Somaliland emerged from the break-up of both Ethiopia and Somalia. Yet this evolution has produced highly varied outcomes in the region's constituent countries, from state collapse (and deeply flawed reconstruction) in Somalia, through militarised isolation in Eritrea, to a still fragile 'developmental state' in Ethiopia. The tensions implicit in the process of state formation now drive the relationships between the once historically close nations of the Horn.Trade Review'A sharp political history''[An] important and eminently readable new book . . . masterful. . . . the book constitutes an extremely valuable tool for practitioners. Its message is a powerful one.''Christopher Clapham's book is ... an excellent introduction to the specificities of the Horn.' -- PhébéChristopher Clapham is without doubt one of the most knowledgeable experts on the Horn of Africa in the world, and this is a must-read book for anyone working in or on the region. With his characteristic wit and palpable compassion for the people who live in the Horn, Clapham shares a lifetime of keen insights on the region’s extraordinarily complex and often tragic political trajectories. -- Ken Menkhaus, Professor of Political Science, Davidson CollegeAn old master on superb form: Christopher Clapham's latest book is a work of great clarity, trenchant analysis and original insight. -- Harry Verhoeven, Assistant Professor, School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Georgetown University, and co-author of 'Why Comrades Go to War: Liberation Politics and the Outbreak of Africa's Deadliest Conflict'Christopher Clapham should be commended for synthesising a career of scholarship on the Horn of Africa into a short volume written in fluid and engaging prose. Those seeking an introduction to a region which defies easy explanation would struggle to find a better foundational text in paperback. -- Nick Branson, Africa at LSEClapham has produced a book which is simultaneously both an accessible, concise synthesis and a monument to erudite scholarship. His text thus serves as both a unique introduction to the peoples and history of the Horn and an original resource for academic and policy specialists. Clapham's refreshingly clear prose and comparative analyses replace simplistic stereotypes and received wisdom by analysing how variegated landscapes, religions, languages and livelihoods forged power and authority in the Horn of Africa. -- David Styan, Birkbeck College, University of LondonCharacteristically erudite, trenchant and provocative, 'The Horn of Africa' offers that rare combination: an enjoyably 'good read', at once informative, accessible and beautifully written; an important and lucid synthesis informed by a lifetime of extraordinary scholarship in tackling head-on the exceptionalism of this part of Africa; and a stimulating challenge to the thinking of specialists, activists, students and citizens of this complex and contested region. -- Sarah Vaughan, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh‘This is a wonderful book written with great erudition and affection for the peoples and countries of the Horn of Africa, by a longstanding expert who is now enjoying emeritus creativity at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for African Studies. It is also yet another valuable contribution to regional studies from London’s excellent publisher, Hurst.’‘The distinguished political scientist and veteran Ethiopianist Christopher Clapham has written a fascinating account . . . insightful, thoughtful, and full of wisdom.''Successfully depicts the Horn of Africa as much more than the disaster zone it is widely perceived to be.'‘An accessible history of one of the most unique corners of Africa … an important book of history that is frankly a pleasure to read.’ -- H-Africa

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Book SynopsisAdvances in information and communication technology (ICT) have directly impacted the way in which politics operates today. Bringing together research on Europe, the US, South America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, this book examines the relationship between ICT and politics in a global perspective. Technological innovations such as big data, data mining, sentiment analysis, cognitive computing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, social media and blockchain technology are reshaping the way ICT intersects with politics and in this collection contributors examine these developments, demonstrating their impact on the political landscape. Chapters examine topics such as cyberwarfare and propaganda, post-Soviet space, Snowden, US national security, e-government, GDPR, democratization in Africa and internet freedom. Providing an overview of new research on the emerging relationship between the promise and potential inherent in ICT and its impact on politics, this edited collection will prove an invaluable text for students, researchers and practitioners working in the fields of Politics, International Relations and Computer Science.Trade ReviewContributed by information management, computer science, and other researchers working in academia, politics, and the think-tank sector around the world, the 19 essays in this volume consider issues related to the impact of information and communication technologies on politics. They examine the impact of the internet in promoting democracy in processes of regime transition in Tunisia, Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe; the patterns of political content diffusion in social networks; social media and public engagement in Belarus; the use of advanced computational techniques like text mining and sentiment analysis in social media to understand the relationship between political status and economic development in Taiwan; the impact of social media and disruptive technologies on political campaigns; the compliance of open data in politics in terms of General Data Protection Regulation requirements in the European Union; how cyberintelligence and cyberterrorism impact national security, surveillance, and privacy in the US, as well as citizens' opinions about privacy and security, using the case of Edward Snowden; and information security risks in Russian propaganda. Other chapters discuss information and communication technology to fight corruption and promote participatory democracy in Romania; the role of virtual currencies in modern societies; the link between information and communication technology and digital diplomacy in the Western Balkan countries; the role of information and communication technology in enhancing citizens' involvement in day-to-day policymaking in Brazil and Saudi Arabia; the politics behind large information systems projects; and the relationship between trade in information and communication technology, the international economy, and politics. -- Annotation ©2019 * (protoview.com) *Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction- Politics & ICT: mechanisms, dynamics, implications; Anna Visvizi, Miltiadis Lytras Chapter 2. From the Freedom of the Press to the Freedom of the Internet: A New Public Sphere in the Making? Cláudia Toriz Ramos Chapter 3. Diffusion patterns of political content over social networks; Marçal Mora-Cantallops, Zhengqi Yan and Salvador Sánchez-Alonso Chapter 4. Contemporary politics and society: social media and public engagement in Belarus; Victor Shadurski, Galina Malishevskaya Chapter 5. Modeling Public Mood and Emotion: Blog and News Sentiment and Politico-Economic Phenomena; Mu-Yen Chen, Min-Hsuan Fan, Ting-Hsuan Chen, Ren-Pao Heish Chapter 6. Political Campaigns, Social Media & Analytics: the case of the GDPR; Nick Dimisianos Chapter 7. Assessing Compliance of Open Data in Politics with European Data Protection Regulation; Francesco Ciclosi, Paolo Ceravolo, Ernesto Damiani, Donato De Ieso Chapter 8. ICT, politics and cyber intelligence: revisiting the case of Snowden; Emanuel Boussios Chapter 9. Government Surveillance, National Security, and the American Rights: Using Sentiment Analysis to Extract Citizen Opinions; Lily Popova Zhuhadar, Mark Ciampa Chapter 10. Information security risks in the context of Russian propaganda in the CEE; Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik, Agata Tatarenko Chapter 11. The ICT and its uses: fighting corruption and promoting participatory democracy: the case of Romania; Cristina Matiuta Chapter 12. Virtual Currencies in modern societies: challenges and opportunities; Higinio Mora, Francisco A. Pujol López, Julio César Mendoza Tello, Mario R. Morales Chapter 13. Digital Diplomacy in Practice: A Case Study of the Western Balkan Countries; Gorazd Justinek, Sabina Carli, Ingrid Omahna Chapter 14. Social media and the Brazilian politics: a close look at the different perspectives and "The Brazil I Want" initiative; Cleber Pinelli Teixeira, Jônatas Castro dos Santos, Reisla D’Almeida Rodrigues, Sean Wolfgand Matsui Siqueira, Renata Araujo Chapter 15. Evaluation of the national Open Government Data (OGD) portal of Saudi Arabia; Saxena Stuti Chapter 16. E-Government Strategy and Its Impact on Economic and Social Development in Saudi Arabia; Husseain Alhashimi Chapter 17. Romancing Top Management: The Politics of Top Management Support in Large Information System Projects; Gloria H.W. Liu, Cecil E.H Chua Chapter 18. International trade on the ICT market; Katarzyna Żukrowska Chapter 19. Conclusion- ICT and politics: looking ahead; Anna Visvizi, Miltiadis Lytras

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Book SynopsisMargaret Thatcher, prime minister between 1979 and 1990, was and continues to be a hugely divisive figure in Britain. Her influence on British politics has long outlived her, with the Conservative Party becoming steadily more Thatcherite than it was under her leadership, especially on economic issues. Policies that support privatization, curbs on trade unions and employment rights (to promote further labour market flexibility), reduction in welfare provision, the replacement of collectivism with individualism, and the marketization of public services, including the NHS and education, are all Thatcherism in practice, and still continue today. Peter Dorey offers a lively analysis of how Thatcherism became an ideology for politics to conjure with, its relationship with its eponymous leader and with the Conservative Party, as well as the long-term implications for the British people. He argues that the radical modernization of Britain that started under Thatcher’s leadership in the 1980s has created the conditions that have led to the polarization of British society today; a process that was profoundly unconservative in its values and approach, destabilizing institutions which Conservatives once deemed sacrosanct, and replacing continuity and solidity with constant change and competition.Trade ReviewDorey’s superbly researched account is a concise, full 360-degree study of the inexorable rise of Thatcherism and its erosion of traditional Conservatism. He shows clearly and crisply why her ideological legacy remains so important to the Conservative Party and to anyone who studies it. -- Louise Thompson, University of ManchesterAn outstanding book that deserves to be widely read. Pete Dorey has expertly combined historical and political analysis to provide a definitive and highly engaging account of the complexities and contradictions of the Thatcher project. His analysis is consistently sharp and insightful and helps us make better sense of the character and legacy of one of the most important and enduring political projects of our time. -- Peter Kerr, University of BirminghamTable of Contents1. Why Margaret Thatcher became Conservative Party leader and prime minister 2. The development of Thatcherism: intellectual origins and ideological framework 3. The key policies 4. Thatcher’s management and domination of the parliamentary Conservative Party 5. The Thatcherization of the Conservative Party since 1990 6. The contradictions and consequences of Thatcherism Concluding comments Chronology

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Book SynopsisUsing examples from art and literature, Frantzen explores the social, political and economic implications of both real and imagined depression. Is feeling blue a symptom of the death of progress? Was the suicide of David Foster Wallace a proverbial canary in a coal mine? Margaret Thatcher once declared that there is no alternative to the social order that we now reside within. Have we accepted her slogan as a fact, and is that why so many are on Prozac and other anti-depressants? Frantzen examines the works of Michel Houellebecq, Claire Fontaine and David Foster Wallace as he seeks out an answer and a way to formulate a new future oriented left movement.

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Book Synopsis'An eloquent, forensic examination of resurgent English nationalism as the force that has driven Brexit and may now break up the United Kingdom' Jonathan Coe 'A fascinating book that draws on poetry, literature and on-the-ground reporting' The Times 'A wonderful book which will be quoted in years to come' New European In the past, it was possible to live with delightful confusion: one could be English or British, Scottish or Irish, and a citizen/subject of the United Kingdom (or Great Britain). Now this archaic state is coming under terrible strain. The English revolt against Europe is also a revolt against the Scottish and Irish, and the pressures to declare Scottish independence and to push for a border poll that would unite Ireland may become irresistible. Can England and Wales find a way of dealing with the state's new place in the world? What constitutional, federal arrangements might prevent the disintegration of the British state? How Britain Ends is a book about history, but also about the strange, complicated identity of Britishness.Trade ReviewA wonderful book which will be quoted in years to come * New European *Packed with broad cultural and literary insight to go with hard-nosed political evaluation * GQ *A fascinating book that draws on poetry, literature and on-the-ground reporting * The Times *A cool-headed contribution to this often emotional debate * Sunday Business Post *An eloquent, forensic examination of resurgent English nationalism as the force that has driven Brexit and may now break up the United Kingdom -- Jonathan CoeIn the coming years, many people will be writing about the end of the UK. They'll all quote this wonderful and curiously moving book. I know I will -- James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of EnglandA former BBC journalist, [Esler] has travelled round the UK as intensively as anyone, and he is deeply worried about what he sees as the collapse of the British idea and the emergence of English nationalism. As Esler sees it, the unruly, destructive force of English nationalism now threatens to break the United Kingdom, heralding, as his subtitle has it, the 'rebirth of four nations'... The present government has no zest for genuine reinvention, because it refuses to recognise that there is anything much to worry about. And as Esler insists, recognition is the necessary first step to reform' -- Ferdinand Mount, Financial TimesGavin Esler takes a sober, measured look at the forces threatening to tear apart the four nations * Choice Magazine *Both timely and provocative * Sunday Times *His book is intelligent, interesting... This is a good book and a valuable one' * Scotsman *A consistently thought-provoking and well-argued book, and yet the more I read it, the more I wondered about English nationalism * Books from Scotland *Timely and incisive... Gavin Esler dispels the myth that delivering a Brexit deal, or no deal, would being an 'end' to Brexit' -- Francis Grove White, People's Vote CampaignEverything a good Remainer needs to persuade the Brexiters, punchy, pithy and short -- Polly ToynbeeIf you want a pithy, sober, clear-headed summary of what Brexit is actually likely to look like, Gavin Esler's new book is spot on. Such a welcome antidote to all the whipped-up sentiment – calm, factual, rigorous -- Dr Rachel ClarkeA brilliant demolition of the lies and liars that created the Brexit mess. Should be required reading at his old stamping ground, the BBC -- Alastair CampbellWitty, informed, smart – the best-written polemic I've read in some time * Glasgow Herald *An important book... [Esler] writes a clear, stimulating description of our position following our departure from the European Union' * Kent Bylines *

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Book Synopsis'A tremendous book that'll linger long after you've turned the last page' Raj Patel, author of InflamedThe face of hunger is changing. Since the Covid pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, even the West is experiencing a level of food insecurity not seen for generations. Climate change is already resulting in food-related migration, and the world will soon see significant shifts in the location of arable land.The New Breadline is a call to action on the issues of food aid, food security and climate justice, told from the frontlines of hunger. Jean-Martin Bauer eloquently dissects inequity and racism in the humanitarian system, drawing on his Haitian childhood and his career as an aid worker, asking: when decisions about food are being made, who isn't at the table? Urgent, incisive, and full of compassion, this is the human story of hunger.

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Book SynopsisThe super-rich have never had it so good. But millions of us can’t afford a home, an education or a pension. And unless we change course soon, the future will be even worse. Much worse. But things don’t have to be like this. In this bold new book, former Treasury Minister Liam Byrne explains why wealth inequality has grown so fast in recent years; warns how it threatens our society, economy and politics; shows where economics has got it wrong – and lays out a path back to common sense, with five practical ways to rebuild an old ideal: the wealth-owning democracy. Liam Byrne draws on conversations and debates with former prime ministers, presidents and policymakers around the world, together with experts at the OECD, World Bank and IMF, to argue that after twenty years of statistics and slogans it’s time for solutions that aren’t just radical but plausible and achievable as well. The future won’t be a land of milk and honey but it could be a place where we live longer, happier, healthier and wealthier lives.Trade ReviewVery few in frontline politics have worked as long as Liam Byrne on the theory and practice of tackling inequality - or are as thoughtful and insightful. This new book is essential reading for anyone who cares about tackling one of the great political and moral challenges of our time. * Ed Balls *The UK is an “inheritocracy” – a country where the richest, wealth-wise, have widened the gap with the rest, amplifying social inequalities. Liam Byrne’s book is rich, practical and compelling in its proposals for turning this tide, elevating opportunities and living standards for many millions of people through sweeping institutional reform. I hope it is not just read widely but acted on immediately. * Andy Haldane, Chief Executive, The RSA *The effects of inequality are not solely a consequence of poverty, they also result from how wealth and affluence skew society, undermining our social solidarity and wellbeing. Liam Byrne understands the devastating costs of wealth inequality, here is a politician with a true sense of purpose – this is a must-read for those who want to shape a better society. * Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of The Spirit Level *From the destructive impunity of today’s phenomenally wealthy – the disfiguring feature of our times – to well thought out, original solutions, Liam Byrne makes an indisputable case. Powerful social observation combined with distilling the best of today’s thinking in response – at once readable and passionate – does not come much better than this. * Will Hutton, author of The State We're In: Why Britain Is in Crisis and How to Overcome It *A thought-provoking read about one of the most difficult yet most important political issues of our time. * Lord Gus O’Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary *Liam Byrne has spent his years in opposition thinking deeply about what a government should do, and this book is the fruit of that work. This is a plan for a fairer, richer and stronger country, and I hope ministers pay attention. * Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland *Liam Byrne's new book will help the British left to understand how freedom and equality should be reconciled. He takes the politics of inequality as seriously as we must, but shows us how combating inequality can help us to expand freedom. * Philip Collins, columnist for the New Statesman *Liam Byrne’s The Inequality of Wealth is beautifully written, deeply insightful and above all humane. The policy recommendations are original, bold and persuasive, and should define future debates on how to create a more just society. * Steven Durlauf, the Steans Professor in Educational Policy and the Director of the Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy *In this bold and incisive book, Liam Byrne makes a compelling case for a radically different approach to wealth and inequality. Everyone who cares about the future of this country and of our society should read it. * Matthew d'Ancona, former Deputy Editor of The Sunday Telegraph *Reducing wealth inequality remains an urgent global challenge. Liam Byrne has produced a well-informed, sharply-argued and highly-readable analysis of the problem — and more importantly what now needs to be done. * James Crabtree, author of The Billionaire Raj *This is a wonderful book. Liam Byrne lucidly and elegantly explains why wealth inequality is a key challenge that needs to be at the centre of a meaningful politics of social justice. His thoughtful and creative policy ideas offer a practical platform for addressing these inequities and should command attention across the political spectrum. In these troubled political times, the wise counsel offered here is a great tonic. * Mike Savage, Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics *Liam Byrne is now thinking about doing what was so very recently unthinkable. He is open to policies he once dismissed as unrealistic, and can be persuaded on others that in the past were painted as pipe dreams. British politics is changing, it is abruptly shifting, in a way it has not done fifty years, and in a good way. The Inequality of Wealth is a key part of that turn. It is a hand-break turn. * Danny Dorling, Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography, University of Oxford *Serves as a invaluable repository of recent ideas put forward by academics and think-tankers, collated through Byrne’s wide-ranging experience in public policy. * The Financial Times *Byrne is an engaging writer, and his latest book is full of ideas. * The Telegraph *[An] a engaging and readable polemic * The TLS *

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Book Synopsis'P. J. O'Rourke was the funniest writer of his generation, one of the smartest and one of the most prolific. Now that he belongs to the ages, P.J. takes his rightful place along with Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain and Dorothy Parker in the Pantheon of Quote Gods.' Christopher Buckley from his introductionWhen The Penguin Dictionary of Modern Humorous Quotations was published in 1994, P. J. O'Rourke had more entries than any living writer. And he kept writing funny stuff for another 28 years. Now, for the first time, the best material is collected in one volume. Edited by his longtime friend Terry McDonell, The Funny Stuff is arranged in six sections, organized by subject in alphabetical order from Agriculture to Xenophobia. Not only did P.J. write memorable one-liners, he also meticulously constructed riffs that built to a crescendo of hilarity and outrage - and are still being quoted years later. His prose has the electric verbal energy of Tom Wolfe or Hunter S. Thompson, but P.J. is more flat-out funny. And through it all comes his clear-eyed take on politics, economics, human nature - and fun. The Funny Stuff is a book for P.J. fans to devour but also a book that will bring new readers and stand as testament to one of the truly original American writers of the last 50 years.Table of ContentsPart I: America and Americans Part II: Good Clean Fun Part III: Around the World Part IV: Real Life Part V: Media and Messages Part VI: My Generation (Baby Boomers)

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Book SynopsisHow are authority and influence accumulated and wielded across the six Gulf states? Mixing theoretical and empirical insights, and utilising both historical and contemporary examples, this book offers a comparative analysis of military, political, economic and religious power in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as of the power of narrative. While many volumes examine each of these states individually, 'Centers of Power in the Arab Gulf States' assesses the Arabian Peninsula as a whole, filling a significant gap in the literature. It surveys the myriad factors which have influenced the emergence of these states, societies and political economies, which have become increasingly assertive actors in today's global order. Exploring domestic, regional and transnational pressures, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen sheds light on the varying concepts of power and authority, the different forms they take, the ways they are projected, and the practical constraints on their exercise. From whom does power derive? Is it something different from influence and ambition? Is decision-making top-down or bottom-up, or a mixture of both? From bureaucrats to scholars, and from royals to opposition figures, Coates Ulrichsen uncovers the power relations shaping the Gulf today.Trade Review‘A comprehensive examination of the nature of power in the Gulf.’ -- Abrar'An in-depth account of the political, economic and social dynamics in the Gulf states. Challenging conventional wisdom and providing fresh insights, he skilfully analyses the ways different groups shape politics. A unique and valuable contribution.' -- Steven Wright, Associate Professor of International Relations, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and author of 'The United States and Persian Gulf Security''Kristian Coates Ulrichsen's latest book, thematically organised and covering all six GCC states, highlights the transnational ties between these states and the ways in which social, economic, political, military and religious nodes of power interact. A path-breaking work in Gulf Studies.' -- Courtney Freer, Visiting Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Emory University, and co-author of 'Tribalism and Political Power in the Gulf''"Centers of Power in the Arab Gulf States" brings new conceptual insights into the various degrees and forms of both soft and hard power in the region. An intellectually stimulating and rich examination of the power of GCC countries.' -- Dania Thafer, Executive Director, Gulf International Forum, and author of 'Creative Insecurity: Institutional Inertia and Youth Potential in the GCC''Kristian Coates Ulrichsen is one of the best-informed analysts of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. This is a historically grounded thematic treatment of how power is exercised, using examples from the early twentieth century to today. A must-read for all seeking to better understand this key region.' -- Lawrence G. Potter, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, and editor of 'The Persian Gulf in History'

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Book SynopsisThough diversity and interconnectedness are inherent and integral to the natural order, they often clash in the social world. To address this, Resilient Democratic Governance: Navigating Unity in Diversity for Sustainable Well-Being proposes a comprehensive framework advocating for the harmonious integration of diversity and interconnectedness in social structures, emphasizing their pivotal role in building resilience and achieving sustainable wellbeing. Girol Karacaoglu's innovative study explores the convergence of various political philosophies and social elements while still maintaining a sense of unity and cohesion in society. Through the perspectives of thinkers like Abd al-Karim al-Jili, Spinoza, Confucius, Alfred North Whitehead, Abraham Maslow, Sir Isaiah Berlin, Ronald Dworkin, Satish Kumar, and Amartya Sen, each chapter delves into how these scholars have conceptualized unity in different domains, spanning nature, creative processes, freedom, value, ecology, and economy. Karacaoglu argues that embracing this diversity-in-unity framework can serve as a guide to governance for sustainable wellbeing. His argument culminates in a reflection on the paths laid out by the Buddha and Lao Tzu, underscoring their profound insights into achieving balance and harmony in our interconnected world. Emerging as a hopeful voice amid increasing ideological polarisation, this thoughtful work reimagines democratic governance to offer a practical guide for deliberate and transformative social and political change.Table of ContentsIntroduction – In Search of Benjamin’s and Xunzi’s New Fusion A. Embracing Unity in Diversity … Chapter 1. Abd Al-Karim Al-Jili’s Unity in Diversity and Diversity in Unity Chapter 2. Spinoza’s Unity of Nature and Confucius’ Qi Chapter 3. Whitehead’s Unity of Creative Evolutionary Processes Chapter 4. Maslow’s Unity of Needs Chapter 5. Pullman’s and Mencius’ Unity of the Mind and Heart Chapter 6. Berlin’s Unity of Freedom Chapter 7. Dworkin’s Unity of Value Chapter 8. Kumar’s Unity of Ecology and Economy Chapter 9. Sen’s Unity of Wellbeing B. … As a Guide to Governance for Sustainable Wellbeing Chapter 10. Resilience - Bridge to Sustainability Chapter 11. Destination – Bookchin’s Communalism Chapter 12. Steppingstone - Localism Conclusion – The Buddha’s Path and Lao Tzu’s Dao (‘the Way’)

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Book SynopsisThe first step on the road to change is to imagine possibility.Imagine A Country offers visions of a new future from an astonishing array of Scottish voices, from comedians to economists, writers to musicians. Edited, curated and introduced by bestselling author Val McDermid and geographer Jo Sharp, it is a collection of ideas, dreams and ambitions, aiming to inspire change, hope and imagination. Featuring:ALI SMITH, PHILL JUPITUS, A.L. KENNEDY, ALAN CUMMING, KERRY HUDSON, GREG HEMPHILL, CAROL ANN DUFFY, CHRIS BROOKMYRE, ALISON WATT, ALASDAIR GRAY, LEILA ABOULELA, IAN RANKIN, SELINA HALES, SANJEEV KOHLI, JACKIE KAY, DAMIAN BARR, ELAINE C. SMITH, ABIR MUKHERJEE, ANNE GLOVER, ALAN BISSETT, LOUISE WELSH, JO CLIFFORD, RICKY ROSS, TRISHNA SINGH, CAMERON McNEISH, ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH, CARLA JENKINS, DON PATERSON, AND MANY MORE . . .Trade ReviewAn ambitious, thought-provoking, diverse collection of imaginings. I laughed, I cried -- WILL DEANA fascinating and rich collection * * The National * *Thoughtful . . . idealistic and interesting * * Scotsman * *

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Book SynopsisWho became Britain's first Prime Minister on 3 April 1721?When was Karl Marx born?Where and when was the first battle of the Wars of the Roses?When did Big Ben first bong?When did the first British woman cast her vote? (Clue: It wasn't 1918.)Find the answers to these questions and many more in this landmark political history.From the first meeting of an elected English parliament on 20 January 1265 to the tabling of the Bill of Rights on 13 February 1689; from the Peterloo massacre of 16 August 1819 to Britain voting to leave the EU on 23 June 2016, there is a growing thirst for knowledge about the history of our constitutional settlement, our party system and how our parliamentary democracy has developed.Writing as an observer of political history, but also as someone with an opinion, acclaimed political broadcaster Iain Dale charts the main events of the last few hundred years, with one event per page, per day.'The indefatigable Iain Dale always cuts to the nub of politics.' Adam BoultonTable of Contentsi: Foreword 1: January 2: February 3: March 4: April 5: May 6: June 7: July 8: August 9: September 10: October 11: November 12: December ii: Acknowledgements iii: Index

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Book SynopsisThis book deals with the morality, identity, self-conception and prestige of states, all of which goes well beyond the narrow, rationalist defence of national interests, which dominates most IR studies. The honour of states ? which is most clearly seen in situations of war ? rests on the ideal conception of ?all of us?, which includes all citizens, all classes and all generations, set against their opposite numbers outside of ?our? immediate sphere of domination. This state-based image of itself and its existential teleology constitutes its very essence, notwithstanding that it is often seen as a deviation (?exception?) from the normal state of affairs, where the state is ?just? there to serve and support the economy and its principal actors.The volume, which is particularly topical given the current belligerent state of Europe and the global struggle for hegemony, pursues this line of thinking along three different but interconnected routes. The first chapter delves into the morality question itself, tackling the complex relationship between politics, law and morals, and between states and citizens. The universe of moral judgements feeds off rigid distinctions between good and bad, I/we and the Other, restraint and self-restraint, liberty and puritanism. Political actors support it, law legitimates it, and citizens enact it. The second chapter deals with the question of the honour and prestige of states, historically and conceptually; this is a question that has been either ignored or misconceived by recent international relations theories, but which has now shown its renewed relevance and cries out for an explanation. Finally, the third article tackles the question of war and peace head-on. Its basic theorem is that the two are not contradictory but complementary: reasons for war are produced in times of peace. Both Kant?s thesis on ?perpetual peace? and its modern corollary, that is, that democracies do not go to war against each other, are seen as fallacious. The chapter ends by addressing the question of the background and rationale of the war in Ukraine, in the process critiquing the moral stance characterising the Western understanding of the situation.Thus, all three chapters revolve around issues that relate to the interaction of war and democracy and the underlying morality that both legitimates and underpins the actions of politicians as well as citizens. This book deals with the morality, self-conception and honour of states, something that goes well beyond the narrow, rationalist defence of national interests, which dominates most IR studies. The volume pursues this line of thinking by focussing on three different but interconnected thematics: political moralism, the honour of states and the peace/war-problematic. The moral self-conception of states ? which comes most clearly to the fore in situations of war ? rests on the ideal conception of ?all of us?, which includes all citizens, all classes and all generations, set against their opposite numbers outside of ?our? immediate sphere of domination. This state-based image of itself and its existential teleology constitutes its very essence, notwithstanding that it is often seen as a deviation (?exception?) from the normal state of affairs, where the state is ?just ? there to serve and support the economy and its principal actors. All three chapters thus revolve around issues that relate to the interaction of war and democracy and the underlying morality that both legitimates and underpins the actions of politicians as well as citizens.

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Book SynopsisThis timely and important intervention in the debates concerning Europe in Ireland begins with the 1916 Centenary celebration. The Brexit decision of June 2016 has fundamentally altered Ireland's relationship with the European Union and has exponentially increased interest in European matters in public debates. Yet, public discussions regarding Ireland's closer links with the European Union often remain purely utilitarian and economic, or take place solely within academia. There is an urgent need to broaden the debate towards the cultural and social spheres, which includes highlighting the inherently European quality of Irish culture and society, in the past as much as the present. The most extensive interventions on these issues in recent years have come from the President of Ireland. This edition collects all of the major speeches on the topic of Europe since 2016. They encompass interventions on historical aspects, bilateral cultural links, citizens' involvement in the European project, workers' rights and ecological concerns. The present Covid-19 crisis will further move the European Union into the limelight, in particular its role in helping member states cope with the consequences of this unprecedented disaster. President Higgins addresses the Great Flu Epidemic of 1918-19 from a speech made in May 2019 and considers the role of European leaders in a letter to the President of the Hellenic Republic in April 2020. These speeches are marked by the President's particular and personal stamp, while also expressing central concerns on behalf of Irish citizens. The speeches are enhanced by a Foreword written by President Michael D. Higgins.Trade ReviewMichael D. Higgins writes brilliantly about the idea of “home” in an age of mass-migration, when even children of the middle class can scarcely afford to purchase a house. But, above all, he implies that Anderson’s critique be answered – by a Europe which, no longer constructed from above, is rebuilt from below. From the street itself. -- Declan Kiberd * Hot Press *The book seems to be an extraordinary kaleidoscope of ideas enmeshed in a dazzling torrent of words that could threaten to drown the reader. However as the book progresses, so does the understanding of the reader and an understanding of what the European Union can offer us, in theory at least, emerges. -- Des Kenny * Galway Advertiser *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards Irish-Published Book of the Year A TREASURE TROVE OF LETTERS TO AND FROM OUR NINE PRESIDENTS FROM 1938 TO THE PRESENT DAY With over 400 letters, memos, cards, telegrams, drawings, notes and photographs, The Presidents’ Letters reveals a personal and unexpected story of Ireland since the inauguration of our first president, Douglas Hyde. Most of these have never been published before and a handful have never been seen by the public. They are letters of congratulations, of resignation, of sympathy. A handwritten note from a president to a queen, a message sent to the moon, a fond farewell from a poet. There are letters of joy and loss, begging letters and threatening ones, sent from palaces, parliaments and prisons, from war zones, refugee camps and homeless shelters. Meticulously researched and hand-picked for this unique book, these correspondences bring to life our presidents, Áras an Uachtaráin and all those who have passed through its doors. The Presidents’ Letters is a beautiful homage to the art of the letter, exploring how each of our presidents defined their eras and how they strengthened the relationship between Ireland and all who identify as Irish. The book is divided into thematic sections, rather than separate chapters on the individual presidencies and featuring contributions in the form of one-page chapter introductions to contextualise the correspondence. Contributors include: David McCullagh Rory Montgomery Martina Devlin Catriona Crowe Samantha Barry Joseph O’Connor Harry McGee Lise Hand Justine McCarthy Paul Rouse Terri Kearney

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Book SynopsisNever in human history was there such a chance for freedom of expression. If we have Internet access, any one of us can publish almost anything we like and potentially reach an audience of millions. Never was there a time when the evils of unlimited speech flowed so easily across frontiers: violent intimidation, gross violations of privacy, tidal waves of abuse. A pastor burns a Koran in Florida and UN officials die in Afghanistan.Drawing on a lifetime of writing about dictatorships and dissidents, Timothy Garton Ash argues that in this connected world that he calls cosmopolis, the way to combine freedom and diversity is to have more but also better free speech. Across all cultural divides we must strive to agree on how we disagree. He draws on a thirteen-language global online project - freespeechdebate.com - conducted out of Oxford University and devoted to doing just that.With vivid examples, from his personal experience of China's Orwellian censorship apparatus to the controversy around Charlie Hebdo to a very English court case involving food writer Nigella Lawson, he proposes a framework for civilized conflict in a world where we are all becoming neighbours.Trade ReviewA major piece of cultural analysis, sane, witty and urgently important. Timothy Garton Ash exemplifies the "robust civility" he recommends as an antidote to the pervasive unhappiness, nervousness and incoherence around freedom of speech, rightly seeing the basic challenge as how we create a cultural and moral climate in which proper public argument is possible and human dignity affirmed. -- Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and former Archbishop of CanterburyParticularly timely. . . Garton Ash argues forcefully that. . . there is an increasing need for freer speech. . . A powerful, comprehensive book * The Economist *Garton Ash has two virtues that are rarely combined. The ability to theorise and the ability to work. His research is wide-ranging. He covers all the great controversies of our time and many more illuminating conflicts you are unlikely to know about... An urgent and encyclopedic work -- Nick Cohen * Observer *Illuminating and thought-provoking... [Garton Ash's] larger project is not merely to defend freedom of expression, but to promote civil, dispassionate discourse, within and across cultures, even about the most divisive and emotive subjects. -- Faramerz Dabhoiwala * Guardian *Timothy Garton Ash aspires to articulate norms that should govern freedom of communication in a transnational world. His work is original and inspiring. Free Speech is an unfailingly eloquent and learned book that delights as well as instructs. -- Robert Post, Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law, Yale Law SchoolThere are still countless people risking their lives to defend free speech and struggling to make lonely voices heard in corners around the world where voices are hard to hear. Let us hope that this book will bring confidence and hope to this world-as-city. I believe it will exert great influence. -- Murong Xuecun, author of LEAVE ME ALONE: A NOVEL OF CHENGDUA thorough and well-argued contribution to the quest for global free speech norms. * Kirkus Reviews *A master class in political and historical analysis * Publishers Weekly *Free Speech is a resource, a weapon, an encyclopedia of anecdote, example and exemplum that reaches toward battling restrictions on expression with mountains of data, new ideas, liberating ideas. -- Diane Roberts * Prospect *Admirably clear... wise, up-to-the-minute and wide-ranging... Free Speech encourages us to take a breath, look hard at the facts and see how well-tried liberal principles can be applied and defended in daunting new circumstances. -- Edmund Fawcett * The New York Times Book Review *Timothy Garton Ash rises to the task of directing us how to live civilly in our connected diversity. -- John Lloyd * Financial Times *A brave and admirable attempt to construct a platform on which more people can find common ground, even if only on how to disagree without killing each other. Whether the ten principles are used or not, they are a considerable achievement. -- George Brock * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisOffering an up-to-date historical perspective which should enable readers to fathom how the brutal massacres of 800,000 Rwandese came to pass in 1994, this volume includes a new chapter that brings the analysis up to the end of 1996. Gerard Prunier probes into how the genocidal events in Rwanda were part of a deadly logic - a plan that served central political and economic interests - rather than a result of primordial tribal hatreds, a notion often invoked by the media to dramatize genocide.Trade Review'Prunier's elucidation of [Rwanda's history] seems to me to be beyond praise. He has reconstructed the entire process by which a thorough modern genocide was planned.He has read all the documents. He has interviewed both perpetrators and survivors. He has anatomized the cold process of mass murder in both theory and practice.' - * Christopher Hitchens, Washington Post *'The most thorough treatment of the background to the massacres ... He presents his balanced and painstaking research with clarity and skill, and he shows how the ideological, political, and economic components of Rwanda's human time bomb slowly assembled... A former consultant to the Mitterrand government, Prunier is particularly well informed on the shameful role of the French in helping create the conditions that led to the 1994 explosion.' * Foreign Affairs *'Gerard Prunier's new history of the Rwandan genocide casts this sad moment into the black and white relief of print and commits to memory the struggle of those Rwandans who fell victim to the atrocities of last year's tragedy. His book is a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives, and an important contribution to the work of understanding the complexities of modern conflict.' * The Boston Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThis book is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social structure and political sociology as well as academic sociologists and libraries. It should have significant appeal to researchers and students in European studies and others interested in European integration.Table of ContentsContributors -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction/Rosemat Crow,ton & Thitlip Bnum -- 1 Exciuson, post-Fordism and the “New Europe”/Patricia Kennett -- 2 Flexibilizanon and part-time work in Europe/irene Bruegel & Ariane Hegewisch -- 3 Gender and pensions in Europe: current trends in women’s pension acquisition/Jay Ginn & Sara Arber, -- 4 Combining work and family working mothers in Scandinavia and the European Community/Arnlaug Leira -- 5 Some issues of race, ethnicity and nationalism in the “New” Europe: rethinking sociological paradigms/Sheila Alleii & Mime Mxey -- 6 Race, citizenship and “Fortress Europe”/Mark Mitchell & Dava Russell -- 7 The making of an underclass: neo-liberalism versus corporatism/Scott Lash -- 8 Afer the Cold War: the defence industry and the New Europe/John Lovering -- 9 The collapse of Soviet socialism: legitimation, regulation, and the new class/Larry Ray -- 10 Privañzation, class and interest formation in eastern Europe/Terry Cox -- Index.

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Book SynopsisAn accessible and lively introduction to the intellectual driving force behind early Italian Communism.

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Book SynopsisLook Where We’re Going is a book of revelation and revolution. Written by someone who has been at the centre of British government and international affairs for half a century, it looks afresh at the ideas, hopes, lessons and largely unintended consequences of successive generations of political leaders; it shows us how to Look Where We’re Going. Based on deep personal experience – the author is one of the few left who served in Margaret Thatcher’s first Cabinet of just over forty years ago – Howell gives us a new picture of the dramas deep inside government and how yesterday’s clashes of ideology and personality have led to today’s unanticipated turmoil. Old assumptions are torn apart and accepted versions of what occurred are unravelled. Howell shows how technology has made much of our conventional political vocabulary obsolete, how we now need quite different types of leadership serving new priorities and how, while we wrestle with the issues just before our eyes, much bigger forces are at work which are re-shaping our lives and our future.

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Book Synopsis***'Brave and vividly evoked, should haunt Kier Starmer et al.' - The Telegraph'Where Did I Go Right? is sharp, considered, insightful, and helped me make sense of "the other side". And because Geoff Norcott is so funny, it unfortunately means I can't dismiss his views entirely. It's so important to have a friend you can disagree with but still admire and Geoff can be that friend to you!' - Katherine Ryan'I've always thought the benefit of having batsh*t parents is it increases the chance of you growing up funny. It's certainly worked for Geoff Norcott.' - David Baddiel'Few people walk the line of thought provoking and laugh out loud funny like Geoff Norcott.' - Romesh RanganathanComedian Geoff Norcott should have been Labour through and through. He grew up on a council estate, both of his parents were disabled, and his Dad was a Union man. So, how was it that he grew up to vote Tory?In this courageously honest and provocative memoir, Geoff unpicks his working-class upbringing and his political journey from left to right. Raised by a fierce matriarch and a maverick father on a South London council estate where they filmed scenes for The Bill, Geoff spends his youth attempting to put out kitchen fires with aerosols and leaping in and out of industrial skips. But as he reaches adolescence, his political views begin to be influenced by major events including the early 90s recession, the credit crunch, and a chance encounter with Conservative PM John Major.As an adult, Geoff begins to have the gnawing feeling that the values and traditions he grew up with no longer match Labour's. And, as Brexit appears, he feels even more like a double agent operating behind enemy lines.Written with warmth, wit and often laugh-out-loud humour, Where Did I Go Right? is Geoff's attempt to understand why he ended up voting 'for the bad guys', and why blue-collared conservatism could be here to stay.Praise for Geoff Norcott:'A mature, sharp take on modern politics' - The Sunday Times'Gently abrasive, but that's what makes him so entertaining... with a sharp, self-knowing wit' -The Times'Geoff Norcott genuinely has something original to say' - New European'A refreshingly brilliant new comedic voice' - Spectator'Norcott is an out-and-out rebel' - Express

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Book SynopsisPeter Hennessy brings his deep political and historical understanding to this study of two of the most turbulent and disruptive years experienced by Britain in peacetime. As the protracted withdrawal from the EU and the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic dragged on, a series of unprecedented challenges - some global, some domestic - laid bare the fragility of Britain and the Union. Beginning with the chaotic Fall of Kabul, which exposed Britain's military dependence on the United States, through the protracted, unedifying removal of a prime minister - and the economically catastrophic, short-lived tenure of his successor - that further exposed the vulnerabilities of an unwritten constitution; to the country sweltering in record breaking temperatures amid dire warnings of climate catastrophe; and finally to the death of a much-loved monarch, a point of constancy during decades of tremendous social and technological change. In his final chapter, Hennessy considers the continuities and upheavals of the last seventy years, asking whether there can be said to have been a second 'Elizabethan Age', and lamenting that the post-war period came to its close amid such upheaval and loss.

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Book SynopsisThe military veteran is claimed by all sides. Conservatives, liberals and socialists all want to speak about and for ex-servicemen, yet far-right demonstrations are dotted with berets and medals and ex-military men have become celebrities of the reactionary manosphere. So who are Britain’s ex-servicemen? What do they want? What are their politics? What are the issues which animate them? Are they just irredeemable fascists by dint of their service to Empire? Or is there a radical political potential waiting to be unlocked? Former soldier Joe Glenton takes us on a guided tour through ex-forces life at the heart of a dead empire as he attempts to demystify military culture, rescue the veteran from his captors, and discover if a more optimistic, humanist mode of veteranhood can be recovered from the ruins.Trade Review"As a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, it amazes me how our experiences in America mirror those in the UK. Regardless of the decisions made by governments, dog-faced soldiers that spend their days in the enemy's backyard all share the same experiences during and after the war. Truly an interesting read that shows me how close we are.""Funny, sad, hard-hitting... an instant classic."“A groundbreaking and essential correction to the media fairytale of life as a UK military vet, written in the style of the legendary Gonzo writers of the 60s. It’s Andy McNab meets Hunter S Thompson and does that rare thing: provides deep insight while treating the reader with electrifying prose. I read it in one sitting.”"Glenton's superb and angry memoir of comradeship and resistance takes you where no sane person would want to go: to the front line of combat with people who understand how shit war is, and are coming back mad as hell."

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