Politics, Philosophy & Society Books

Book Synopsis'I like listening to people who know things that I don't,' Gareth Southgate told me. 'That's how you learn.' Former Olympian and best-selling author Matthew Syed is one of the advisors Gareth Southgate engaged from outside football in order to find new ways of working as a team. In Rebel Ideas, discover how Southgate 'the man with the plan' replaced 50 years of hurt with two major tournament semi-finals in three years.' Matthew Syed's phenomenal bestseller will change the way you think about success - for ever. 'Syed is a superb storyteller. I couldn't put the book down, and I learned so much. A stunning achievement' Tim Harford, author of The Undercover EconomistRebel Ideas examines the power of 'cognitive diversity' - the ability to think differently about the world around us.It explains how to harness our unique perspectives, pool our collective intelligence and tackle the greatest challenges of our age - from climate change to terrorism. It draws on a dazzling range of case studies, including the catastrophic failings of the CIA before 9/11, a fatal communication breakdown on top of Mount Everest and a moving tale of deradicalisation in America's Deep South.Rebel Ideas will strengthen any team or organisation, but has dozens of individual applications, too: from the art of reinvention to the remarkable benefits of personalised nutrition. It shows us how to become more creative, how to collaborate in a world becoming more interconnected, and how to break free of echo chambers that surround us all.Now updated with a new chapter on the Covid-19 crisis'A gripping read, full of intelligence and perspective' James Dyson'Will change the way you think about success and even about life' Judy Murray'A master of the genre' The TimesTrade ReviewOn a vital and still-overlooked topic, Matthew Syed has assembled a compelling base of evidence from a wide range of scientists. If that sounds intimidating, don't worry: Syed is a superb storyteller. I couldn't put the book down, and I learned so much. A stunning achievement * The Undercover Economist *A gripping read, full of intelligence and perspectiveWill change the way you think about success and even about life A master of the genre * The Times *Entertainingly weaves together stories from business and politics to argue persuasively that cognitive diversity boosts collective intelligence * The Times *Syed excels in drawing together disparate stories and examples, and weaving them together into an interesting narrative * TES *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA treasure trove of coping, regulating, grounding, and soothing activities and techniques for working with children (aged 6+), teens and adults. This pack of 70 cards and explanatory guide offers a playful, non-threatening way to explore feelings, and to form effective coping, regulating, soothing, and grounding strategies through a range of games and activities. Designed to work with both the brain and body, the cards address a wide range of common issues including anxiety, stress, low mood, sleep difficulties and emotional dysregulation. To do so, they employ a range of proven strategies including cognitive techniques, nurturing activities, sensory strategies, body-based activity and creative exercises. Developed by specialist clinical psychologist, trainer and author Dr. Karen Treisman, this deck is a little treasure for professionals, parents, carers supporting children and adolescents aged 6+.Table of ContentsN/A

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe sixth volume of this popular series focuses on the early months of the hugely significant air campaign against German assets across South-East Europe. Each are described in minute detail, including the actions of Germany's Axis allies such as Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria that were encountered for the first time by the Western Allies.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery living thing has two bodies. To be an animal is to be in possession of a physical body, a body which can eat, drink and sleep; it is also to be embedded in a worldwide network of ecosystems. When every human body has an uncanny global presence, how do we live with ourselves? In this timely and elegant essay, Daisy Hildyard captures the second body by exploring how the human is a part of animal life. She meets Richard, a butcher in Yorkshire, and sees pigs turned into boiled ham; and Gina, an environmental criminologist, who tells her about leopards and silver foxes kept as pets in luxury apartments. She speaks to Luis, a biologist, about the origins of life; and talks to Nadezhda about fungi in an effort to understand how we define animal life. Eventually, her second body comes to visit her first body when the river flooded her home last year. The Second Body is a brilliantly lucid account of the dissolving boundaries between all life on earth.Trade Review‘With a voice that is both intimate and richly imaginative, [Hildyard] draws on sources spanning biology, ecology, literature, and sociology to illustrate the seeming paradox of human existence: that humans act individually and globally at once – that we act both in and on the world around us. ... Hildyard’s book is a powerful exploration of how every human is both a singular being as well as one of many in the world.’ — Publishers' Weekly‘“Another creature’s experience is different, and we do not know how it is different”, writes Daisy Hildyard in The Second Body. This playful and original essay touches on the limits of our ability to imagine that experience. Hildyard, a novelist who was trained as a historian of science, tries to find the ways we intuit boundaries between our bodies and our ecosystems, between ourselves and other animals.’ — Jennie Erin Smith, Times Literary Supplement‘These are fretful, questioning essays with occasional flashes of beauty, demanding of readers that they think about anthropogenic disruption of climate and ecology.’ — Gavin Francis, Guardian‘Part amateur detective, part visionary, Hildyard’s voice is so intelligent, beguiling and important. Like Sir Thomas Browne or even Annie Dillard, her sly variety of scientific inquiry is incandescent.’ — Rivka Galchen, author of Little Labors

Read more less

Book Synopsis2018 marks the twentieth anniversary of V-Day, the radical grassroots movement to end violence against women and girls, inspired by Eve Ensler''s international sensation The Vagina Monologues. This special edition features six never-before-published monologues, a new foreword by National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson, a new introduction by the author, and a new afterword by One Billion Rising director Monique Wilson on the stage phenomenon''s global impact.A landmark work in women''s empowerment, as relevant as ever after a year marked by unprecedented social and political protest in the face of unapologetic racism and misogyny, The Vagina Monologues honours women''s sexuality in all its complexity, mystery and power. Witty and irreverent, compassionate and wise, this award-winning masterpiece gives voice to real women''s deepest fantasies, fears, anger and pleasure, and calls for a world where all women are safe, equal, free and alive in their bodies.Trade ReviewThis play changed the world. Seeing it changed my soul. Performing in it changed my life * Kerry Washington *'Probably the most important piece of political theatre of the last decade' * New York Times *'Filled with generous energy and delight'The Times * The Times *Spellbinding, funny, and almost unbearably moving ... a work of art and an incisive piece of cultural history, a poem and a polemic, a performance and a balm and a benediction * Variety *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE 2013''As taut and richly embroidered as a great novel . . . a masterpiece'' Sunday Telegraph''Dazzling'' Sunday Times ''Magnificent'' Guardian ''Sparkling'' Daily TelegraphA towering history of the first Afghan War by bestselling historian William Dalrymple.In the spring of 1839, Britain invaded Afghanistan for the first time. Nearly 20,000 British and East India Company troops poured through the high mountain passes and re-established on the throne Shah Shuja ul-Mulk.On the way in, the British faced little resistance. But after two years of occupation, the Afghan people rose in answer to the call for jihad and the country exploded into violent rebellion. The First Anglo-Afghan War ended in Britain''s greatest military humiliation of the nineteenth century: an entire army of the then most powerful nation in the world ambushed in retreat and utterly routed byTrade ReviewThis sorry saga has been recounted many times, but never that I can recall as well as by Dalrymple. He is a master story-teller, whose special gift lies in the use of indigenous sources, so often neglected by imperial chroniclers -- Max Hastings * Sunday Times *Enchantingly written . . . In Dalrymple’s usual happy style of historical narrative, applied to a fascinating, neat and highly suggestive series of events, this long and involved book will be a great success, and bring the famous story to a large new audience -- Philip Hensher * Spectator *Of the books swooped into being by his scholarship (to which he himself has applied the adjective “obsessive”), this one is the most magnificent . . . His account is so perceptive and so warmly humane that one is never tempted to break away . . . This book would be compulsive reading even if it were not a uniquely valuable history, which it is, because Dalrymple has uncovered sources never used before -- Diana Athill * Guardian *Brilliant . . . Those who have read his White Mughals and The Last Mughal will know what to expect: a readable style, a deep humanity and, above all, an extraordinary skill in evoking the lost worlds of Mughals and Afghans . . . His pen-portraits are a masterpiece . . . Return of a King is much the fullest and most powerful description of the West's first encounter with Afghan society -- John Darwin * New York Times *A major contribution to the historiography of south-west Asia and of the British empire . . . Return of a King will come to be seen as the definitive account of the first and most disastrous western attempt to invade Afghanistan. Dalrymple's afterword should be put on college syllabuses on both sides of the Atlantic -- Sherard Cowper-Coles * New Statesman *Splendid and absorbing . . . William Dalrymple tells this tragic story with verve, skill, and - unexpectedly in the circumstances - some humor. Using unknown or underused sources from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he recounts the tale from both sides, shifting the scenes, using eyewitness accounts, quoting at length heroic epic poems . . . A fine book -- David Gilmour * New York Review of Books *William Dalrymple is a master storyteller, who breathes such passion, vivacity and animation into the historical characters of the First Anglo-Afghan war of 1839-42 that at the end of this 567-page book you feel you have marched, fought, dined and plotted with them all: once I had finished I turned straight back to the beginning * Independent *Brilliant . . . even 170 years later, the events described in Return of a King still have the power to shock - and so they should. It is to be hoped that any future British leader contemplating intervention in Afghanistan, or any other part of the Muslim world, will read Dalrymple's book * Financial Times *Mr. Dalrymple's writing is sly, charming and clever. His histories read like novels . . . This latest book delights and shocks as he points the finger at both sides for their deceit treachery and cruelty . . . Magnificent * Wall Street Journal *Definitive . . . Return of a King, like a great classical tragedy, grips the reader's attention from start to finish . . . not just a riveting account of one imperial disaster on the roof of the world; it teaches unforgettable lessons about the perils of neocolonial adventures everywhere -- Piers Brendan * Literary Review *By turns epic, thrilling, suspenseful, and utterly appalling, at once deeply researched and beautifully paced, Return of a King should win every prize for which it's eligible * Bookforum *Dazzling . . . Dalrymple is a master storyteller, whose special gift lies in the use of indigenous sources, so often neglected by imperial chroniclers . . . Almost every page of Dalrymple's splendid narrative echoes with latter-day reverberations -- Max Hastings * Sunday Times *Outstanding . . . Dalrymple has emerged as a superb historian of the British Raj . . . He excels at character, scene setting, and shifting between multiple points of view . . . His use of sources is stunning, particularly the trove of Persian-language material - epic poems, court histories and other accounts - he found in Kabul. No other western historian has given such a complete account of the other side * National *William Dalrymple's phenomenal achievement is to combine a steady overview of his broad canvas with a magpie's eye for detail and a film-maker's sense of when to shift the mood and focus. His writing is ebullient, but his conclusion is timely and grave. Any attempt to subjugate Afghanistan must, as one witness of that first invasion noted, be 'temporary and transient and terminate in catastrophe' * Intelligent Life *A powerful account of Britain's deluded occupation . . . A superlative achievement * Scotland on Sunday *Dalrymple is something of a secret national treasure; a travel writer and narrative historian of Britain's relations with India . . . an enthralling, definitive account * The Lady *Masterful . . . Dalrymple makes an important contribution by including recently discovered Afghan accounts of the war * Washington Post *This hefty and extraordinary book may be [Dalrymple's] masterwork . . . Dalrymple's assiduous scholarship and travel-writer's ease with language makes this not only an incredibly well-researched book, but something of a page-turner * Big Issue *This is vintage Dalrymple: warp-speed historical narrative, meticulously researched . . . My only regret reading this wonderful history is that it was not published a decade earlier * Evening Standard *Dalrymple is a writer who can make the most recondite historical issues come alive and with each successive book he becomes a more entertaining and enlightening companion . . . Return of a King is simply quite brilliant -- Alexander McCall Smith * New Statesman, Books of the Year *Probably the best known British historian of India . . . this is the book he was born to write * Economist *Sensationally good . . . Dalrymple writes the kind of history few historians can match . . . Drawing on Afghan, Russian, and Indian sources, [Dalrymple] tells a truly epic story of imperial ambition and hubris with profound lessons for our own times . . . I doubt that I'll read a better written or more important history book all year * Scotsman *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSelf-determination theory (SDT) provides a framework for understanding the factors that promote motivation and healthy psychological and behavioral functioning. In this authoritative work, the codevelopers of the theory comprehensively examine SDT's conceptual underpinnings (including its six mini-theories), empirical evidence base, and practical applications across the lifespan. The volume synthesizes a vast body of research on how supporting--or thwarting--people's basic needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy affects their development and well-being. Chapters cover implications for practice and policy in education, health care, psychotherapy, sport, and the workplace.Trade Review"This valuable volume presents a synthesis of four decades of systematic work within one of the most comprehensive, profound research programs on human motivation in the history of psychology. It is a true milestone in motivational research, as rich in conceptual insights as it is in exciting findings. The book offers a formidable set of answers as to why people do what they do, and with what consequences. An assured and instant classic!"--Arie W. Kruglanski, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park "This book is a tour-de-force exposition of the motivational nutrients needed for optimal human growth and well-being. It is global in scope, while also replete with applications to specific contexts. SDT and its mini-theories are characterized by astonishing scholarly vitality and depth of thought, combined with unrivaled relevance for everyday life at all levels of society. Taken as a whole, the advances summarized in this volume have transformed what we know about human behavior and development.”--Carol D. Ryff, PhD, Hilldale Professor of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison "A masterful, comprehensive explication of the tenets of SDT. The authors demonstrate a keen sense of history and respect for their intellectual ancestors, stepping only lightly on a few theoretical toes. The theoretical claims that comprise SDT are coherently documented by a plethora of well-crafted and ingenious laboratory and real-world research studies. A major contribution is the compelling practical application of the theory to numerous life domains, including classroom teaching, the workplace, psychotherapy, and others. There is great wisdom in these applications. The breadth of topics will make this volume attractive to researchers, clinicians, educators, and sports and organizational psychologists."--Susan Harter, PhD, John Evans Professor of Psychology (Emerita), University of Denver "Ryan and Deci are among the most brilliant psychologists of our time, and SDT has been one of the most influential theories in the field of motivation for the past 30 years. In this book, Ryan and Deci provide an in-depth review of research on SDT, which provides overwhelming support for their theory in a number of contexts, activities, and cultures. This book is a 'must read.' I recommend it for all motivational scientists and graduate students alike. Self-Determination Theory will leave its mark for years to come and will become a classic in the field."--Robert J. Vallerand, PhD, Canada Research Chair on Motivational Processes and Optimal Functioning and Professor of Social Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal "This much-anticipated volume does not disappoint! Ryan and Deci explain SDT with a richness and clarity that will enable readers at all levels to understand and use this important and increasingly influential theory. The organization is excellent--the reader is walked through the philosophical and historical foundations, presented with the key mini-theories that make up SDT, and then, equipped with the basics, introduced to the myriad applications of the theory for increasing human well-being. This book is essential reading for educational psychologists and those training for careers in education as it provides crucial information about setting up environments to maximize student motivation, learning, and adjustment. Bravo to the authors for this invaluable, beautifully written resource that will be in the hands of all of my undergraduate and graduate students."--Wendy S. Grolnick, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training, Clark University -Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness is [the authors'] magnum opus--a definitive exposition of autonomy, competence, and relatedness as basic psychological needs….Transcending social psychology, self-determination theory (SDT) has become a multidisciplinary phenomenon with implications for health sciences, sociology, social work, environmental studies, and philosophy of education.--Theory and Research in Education, 12/18/2018ƒƒFor over 30 years, Richard Ryan and Edward Deci have worked together to expand theory and research on intrinsic motivation. Their new book, Self-Determination Theory…is an impressive synthesis of their work to date.--PsycCRITIQUES, 6/26/2017Table of ContentsI. Introduction 1. Self-Determination Theory: An Introduction and Overview II. Philosophical and Historical Considerations 2. Organismic Principles: Historical Perspectives on Development and Integration in Living Entities 3. Human Autonomy: Philosophical Perspectives and the Phenomenology of Self 4. Psychological Needs: Varied Concepts and a Preliminary Description of Self-Determination Theory’s Approach 5. A Brief History of Intrinsic Motivation III. The Six Mini-Theories of Self-Determination Theory 6. Cognitive Evaluation Theory, Part I: The Effects of Rewards, Feedback, and Other External Events on Intrinsic Motivation 7. Cognitive Evaluation Theory, Part II: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Processes Affecting Intrinsic Motivation 8. Organismic Integration Theory: Internalization and the Differentiation of Extrinsic Motivation 9. Causality Orientations Theory: Individual Differences in, and Priming of, Motivational Orientations 10. Basic Psychological Needs Theory: Satisfaction and Frustration of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness in Relation to Psychological Wellness and Full Functioning 11. Goal Contents Theory: Aspirations, Life Goals, and Their Varied Consequences 12. Relationships Motivation Theory: The Self in Close Relationships IV. Motivation and Human Development in Families, Schools, and Societies 13. Parenting and the Facilitation of Autonomy and Well-Being in Development 14. Schools as Contexts for Learning and Social Development 15. Identity Development, Self-Esteem, and Authenticity 16. Development, Basic Psychological Needs, and Psychopathology V. The Application and Practice of Self-Determination Theory in Multiple Domains 17. Psychotherapy and Behavior Change: Creating Facilitating Environments 18. Health Care and Patient Need Satisfaction: Supporting Maintained Health Behavior Change 19. Sport, Physical Activity, and Physical Education 20. Motivation and Need Satisfaction in Video Games and Virtual Environments 21. Work and Organizations: Promoting Wellness and Productivity VI. Basic Psychological Needs in Pervasive Social Contexts 22. Pervasive Social Influences, Part I: Cultural Contexts 23. Pervasive Social Influences, Part II: Economic and Political Systems 24. On Basic Needs and Human Natures: Altruism, Aggression, and the Bright and Dark Sides of Human Motivation A Very Brief Epilogue References Author Index Subject Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe are on the cusp of a major revolution in psychiatric medicine and neuroscience. After fifty years of prohibition, criminalisation and fear, science is finally showing us that psychedelics are not dangerous or harmful. Instead, when used according to tested, safe and ethical guidelines, they are our most powerful newest treatment of mental health conditions, from depression, PTSD, and OCD to disordered eating and even addiction and chronic pain.Professor David Nutt, one of the world's leading Neuropsychopharmacologists, has spent 15 years researching this field and it is his most significant body of work to date. In 2018, he co-founded the first academic psychedelic research centre - underpinned by his mission to provide evidence-based information for people everywhere. It revived interest in the understanding and use of this drug in its many forms, including MDMA, ayahuasca, magic mushrooms, LSD and ketamine. The results of this have been nothing short of ground-breaking for the future categorisation of drugs, but also for what we now know about brain mechanisms and our consciousness.At a time where there is an enormous amount of noise around the benefits of psychedelics, this book contains the knowledge you need to know about a drug that is about to go mainstream, free from the hot air, direct from the expert.Are you ready to change your mind?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe acclaimed sociologist''s landmark, compassionate work on how society treats those who are different''By definition, of course, we believe the person with a stigma is not quite human''In ancient times stigma were physical marks branded on people considered unfit to be in society. Today social stigma shames those seen as ''abnormal'' in more insidious ways. Erving Goffman''s defining sociological study draws extensively on the lived experiences of those who have found themselves on the edges of society to look at the complex ways in which stigmatized individuals see and project themselves, the strategies they use to deal with rejection, and how stigma can shatter their relationships with others.''His brilliant book'' Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisMillions of Americans work full time, year round, for poverty-level wages. In 1998, Barbara Ehrenreich decided to join them. Leaving her home, she took the cheapest lodgings she could find, and accepted whatever jobs she was offered. Nickel and Dimed reveals low-rent America in all its tenacity, anxiety, and surprising generosity? exposing the darker side of American prosperity and the true cost of the American dream.Trade Review'An extraordinary achievement...surely one of the most gripping political books ever written' - Observer'A valuable and illuminating book...Barbara Ehrenreich is now our premier reporter of the underside of capitalism' - New York Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplore the world''s most famous battles by their geography as you uncover the most ancient, medieval and modern combats in history.If you''re interested in finding out more about the biggest battles fought throughout the ages, then this war book is perfect for you. Battles Map by Map puts you in the seat of famous generals and commanders such as Rameses II, Napoleon, and Alexander the Great who expertly planned their attacks by studying the plains on which they would take place. So what are you waiting for? Journey back in time to learn more about wars such as the Battle of Alesia, Napoleonic Wars, and World War II and follow the geography of these epic battles in this brilliant book on the history of the world. Journey into past like never before as you explore: - 80 easy-to-follow maps showcasing the most famous battles in history- Timelines that showcase battles in chronological order, ideal for visual learners- Informative easy-to-read text explains the events of the battles- Features provide additional contextual information on key technologies, leaders, armies, and moreBursting with striking illustrations and full of fascinating detail, this history book is the ultimate gift for map lovers, military history enthusiasts, and armchair generals everywhere. Battles Map by Map takes you right to the heart of the action, where you can discover the profiles of famous commanders and military leaders and reveal the impact of groundbreaking weapons and battlefield innovations. Additionally, historic maps, paintings, photographs, and objects take you to the heart of the action whereby the impact of groundbreaking weapons and battlefield innovations is revealed. Broadcasting journalist and historian, Peter Snow, provides a foreword for this marvellous history book for adults. From ancient to modern battles, he provides context for the world''s most famous wars, both won and lost. See for yourself how tactics, technology, vision, and luck have all played a part in the outcome of wars throughout history.At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.So why stop there? The Map by Map series includes other titles such as History of the World Map by Map and World War II Map by Map, each detailing historical events and placing them in the context of geography. DK''s luxurious Map by Map books are fantastic history gifts, packed with fascinating facts, high-quality photography, and detailed profiles and descriptions of people and events.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn twenty short books, Penguin brings you the classics of the environmental movement.In The Democracy of Species Robin Wall Kimmerer guides us towards a more reciprocal, grateful and joyful relationship with our animate earth, from the wild leeks in the field to the deer in the woods.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.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat happens to your body after you have died?Fertilizer? Crash Test Dummy? Human Dumpling? Ballistics Practise? Life after death is not as simple as it looks. Mary Roach''s Stiff lifts the lid off what happens to our bodies once we have died. Bold, original and with a delightful eye for detail, Roach tells us everything we wanted to know about this new frontier in medical science. Interweaving present-day explorations with a history of past attempts to study what it means to be human Stiff is a deliciously dark investigations for readers of popular science as well as fans of the macabre.''Spry, common, sharp-witted survey brings a whole new meaning to the phrase Life after death'' Sunday Times''One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year'' Entertainment Weekly''Every chapter packed with more arresting details elegantly humourously expressed than one can hope for'' <

Read more less

Book SynopsisSir Winston Churchill remains a British hero, lauded for his oratorical skill. He wrote histories, biographies, memoirs, and even a novel, while his journalism, speeches and broadcasts run to millions of words. From 1940 he inspired and united the British people and guided their war effort. Behind the public figure, however, was a man of vast humanity and enormous wit. His most famous speeches and sayings have passed into history but many of his aphorisms, puns and jokes are less well known. This enchanting collection brings together hundreds of his wittiest remarks as a record of all that was best about this endearing, conceited, talented and wildly funny Englishman. Also available in the series:(9781782433651) The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II(9781782435426) The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde(9781782435662) The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen

Read more less

Book SynopsisMore and more people are being diagnosed with ADHD and autism.More and more people are being diagnosed with mental disorders.Young people are being medicalised for behaviours that might be explained as entirely normal in other parts of the world.Distress has been commodified over many decades by pharmaceutical companies, the media and the psychiatric establishment.So how can we know when distress is normal and when it is something that needs to be treated?In Searching for Normal, Dr Sami Timimi explores the political and cultural context of these phenomena and presents, instead, a deeply humane approach that looks at the person as a whole their family context, their culture, their personal resilience and advocates for a reframing of how we think about and treat distress.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWho works for the government and why does their work matter? Michael Lewis, bestselling author of The Big Short and The Fifth Risk, along with an all-star team of writers and storytellers, takes us on a riveting journey into a hidden world The government is a vast, complex system that citizens pay for, rebel against, rely upon, dismiss, and celebrate. It's also our shared resource for addressing the biggest problems of society. And it's made up of people, mostly unrecognized and uncelebrated, doing work that can be deeply consequential and beneficial to everyone.Michael Lewis invited his favourite writers to find someone doing an interesting job for the government and write about them. The stories they found are unexpected, riveting, and inspiring, including a former coal miner devoted to making mine roofs less likely to collapse, saving thousands of lives; an IRS agent straight out of a crime thriller; and the manager who made the National Cemetery Administration the best-run organization, public or private, in the entire country. Each essay shines a spotlight on the essential behind-the-scenes work of exemplary federal employees.Whether they're digitizing archives, chasing down cybercriminals, or discovering new planets, these public servants are committed to their work and universally reluctant to take credit. Who is Government? shows how the essential business of government makes our lives possible, and how much it matters.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNot – as often imagined – of a culture apart, but of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, from the Arabs to the Christians.Which makes the story of the Jews everyone’s story, too.Trade ReviewSchama at his best, a labour of love, as full of memorable incident as a Bellow novel and wittier than a Woody Allen movie * The Times *Schama has written a proud and personal story of his people, one that will make a good starting point for those interested in one of history’s most fascinating and tragic tales -- Josh Glancy * Sunday Times *Inspiring… Schama tells it with panache, weaving facts and anecdotes into a vivid history * Observer *Unforgettable…a delicious cacophony of conversations and clamorous arguments echoing across history * Daily Telegraph *A spirited, immensely enjoyable and wide-ranging account… [expresses] both the triumphs and the tragedies with irrepressible enthusiasm and his customary eloquence * Financial Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeauty can be consoling, disturbing, sacred, profane; it can be exhilarating, appealing, inspiring, chilling. It can affect us in an unlimited variety of ways. Yet it is never viewed with indifference. In this Very Short Introduction the renowned philosopher Roger Scruton explores the concept of beauty, asking what makes an object - either in art, in nature, or the human form - beautiful, and examining how we can compare differing judgements of beauty when it is evident all around us that our tastes vary so widely. Is there a right judgement to be made about beauty? Is it right to say there is more beauty in a classical temple than a concrete office block, more in a Rembrandt than in last year''s Turner Prize winner? Forthright and thought-provoking, and as accessible as it is intellectually rigorous, this introduction to the philosophy of beauty draws conclusions that some may find controversial, but, as Scruton shows, help us to find greater sense of meaning in the beautiful objects that fill our lives.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewMouthwatering design-compact, colorful, sturdy. Can travel in one's pocket. * Walks of Art, Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Judging beauty ; 2. Human beauty ; 3. Natural beauty ; 4. Everyday beauty ; 5. Artistic beauty ; 6. Taste and order ; 7. Art and Eros ; 8. The flight from beauty ; 9. Concluding thoughts ; Notes and Further Reading

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book Nietzsche called the most personal of all my books. It was here that he first proclaimed the death of God—to which a large part of the book is devoted—and his doctrine of the eternal recurrence.Walter Kaufmann''s commentary, with its many quotations from previously untranslated letters, brings to life Nietzsche as a human being and illuminates his philosophy. The book contains some of Nietzsche''s most sustained discussions of art and morality, knowledge and truth, the intellectual conscience and the origin of logic.Most of the book was written just before Thus Spoke Zarathustra, the last part five years later, after Beyond Good and Evil. We encounter Zarathustra in these pages as well as many of Nietzsche''s most interesting philosophical ideas and the largest collection of his own poetry that he himself ever published.Walter Kaufmann''s English versions of Nietzsche represent one of the major translation enterprises of our time. He is the first philosopher to have translated Nietzsche''s major works, and never before has a single translator given us so much of Nietzsche.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFinancial crime seems horribly complicated but there are only so many ways you can con someone out of what's theirs. In fact, there are four. A veteran regulatory economist and market analyst, Dan Davies has years of experience picking the bones out of some of the most famous frauds of the modern age. Now he reveals the big picture that emerges from their labyrinths of deceit. Along the way you'll find out how to fake a gold mine with a wedding ring, a file and a shotgun. You'll see how close Charles Ponzi, the king of pyramid schemes, came to acquiring his own private navy. You'll learn how fraud has shaped the entire development of the modern world economy. And you'll discover whether you have what it takes to be a white-collar criminal mastermind, if that's what you want. (Which you don't. You really, really don't.)Trade ReviewDan Davies tells all these stories with verve and wit ... Much of the book is a romp through the crimes of scoundrels - Ponzi, Madoff, Keating, the Krays ... Yet what takes it from absorbing to excellent is the author's insight. Read Lying for Money and you will look at fraud in a whole new way. Actually, you will look at every market transaction you take part in in a whole new way. -- Daniel Finkelstein * the Times *Entertaining * Financial Times *Highly entertaining, historically fascinating but also intellectually rigorous -- Ann Pettifor * TLS *If you want to learn to fend fraud, read this. And if you want to commit fraud ... don't. But if you absolutely must, first read this -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb author of The Incerto (Fooled by Randomness, The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin In The Game)An engaging and indispensable guide for novice fraudsters - and for those who want to keep out of their clutches. -- John Kay, author of Other People’s MoneyA vivid, historical account of scams and the con artists behind them. Beyond the individual stories, Davies makes a deep and important point about market societies ... This delightful book is as instructive as it is entertaining. -- Dani Rodrik, author of Economics Rules and The Globalisation ParadoxI haven't had this much fun and learned this much reading a finance book since The Money Game. -- J. Bradford DeLong, author of The End of InfluenceDavies is one of these people who's automatically the smartest person in any conversation that he joins. -- Joe Weisenthal, presenter of Bloomberg’s What'd You Miss?Fascinating, gripping - and true ... This is a terrific read. -- Diane Coyle, author of Sex Drugs and Economics

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times top ten bestseller.Edward Snowden, the man who risked everything to expose the US government’s system of mass surveillance, reveals for the first time the story of his life, including how he helped to build that system and what motivated him to try to bring it down.In 2013, twenty-nine-year-old Edward Snowden shocked the world when he broke with the American intelligence establishment and revealed that the United States government was secretly pursuing the means to collect every single phone call, text message, and email. The result would be an unprecedented system of mass surveillance with the ability to pry into the private lives of every person on earth. Here, Snowden reveals for the very first time how he helped to build this system and why he was moved to expose it.Spanning the bucolic Beltway suburbs of his childhood and the clandestine CIA and NSA postings of his adulthood, Permanent Record is the extraordinary account of a bright young man who grew up online – a man who became a spy, a whistleblower, and, in exile, the Internet’s conscience.Written with wit, grace, passion, and an unflinching candor, Permanent Record is a crucial memoir of our digital age.'A riveting account . . . Reads like a literary thriller' - New York TimesTrade ReviewThe world's most famous whistleblower * Guardian *A riveting account . . . Reads like a literary thriller * New York Times *Riveting, pacy * Financial Times *Fascinating * Observer *Gripping * Washington Post *His disclosures of mass surveillance and bulk collection of personal information are as relevant now as they were in 2013 * Guardian *Full of surprises . . . A deeply reluctant whistleblower . . . he deserves our thanks * Nation *Well-written * The Economist *A very significant figure in the history of intelligence * Sunday Times *[A] thriller plot * London Review of Books *A thoughtful and elegantly written book -- Steven Poole, New StatesmenAn extraordinary book -- Cory Doctorow

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to Hindu history and philosophy, its traditions and practices, magnificently illustrated with more than 500 photographs (updated 2024)

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany tens of thousands of mental health and health care professionals have used this essential book--now significantly revised with 70% new content reflecting important advances in the field--to develop and sharpen their skills in motivational interviewing (MI). Clear explanations of core MI concepts are accompanied by carefully crafted sample dialogues, exercises, and practice opportunities. Readers build proficiency for moving through the four processes of MI--engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning--using open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries (OARS), plus information exchange. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the volume includes more than 80 reproducible worksheets. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print the reproducible materials. New to This Edition *Fully revised and restructured around the new four-process model of MI. *Chapters on exploring values and goals and finding thTrade Review"Learning how to create motivationally enhancing conversations with MI requires the right spirit, strategies, and skills. Let Rosengren be your coach by using this second edition of his wonderful manual. Drawing on his wisdom and experience as a practitioner and trainer, Rosengren offers valuable information, tests to check your understanding of MI, and innovative exercises to build skills and implement strategies. This book offers a pathway to becoming competent and skilled in MI. All you have to do is read, reflect, and practice, practice, practice."--Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychology (Emeritus), University of Maryland, Baltimore County "Regardless of your theoretical orientation, this book presents MI in a usable and engaging style. It offers practical, 'how-to' information that can readily be applied in practice. This book is relevant for clinicians new to MI, as well as experienced practitioners looking to hone their skills."--Nancy M. Petry, PhD, Professor of Medicine, UConn Health "This book is simple and practical, yet sophisticated and highly informed by theory. What really shines through is the clear thinking in the explanations and carefully chosen examples of good MI, which are among the best out there. The book works well as a study guide for those who have taken an introductory workshop and want to improve their practice; MI trainers will want to read it for the many training ideas."--Guy Undrill, PhD, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom; member, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) “Rosengren has done it again! This valuable second edition will replace many a well-worn, dog-eared copy on the bookshelves of seasoned clinicians, and it is a 'must read' for trainees. This volume incorporates updated concepts of MI, including the four-process model. It is chock-full of user-friendly, field-tested exercises that facilitate learning of not only the concepts, but also the spirit of MI. Few authors have as thorough an understanding of how to teach others to use MI. Rosengren is a veteran trainer whose wisdom comes through--as do his warmth and humor. I will use this book in all of my classes for social workers, psychologists, and medical students alike."--Mary Marden Velasquez, PhD, Director, Health Behavior Research and Training Institute, School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin "No matter what kind of clients you treat, as a mental health clinician you’re bound to come across clients who are ambivalent about changing behavior--whether it’s not recognizing the problem, not committing to change, or not sticking with the treatment plan. Rosengren gives you solid tools for how to help these clients get moving along the path to change. Packed with case examples and experiential exercises, this book is a great resource that will be a powerful addition to your clinical toolbox."--David F. Tolin, PhD, ABPP, Director, Anxiety Disorders Center, The Institute of Living–Hartford Hospital -This book is excellent for learning the basics of motivational interviewing. It is easy to read, written by an expert in the field, and contains numerous reproducible forms that can be used with clients. It should in the libraries of novice and seasoned therapists alike because it provides excellent therapeutic tools. The second edition is justified because of the burgeoning amount of research in the past eight years, and it has been fully revised around the four process model of MI.--Doody's Review Service, 11/17/2017ƒƒPractical, down to earth, realistically encouraging, and deceptively simple to read. The workbook takes the practitioner step-wise through the spirit of MI and its techniques....By the end of the workbook, I felt more confident in my knowledge of MI and in my ability to apply the concepts to my clinical work. (on the first edition)--Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 6/1/2011ƒƒAn informative read for those providers wanting their patients to improve their health behaviors but not seeing positive changes with their current methods. (on the first edition)--Journal of the National Medical Association, 4/1/2011Table of ContentsI. The Journey Ahead 1. Introduction 2. What Is MI and Why Use It? 3. Introduction to the Four Processes II. Engaging: The Relational Foundation 4. The Use of OARS: Reflective Listening 5. The Use of OARS: Open-Ended Questions, Affirmations, and Summaries 6. Exploring Values and Goals III. Focusing: The Strategic Direction 7. Finding the Horizon 8. Exchanging Information IV. Evoking: Preparation for Change 9. Recognizing Change and Sustain Talk 10. Evoking Motivation 11. Responding to Sustain Talk and Dancing with Discord V. Planning: The Bridge to Change 12. Transitioning into Planning 13. Developing a Change Plan, Strengthening Commitment, and Supporting Change VI. The Practice of MI 14. Learning MI Appendix. Establishing an MI Learning Community References

Read more less

Book SynopsisA new century, new threats to love . . . Love without risks is like war without deaths - but, today, love is threatened by an alliance of liberalism and hedonism. Caught between consumerism and casual sexual encounters devoid of passion, love - without the key ingredient of chance - is in danger of withering on the vine. In In Praise of Love, Alain Badiou takes on contemporary 'dating agency' conceptions of love that come complete with zero-risk insurance - like US zero-casualty bombs. He develops a new take on love that sees it as an adventure, and an opportunity for re-invention, in a constant exploration of otherness and difference that leads the individual out of an obsession with identity and self. Liberal, libertine and libertarian reductions of love to instant pleasure and non-commitment bite the dust as Badiou invokes a supporting cast of thinkers from Plato to Lacan via Karl Marx to form a new narrative of romance, relationships and sex - a narrative that does not fear love.Trade ReviewScarcely any other moral philosopher of our day is as politically clear-sighted and courageously polemical, so prepared to put notions of truth and universality back on the agenda -- Terry EagletonOne of the most important philosophers writing today -- Joan CopjecA philosopher who is far from willing to abandon humanity to the vicissitudes of so-called global capitalism -- Mark Fisher

Read more less

Book SynopsisA month-by-month treasury of stories and traditions that bring to life the changing seasons and celebrate the turning yearTrade Review“Original drawings, songs, recipes and rhymes combine into a ‘spell-book’ of the seasons that is a fascinating read.” * Countryside magazine *"Martin Maudsley's new book Telling the Seasons is a wonderful journey through the year, looking at its stories, celebrations, songs and folklore, and is a recommended read." * Cotswold Life *Author Q&A and feature in BBC Countryfile June issue * BBC Countryfile Magazine *This book is like a plump pie filled with seasonal treats, one delicious slice for every month of the year * Shepherd *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a tale of human obsession, one intrepid tuna, the dedicated fisherman who caught and set her free, the promises and limits of ocean science and the big truth of how our insatiable appetite for bluefin transformed a cottage industry into a global dilemma.In 2004, an enigmatic charter captain named Al Anderson caught and marked one Atlantic bluefin tuna off New England's coast with a plastic fish tag. Fourteen years later that fish dubbed Amelia for her ocean-spanning journeys died in a Mediterranean fish trap, sparking Karen Pinchin's riveting investigation into the marvels, struggles, and prehistoric legacy of this remarkable species.Over his fishing career Al marked more than sixty thousand fish with plastic tags, an obsession that made him nearly as many enemies as it did friends. His quest landed him in the crossfire of an ongoing fight between a booming bluefin tuna industry and desperate conservation efforts, a conflict that is once again heating up as overfishing and cl

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat constitutes a good doctor? What makes someone healing? Research consistently shows that the personal attributes and style of the therapist are more important than the type of therapy they use to help people get better. Among the characteristics of these healers are empathy, genuineness, warmth and an ability to listen. But, there’s more. What do patients give their doctor? This book looks at the influence a lifetime of patients has had on retired consultant psychiatrist Dr Tim Cantopher. It explores the profound, often moving, inter-relation between `healer’ and `wounded’, and examines how the two may overlap sometimes more than might be expected. Topics include: how to really listen and stay with a person's distress the meaning of the word `patient?’ the need for resilience why honesty is a pre-requisite for recovery the doctor’s expectations, and why they should be challenged the healing value of warm, supportive communication how to respond in a way which shows that they have heard and understood the issue which has been shared last but not least, the need for humour! Dr Tim Cantopher says: `So many of us, not just professional therapists, want to fix things. We also want to fix people, so when distress is shared with us, we want to deliver advice which will make things better. In fact, what is often needed is not solutions, but a sharing of the feelings, someone being there and tolerating the sadness without swatting it away with trite advice. Warm, supportive communication heals people.’Trade ReviewThis book should be read by everybody... It offers invaluable insight into depression [on Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong] * Depression Alliance *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrilliant revision strategies for GCSE 9-1 English that really work!Students often tell teacher Mark Roberts that they find it hard to revise for GCSE English. This guide will show you why that is a common misconception, and that all you need is an organised, step-by-step approach to your English revision!Shortlisted for the Education Resources Awards 2021 Discover how to banish ineffective revision and use study skills that will help you to do brilliantly in your exams Understand what really successful students do to help them towards top grades in GCSE English Implement practice methods that actually improve your memoryRead this book to find out more!Chapter 1. Effective revision for English examsChapter 2. Organising your notes and annotationsChapter 3. Memorising quotesChapter 4. Exploding your quotesChapter 5. Building up a bank of killer quotes'Chapter 6. Using context successfullyChapter 7, Improving practice essaysChapter 8. Getting ready for the unseen textsChapter 9. PreparinTrade ReviewHighly recommended study guide – School Reading List: ‘A detailed, structured, and very practical method for tackling GCSE revision – both in the long term from the start of year 9 or 10, and once the final summer term begins in year 11. It doesn’t just tackle the curriculum content – there are sections on study skills organisation, how to memorise quotes, and how to cope with stress. The clear and varied layout, featuring easy to read text, tables, diagrams, bullet points, and endless exam-based examples makes this book a winner. Ideal for pupils who find it difficult to motivate themselves for revision”.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExam Board: AQALevel: GCSE 9-1Subject: Food preparation and nutritionSuitable for the 2025 examsComplete revision and practice to fully prepare for the GCSE grade 9-1 examsRevision that Sticks! Collins AQA GCSE 9-1 Food Preparation and Nutrition Complete All-in-One Revision and Practice uses a revision method that really works: repeated practice throughout.A revision guide, workbook and practice paper in one book!With clear and concise revision for every topic, plus seven practice opportunities, Collins offers the best revision at the best price.For even more practice QR codes link directly from the topics in the revision guide to online interactive quick recall quizzes and to worked solution videos in the workbook.Includes: quick tests as you go end-of-topic practice questions topic review questions later in the book mixed practice questions at the end of the book more topic-by-topic practice in the workbook a complete exam-style paper online quick recall quizzes for every topic onlinTrade Review“Generally excellent. Attractive layout, clear and easy to access. There is necessary focus on exam skills, but presented in an interesting, step-by-step format.” Susan Stirrup, King’s Ely “I like the clear layout, especially the spacing of the questions – it is very accessible.” Fiona Hall, Sheringham High School “Colourful and informative.” Jane Hamilton, Alsager School

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Utopia Thomas More painted a fantastical picture of a distant island where society is perfected and people live in harmony, yet its title means ''no place'', and More''s hugely influential work was ultimately an attack on his own corrupt, dangerous times, and on the failings of humanity. 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.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A landmark in social thought. Henrich may go down as the most influential social scientist of the first half of the twenty-first century'' MATTHEW SYEDDo you identify yourself by your profession or achievements, rather than your family network? Do you cultivate your unique attributes and goals? If so, perhaps you are WEIRD: raised in a society that is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic. Unlike most who have ever lived, WEIRD people are highly individualistic, nonconformist, analytical and control-oriented. How did WEIRD populations become so psychologically peculiar? What part did these differences play in our history, and what do they mean for our collective identity? Joseph Henrich, who developed the game-changing concept of WEIRD, uses leading-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics and evolutionary biology to explore how changing family structures, marriage practices and religious beliefs in the Middle Ages shaped the Western mind, laying the foundations for the world we know today. Brilliant, provocative, engaging and surprising, this landmark study will revolutionize your understanding of who - and how - we are now. ''Phenomenal ... The only theory I am aware of that attempts to explain broad patterns of human psychology on a global scale'' Washington Post''You will never look again in the same way at your own seemingly universal values'' Uta Frith, Professor of Cognitive Development, University College LondonTrade ReviewA masterpiece. Staggering in range, intricate in detail, thrilling in ambition, this book is a landmark in social thought. Henrich may go down as the most influential social scientist of the first half of the twenty-first century. -- Matthew Syed * bestselling author of 'Black Box Thinking' and 'Bounce' *Illuminates a journey into human nature that is more exciting, more complex and ultimately more consequential than has previously been suspected. * Nature *A massively ambitious work that explains the transition to the modern world ... Significantly contributes to our understanding -- Francis Fukuyama, author of The Origins of Political OrderEngagingly written, excellently organized and meticulously argued . . . This is an extraordinarily ambitious book, along the lines of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel ... We will all have to change our perspective. -- Daniel C. Dennett * New York Times *The most absorbing, provocative and compelling book I have read in a long time. Joseph Henrich's thrilling exposé of cultural variety and evolution is grounded in meticulous science, and his arguments go beyond the milestone of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel. You will never look again in the same way at your own seemingly universal values. -- Uta Frith * Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, University College London *Phenomenal ... The only theory I am aware of that attempts to explain broad patterns of human psychology on a global scale. -- Coren Apicella, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania * Washington Post *This anthropology-meets-big-data approach is not merely innovative, but underpins a fascinating and creative book, brimming with provocative ideas. * Financial Times *There's nothing so fascinating as a social anthropologist's analysis of his own tribe. Henrich shows how strange and exceptional Western society is when compared with most of the world -- John Barton, author of A History of the BibleHenrich has thought more deeply about cultural evolution than anybody alive. His fascinating insights into just how weird people like he and I are, with our western lifestyles, and what the implications of that are for better and for worse, are a great contribution to scholarship. -- Matt Ridley * author of 'How Innovation Works' *Propelled by a bold vision, this landmark study is required reading for anyone curious about the origins of modernity -- Walter Scheidel, author of The Great LevelerHenrich and his colleagues are shaking the foundations of psychology and economics - and hoping to change the way social scientists think about human behaviour and culture. * Pacific Standard *[A] sweeping and magisterial book, likely to become as foundational to cultural psychology as the WEIRD acronym [Henrich] and his colleagues coined a decade ago. -- Alex Mackiel * Quillette *Joseph Henrich's The WEIRDest People in the World . . . makes for stunning reading. (It is also written with such wit and humor, and luminous clarity.) Probably an understatement to say that it is one of the most important books of the year. -- Cass Sunstein * author of Nudge *One of the most interesting books I've read this year. -- James Marriot (via Twitter)A brilliant performance - accessible, playful and scholarly, turning conventional history on its head and approaching it in a new way. -- Simon Sebag-Montefiore * BBC History Books of the Year *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe best history of Greece around... Beautifully written and packed with insights about the culture and the people. I will be dipping into this book for the rest of my life. -- Victoria Hislop * The Week *His new book - judicious, well-researched and commendably up-to-date - deserves to be the standard general history of modern Greece in English for years to come. * Financial Times *This book explores the history, not of a Greece of romantic or philhellenic imagination, but the reality of the country as it has become today. The empathy it evokes for the survival of modern Greek statehood against a recurring pattern of often existential crisis is all the more compelling, subtle and above all human in its many-sidedness. Beaton's account instantly becomes the single most outstanding treatment of its subject and shows us why - as Lord Palmerston expressed it succinctly for his own times - 'Greece' is an emotional word that still matters to contemporary society. -- Professor Robert HollandA wonderfully engaging narrative ... It is a superb achievement and to be recommended to anyone with even the most rudimentary interest -- Professor Kevin FeatherstoneA perceptive analysis of Greece's financial crisis, the embers of which continue to threaten to derail the single currency project of the EU * Country Life *Praise for Byron's War: Indispensable * Literary Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2018 SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, TELEGRAPH AND ECONOMIST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2017''A provocative take on the UK''s new tribal divisions ... a book whose timing is pitch-perfect'' Andrew MarrMany Remainers reported waking up the day after the Brexit vote feeling as if they were living in a foreign country. In fact, they were merely experiencing the same feeling that many British people have felt every day for years. Fifty years ago, people in leafy North London and people in working-class Northern towns could vote for a Labour party that broadly encompassed all of their interests. Today their priorities are poles apart. In this groundbreaking and timely book, Goodhart shows us how people have come to be divided into two camps: the ''Anywheres'', who have ''achieved'' identities, derived from their careers and education, and ''Somewheres'', who get their identity from a sense of placTrade ReviewGoodhart offers an impeccably sensible and decent exposition of how the political elites have failed their societies ... The book makes compelling reading both for voters and those who want to get elected by them -- Max Hastings * The Sunday Times *[Goodhart] has written a book that is thoughtful, well argued and dangerously moderate. It may even be an incitement to independent thinking * The Times *[A] provocative take on the UK's new tribal divisions ... And it broadly works ... The Road to Somewhere has the feel of a book whose timing ... is pitch-perfect -- Andrew Marr * New Statesman *Goodhart's exploration of this underlying divide -- and the question of what might be done -- is not only timely but also offers an accessible, evidence-based and direct account of how these conflicts are reshaping the political world around us -- Matthew Goodwin * Financial Times *Goodhart has clarity of argument and courage. He has been making these points for a decade and urging the mainstream to engage with them. He does not do fads * Observer *Whatever other objections Goodhart's new book might provoke, few could call it irrelevant or untimely ... he returns to this most vexed terrain, picking his way through nettles and thorns that might deter thinner-skinned writers -- Jonathan Freedland * The Guardian *[Goodhart] has written what may turn out to be the most sympathetic and insightful book about Britain's discontented masses -- Toby Young * The Spectator *Mr Goodhart's book seems likely to inform the debate on what post-Brexit Britain should look like * The Economist *This meticulously researched book ... enables us to imagine Brexit as a moment that could just prove to be the start of a national renewal * Prospect *Challenging and illuminating -- Will HuttonDavid Goodhart offers the best and most complete explanation I've seen for why things seem to be coming apart in so many countries at the same time -- Jonathan Haidt, author of 'The Righteous Mind'

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe International Bestseller''With clarity and compassion, DiAngelo allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to bad people. In doing so, she moves our national discussions forward. This is a necessary book for all people invested in societal change'' Claudia RankineAnger. Fear. Guilt. Denial. Silence. These are the ways in which ordinary white people react when it is pointed out to them that they have done or said something that has - unintentionally - caused racial offence or hurt. After, all, a racist is the worst thing a person can be, right? But these reactions only serve to silence people of colour, who cannot give honest feedback to ''liberal'' white people lest they provoke a dangerous emotional reaction. Robin DiAngelo coined the term ''White Fragility'' in 2011 to describe this process and is here to show us how it serves to uphold the system of white supremacy. Using knowledge and insight gained over decades of running racial awareness workshops and working on this idea as a Professor of Whiteness Studies, she shows us how we can start having more honest conversations, listen to each other better and react to feedback with grace and humility. It is not enough to simply hold abstract progressive views and condemn the obvious racists on social media - change starts with us all at a practical, granular level, and it is time for all white people to take responsibility for relinquishing their own racial supremacy.''By turns mordant and then inspirational, an argument that powerful forces and tragic histories stack the deck fully against racial justice alongside one that we need only to be clearer, try harder, and do better'' David Roediger, Los Angeles Review of Books''The value in White Fragility lies in its methodical, irrefutable exposure of racism in thought and action, and its call for humility and vigilance'' Katy Waldman, New Yorker''A vital, necessary, and beautiful book'' Michael Eric DysonTrade ReviewBrings language to the emotional structures that make true discussions about racial attitudes difficult. With clarity and compassion, DiAngelo allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to 'bad people.' This is a necessary book for all people invested in societal change through productive social and intimate relationships -- Claudia RankineA methodical, irrefutable exposure of racism in thought and action, and its call for humility and vigilance * New Yorker *Fascinatingly reads as one-part jeremiad and one-part handbook. It is by turns mordant and then inspirational, an argument that powerful forces and tragic histories stack the deck fully against racial justice alongside one that we need only to be clearer, try harder, and do better. * LA Review of Books *A hugely valuable book that shows how fearful, wounded and angry white reactions shut down vital discussions of race and racism and thereby uphold and perpetrate white supremacy. Its main insights relevant well beyond the United States, White Fragility will facilitate difficult but necessary conversations that we must have in Britain too. With both compassion and uncompromising clarity, Diangelo helps us understand the everyday manifestations of 'white supremacy' and provides several unexpected answers to the familiar defensive question 'How is that racist?' If we want to end racism and develop as human beings, we must be prepared to get 'racially uncomfortable -- Dr Priyamvada Gopal, University of CambridgeA fresh, sane, clear-sighted analysis on the racial and social challenges we face in the 21st century... Robin DiAngelo is a white person with whom we would do well talk about race with. And listen to. * Johny Pitts *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe most accessible, succinct introduction to the principal international relations theories, with an emphasis on how theory can be used to analyse key global issues.Introduction to International Relations and Global Politics provides students with a complete understanding of theory and how it applies to the real world. With comprehensive coverage of all major classical and contemporary theories and approaches, the text focuses on the connections between theory and current issues in international relations.- A truly accessible introduction to international relations, which demystifies the key theories, debates, and issues- Includes up-to-date examples to help students link theory to real-world developments- Encourages students to think critically by presenting the strengths and weaknesses of different theories and highlighting points of contention between them- Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning supportNew to this edition- The book has been restructured. It now contains an extended Part 2 on Major Global Politics (GP) Theories and Approaches. This new part - almost one-third of the book -contains chapters on Post-structuralism, Postcolonialism, Feminism and Queer Theory, and Green Theory.- A new Chapter 1 replaces the old Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. It carefully introduces the new structure of the book. - To make room for the new Part 2, substantial revisions have been made to all other chapters. The chapters on IR theories have thus been shortened and the chapters and issues in Part 3 have been reworked so that GP perspectives are included. - All chapters have been brought up to date in light of current events and ongoing debates in the discipline. The book contains many new text boxes and figures.

Read more less

Book SynopsisABIGAIL MATTHEWMAN has a Master's in Philosophy from the University of Leeds where she provided study, writing and employability skills support to students in the Faculty of Arts. She also has experience teaching Philosophy and Medical Ethics and now manages the Centre for Humanities and Health at King's College London.CATHERINE BATES has a PhD in English literature from the University of Leeds, UK, where she taught English literature and provided individual and group study skills support. She has published articles on Canadian literature, responsive reading, rubbish and archives. She is now a Teaching Fellow in English at Keele University.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''We live within a spectacle of empty clothes and unworn masks''In this series of remarkable pieces from across his career, John Berger celebrates and dissects the close links between art and society and the individual. Few writers give a more vivid and moving sense of how we make art and how art makes us.One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Completely brilliant. Everyone should read it'' Cathy Rentzenbrink''Horatio is as wise as he is compassionate'' Chris van TullekenThe mental health system is in trouble. Most people who need help are receiving inadequate treatment, years behind the latest thinking. This life-changing book reveals what really works, and how it can help you.Spurred into researching this topic following his own journey from breakdown to recovery, award-winning writer and broadcaster Horatio Clare speaks to experts from across the system to show how to put together the best treatment plan for you or a loved one.Whether your interest is in anxiety, depression, burnout, insomnia, self-harm, psychosis, an eating disorder, or any one of many conditions of the mind which can be hell to endure, or support someone through, this vital and beautifully written book is for you.

Read more less

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

Read more less