Politics, Philosophy & Society Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLily Yuan studied social psychology at McMaster University and is now a personality psychology researcher and career coach who resides in Toronto, Canada. She uses the Strong Interest Inventory, Extended DISC assessments, Ikigai philosophy, and positive psychology concepts in her coaching. Learn more or reach out at lily-yuan.com and her blog at personality-psychology.com.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis"One of the most original, amazing stories I've ever read" (Mary Gaitskill), iconic rock-and-roll musician Adele Bertei's memoir Twist is her harrowing and electric story of transforming trauma through art, pluck, and imagination, as told through the inimitable voice of her young alter ego, Maddie Twist. From iconoclastic writer and musician Adele Bertei comes a wholly original hero's journey that wages war on the cliche of the "misery memoir." Set in a 1960s and '70s American neighborhood rife with poverty and violence, fatherless Irish mothers and Italian mobsters, and women crucified into madness by misogyny, Bertei speaks through her electrically alive avatar Maddie Twist to flip the victim script. Through her unshakable belief in imagination, poetry, music, and community, she transforms trauma into survival. The immediacy of Maddie's voice is a revelation, providing insight into long-enduring systemic problems without the scrim of adult analysis. In an age of lies and obfuscation, Twist is a sharp yet tender arrow to the heart of naked truth. Bertei reveals what it's like to be a queer teen at a time when discovery could be fatal. Maddie peers deeply into the American psyche, refusing to consent to the systems of harm. Along the way we encounter an unforgettable schizophrenic mother, Catholic saints, West Side Story and Oliver!, poet killers, the abyss of rape, girl-gangsters and faux-pimps, teenage lesbian sex, racial tensions and misconceived divides, a drag family known as the Holy Maudlins, Vietnam vets in dark and light, cabaret, true family, rock and roll. And the ultimate saving grace: love. A compelling personal history of queer culture from a working-class view and a glimpse into worlds yet unseen, Twist is good medicine: for readers who've experienced similar traumas, for teens caught in the foster care system, for the formerly incarcerated looking for hope, for writers grappling with how to tell their own stories. Most of all, it's for everyone seeking transportive experiences in art and on the page.Trade Review"Twist is one of the most original, amazing stories I've ever read-a story of innocence and brutality, of courage and faith and luck. It is the story of an extraordinary woman-child in an extraordinary time, of devils and angels, trolls under the bridge and unexpected helpers. For all the pain and misfortune in the early life of the intrepid narrator, it is most of all about the connective, transformative power of art and soulful community. Twist is strong and strange poetry; while reading it you may hear music in your head-I did." -Mary Gaitskill "Twist is a dark, demented, horrific and hilarious shot to the heart of American girlhood. Adele Bertei was gender fluid before gender even entered the lexicon. Her writing is miraculous, but the bigger miracle may be that the author survived to write it. And lucky for us she did. This is a book to love." -Jerry Stahl "A powerful look at survival and redemption despite extremely challenging obstacles.... [Bertei] narrates with a zest and objectivity probably only possible from a long temporal remove, and she excels at bringing readers deep into the difficult circumstances of her life.... Throughout the book, Maddie comes across as curious, impulsive, and observant, fond of losing herself in books and brought to life by the music she hears-and creates." -Kirkus (starred review) "This raw, vivid work brings readers into a life of poverty, domestic violence, mental illness, war, and trauma . . . Readers travel with her through her coming-of-age experiences, such as being shunned and punished for her attraction to other girls. She also candidly shares her experiences of sexual violence. After aging out of the foster-care system, the author stumbles but finds her footing in the family she forms with her drag-queen neighbors, her boss at the thrift store, and her love for music and writing. VERDICT Bertei's childhood is harrowing, and her memoir does not hold back on the details, which are horrific at times. But the author sounds her voice loudly in this book, and her sense of self is captured throughout the pages. The end result is likely to captivate readers." -Rebekah Buchanan, Library Journal "Fascinating.... Twist is beautifully written in crystalline prose without judgment or stigmatization. What carries her through is music and singing and Bertei writes memorably about both. This is a story about a gay teenager in the 1960s and early 70s at a time, and in institutions, which had little understanding and less tolerance for gay youth. There are episodes of horrifying brutality and violence against Bertei. Yet the great accomplishment of Twist is that it ends on an uplifting and positive note, as Maddie/Bertei becomes herself-the person we know will go on to be a force in the New Wave No Wave scene in New York.... To be placed on your hit parade." -Tom Teicholz, Forbes "Bertei depicts her relationship with her brilliant mother, who was schizophrenic, with uncommon empathy and grace.... Equal parts raucous and harrowing, Twist gives the reader a glimpse of the formation of a singular, uncompromising artist." -Brendan Dowling, Public Library Association "Once 'the Devil ran through' her family, Maddie free falls from institution to institution, growing into her queerness and discovering her fate-that 'God has to be music.' This riveting novel/memoir by underground icon Adele Bertei situates the making of a survivor rebel against the background of the chaotic side of 1960's America. An honest, hard times page turner filled with heart and revelation." -Sarah Schulman "A harrowing voyage through the cultural tornado of America in the latter part of the 20th century as seen through the eyes of a thoroughly 21st century girl. This book gives serious credence to the expression 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' Very inspirational." -Rufus Wainwright

Read more less

Book SynopsisA BOOK OF THE YEARGUARDIAN, THE ECONOMIST, NEW STATESMAN, FINANCIAL TIMES, BLOOMBERGAnil Seth's radical new theory of consciousness challenges our understanding of perception and reality, doing for brain science what Dawkins did for evolutionary biology.'A brilliant beast of a book.' DAVID BYRNE'Hugely important.' JIM AL-KHALILI'Masterly . . . An exhilarating book: a vast-ranging, phenomenal achievement that will undoubtedly become a seminal text.'GAIA VINCE, GUARDIANBeing You is not as simple as it sounds. Somehow, within each of our brains, billions of neurons work to create our conscious experience. How does this happen? Why do we experience life in the first person? After over twenty years researching the brain, world-renowned neuroscientist Anil Seth puts forward a radical new theory of consciousness and

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor many decades, the proponents of `artificial intelligence'' have maintained that computers will soon be able to do everything that a human can do. In his bestselling work of popular science, Sir Roger Penrose takes us on a fascinating tour through the basic principles of physics, cosmology, mathematics, and philosophy to show that human thinking can never be emulated by a machine.Oxford Landmark Science books are ''must-read'' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary masterpiece. * Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathmatical Society *Perhaps the most engaging and creative tour of modern physics that has ever been written * Sunday Times *A superb book... provocative and absorbing * Physics Today *A bold, brilliant, groundbreaking work... When Mr Penrose talks, scientists listen * New York Time Book Review *. . One cannot imagine a more revealing self-portrait than this enchanting, tantalising book... Roger Penrose reveals himself as an eloquent protagonist, not only of the wonders of mathematics, but also of the uniqueness of people. * Nature *I fail to see how anybody can remain unmoved by the book's central theme, which concerns the nature of human beings... His style is relaxed and entertaining, There are nuggets on almost every page. * Financial Times *Table of ContentsPrologue 1: Can a Computer Have a Mind? 2: Algorithms and Turing Machines 3: Mathematics and Reality 4: Truth, Proof, and Insight 5: The Classical World 6: Quantum Magic and Quantum Mystery 7: Cosmology and the Arrow of Time 8: In Search of Quantum Gravity 9: Real Brains and Model Brains 10: Where Lies the Physics of the Mind? Epilogue References Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Do yourself a favour and grab this fantastic guide! Explains practical strategies for getting out of our own heads and finding more connection, presence, and joy’ LAURIE SANTOS, Professor of Psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast _______________________________________________________________________We all want to be happier, but our brains often get in the way. When we’re too stuck in our heads we obsess over our inadequacies, compare ourselves with others and fail to see the good in our lives.In The Science of Happiness, world-leading psychologist and happiness expert Bruce Hood demonstrates that the key to happiness is not self-care but connection. He presents seven simple but life-changing lessons to break negative thought patterns and re-connect with the things that really matter. Alter Your Ego Avoid Isolation Reject Negative Comparisons Become More Optimistic Control Your Attention Connect With Others Get Out of Your Own Head  Grounded in decades of studies in neuroscience and developmental psychology, this book tells a radical new story about the roots of wellbeing and the obstacles that lie in our path. With clear, practical takeaways throughout, Professor Hood demonstrates how we can all harness the findings of this science to re-wire our thinking and transform our lives. _______________________________________________________________________‘The Science of Happiness is a rare bird – a book that is grounded in the best new science, written with wit and wisdom, and provides clear and valuable lessons for living your best life. Highly recommended!’ DANIEL GILBERT, author of the New York Times bestseller Stumbling on Happiness‘This is a wonderful guide to what actually makes people happier – full of wisdom backed by a wealth of scientific evidence. If you want practical ideas that you can use right now to boost your wellbeing, this is your book’ ROBERT WALDINGER, author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness‘The most erudite, thoughtful, and original take on this important subject I have ever encountered. I learned something new in every chapter, and as a bonus it’s a page-turning read' MICHAEL SHERMER, author of Why People Believe Weird Things  

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 SynopsisBy walking, you escape from the very idea of identity, the temptation to be someone, to have a name and a history ... The freedom in walking lies in not being anyone; for the walking body has no history, it is just an eddy in the stream of immemorial life.In A Philosophy of Walking, a bestseller in France, leading thinker Frédéric Gros charts the many different ways we get from A to B-the pilgrimage, the promenade, the protest march, the nature ramble-and reveals what they say about us. Gros draws attention to other thinkers who also saw walking as something central to their practice. On his travels he ponders Thoreau's eager seclusion in Walden Woods; the reason Rimbaud walked in a fury, while Nerval rambled to cure his melancholy. He shows us how Rousseau walked in order to think, while Nietzsche wandered the mountainside to write. In contrast, Kant marched through his hometown every day, exactly at the same hour, to escape the compulsion of thought. Brilliant and erudite, A Philosophy of Walking is an entertaining and insightful manifesto for putting one foot in front of the other.Trade Review"Resolving to take more walks in the new year might sound like promising to take more naps--choosing idleness over work. But a lot of clever people don't see it that way [...] Frédéric Gros asks why so many of our most productive writers and philosophers--Rousseau, Kant, Rimbaud, Robert Louis Stevenson, Nietzsche, Jack Kerouac--have also been indefatigable walkers." -- Christopher Caldwell * Financial Times *A passionate affirmation of the simple life, and joy in simple things. And it's beautifully written: clear, simple, precise. -- Carole Cadwalladr * Observer *Poignant life-stories ... are interspersed with the author's own meditations on walking... In the way a landscape is gradually absorbed by the long-distance rambler they steadily build into an insistent exhortation: get up, get out and walk! * Independent *Impressive. * Telegraph *"Life-affirming stuff." * National Geographic Traveller *"Philosopher Gros ponders walking, that most mundane mode of transportation or exercise, elevating it to its rightful place in inspiring creativity, evoking freedom, and quieting a troubled soul." * Booklist *"This elegant book inspires consideration of an oft-overlooked subject." * Publisher's Weekly *This short, simple and profound book... will be read and re-read. * Times Higher Education *Frédéric Gros asks why so many of our most productive writers and philosophers - Rousseau, Kant, Rimbaud, Robert Louis Stevenson, Nietzsche, Jack Kerouac - have also been indefatigable walkers . there are certain magical things that happen on the trail, and Gros is familiar with them. He thinks like a hiker. * Financial Times *An admirable little book which will delight even the most sedentary. * Le Monde *An unclassifiable book in which ideas are illuminated by the bright light of the morning. * L’Express *Unpretentious and refreshing. -- Jonathon Sturgeon * Flavorwire *A long walk, Gros suggests, allows us to commune with the sublime. * New York Times *Celebrates the liberation of the mind that comes with walking, especially in natural areas: I hike, therefore, I am. -- Matt Jaffe

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisAdam Grant is an organizational psychologist at Wharton, where he has been the top-rated professor for seven straight years. His books have sold millions of copies, his TED talks have been viewed more than 30 million times, and he hosts the hit podcast Re:Thinking. His pioneering research on motivation and meaning has enabled people to reach their aspirations and exceed others' expectations. His viral piece on languishing was the most-read New York Times article of 2021 and the most-saved article across platforms. He has been recognized as one of the world's ten most influential management thinkers and Fortune's 40 Under 40, and has received distinguished scientific achievement awards from the American Psychological Association and the National Science Foundation. Grant received his B.A. from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and he is a former Junior Olympic springboard diver. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and their Trade ReviewIn a world of aggressive certitude, Adam Grant's latest book is a refreshing mandate for humble open-mindedness ... not just a useful lesson; it could be a vital one * Financial Times *Wise, frank, and funny; a fabulous book about how to think more clearly and more kindly. Think Again offers a spellbinding mix of storytelling and groundbreaking research -- we urgently need this book right now * Tim Harford, bestselling author of How To Make The World Add Up *Adam Grant believes that keeping an open mind is a teachable skill. And no one could teach this hugely valuable skill better than he does in this wonderful read. The striking insights of this brilliant book are guaranteed to make you rethink your opinions and your most important decisions * Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize winner in economics and author of THINKING, FAST AND SLOW *Rule number one: never miss a new Adam Grant book! I loved this one! * Malcolm Gladwell *THIS. This is the right book for right now. Yes, learning requires focus. But, unlearning and relearning requires much more -- it requires choosing courage over comfort. In THINK AGAIN, Adam Grant weaves together research and storytelling to help us build the intellectual and emotional muscle we need to stay curious enough about the world to actually change it. I've never felt so hopeful about what I don't know * Brené Brown, Ph.D., #1 New York Times bestselling author of DARE TO LEAD *

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Moving, atmospheric, truthful, perceptive and hilariously funny - I loved it: a piece of our English history, the story of a vanished time, which feels close at hand but thoroughly gone. What a story. What a great story'' TESSA HADLEYIn Homework, Geoff Dyer reflects on his childhood and what it means to come of age in England in the 60s and 70s, in a country shaped by the aftermath of the Second World War but accelerating towards change. He was born in Cheltenham in the late fifties, the only child of a dinner lady and a planning engineer. Raised in a working-class area, Geoff and his mates found much joy recreating battles with their beloved Tommy guns, kicking a beachball around until its untimely death, and collecting anything and everything they could find; football cards, conkers and Action Man figures. When Geoff passes his 11-plus exams he gets in to a Cheltenham Grammar School, a school which drastically changes the trajectory of his life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCollins International Primary English offers full coverage of the Cambridge Primary English curriculum framework (0058) from 2020 within a six-level, multi-component course, which has been carefully developed to meet the needs of teachers and students in the international market.Collins International Primary English is a self-contained, cohesive course which develops reading, writing, speaking and listening skills at primary level. The course follows a clear structure and progression through the levels, with carefully selected texts covering both fiction and non-fiction genres, including extracts from the highly successful Collins Big Cat series.The Workbooks offer a range of reading, writing and grammar activities for students of varying language levels to consolidate the language learned in the Student''s Books. Following the same topic-based units as the Student''s Books, they provide further practice and extension material for learners of all levels. This series also supports Cambr

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘For however long we must keep our distance, we will continue to create, to reinvent, to strive and to feed our creativity. At a time where performers are needed more than ever, training the next generation of performers must go on!’ Glyn Trefor-Jones, from his Introduction Drama Menu is the revolutionary, hugely popular concept that has transformed the planning and delivery of drama classes for teachers and workshop leaders around the world. Choose an Appetiser or two, a Starter, a Main Course and a Dessert – and voilà! – you’ll have a delicious, dramatic banquet for your students. This new collection, Drama Menu at a Distance – created specifically to help anyone teaching drama during the COVID-19 pandemic – brings you 80 games and exercises, all of which are safe and secure to play in this new era of socially distanced teaching and online learning. It offers dynamic, brand-new exercises to energise, excite and inspire your group, alongside some firm favourites, redesigned to be played within the necessary constraints. Also included is an introduction by the author, with advice and suggestions to support you in delivering your session. Drama Menu at a Distance is the essential recipe book you need to eliminate the challenges of planning lessons and workshops in the ‘new normal’, and leave you with more time for playing. Stay safe – and bon appétit! Praise for Drama Menu: ‘An essential resource for anyone teaching drama to children of all ages… with catchy titles, clear numbering and individual exercise summaries, Drama Menu is an easily accessible, flexible and creative resource useful for any dramatic platform. A must-have for all teachers wanting to give their students the very best!’ Word Matters ‘Easy to navigate… definitely something for everyone… a really useful collection’ Teaching Drama ‘Ideal… [the author’s] knowledge and experience are apparent in his writing and this book will provide a great deal of varied and inspiring material for sessions with secondary-aged or older students, although many activities could be used with or adapted for younger age-groups’ Drama Resource ‘Unbelievably useful… every reader will find something new and of absolute hands-on usefulness… Drama Menu will become your companion’ ReviewsGate.com ‘Well organised and easy to use… a useful and relevant tool for anyone involved with facilitating drama sessions’ Drama MagazineTrade Review'An invigorating, inspiring collection… superbly reassuring, it underlines that drama workshops are still POSSIBLE, exciting and creative... for however long we need to live with Covid 19, teachers, workshop leaders and anyone with an interest and care in drama needs to not just embrace the new normal, but embrace this innovative and inspiring book' * BritishTheatre.com *'Very timely, carefully planned and well thought-out… the games will be relished by a wide age-range and will keep any drama teacher in business for quite some time' * Drama Resource *'An exceptionally timely piece… offers much-needed inspiration for safe, engaging and practical activities that will benefit many people striving to keep drama going in these unprecedented times… there are likely to be some new ideas for everyone in this volume - many of which may become permanent parts of your repertoire, even when we can rehearse normally again' * Broadway World *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOur Revision Workbooks are designed to help students develop vital skills throughout the course in preparation for the exam.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Gripping' Economist 'Jaw-dropping' Sunday Times 'Riveting' Financial Times 'Fascinating' ReutersWe are entering an age of energy crises and food shortages. This book reveals why.Meet the swashbuckling traders who supply the world with energy, food and metal.Their goal: To make billions by buying and selling raw materials - flogging Russian gas to Europe, Saudi oil to America and Congolese metals to Silicon Valley.Their methods: Whatever it takes - whether funnelling cash to Vladimir Putin's sanction-stricken Kremlin, schmoozing Russian metal oligarchs after the collapse of the Soviet Union, or striking deals with the Libyan rebels at the height of the Arab Spring.These are the commodity traders. You've probably never heard of them. But, like it or not, you're one of their customers.*Financial Times and Economist Book of the Year**Shortlisted for the Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award* 'Shows how much money and global influence is concentrated in the hands of a tiny group . . . Remarkable . . . As the authors roam from oilfield to wheatfield, they reveal information so staggering you almost gasp' Sunday Times 'A globe-spanning corporate thriller, full of intrigue and double dealing . . . Changes how we see the world, often in horrifying ways' Spectator 'A rich archive of ripping yarns . . . The high level narrative is gripping enough. But it is the details of what these freewheeling companies actually got up to that give the book a thriller-like quality' Financial Times 'Some of the stories could be straight out of John le Carré. The difference is they're true' Andrew NeilTrade ReviewThis jaw-dropping study shows how much money and global influence is concentrated in the hands of a tiny group . . . A remarkable book . . . As the authors roam from oilfield to wheatfield, they reveal information so staggering you almost gasp . . . The colour is fantastic . . . Tracking down some of the biggest names in the business to their German castles and stud farms and persuading them to talk is a rare scoop. * Sunday Times *A fascinating and revealing story . . . There are tales in the book of breathtaking trades, such as shipments of rebel oil from war-torn Libya or deals bartered amid the brutal "aluminium wars" in the Russia of the 1990s . . . A gripping book. * Economist *Javier Blas and Jack Farchy probe the hard-knuckle and secretive world of commodity trading. -- What to Read in 2021 * Financial Times *A globe-spanning corporate thriller, full of intrigue and double dealing . . . Changes how we see the world, often in horrifying ways . . . The book weaves together years of reporting experience in the field with access to many of the key figures in an industry dominated by huge characters . . . New insights and reporting mean that even seasoned observers will be amazed. -- James Ball * Spectator *Anecdotally rich . . . A highly readable study in world economics and a valuable primer for would-be oil barons. * Kirkus *Blas and Farchy compellingly lay out how a handful of secretive traders have had a hand in directing not only the world's commodities, but also its politics and history. The World for Sale draws back the covers on a sector where civil wars, dubious regimes and the collapse of states have often been just another business opportunity - and what that has meant for the rest of us. Intriguing and, at times, alarming. -- Helen Thomas, Business Editor, BBC NewsnightA colorful and alarming exposé of the shadowy world of global commodity trading . . . Hair-raising anecdotes . . . An engrossing look at an obscure yet consequential corner of the financial world. * Publishers Weekly *A virtuoso depiction of the globe's top oil, food and metals traders . . . Javier Blas and Jack Farchy should be awaiting the call from Hollywood. The World for Sale contains at least half a dozen narrative threads that would form the basis of a good thriller. But the authors' main achievement is to subject the biggest commodity players, and their impact on the real world, to proper critical scrutiny . . . The depth of the reporting by the Bloomberg journalists, who previously worked for the Financial Times, is impressive . . . Fascinating. * Reuters *Some of the stories beggar belief . . . A fascinating story, it's just incredible some of the routes that the money takes. -- Lawrence Pollard * BBC Newsday *Could there be a better moment for Javier Blas and Jack Farchy's rollicking new account of those markets' recent history to land on investors' desks? . . . A rich archive of ripping yarns . . . . . . The high level narrative is gripping enough. But it is the details of what these freewheeling companies actually got up to that give the book a thriller-like quality . . . Educational and entertaining. * Financial Times *If you have the slightest interest in how the modern world was made, by whom, at what price, and at what profit, this is the book for you . . . Superbly researched and tidily written . . . A clean, compelling chronicle of the central role that commodity traders have played in the global economy from the end of World War II to the present. What they found isn't pretty - but it's plenty illuminating. * Foreign Policy *Some of the stories could be straight out of John Le Carré. The difference is they're true . . . A fascinating tale . . . A great read about very important topics. It's well worth your time. -- Andrew NeilA fantastic book about the world of commodity trading. -- Stephanie Flanders * Bloomberg Stephanomics *A fascinating, sometimes hair-raising new book . . . A book which on the one hand tells us some really important things about the nature of money, power and the nature of the modern economy, but on the other is just full of some of the most fascinating stories. -- Matthew Taylor * RSA Bridges to the Future *The captivating stories of the powerful commodity traders and mystery actors of markets and geopolitics -- Roula Khalaf, FT Editor-in-Chief - Summer Books 2021 * Financial Times *The blistering tale of a clutch of hard-charging international commodity trading houses such as Cargill and Glencore. The authors, both former FT journalists, trace how they harnessed the commodity boom and the setbacks they now face as climate change casts a shadow over their business model. -- Andrew Hill, FT & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award Longlist * Financial Times *A very impressive profile of an industry that has long preferred to avoid the spotlight . . . The authors deftly weave stories of the individual traders and their trades with an account of the major shifts in the global economy of the past 70 years . . . Extensively researched and well written throughout . . . I would not hesitate to recommend this book. -- International AffairsA thriller . . . An engaging story of secret deals and embargo-evasion. * Forbes *An entertaining history of the rise of the international trading houses and the charismatic, freewheeling risk-takers who headed them. -- Books of the Year * Financial Times *The story of how a few commodity-trading firms quietly reconfigured the world economy, making fortunes, juggling embargoes and swaying geopolitics. -- Books of the Year * Economist *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''It is philosophy that has the duty of protecting us ... without it no one can lead a life free of fear or worry''For several years of his turbulent life, in which he was dogged by ill health, exile and danger, Seneca was the guiding hand of the Roman Empire. This selection of Seneca''s letters shows him upholding the ideals of Stoicism - the wisdom of the self-possessed person immune to life''s setbacks - while valuing friendship and courage, and criticizing the harsh treatment of slaves and the cruelties in the gladiatorial arena. The humanity and wit revealed in Seneca''s interpretation of Stoicism is a moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.Selected and translated with an Introduction by Robin CampbellTable of ContentsLetters from a Stoic - Seneca IntroductionSeneca's LifeSeneca and PhilosophySeneca and Literature: His letters and other writings; his style; his influence and appealNote on translation and textPostscriptLettersNotesBibliographyAppendix: Tactitus' account of Seneca's deathIndex of persons and places

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAnyone who is concerned about the future of democracy should read this brisk, accessible book. Anyone who is not concerned should definitely read it. -- Daron Acemoglu, co-author of Why Nations FailHow Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt is a useful primer on the importance of norms, institutional restraints and civic participation in maintaining a democracy - and how quickly those things can erode when we're not paying attention * President Barack Obama *With great energy and integrity [Levitsky and Ziblatt] apply their expertise to the current problems of the United States. -- Timothy Snyder, author of On TyrannyWe owe the authors a debt of thanks for bringing their deep understanding to bear on the central political issue of the day. -- Francis Fukuyama, author of Political Order and Political DecayWhat's the worst thing to happen to US democracy recently? Most answers to that question start and end with Donald Trump. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, though as horrified by Trump as anyone, try to take a wider view. This book looks to history to provide a guide for defending democratic norms when they are under threat, and finds that it is possible to fight back. Provocative and readable. -- David Runciman * The Guardian *There are two must-read books about the Trump presidency at the moment. This is the one you probably haven't heard of. It is also the one that is most useful to British readers. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt are anti-Donald Trump politics professors at Harvard. And the big advantage of political scientists over even the shrewdest and luckiest of eavesdropping journalists is that they have the training to give us a bigger picture.They set out some rules about the slow, internal collapse of democracies, which are entirely relevant to Britain... * The Times *The greatest of the many merits of Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt's contribution to what will doubtless be the ballooning discipline of democracy death studies is their rejection of western exceptionalism. They tell inspiring stories I had not heard before...excellent, scholarly and readable, alarming and level-headed. * The Guardian *The political-science text in vogue this winter is How Democracies Die. * The New Yorker *[An] important new book. * New York Times *Levitsky and Ziblatt show how democracies have collapsed elsewhere-not just through violent coups, but more commonly (and insidiously) through a gradual slide into authoritarianism.... How Democracies Die is a lucid and essential guide to what can happen here. * New York Times *We're already awash in public indignation-what we desperately need is a sober, dispassionate look at the current state of affairs. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, two of the most respected scholars in the field of democracy studies, offer just that. * The Washington Post *Grander, more didactic ambitions underpin "How Democracies Die" ... a more scholarly approach * The Economist *The most thought-provoking book comparing democratic crises in different nations * New York Review of Books *The most important book of the Trump era was not Bob Woodward's Fear or Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury or any of the other bestselling exposés of the White House circus. Arguably it was a wonkish tome by two Harvard political scientists, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, published a year into Donald Trump's presidency and entitled How Democracies Die * The Economist *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a riveting and disturbing account of the medical atrocities performed in and around Japan during WWII.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis________________'There's no understanding global inequality without understanding its history. In The Divide, Jason Hickel brilliantly lays it out, layer upon layer, until you are left reeling with the outrage of it all.' - Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics· The richest eight people control more wealth than the poorest half of the world combined.· Today, 60 per cent of the world's population lives on less than $5 a day.· Though global real GDP has nearly tripled since 1980, 1.1 billion more people are now living in poverty.For decades we have been told a story: that development is working, that poverty is a natural phenomenon and will be eradicated through aid by 2030. But just because it is a comforting tale doesn't make it true. Poor countries are poor because they are integrated into the global economic system on unequal terms, and aid only helps to hide this. Drawing on pioneering research and years of first-hand experience, The Divide tracks the evolution of global inequality - from the expeditions of Christopher Columbus to the present day - offering revelatory answers to some of humanity's greatest problems. It is a provocative, urgent and ultimately uplifting account of how the world works, and how it can change for the better.Trade ReviewThere’s no understanding global inequality without understanding its history. In The Divide, Jason Hickel brilliantly lays it out, layer upon layer, until you are left reeling with the outrage of it all. -- Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut EconomicsIn this iconoclastic book, Jason Hickel shakes up the prevailing paradigm of "development" at its root. He not only exposes the fatal flaws in the standard model of development but also shows how the "development aid" given to the poor countries in order to promote that erroneous model is vastly outweighed by the resource transferred to the rich countries through an unfair global economic system. Many of the proposals that Hickel makes for institutional reform and intellectual re-framing may sound "mad", as he himself acknowledges, but history has taught us that mad ideas have the habit of becoming respectable over time. This book will radically change the way in which you understand the workings of the global economic system and the challenges faced by poor countries trying to advance within it. -- Ha-Joon Chang, University of Cambridge, author of 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism and Economics: The User's GuideThis is a book that if our world is to have any chance of meeting the challenges of the 21st century, people need to read. It challenges so much received wisdom via a well-argued, flowing prose that guides you through economic history, international trade, colonialism, politics and power, and the limits to growth debate. In setting out the reality of global inequality and its tangled roots, Hickel, matador-like, destroys the statistical pivots used by official agencies and unpicks their portrayal of an optimistic account of the state of global poverty and inequality. * Open Democracy *With passion and panache, Jason Hickel tells a very different story of why poverty exists, what progress is, and who we are. The Divide is myth busting at its best. The West has controlled the rest through colonization, coups, trade and debt. Poor countries are made poor by this; but a dramatic change is coming. -- Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1%Hickel masterfully weaves together the most radical currents in political and economic thought to plot the course of global development… I appreciated his ability to translate such a disorienting amount of complex information into a clear, compelling narrative. Hickel is one of the few academics taking responsibilities as a public intellectual seriously, willing to ask difficult questions that challenge and inform our political discourse. * Bright Green *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe eleventh instalment in the popular Thrown Away Children paperback series

Read more less

Book SynopsisProfessor Janina Ramirez is a Sunday Times bestselling author, an Oxford lecturer, BBC broadcaster and researcher. She is Director of Studies for History of Art at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, and Visiting Professor in Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln. She has published widely on medieval history, art and literature, has written both fiction and non-fiction for adults and younger readers, and has taught and researched across a broad chronological sweep, covering everything from the sculptures of antiquity to post-modern architecture. She has also written and presented documentaries across the world for over 15 years. She is Lifelong President of Gloucester History Festival, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Royal Society of Arts, Universities of York and Gloucestershire and City Lit. Her book Femina was an instant Sunday Times bestseller.Trade ReviewRevelatory... Ramirez shows again and again that dark age Europe was a far more various place than we like to believe * Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian *One of Femina's greatest strengths is that it is not just a collection of medieval heroines, although there are inspirational stories aplenty in its pages, but also a readable and wide-ranging account of the Middle Ages - with the women put back in - that forces us to look at familiar stories in new ways * The Sunday Times *It's about time these stories had a wider audience. They've been waiting long enough. * Spectator *Passionate, provocative and brilliant, this book is a firecracker somehow captured between two covers * Lucy Worsley, bestselling author of Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman *Beautifully written, wonderfully free-ranging and gloriously original, Femina makes us look into the mists of history in new, exciting and provocative ways. A joyous read * Peter Frankopan, bestselling author of The Silk Roads *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt''s not enough to have great ideas. You also need to know how to communicate them.What makes someone charismatic? Why do some people captivate a room, while others have trouble managing a small meeting? What makes some ideas spread, while other good ones fall by the wayside? Cues - the tiny signals we send to others 24/7 through our body language, facial expressions, word choices and vocal inflection - have a massive impact on how we, and our ideas, come across. Our cues can either enhance our message or undermine it.In this entertaining and accessible guide to the hidden language of cues, Vanessa Van Edwards teaches you how to convey power, trust, leadership, likability and charisma in every interaction. You''ll learn: - Which vocal cues make you sound more confident- Which body language cues assert, ''I''m a leader, and here''s why you should join me''- Which verbal cues to use in pitches, branding and emails to increase trust (and generate excitement about interacting with you)- Which visual cues you are sending in your profile pictures, clothing and professional brandWhether you''re pitching an investment, negotiating a job offer or having a tough conversation with a colleague, Cues can help you improve your relationships, express empathy and create meaningful connections with lasting impact.''A must-have guide to becoming an unstoppable force'' - Mel Robbins''Packed with invaluable strategies for maximizing your message, Van Edward''s energy will inspire you to become the best possible version of yourself'' - Nir EyalTrade ReviewA must-have guide to becoming an unstoppable force. Read this book and learn how to amplify your power while remaining true to yourself. * Mel Robbins, bestselling author of The High 5 Habit *If your goal is to level up your communication and deepen your relationships, Van Edwards is the expert you've been looking for. -- Tom Bilyeu, cofounder of Quest Nutrition and the cofounder and host of Impact TheoryA delightful decoder ring for the subtle social signals you're missing. -- Olivia Fox Cabane, author of The Charisma MythPacked with invaluable strategies for maximizing your message, Van Edwards's energy will inspire you to become the best possible version of yourself. -- Nir Eyal, author of Hooked and Indistractable

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMichael Moore is completing a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Chicago. He specializes in the ideas of Plato and Aristotle and in the works of Epicurus, Plotinus, and Lucretius among others. While his primary concern is philosophy, he enjoys classical poetry, drama, and literature. Seeking to bring the ideas of the Ancient Greeks and Romans to a wider audience, he runs a blog at www.ancientgreekphilosopher.com

Read more less

Book Synopsis“No single book is as relevant to the present moment.”—Claudia Rankine, author of Citizen“One of the defining books of the decade.”—Elizabeth Hinton, author of From the War on Poverty to the War on CrimeNEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • With a new preface • Fascist politics are running rampant in America today—and spreading around the world. A Yale philosopher identifies the ten pillars of fascist politics, and charts their horrifying rise and deep history.  As the child of refugees of World War II Europe and a renowned philosopher and scholar of propaganda, Jason Stanley has a deep understanding of how democratic societies can be vulnerable to fascism: Nations don’t have to be fascist to suffer from fascist politics. In fact, fascism’s roots have been present in the United States for more than a century. Alarmed by the pervasive rise of fascist tactics both at home and around the globe, Stanley focuses here on the structures that unite them, laying out and analyzing the ten pillars of fascist politics—the language and beliefs that separate people into an “us” and a “them.” He knits together reflections on history, philosophy, sociology, and critical race theory with stories from contemporary Hungary, Poland, India, Myanmar, and the United States, among other nations. He makes clear the immense danger of underestimating the cumulative power of these tactics, which include exploiting a mythic version of a nation’s past; propaganda that twists the language of democratic ideals against themselves; anti-intellectualism directed against universities and experts; law and order politics predicated on the assumption that members of minority groups are criminals; and fierce attacks on labor groups and welfare. These mechanisms all build on one another, creating and reinforcing divisions and shaping a society vulnerable to the appeals of authoritarian leadership. By uncovering disturbing patterns that are as prevalent today as ever, Stanley reveals that the stuff of politics—charged by rhetoric and myth—can quickly become policy and reality. Only by recognizing fascists politics, he argues, may we resist its most harmful effects and return to democratic ideals.“With unsettling insight and disturbing clarity, How Fascism Works is an essential guidebook to our current national dilemma of democracy vs. authoritarianism.”—William Jelani Cobb, author of The Substance of Hope

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by the man Oprah Winfrey calls the US' leading expert on violent behaviour, this work shows you how to spot even subtle signs of danger - before it's too late. It offers specific ways to protect yourself and those you love, including: how to act when approached by a stranger; and when you should fear someone close to you.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRory Sutherland is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK and the founder of the behavioural science practice. He writes the Spectator's Wiki Man' column, presents series for BBC Radio 4, serves on the advisory board of The Evolution Institute, and is former President of the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising). The IDM (Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing) awarded Sutherland an Honorary Life Fellowship. His TED talks have over 6.5 million views. He authored a collection of blog posts, interviews, tweets and reference materials, The Wiki-Man, in 2011, and his first book Alchemy was published in 2019.Trade ReviewThis is a breakthrough book: Mother Reality makes sense in her own way. She yields her secrets to practitioners, almost never to academics - something psychologists, economists and non-skin in the game people, no matter what they say, are functionally unable to grasp. And the book is funny as hell: I smiled and laughed at every paragraph. Furthermore, this is the first such treatise written by someone who had true contact with reality via something called a P/L.And this is wonderfully applicable to about everything in life, from how to announce airplane delays to how to handle unsold opera tickets.Buy two copies of this book in case one is stolen. * Nassim Nicholas Taleb, scholar and former trader; author of the Incerto. *Revelatory and entertaining * The Sunday Times *Reading Alchemy was, as its title promised, the process of turning paper and print into gold. Veins of wisdom regarding human functioning emerge regularly and brilliantly from the pages. Don't miss this book. * Robert Cialdini, bestselling author of Influence, Yes!, The Small BIG and Pre-suasion *Deeply original * Robert Trivers, evolutionary biologist and author of Deceit and Self-Deception *Sutherland’s book touches on many facets of life, but all come down to the importance of “psycho-logic”, or non-rational factors, in how we make decisions and how problems can be solved * CAMPAIGN magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisPublished as a standalone on International Woman's Day, the essay that became a touchstone of the feminist movement and inspired the term 'mansplaining', with an afterword on its origins.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA 25th anniversary edition of the number one, multi-million copy international bestseller that taught us how emotional intelligence is more important than IQ - 'a revolutionary, paradigm-shattering idea' (Harvard Business Review) Featuring a new introduction from the author Does IQ define our destiny? In his groundbreaking bestseller, Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow. It is not our IQ, but our emotional intelligence that plays a major role in thought, decision-making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness: all are qualities that mark people who excel, whose relationships flourish, who can navigate difficult conversations, who become stars in the workplace. With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisFriedrich Nietzsche''s most accessible and influential philosophical work, misquoted, misrepresented, brilliantly original and enormously influentialNietzsche was one of the most revolutionary and subversive thinkers in Western philosophy, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra remains his most famous and influential work. It describes how the ancient Persian prophet Zarathustra descends from his solitude in the mountains to tell the world that God is dead and that the Superman, the human embodiment of divinity, is his successor. Nietzsche''s utterance ''God is dead'', his insistence that the meaning of life is to be found in purely human terms, and his doctrine of the Superman and the will to power were all later seized upon and unrecognisably twisted by, among others, Nazi intellectuals. With blazing intensity and poetic brilliance, Nietzsche argues that the meaning of existence is not to be found in religious pieties or meek submission to authority, but in an all-powerful life force: passionate, chaotic and free.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators.Table of ContentsPart 1 Zarathustra's discourses: of the three metamorphoses; of the chairs of virtue; of the afterworldsmen; of the despisers of the body; of joys and passions; of the pale criminal; of reading and writing; of the tree on the mountainside; of the preachers of death; of war and warriors; of the new idol; of the flies of the market-place; of chastity; of the friend; of the thousand and one goals; of love of one's neighbour; of the way of the creator; of old and young women; of the Adder's bite; of marriage and children; of voluntary death; of the bestowing virtue. Part 2: the child with the mirror; on the blissful islands; of the compassionate; of the priests; of the virtuous; of the rabble; of the tarantulas; of the famous philosophers; of the night song; the dance song; the funeral song; of self-overcoming; of the sublime men; of the land of culture; of immaculate perception; of scholars; of poets; of great events; the prophet; of redemption; of manly prudence; the stillest hour. Part 3: the wanderer; of the vision and the riddle; of involuntary bliss; before sunrise; of the virtue that makes small; on the mount of olives; of passing by; of the apostates; the home-coming; of the three evil things; of the spirit of gravity; of old and new law-tables; the convalescent; of the great longing; the second dance song; the seven seals (or - the song of Yes and Amen). Part 4: the honey offering; the cry of distress; conversation with the kings; the leech; the sorcerer; retired from service; the ugliest man; the voluntary beggar; the shadow; at noontide; the greeting; the last supper; of the higher man; the song of melancholy; of science; among the daughters of the desert; the awakening; the ass festival; the intoxicated song; the sign.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Excellent. . . Sellars gives a lucid, easy-to-follow account of what Stoicism as a way of life amounts to, and how you might start to put it into practice'' Nigel Warburton How can Stoicism inspire us to lead more enjoyable lives?In the past few years, Stoicism has been making a comeback. But what exactly did the Stoics believe? In Lessons in Stoicism, philosopher John Sellars weaves together the key ideas of the three great Roman Stoics -- Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius -- with snapshots of their fascinating lives, to show us how their ideas can help us today. In vivid prose, Sellars shows how the works of these three Stoics have inspired readers ever since, speaking as they do to some of the perennial issues that face anyone trying to navigate their way through life. Their works, fundamentally, are about how to live -- how to understand one''s place in the world, how to cope when things don''t go well, how to manage one''s emotions and how to behave towards others. Consoling and inspiring, Lessons in Stoicism is a deeply thoughtful guide to the philosophy of a good life.Trade ReviewLessons in Stoicism distils key Stoic tenets, insofar as they can help contemporary readers, into under 100 small pages. Sellars achieves the task he sets himself admirably. In elegant, economical prose, he urges us to become better, happier people by focusing on rational decision-making -- Tim Whitmarsh * Guardian *Accessible and absorbing -- Roger Cox * Scotsman *An enlightening explanation of how Stoic philosophy can help us in our lives. . . It can put us in control of our feelings, help us in adversity and guide us in our relationships with others. Sellars is ideally placed to offer these lessons in Stoicism as teacher, scholar and as a founding member of the group that teaches living like a Stoic for a week -- Professor Sir Richard SorabjiExpertly and vividly John Sellars presents lessons in Stoicism that are strikingly relevant to modern life. From the great Roman Stoic authors he distills teaching on managing emotions, dealing with adversity, facing death, and making the best use of every hour and situation. This is a book that excellently shows why Stoicism is the philosophy for our time. I recommend it with enthusiasm -- Professor A. A. Long, author of Epictetus: How to be FreeExcellent. . . Sellars gives a lucid, easy-to-follow account of what Stoicism as a way of life amounts to, and how you might start to put it into practice. . . To cover so much ground without merely skimming the surface requires real skill as a writer -- Nigel Warburton, author of A Little History of Philosophy

Read more less

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

Read more less