Social and cultural history Books

Book Synopsis***A Waterstones Best Books of 2022 pick***The story of the pioneering anthropologists and their adventures among civilisations that were first thought of as being primitive and savage. What they discovered, however, would change the way we think about ourselves.In the late nineteenth century, when non-European societies were seen as 'living fossils' offering an insight into how Western civilisation had evolved, anthropology was a thrilling new discipline which attracted the brightest minds of the academic world. But, by the middle of the twentieth century, colonialism was recognised as being inextricably linked to exploitation and outdated labels like 'savage' were inconceivable when so-called 'civilised' man had wreaked such devastation across two world wars.Focusing on twelve key European and American anthropologists working in the field, from Franz Boas on Baffin Island in the 1880s to Claude Lévi-Strauss in Brazil fifty years later, Lucy Moore explores the brief flowering of anthropology as a quasi-scientific area of study with all its insights and ambivalence. In Search of Us tells the story of the men and women whose observations of the 'other' would transform attitudes about race, gender equality, sexual liberation, parenting and tolerance in ways they had never anticipated. In an enthralling, perceptive narrative, Moore shows how these radical anthropologists were inspired by their time in the furthest-flung reaches of the known world, becoming pioneers of a new way of thinking. In the end, their legacy is less about understanding foreign cultures and more about their attempts to persuade human beings to look at one another with eyes washed free from prejudice. Their intention may have been to explain what they saw as the primitive world to the civilised one but they ended up changing the way people viewed themselves - at least for a time.Trade ReviewIn this skilful summary of the early years of anthropology between 1880 and 1939, Lucy Moore reveals a veritable tangle of turf wars, power scrambles and sexual bad behaviour... Moore's fluent account confirms that there is always room for a new view, especially when it is as well done as this one. * Sunday Times *Moore doesn't sugar-coat her protagonists' many prejudices, their cavalier treatment of their indigenous subjects, or the problematic history of their discipline. But though she summarises their scholarly views, the main pleasure of her book lies in its celebration of a dozen colourful, unconventional, free-thinking lives. * Guardian *The story of anthropology's early pioneers lies at the heart of this joyfully narrated history of a scientific field that, at its best, opens our minds to the rich kaleidoscope of human experience... [A] gripping collection of life stories. * Literary Review *Entertaining... Told with a novelistic eye for the character-revealing anecdote. * Spectator *Moore's biographical approach makes for compelling and informative reading * Philosophy Now *Table of Contents1: The Pioneer: Franz Boas on Baffin Island, 1883 2: The Mentors: Alfred Haddon and William Rivers in the Torres Strait, 1898 3: The Philosopher: Edvard Westermarck in Morocco, 1898 4: The Magi: Daisy Bates and Alfred Radcliffe-Brown in Western Australia, 1910 -1912 5: The Hero: Bronislaw Malinowski in the Trobriand Islands, 1915-1917 6: The Academy: Franz Boas at Columbia University, 1899-1942 7: The Maiden: Ruth Benedict in the American Southwest, 1920s 8: The Child: Margaret Mead in Samoa, 1925 9: Insider/Outsider: Zora Neale Hurston in NewOrleans, 1928 10: The Bluestocking: Audrey Richards in Zambia, 1930-1931 11: The Trickster: Claude Lévi-Strauss in Brazil, 1938-1939

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CONSERVATIONA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES, WATERSTONES AND BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE A NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST READBeastly is the 40,000-year story of our changing kinship with the animal world - from the smallest microbe to the largest creature that ever lived. Exploring this relationship through history, culture, science and inspiring examples, Carew makes the passionate case that animals are the key to the planet''s future health, but only if we can save them.

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Book SynopsisAfter the Second World War, Germany was an international pariah. Today, it has become a beacon of the Western world. But what makes this extraordinary nation tick? On Germany tells the story of a country reborn, from defeat in 1945 to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the painstaking reunification of 'the two Germanies', and the Republic's return to the world stage as an economic colossus and European leader. Giles MacDonogh restores these momentous events of world history to their German context, from the food and drink that accompanied them to the deep-rooted provincialism behind the national story. Full of vivid and often whimsical vignettes of German life, this is a Germanophile's homage to the culture and people of a country he has known for decades.Trade Review‘Culture and the texture of everyday experience, rather than the grand sweep of politics, are what MacDonogh relishes, and his account shines with his enthusiasm for his subject. This is the book of a well-informed flâneur sniffing the air . . . the attitudes and quirks that make Germany so distinctive are nicely brought to life.’ ‘Funny, erudite and, despite all the competition, original . . . MacDonogh’s vivid tapestry does justice to the most despised and most envied people in Europe . . . as enjoyable as sitting in the lovely old square of a small town in Germany, quaffing a cold glass of hock to the sound of a distant Bach cantata.’‘[On Germany] benefits from a harvest of cross-cultural encounters gathered over many years of travel . . . waitresses, landladies and drinking companions become informants and case studies . . . tantalising.’'Giles MacDonogh has repeatedly shown himself to be in the front rank of British scholars of German history.' * The Spectator *‘The story of a country reborn . . . an all-embracing book.’ 'A fascinating romp through German history--engaging, honest and personal--that unfolds like a fine after-dinner conversation with a particularly erudite friend.' -- Rory MacLean, author of 'Berlin: Imagine a City''Forensic political and historical analysis, telling cultural detail and deep insights, with good jokes and fascinating twists. Want to know what happened to Nazi art after 1945? Or what the East German government thought of Elvis Presley? There are some excellent books on Germany; MacDonogh matches the best.' -- Frederick Taylor, author of 'The Berlin Wall' and 'Exorcising Hitler''Giles MacDonogh's splendid little book draws on his extensive historical insight and personal experience of mainland Europe's most important country. This highly personal and quirky work deftly intertwines human stories, superb anecdotes and historical-political set pieces, garnished with food and drink, to remind us of why Germany continues to intrigue us.' -- Brendan Simms, Professor of the History of European International Relations, Cambridge University, and author of 'Britain's Europe: A Thousand Years of Conflict and Cooperation'

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Book SynopsisThe searing, must-read feminist essay from the author of A Girl is a Half-formed Thing 'Fearless ... A fierce and fascinating manifesto in McBride's persuasive prose' Sinéad Gleeson 'Formidable' Vogue In this galvanizing essay, Eimear McBride unpicks the contradictory forces of disgust and objectification that control and shame women. From playground taunts of 'only sluts do it' but 'virgins are frigid', to ladette culture, and the arrival of 'ironic' porn, via Debbie Harry, the Kardashians and the Catholic church - she looks at how this prejudicial messaging has played out in the past, and still surrounds us today. McBride asks - are women still damned if we do, damned if we don't? How can we give our daughters (and sons) the unbounded futures we want for them? And, in this moment of global crisis, might our gift for juggling contradiction help us to find a way forward? 'A satisfying feminist polemic' Susie Orbach 'Remarkable' Scotsman 'Eimear McBride is that old fashioned thing, a genius' GuardianTrade ReviewA fearless, interrogative work that speaks so much to structural inequality and misogyny. A fierce and fascinating manifesto in McBride's persuasive prose -- Sinéad GleesonA satisfying feminist polemic -- Susie Orbach * Guardian *A fierce, clear-eyed examination of the myriad ways in which women are objectified ... remarkable -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *Formidable -- Hayley Maitland * Vogue *An invigorating call to refuse the disgust directed at women * Herald *McBride is a very skilful prose stylist and is indubitably right to be incensed at the double standards and sheer prejudice of our culture * iPaper *Something Out of Place is an erudite contribution to that growing impulse in contemporary nonfiction: to cast one's testimony out into the void in the hopes that another will answer, and then another and another, and that each will be as exactingly executed, as deeply nuanced as the one preceding it * Irish Times *A brief and vivid polemic about disgust and shame and how they are used to such successful effect to disempower women ... There is something very exciting about contemplating a future for women where our disagreements about how best to live don't translate into weakness and division -- Megan Nolan * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis'If you read one book about India, read this one.' Geeta Anand, Pulitzer Prize-winner and author of The Cure 'Mountain Tales is a remarkable feat of immersive reporting and story-telling, a deeply-felt exploration of ideas, and a gripping chronicle of the fates of the garbage-pickers of Mumbai ... I loved this book.' Suzy Hansen, author of Notes on a Foreign Country All of Mumbai's memories and castaway possessions come to die at the Deonar garbage mountains. And among these vast, teetering piles of discarded things - medical waste, rotten food, old clothes, broken glass and twisted metal - a small, forgotten community lives and works. Scouring the dump for whatever can be resold or recycled, waste pickers also mark the familiar milestones of babies born, love found, illnesses suffered and recovered from. Like a mirror image, their stories are shaped by the influx of unwanted things from the world outside. But now, as Deonar's toxic halo becomes undeniable, a change is coming. And as officials try to close it, the lives that the pickers have built on the Mountain seem more fragile than ever.Trade ReviewA terrific and thrilling book about people who are trapped in the gravitational force of a garbage mountain in Mumbai. Delightful and powerful. * Manu Joseph, author of Serious Men *Roy has a journalist's unflinching eye, a poet's talent for detail, and a radical sense of empathy that illuminates this account of the people who live on the Deonar garbage mountains. Urgent as a thriller, yet lingering in its unforgettable portraits of life, love and death, Mountain Tales deserves every accolade. A stunning achievement. -- Kiran Desai, Booker Prize-winning author of The Inheritance of Loss'Roy writes ... with utmost care and empathy ... [a] powerful book * Times of India *It is rare that a book is a deeply moving love story with unforgettable characters while also illuminating a country and a culture. Saumya Roy's book is a riveting love story set in the harrowing world of life as a trash picker on Mumbai's garbage mountain. Read it for a most delicious story, read it to understand India, read it to know what it is like to grow up in extreme poverty in the shadow of enormous wealth. If you read one book about India, read this one. -- Geeta Anand, Pulitzer Prize-winner and author of The CureSaumya Roy's gorgeous Mountain Tales is a remarkable feat of immersive reporting and story-telling, a deeply-felt exploration of ideas, and a gripping chronicle of the fates of the garbage-pickers of Mumbai; Roy immerses you so deeply in her characters' lives and physical environment that at times I felt I was experiencing them myself. I loved this book. -- Suzy Hansen, author of Notes on a Foreign CountryRoy unravels the truth about overconsumption, pollution, climate change and how the most vulnerable people bear the brunt of it all * Vogue India *A gut-wrenching story ... her lucid writing not only draws the reader but also helps to reflect upon how one person's trash impacts another's life -- Soma Basu * The Hindu *Gorgeous and heartbreaking ... Roy succeeds in humanizing her subjects while emphasizing the role that consumer culture plays in their degradation. ... Readers of Behind the Beautiful Forevers will be drawn to this harrowing portrait. * Publishers Weekly *A story of selflessness and sacrifice, of acceptance and renewal. The goodness in people, both in the streets where the Shaikh family lives and beyond comes to the fore ... A sense of mystery and wonderment gives Roy's tale a special edge -- Mustansir Delvi * Wire India *A revelation in the most shattering ways * GQ *Saumya Roy's Mountain Tales captures the unique story of Mumbai's garbage mountain at Deonar district and the people who survive around it ... a must-read * Telegraph India *This powerful real-life tale from India reads like fiction * Washington Independent Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BEST FILM AND THEATRE BOOK OF 2022 'Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book' Kathy Burke Astonish Me! is an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history's seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture - and allow us to see ourselves in new ways. It tells of times when 'the air between people seems to alter' as art achieves profound change, across the globe and across history. Dominic Dromgoole has created a radical and fresh canon. He begins in New York in 1963, as Lorraine Hansberry remakes American theatre and a nation's perception of race. And then, as the lights go up, we find ourselves in Renaissance Florence, watching Michelangelo's David being hauled into the Piazza della Signoria. The dust settles and we are transported to the birth of theatre in fifth-century Athens - and then to Paris to meet with Diaghilev and Stravinsky for the Rite of Spring. We witness kabuki's creation, as a radical women's performance, in Kyoto; the Sex Pistols shattering Thatcherite Britain at Manchester's Free Trade Hall; and watch as Hitchcock directs Psycho.Trade ReviewAstonish Me! is both a book of revelations and a witness to change: it has all the tension of a thriller and the see-sawing highs and lows of a romance novel. At its heart, however, is an enduring fascination with what makes art and why we need it -- Maggie O'FarrellFantastic -- Roger AllamWritten with verve and wit ... Astonish Me! encourages us to reflect not only on the communality of art but to appreciate its invaluable social utility * The Times *A keen cultural history primer - and a ringside seat to the electric thrill of witnessing great art -- 'Paperbacks Read This Week' * Daily Telegraph *Full of insight as well as terrific stories ... a book that celebrates the shock of the new, those moments in artistic history when the dial shifted and something radical emerged ... enjoyable * Sunday Times *Fascinating ... dazzling in its enthusiasm ... unexpected * Times Literary Supplement *The result is a richly eclectic set of essays ... Mr Dromgoole shows a capacity to bring a major cultural event to life ... offers an erudite, wide-ranging and heart-warming tribute to artistic innovation -- Michael Billington * Country Life *Exquisite ... greatly stirring ... Imagine what it would be like to be present at the arrival of some of the most momentous works of art in history; to witness the birth of the new. That's what Dominic Dromgoole does in his latest book * Daily Telegraph *[Dromgoole] writes with such generous, broad-brush panache ... on every page he comes across as a red-blooded enthusiast, an erudite polymath and a bit of a preacher with an urgent message too * Mail on Sunday *A celebration of the artistic achievements that overcame the odds to change the story of culture, and whose effects rippled out to change the world * Spectator *Earthy, eclectic and shot through with personal insights * The Week *Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book -- Kathy BurkeDominic Dromgoole takes moments from our cultural history and shines a new light on them. Astonishingly vibrant, bristling with energy, wit and wisdom -- Hugh BonnevilleFirst-rate, varied and very enjoyable * Mature Times *Absorbing ... accessible and chatty ... you will always be entertained by Dromgoole's slightly waspish sense of wit, his sense of invention and ... a sense of care and understanding -- Louise Penn * Lou Reviews *On Hamlet: Globe to Globe: 'His love of language is contagious ... the storytelling segues into scholarship with extraordinary skill as he ricochets the modern world with a 400-year-old text.' * The Times *Dromgoole's witty account offers insight about the play and its enduring appeal ... Compulsively readable. * The New York Times (100 Notable Books) *Erudite and fascinating ... truly compelling. * Observer *Exhilarating ... he succeeds in making the familiar unfamiliar. -- James ShapiroOn Will and Me: How Shakespeare Took Over My Life 'A superbly written, infectiously high-spirited narrative ... a hard book to put down.' -- Terry Eagleton * The Irish Times *Friendly, inclusive, I warmed [to it] immediately. A terrific book. -- William Leith * Evening Standard *His book is an absolute delight ... The outstanding quality is his sheer, overwhelming love for Shakespeare. * Sunday Times *This book is clearly a triumph. -- Jonathan Bate * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Society for Theatre Research Book Prize 2020 Vivien Leigh was perhaps the most iconic actress of the twentieth century. As Scarlett O’Hara and Blanche Du Bois she took on some of the most pivotal roles in cinema history. Yet she was also a talented theatre actress with West End and Broadway plaudits to her name. In this ground-breaking new biography, Alan Strachan provides a completely new full-life portrait of Leigh, covering both her professional and personal life. Using previously unseen sources from her archive, recently acquired by the V&A, he sheds new light on her fractious relationship with Laurence Olivier, based on their letters and diaries, as well as on the bipolar disorder which so affected her later life and work. Revealing new aspects of her early life as well as providing glimpses behind-the-scenes of the filming of Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, this book provides the essential and comprehensive life-story of one of the twentieth century’s greatest actresses.Trade ReviewWhat makes this account of a familiar story outstanding is that Strachan wins the reader’s trust ... As an experienced man of the theatre, he suggests, qualifies and adds interesting views of his own. * The Spectator *[Vivien Leigh’s] life, lived to the full at every second, will never be better told than it is in these pages. * The Sunday Times *A gripping new biography. * The Daily Mail *Strachan’s meticulously researched, elegantly written volume is an eye-opener. Strachan’s attention to detail is striking ... a valuable, authoritative record that supports [Leigh's] status as a great stage and screen actress. * The Herald *An immensely readable biography ... [Strachan] argues convincingly that there was far more to Leigh than her mesmerizing beauty, which could blind critics to the power behind her performances. * ABC News *This is a well-written biography of a much-loved star. Strachan achieves that rare thing of exposing his subject whilst maintaining their integrity. Leigh, who was fiercely private, would have been proud of this book. * The Lady *Alan Strachan does a fine job in reasserting [Vivien Leigh’s] status, not merely re-examining her stage work, but also becoming the first biographer to give due attention to the underrated films she made. * Country Life *Offers an effective defence not only of Leigh’s artistry across different media but also of Leigh herself as (in the words of one associate) ‘a most charming, able, intelligent woman afflicted by a manic depressive illness who with courage and marked strength of character has taken a heavy and continuous emotional strain in her stride’. * Journal of British Cinema and Television *A welcome appraisal of a remarkable artist. * Bay Area Reporter *'Reading this book is like meeting Vivien Leigh in her glory and her despair. One of the most revealing showbiz biographies ever.' -- Sir Ian McKellen'This is an enthralling book. It enthrals you by its meticulous research, its lucid language and its depiction of a Legend and a World that do not exist anymore. Alas.' -- Michael CodronThis is a fine insightful biography that captures the vigour and life-enhancing qualities of its subject, her acting husband, and their high-achieving circle of friends. * Plays International and Europe *'A wonderful tribute to a great actress and a fascinating insight into her troubled life and the machinations of the West End theatre during the middle of the twentieth century. Unputdownable.' -- Dame Penelope Keith DBE, DL'Impeccable research into this fascinating actress make Dark Star a page turner. The reader is as desperate to see past her ravishing beauty to the tender, tortured woman beneath as is the author.' -- Maureen Lipman'Three cheers for this. Alan Strachan’s long overdue perceptive insight into one of the most fascinating, complex, troubled and talented actors of her time.' -- Alan AyckbournTable of ContentsList of Plates Acknowledgements Prologue 1. A Child of the Raj 2. Hours Nearer Death 3. Young Wife and Mother 4. Enter Olivier 5. Altered States 6. Printing a Legend 7. Star-Crossed 8. Wartime Dramas 9. From Sabina to Anna 10. Down Under 11. The Kindness of Strangers 12. Two on the Nile 13. Crack-Up 14. Avonside 15. At Court 16. Ending A Legend 17. Worlds Elsewhere 18. Last Acts Epilogue Appendix Facts/“False Facts” Notes on Sources Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe English Actor charts the uniquely English approach to stagecraft. In thirty chapters, Peter Ackroyd describes, with superb narrative skill, the genesis of acting – deriving from the Church tradition of Mystery Plays – through the flourishing of the craft in the Renaissance to modern methods that followed the advent of film and television. The biographies of the most notable and celebrated actors are also explored, right up to the present day. In this book, Ackroyd gives us an original and superbly entertaining appraisal of how actors have acted – and how audiences have responded – since the medieval period, and what we mean by the ‘magic of the stage’.

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Book Synopsis'Essential reading' John Bradshaw, author of In Defence of Dogs'Fascinating' Telegraph'Funny, irreverent and enthusiastic, [Pearson] parades his love for all things canine' The Times'Thought-provoking and often surprising' Country LifeDogs are our constant companions: models of loyalty and unconditional love for millions around the world. But these beloved animals are much more than just our pets - and our shared history is far richer and more complex than you might assume. Here, historian and dog lover Chris Pearson reveals how the shifting fortunes of dogs hold a mirror to our changing society, from the evolution of breeding standards to the fight for animal rights. Wherever humans have gone, dogs have followed, changing size, appearance and even jobs along the way - from the forests of medieval Europe, where greyhounds chased down game for royalty, to the frontlines of twentieth-century conflicts, where dogs carried messages and hauled gun carriages. Despite vast social change, ho

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Book SynopsisA charming celebration of all things snow. Is it true that no two snowflakes are ever alike? How many Christmases have actually been white? Do the Inuit have dozens of words for snow? Can it ever be too cold to snow? Our memories and imagination are buried in snow. It's the weather of play, joyful abandon and mischievous games – of snowball fights, skiing holidays and rattling down a hillside at full speed. It's the weather of childhood – the world transformed into a temporary playground. Even as adults, the urge to throw a snowball is too hard to resist, those impish, childish instincts overtaking our adult workaday selves. Packed with fascinating insights, outdoor fun, cultural lore and traditional wisdom, The Little Book of Snow delves into the history, science, literary and cultural heritage that surrounds snow, frost and ice – the perfect book for anyone who loves that feeling when you open the curtains in the morning and find the world has turned to white... 'Super-cute... Packed full of snowy snippets' Sunday ExpressTrade ReviewSally Coulthard's super-cute book is packed full of snowy snippets * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisThe captivating story of the West’s love affair with Indian spirituality—from the orientalism of the British Empire to modern counterculture. In 1897, an Indian yogi exhibited himself at London’s Westminster Aquarium, demonstrating yoga positions to a bemused audience. Four years earlier, Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda spoke at the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where Annie Besant extolled the ‘exquisite beauty’ of his spiritual message. The Victorians were fascinated by, yet suspicious of, Indian religious beliefs and practices. But within two generations, legions of young Westerners were following the ‘hippie trail’ to the subcontinent, the Beatles meditating at the feet of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Journalist Mick Brown’s vivid account charts this eccentric history of Western obsessions with Indian faith, through a curious cast of scholars, seekers, charlatans and saints. From bestselling epic poems on the Buddha to murder plots, magic and the occult, The Nirvana Express is an exhilarating, sometimes troubling journey through the West’s search for enlightenment.Trade Review'The Nirvana Express... is a work of compelling, stylish social anthropology. ...Brown has managed to compose a sober and wryly intelligent account of westerners in the east and easterners in the west.' -- The Times'Brown has a light touch, like that of a beguiling baba himself … effortlessly encompassing anecdotal and intellectual history. He is a wicked portraitist, which is to say he is playing to his strengths in this pornographic prosopography of snake-oil spiritualists.' -- TLS‘[An] entertaining history of the West’s fascination with Indian spirituality.’ -- The Telegraph‘Excellent … The Nirvana Express is a drily amusing book on a subject that would make many writers nervous. It describes some startling stupidity as well as some very sharp behaviour without forcing the point, and includes fierce assertions by followers on both sides.’ -- The Spectator‘In a lively narrative, delivered with wit and warmth, Brown shows how Eastern mysticism went from being suspect to venerable, and back again to a subject of scepticism. Along the way, he delivers an outrageous cast of characters — film stars, novelists, heiresses and heretics — and shows how soothing swamis and dodgy charlatans left their mark on Western ways.’ -- The Daily Mail‘[A] fascinating tale of the West’s love affair with spiritualism. Mick Brown [is one of] the very elite tier of modern journalists. He brings all his skills for research, judicious analysis and eloquent writing to a thoroughly engrossing subject. … Brown balances reports of the prejudices and racism of the British view of the Indian holy man (gurus were described as “pantomime” figures) with an account that offers rich insights into the appeal of hunting “a spiritual Eldorado”. ... The Nirvana Express [is] such a masterful, compelling piece of history.’ -- The Independent, ‘September Books of the Month’'An enlightening new book … Fantastic stories—packed with unlikely figures, strange twists of fate and even the occasional act of mind-reading—bring readers of 'The Nirvana Express' on an enjoyable journey.' -- The Economist‘Eminently readable.’ -- The Federal News‘An engrossing account.’ -- The Wire‘Brown… has synthesised a small Himalaya of material into a clear and well-told narrative. His subject is not so much India as the uses and abuses of subcontinental religions in the West in the 20th century.’ -- Literary Review'An absolutely fascinating and absorbing study of an under-explored subject. Written with great verve, insight and clear-eyed authority--a definitive and enduring book.' -- William Boyd'What a wonderful cast of characters: dreamers, poets, charlatans and love-struck British ladies. Why has no one told this story before? Mick Brown does so with just the right mix of cool objectivity and forgiving warmth. An enthralling read.' -- Edward Stourton, BBC Radio 4'Spectacular. Mick Brown's masterful storytelling brilliantly charts the West's encounter with Eastern spiritualism. Drawing on a rich seam of characters ranging from charlatans to spiritual masters and their disparate devotees, he never misses a beat in this globe-spanning magical mystery tour.' -- John Zubrzycki, author of 'Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic' and 'Dethroned: The Downfall of India's Princely States''A well-written, fascinating and entertaining romp through the gurus who brought Indian philosophy to the Western world.' -- Susan Shumsky, author of 'Maharishi & Me' and 'The Inner Light: How India Influenced the Beatles''Mick Brown has produced a deeply researched account of the encounters of Indian spiritualists with the West over the past century and a half. Wonderfully written and hugely informative.' -- Jairam Ramesh, author and Indian MP'Brown takes us along a familiar path--the century-long story of the modern West's fascination with India's holy men, from Arnold's "The Light of Asia" to the sunset of Rajneesh--and renders its sights anew: colourful, compelling and a bit psychedelic.' -- Anya Foxen, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, California Polytechnic State University, and author of 'Inhaling Spirit: Harmonialism, Orientalism, and the Western Roots of Modern Yoga''With a keen and humorous eye for detail, Mick Brown traces the golden age of gurus through interconnected stories of the individuals whose followers changed the way we think about religion, faith and otherness in their quests to attain enlightenment.' -- Patricia Sauthoff, Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Hong Kong Baptist University, and author of 'Illness and Immortality: Mantra, Mandala, and Meditation in the Netra Tantra'

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Book SynopsisThe captivating story of the West's love affair with Indian spirituality--from the orientalism of the British Empire to modern counterculture.

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Book SynopsisThis book looks at the history of fire, and how it has been used in the development of man, but this book's ambition is to fire the imagination and to leave its reader with a burning desire to burn wood.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE OCM BOCAS PRIZE FOR NON-FICTIONSHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITINGIn this astonishing collection of essays, the award-winning poet and novelist Kei Miller explores the silence in which so many important things are kept. He examines the experience of discrimination through this silence and what it means to breach it: to risk words, to risk truths. And he considers the histories our bodies inherit - the crimes that haunt them, and how meaning can shift as we move throughout the world, variously assuming privilege or victimhood. Through letters to James Baldwin, encounters with Liam Neeson, Soca, Carnival, family secrets, love affairs, white women's tears, questions of aesthetics and more, Miller powerfully and imaginatively recounts everyday acts of racism and prejudice. With both the epigrammatic concision and conversational cadence of his poetry and novels, Things I Have Withheld is a great artistic achievement: a work of beauty which challenges us to interrogate what seems unsayable and why - our actions, defence mechanisms, imaginations and interactions - and those of the world around us.Trade ReviewCaptivatingly elegant . . . It has a powerfully gripping intensity . . . An outstanding effort at tackling experiences we would rather not confront. The emotional pitch is well attuned, the words judiciously chosen. Baldwin would be proud * * Sunday Times * *A wonderfully challenging book that I will dip in and out of for years to come. Through brilliant storytelling it explores issues of gender, queerness, race and class. Miller's insights and his grace are hard won. As always, this Jamaican rock-star poet's writing is lyrical, original and engaging. I left it challenged but tanked up with a new vocabulary and an understanding of the extent to which so much is inscribed on the body -- INGRID PERSAUD * * Observer * *With searing honesty, Miller carries the reader with him through this challenging, insightful book thanks to the lyrical power of his storytelling * * Financial Times * *A subtle, intimate yet hard-hitting investigation of - ostensibly - racism, class prejudice and homophobia . . . it doesn't so much tackle as tease out - caress, even - the subject of things that are difficult to talk about * * The Times, Best Books of the Year * *Invaluable . . . an astounding collection, where Miller circles the question of how to put words to what is often silenced . . . In a lyrical, effortless style, Miller traverses questions of class and race, and how love, privilege and community exist within them * * Big Issue * *The powerful essays include [Miller's] own letters to the late American novelist James Baldwin and his reflections on the permanence of racism. He writes movingly * * Independent * *Miller promises a lyrical collection of essays . . . Drawing on his travels across the US, the UK, Jamaicaand other places, Miller's essays say something about the ways in which meaning, as well as our own positionality, can shift as we travel through the world and encounter systemic violence . . . Both Miller and Baldwin are known to be devastatingly concise and honest in their observations concerning race and racism * * Forbes, Most Anticipated Book of 2021 * *Miller's storytelling is impeccable, and his verse is arresting and beautiful. Things I Have Withheld is a remarkable contribution to literature -- DE'SHAWN WINSLOW * * author of In West Mills * *Perfectly encapsulates what it means to live in today's world as "the other" . . . Miller is a gifted writer; his silences furthering his craft as much as his words . . . Miller's writing is courageous and expansive. It seeks to educate its readers about inherent racism and racial bias and does so by tackling nuances head on * * Wee Review * *Searing . . . entrancing . . . Miller brings into devastating clarity the dangers confronting Black people in visualising the final moments of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Sharp as blades, Miller's words cut to the core * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *

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Book SynopsisTransnational Coupling in the Age of Nation Making during the 19th and 20th Centuries examines and compares courtship and marriage patterns that occurred between France and the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. Departing from state-centered studies of marriage law, it draws on the methodologies of transnational history, cultural history and the history of emotion to show that these unions were part of a broader pattern of the larger cultural love affair between the two societies.

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Book SynopsisEngraved shell-cases, bullet-crucifixes, letter openers and cigarette lighters made of shrapnel and cartridges, miniature aeroplanes and tanks, talismanic jewellery, embroidery, objects carved from stone, bone and wood - all of these things are trench art, the misleading name given to the dazzling array of objects made from the waste of war, in particular the Great War of 1914-1918 and the inter-war years. And they are the subject of Nicholas Saunders's pioneering study which is now republished in a revised edition in paperback. He reveals the lost world of trench art, for every piece relates to the story of the momentous experience of its maker - whether front-line soldier, prisoner of war, or civilian refugee. The objects resonate with the alternating terror and boredom of war, and those created by the prisoners symbolize their struggle for survival in the camps. Many of these items were poignant souvenirs bought by battlefield pilgrims between 1919 and 1939 and kept brightly polished on mantelpieces, often for a lifetime. Nicholas Saunders investigates their origins and how they were made, exploring their personal meaning and cultural significance. He also offers an important categorization of types which will be a useful guide for collectors.

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Book SynopsisThe Dunbars of Ackergill and Hempriggs emerged in the late 1600s as one of the largest landowners in Caithness. As such they played a major part in the history of the county, a role revealed in the family papers with their wide variety of documents, including personal letters and legal missives. Readers will learn about the Dunbars selling Caithness grain in the Lowlands, coping with the effects of the last Jacobite rising, handling disputes with their neighbours, arranging elections, dealing with debt - and that is just in the 18th century. During the Napoleonic wars the Dunbars recruited a fencible regiment called the Caithness Legion that saw action in Ireland. At the same time the British Fisheries Society acquired land from the family and began to develop Pulteneytown as a major herring fishing port. An agricultural revolution swept over the estates, leading to the enclosing of fields, disputes over common land, evictions and refurbishment of farms. In the mid-19th century, when the family home at Ackergill Tower was refashioned by the architect David Bryce, the Dunbars adopted the lifestyle of the Victorian country gentry as well as finding careers in the Empire. With family trees, photographs, maps and documents, the book presents an absorbing, intriguing and, at times, amusing account of the social and economic life of the Dunbars over more than three hundred years, using unique messages from the past, never before made public. A fascinating insight into life in northern Scotland during centuries of change.

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Book SynopsisThe value of inventories in charting how houses were arranged, furnished and used is now widely appreciated. Typically, the listings and valuations were occasioned by the death of an owner and the consequent need to deal with testamentary dispositions. That was not always so. The inventory for Castlecomer House, Co. Kilkenny, for example, was drawn up to make a claim following the house's devastation in the 1798 uprising. Mostly hitherto unpublished, the inventories chosen give new-found insights into the lifestyle and taste of some of the foremost families of the day. Above stairs, the inventories show the evolving collecting habits and tastes of eighteenth-century patrons across Ireland and how the interiors of great town and country houses were arranged or responded to new materials and new ideas. The meticulous recording of the contents of the kitchen and scullery likewise sheds light on life below stairs. Itemized equipment required for the brewhouse, dairy, stables, garden and farmyard reflects the at times significant scale of the communities the houses supported and the remarkable degree of self-sufficiency at some of the demesnes. A comprehensive index facilitates access to the myriad items forming the inventories, while the books listed at three of the houses are tentatively identified in separate appendices. A foreword together with short preambles to the inventories set the households in their historical context. Illustrated with contemporary engravings of the houses and with portraits of the owners of the time, the inventories will appeal to country-house visitors, historians of interiors, patronage, collecting and material culture as well as to scholars, curators, collectors, creative designers, film directors, bibliographers, lexicographers and novelists. The eighteenth century is the period onto which the Knight of Glin directed his penetrating gaze as art historian. The book is dedicated to his memory.Trade Review'A box of geeky delights, certainly, but also a fabulous (one might even say indispensable) source for the scholarly study of the Irish country house . . .'-- Adrian Tinniswood, The Critic; "[T]his collection is a cornucopia of information, and while its primary audience will be scholars and curators, there is plenty to be gleaned from the listings for anyone interested in historic interiors'.-- C. Ridgway, Journal of the History of Collections; 'This is a beautiful production - elegantly laid out, printed and bound into a neat volume, with a fine dust jacket . . . It covers a fascinating subject, which brings us back in time and throws much light on how people lived.'-- Peter Pearson, Irish Arts Review; '[A]cross the span of some 120 years and 18 inventories it is possible to see how the decoration and design of affluent Irish households changed.'-- Robert O'Byrne, Apollo; '[The book] will be an invaluable and rich source of information for scholars and I know I will be using it on a regular basis.'-- James Rothwell, National Curator, Decorative Arts, National Trust; 'Historic household inventories recording the contents of rooms are an essential documentary tool for understanding the use and appearance of houses in the distant past. For anyone with a serious interest in Irish Georgian houses, this collection is an essential work of reference.'-- Kate Green, Country Life; 'All in all this is a model production which will be of permanent use to students of Irish houses, and indeed of those throughout Great Britain’.--Simon Swynfen Jervis, Furniture History Society NewsletterTable of ContentsAcknowledgements by Tessa Murdoch; Preface by Leslie Fitzpatrick; Foreword by Toby Barnard; The inventories: 1. Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford, 1702/3; 2. The Ormonde inventories: Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny,1705; 3. The Ormonde inventories: Dublin Castle, 1707; 4. The Ormonde inventories: Ormonde House, London, c. 1710; 5. Bishop's mansion house, Elphin, Co. Roscommon, 1740; 6. Captain Balfour's town house, auction sale, Dublin, 1741/2; 7. Hillsborough Castle, Co. Down, 1746 and 1777; 8. Kilrush House, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny, 1750; 9. No. 10 Henrietta Street, Dublin (Luke Gardiner's house), 1772; 10. Morristown Lattin, Co. Kildare, 1773; 11. Baronscourt, Co. Tyrone, 1782; 12. Castlecomer House, Co. Kilkenny, 1798; 13. Killadoon, Co. Kildare, 1807-29; 14. Shelton Abbey, near Arklow, Co. Wicklow, 1816; 15, Borris House, Co. Carlow, 1818; 16. Carton House, Co. Kildare, 1818; 17. Newbridge House, Co. Dublin, 1821; 18. Mount Stewart, Co. Down, 1821; Glossary; Appendix I: Buyers at Captain Balfour's town house sale 1741/2; Appendix II: Books in the second Duchess of Ormonde's closet at Kilkenny Castle, 1705; Appendix III: Index by author of books in the study at the bishop's mansion house, Elphin, County Roscommon, 1740; Appendix IV: Index by author of books listed at Newbridge House, County Dublin, 1821; List of inventory sources; List of plates; Bibliography; Index of personal names; General index

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Book SynopsisBristol's early days, politics, business, law and order, public protest, mines, plagues and public health and much more... Manson's Bristol Miscellany is the search for the soul of the city. Accessibly written the book contains an array of fascinating, enjoyable and sometimes shocking accounts of Bristol's past. It is extensively illustrated.

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Book SynopsisThere is no shortage of books on how to look after houseplants but no one has shown us how and when and why these plants came to be in our homes. Catherine Horwood’s combination of social history, plant history and the history of interior design explains why, as Flanders and Swann sung in the 1950s, ‘the garden’s full of furniture / and the house is full of plants.’ In this fascinating book we learned how potted plants are as much subject to fashion as pieces of furniture. For the Victorians, it was the aspidistra in the front parlour, the Edwardians loved a palm, and, for today’s millennials, no home is complete without the ubiquitous fiddle-leaf fig. This book show that there is little new when it comes to plants in the home. In the mid-18th century, Wedgwood created a market for special bulb pots and in the 1950s, some of Terence Conran’s earliest designs were for houseplant containers. Across the ages, the choice of potted plants has been influenced by the layout of houses, the levels of dirt and pollution and the equipment to hand. Now, with so much choice, we seem happy to treat houseplants as disposables. This book gives a better understanding of the miracles that were once achieved with indoor plant displays, inspired by Sir Hugh Platt’s 1608 vision of a garden ‘within doores’. This new edition has been revised with new material added to bring the history of the houseplant and its massive explosion in popularity right up to date.Trade Review"Before Instagram loved houseplants, Catherine was telling the story of them. Potted History is the essential tome for tracing the fascinating history of our obsession with indoor jungles. A must-read for any fan of bringing the outdoors in." -- Alice Vincent, author of Rootbound, Rewilding a Life"One of my favourite books on gardening. It's a story of potted plants from the bustle of Covent Garden in the 17th century to the Instagram age...Horwood's cleverness is to use the story to give wider insights into how we live, and indeed, how cities have changed over time." -- Christopher Woodward, Director, Garden Museum, London"Catherine Horwood... has found that rare thing: a genuinely new subject in interior design." -- Ros Byam Shaw * World of Interiors *"Dr Horwood’s remarkable research into the ‘flowerpot room; in Josiah Wedgwood’s Soho shop...There is also wonderful detail, too, on the Victorian obsession with indoor plants - all those ferneries and winter gardens." * Telegraph Gardening Books of the Year *"This book embarks on a journey through 400 years of changing fashions...well researched...and an enjoyable read." * The Professional Gardener *“A fascinating history of the houseplant that looks at how plants have been used inside the home through the centuries from as early as the 1600s…a thought-provoking read.” * Gardens Illustrated *“Anyone who is interested in houseplants will find this book fascinating. Anyone interested in social history will find this book equally impelling. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” * www.blackberrygarden.co.uk *"The author is a consummate garden historian with a talent for storytellling. This work reflects her considerable skill." -- The English Garden"Full of excellent detail and has taught me much." -- Financial Times * Robin Lane Fox *"Readers seeking an academic but accessible take on the relationship between houseplants and social history will enjoy this book." * Library Journal (US) *"Highly recommended." * The Horticulturist *"Writing with flair and just a bit of tongue in cheek...social historian and plant and garden enthusiast Horwood updates this book, first published in 2007, with renewed vigor." -- Booklist

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Book SynopsisErected in 1759 on the Eastern shore of Virginia, the remarkable Eyre Hall is still occupied by descendants of its builder, Littleton Eyre. Since construction, Eyre’s succeeding generations have acquired and preserved a rich variety of objects reflecting the tastes and aspirations of the many different families that lived there. Featuring extensively researched text from 22 contributors, this volume comprises four main sections that examine the historical, sociological, anthropological and architectural significance of the house, from the first generation through to the current owner, Furlong Baldwin. A catalogue raisonné of the material culture of Eyre Hall includes furniture, silver, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, books, musical instruments, bound sheet music, textiles and miscellaneous objects. This volume also presents two family trees—one of the Eyre family; the other of people who worked at the house in the early 20th century—and four major maps, alongside stunning new colour photography of the building, grounds and catalogue pieces.Trade Review"Some readers will see this book as a companion to The Chesapeake House, the magisterial account of early Tidewater architecture. It is that and more. With its focus on a single house and its remarkably preserved collection, it sets a new standard for scholarship on house museums, though its subject is a private home. Thanks to this beautiful book, Eyre Hall finally has the wider audience that it deserves. “—Jeffrey E. Klee, vice president and senior director of Architecture, Classical American Homes Preservation Trust; “The Material World of Eyre Hall goes far beyond chronicling four centuries at a well preserved private residence on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Baldwin and Lounsbury bring together a who’s who of American material-culture historians to offer a compelling portrait of life in the Chesapeake. The eloquent introduction and history of the Eyre family coupled with first-hand accounts of those who lived and worked at Eyre Hall provide a valuable context for understanding the extraordinary buildings, landscape, and household objects that survive to tell its story. “—Carol B. Cadou, Charles F. Montgomery Director and CEO, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library; “This work is a rare confluence of a historic place, objects, and people captivating readers with a compelling historical narrative that spans over 350 years. In addition to the remarkable objects passed down from one generation to the next, it is also a legacy that entwines landowners, enslaved people, freedmen, and servants. Their stories are here, too—and rightfully so. The richness found in these pages surpasses much of what we see and hear at public historic house museums and sites." —Christy S. Coleman, Executive Director, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments by Carl R. Lounsbury; A Note from Henry Furlong Baldwin; Foreword by J Thomas Savage; Eyreloom: An Introduction by Cary Carson; I The Changing Fortunes of the Eyre Family through Four Centuries: Chapter 1 Golden Quarter by Carl R. Lounsbury; Eyreville: Archaeology of the Late Seventeenth Century by Haley Hoffman; Chapter 2 Eyre Hall: Power House by Carl R. Lounsbury; Working the Land by Sam Florer; Chapter 3 The Bounty of Eyre Hall: From Working Plantation to Summer Retreat in the Long Nineteenth Century by Carl R. Lounsbury; Escaping Enslavement by Whaleboat, 1832 by Alexandra Rosenberg; Health Retreats and Pleasure Grounds by Robert Watkins; Hoofprints by Elizabeth Palms; Chapter 4 Eyre Hall in the Twentieth Century: “I’m Home” by George W. McDaniel; A Scrapbook of Recollections by Those Who Called Eyre Hall “Home” by George W. McDaniel; II Architecture: The Architecture of the House by Carl R. Lounsbury; Architectural Hardware by Edward A. Chappell; Wallpaper by Margaret Pritchard; Domestic Service Buildings by Carl R. Lounsbury; Home Farm by Carl R. Lounsbury; III Landscape: Garden and Grounds by Will Rieley; Green -house by Will Rieley; Graveyard by Carl R. Lounsbury; IV Catalogue: Furniture by Sumpter Priddy; Silver by Mark B. Letzer; Ceramics by Robert Hunter and Angelika R. Kuettner; Glass by Angelika R. Kuettner; Paintings by Laura Pass Barry; Maps by Katie McKinney; Prints by Katie McKinney; Books by Bennie Brown; Musical Instruments by John Watson; Sheet Music by Gary Stanton; Costume and Textiles by Neal T. Hurst; Ironwork and Arms by Erik Goldstein; Index; Photo credits.

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Book SynopsisThis book charts the journey of Black feminist researcher and artist Nydia Swaby in piecing together a biography of Amy Ashwood Garvey from her scattered archive and, in the process, offers a reflection on the future of Black feminist archival practice.

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Book Synopsis‘I tried to contact my own GP last week. I counted 19 redials and 20 minutes on hold before I was able to speak to a receptionist… only to be told that all the appointments for the day had gone. My experience echoes a familiar tale told up and down the country, but just why is it that you can’t see your GP anymore? This book provides some answers to that question…’ UK general practice has reached crisis point. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has placed a strain on an already crumbling primary care service, leaving both patients and NHS staff struggling. Seventy-five years after the NHS was created, Dr Ellen Welch lifts the curtain on general practice. She looks back on the history of the profession exploring how the job has changed– particularly since the pandemic – then ahead to what the future of general practice might look like. Why Can’t I See My GP features personal accounts from practicing GPs, including Dr Aman Amir, whose surgery was subject to an arson attack; GP leaders Dr David Wrigley, Dr Lizzie Toberty and Dr Paul Evans, alongside commentator Roy Lilley, and bereaved husband Chris Milligan. Those on the frontline try to answer the question: how did we get here? Is it better overseas? And what can be done to make things better for us all in the future? If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by the length of time it took to get a GP appointment, then this book is for you.Table of ContentsForeword Dr Amir Khan Acknowledgements Introduction Dr Ellen Welch Chapter 1 A brief history of NHS general practice Ellie Philpotts with Dr Ellen Welch – A brief history of NHS general practice Roy Lilley – Gone 16 Dr Eric Rose – The history of out-of-hours GP services Dr David Wrigley – NHS GPs aren’t private companies Chapter 2 How the role has changed Dr Christine Hunter with Dr Ellen Welch – Thirty years as a Cornish GP Dr Louise Hyde – The magic of general practice Dr Ayan Panja – Expert generalism – the power, the magic and the pitfalls Chapter 3 GPs and the pandemic Dr Neena Jha – Being a GP during the pandemic Dr Aman Amir – Rising levels of abuse towards GPs Chris Milligan – The personal toll of being a GP Dr Elizabeth Croton – GPs are not lazy, we’re working harder than ever Chapter 4 What does a GP do in today’s Britain? Dr Lizzie Toberty – On the pressures Dr Catriona McNicol – On home visits Dr Ellen Welch – On remote working Dr Paul Evans – On workload caps Dr Lizzie Toberty – On pay restoration Dr Zainab Batool – On the 10-minute consult Ron Templeton – What do the patients think? Chapter 5 Does it work better elsewhere? Dr Neil Barnard with Dr Ellen Welch – Anywhere is better than the NHS Dr Sarah Rushworth – From Merseyside to Nova Scotia Dr Robin Kåss – General practice in Norway Dr Lois Mugleston – General practice in New Zealand and the UK Dr Ellen Welch – The American system – fees at sea Chapter 6 The future of general practice Anonymous GP – Are allied healthcare professionals a solution to the GP crisis? Dr Ellen Welch – Are part-time GPs the problem? Over to you – Solutions to the GP crisis in a nutshell You and your GP Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) List of contributors Glossary Help for GPs Further reading Endnotes About the author

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Book SynopsisDr Surendranath Dasgupta''s in-depth work is mainly intended to provide a holistic exposition of Indian thought, based on original texts and commentaries. Occasionally, however, the author has discussed the views of other writers in the assessment of the chronology of facts.Years of dedicated study and painstaking collation of data yielded this phenomenal collection of all the strains of philosophic thought propagated by various schools and philosophers in India down the ages. Originally published in five volumes, theast being posthumous, A History of Indian Philosophy remains a seminal work for scholars and students alike.This edition presents the original work in three volumes for the first time, making it more accessible and easier to handle. Nothing of the original has been abridged or sacrificed to the book.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Bernard Chiang records the history of his family and their contributions to Singapore's community in the country's early years. The book traces his family history, which spans across the countries of Singapore, China and Thailand, and across more than half a century. Following different branches of the Chiang family tree, it delves into his paternal family's ancestral roots and their ancestral home in the ancient port township of Zhanglin in Chenghai district of Shantou Prefecture, China, his extended family in Thailand, and his maternal family and their culture.The history of Chia Keng Village and its development via local bottom-up grassroots efforts are also chronicled in this volume. Of particular interest are the family's efforts in developing the kampong spirit in Chia Keng Village, including initiatives such as free clinics for the needy, a fire-fighting unit, and even an amateur Teochew Opera troupe. Through this book, the legacy of the Chiang family and Chia Keng Village lives on. It captures in its pages important events in the history of Singapore from a grassroots perspective, such as Konfrontasi and the racial riots of the 1960s.

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Best Art Book of 2019Trade Review“What particularly interests Burman and Fennetaux is the way in which women of all classes have historically used these tie-on pockets as a supplementary body part to help them negotiate their way through a world that was not built to suit them”—Kathryn Hughes, Guardian"In this riveting book, the authors take advantage of the pockets' frequent survival in textile museums, private collections and family holdings across Britain, tracing their presence in art, literature, political satire, domestic organization and court records."—Roberta Smith, New York Times "Best Art Books of 2019"'The authors' careful research is enthralling . . . a very handsome illustrated book'—Libération'A fascinating book'—Le Monde"Occupying the hinterland between dress and underwear, the pocket has been discounted as rather too private and individual to yield universal truth, yet that is exactly what Burman and Fennetaux have done with this remarkable new study."—Selvedge“[T]his is not just a book about pockets as a material artefact, but a rich social and cultural history of women and their lives.”—Elizabeth Spencer, Cultural and Social History“From its very beginning, the book invites the readers to immerse themselves into the fascinating world of the pocket and cleverly presents stories of objects that illuminate a range of practices related to the daily life, whether in material,textual, or visual form.”—Alicia Mihalic, The Journal of Dress History“Beautifully designed and wonderfully illustrated…This kind of focused and revolutionary study opens a bright destiny for interdisciplinary research in the Humanities.”—Dr. Axel Moulinier, Kunst Chronik"Barbara Burman and Ariane Fennetaux demonstrate the riches to be found in a unique gendered accessory – the tie-on pocket. They illuminate centuries of British women’s history through their deep knowledge of material culture, showcasing women’s priorities and embodied experiences. Omnipresent, though often hidden, pockets evoked fashion and female virtues. Recovered histories of pockets, their embellishment and persistent usage, reveal vital features of women’s lives"– Professor Beverly Lemire, Henry Marshall Tory Chair at the University of Alberta"The extensive archival research and thoughtful analysis elevate the pocket beyond a utilitarian piece of clothing, illustrating — with great success — the ways in which the nuances and details of women's lived experiences can be expressed through material objects."—Charlotte Fletcher, University of Southampton in the Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies“The Pocket is a deft and adroit history of women’s lives as told through their clothing. It illuminates women’s lives in their richness and complexity, taking the reader as close to historical ‘experience’ as it is possible to be.”—Anna Parker, Review 31“The Pocket is an enlightening and engaging account of both the use of tie-on pockets and women’s material lives in the long eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and is to be highly commended.”—Rebecca Unsworth, Textile History [Journal]"Providing an exhaustive and compelling account of the pocket, the authors deliver on their intention, demonstrating the insight this small relic of dress history can give us into the lives of women who made, purchased, exchanged and wholeheartedly relished the pocket.”—Jessica Harpley, Journal of Design History

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Book Synopsis365 Gays of the Year is a celebration of Queer history told through one LGBTQ+ figure for each day of the year.Trade Review'A wonderful and fascinating tribute to the people who have changed our world.' * Matthew Todd, award-winning author of 'PRIDE: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement' and ex-editor of 'attitude' magazine. *'An invaluable book to read and to consult.' * Peter Ackroyd, author of 'London: The Biography' and 'Queer City: Gay London from the Romans to the Present Day' *'In 365 Gays of the Year, Lewis Laney provides a fascinating, whistlestop tour of LGBTQIA+ icons and allies from across the globe and throughout history. The range and breadth of the people included goes far beyond previous similar compilations, with many lesser known (yet just as important) queer people featured alongside bigger, more well-known names. Laney has curated the book in a calendar style format that enables you to read one person each day or to dip in and out as you please. The book, published by White Lion, is well-researched and packed full of people, history and ideas that sit alongside Charlotte Macmillan-Scott's colourful illustrations. This will be a great LGBTQIA+ reference book for years to come.' * Peter Tatchell - Human Rights Campaigner *"This book is perfect for sitting out and letting people stroll through to get a little insight into the people that helped shape the community a little bit at a time or in a couple longer sessions. If you have the chance you should pick up for yourself or a gift for someone in the community." * PaperPhoenixInk.com *"Overall, it’s a fun book that would make a perfect gift for the LGBTQIA reader or history buff in your life. Or for someone young or new to the community or who might have just come out, this book serves as proof that the LGBTQIA community has played an integral part in our society for a very long time. From movies and TV shows, to music and pop culture, to politics and activism, Lewis Laney’s book covers it all." * Capote Book Review *

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Book SynopsisA fascinating social history of the guitar, reasserting its long-forgotten importance in Romantic EnglandTrade Review“It was puzzling that the guitar’s rich history during that period had been so largely neglected in scholarly research. Page’s new book not only fills this gap admirably...but also adds a novel dimension to the discussion of the guitar by investigating its multifaceted impact within the sociocultural and intellectual context of a revolutionary era...The Guitar in Georgian England will certainly inspire and shape future studies of the guitar.”—Panagiotis Poulopoulos, Galpin Society Journal “Page touches on many factors that impact on the life story of a musical instrument, and presents a social and musical history that will be of interest and use to readers well beyond the sphere of musicology.”—Jenny Nex, Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies

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Book SynopsisFrom insidious murder weapons to blaze-igniting crinolines, clothing has been the cause of death, disease and madness throughout history, by accident and design. Clothing is designed to protect, shield and comfort us, yet lurking amongst seemingly innocuous garments we find hats laced with mercury, frocks laden with arsenic and literally drop-dead gorgeous' gowns. Fabulously gory and gruesome, Fashion Victims takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the lethal history of women's, men's and children's dress, in myth and reality. Drawing upon surviving fashion objects and numerous visual and textual sources, encompassing louse-ridden military uniforms, accounts of the fiery deaths of Oscar Wilde's half-sisters and dancer Isadora Duncan's accidental strangulation by her long, fringed scarf; the book explores how garments have tormented those who made and wore them, and harmed animals and the environment in the process. Vividly chronicling evidence from Greek mytTrade ReviewDavid offers up gruesome examples that lend weight to a compelling, but never hectoring, polemic. In its own understated way, Fashion Victims provides an excoriating critique of early industrial capitalism. And it makes for a gripping (if sometimes meandering) read, often fascinatingly queer and curious ... This is an earnest and important book, generously illustrated and full of interest, retrieving heart-sinking horror from the historical record, and signposting a future that remains immensely troubling. -- Shahidha Bari * Times Higher Education *An innovative take on "killer style" ... Fascinatingly macabre. * Financial Times *Carefully researched and beautifully illustrated. * Daily Mail (Book of the Week) *[A] brilliantly illustrated and fascinating book. * Scotland on Sunday (Spectrum) *The book's breezy narrative and lavish design make it a delight for any reader ... With its shocking revelations and entertaining stories, all illustrated in glorious Technicolor, Fashion Victims is a history to die for. * Literary Review *Alison Matthews David has brass-tackled the subject [of fashion victims] … [She has] shown in gruesome detail many fashions that did — and still could — hasten their wearers to an untimely death. * The Spectator *Fashion Victims is certainly an eye-opener ... Readers will no doubt ... appreciate the images and historic prints included in this handsome and well-researched book. * The Artist's Chronicle *Meticulously researched and referenced, filled with interesting historical facts and anecdotes, Dr. Alison Matthews David narrates this dark journey through clothing with authority and precision that is light and joyful to read. Fantastic frock pictures and gruesome medical illustrations along with paintings, photographs and fashion plates help to bring the story alive. * ADDRESS: Journal for Fashion Criticism *Fashion Victims is a compelling and thought–provoking book with a great selection of illustrations. Matthews David has succeeded in creating an accessible academic text and important historical work, which dress historians will find invaluable. * The Journal of Dress History *[A] beautifully illustrated, accessible and highly thoughtful study. * History Today *Combining narrative verve with a brilliant selection of pictures, Fashion Victims is both an engaging read and a ‘useable history’. Meticulously researched, it wears its academic credentials lightly, and the story it tells is at once entertaining and startling. Fashion history will never seem quite the same again. * Caroline Evans, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK *No book explores fashion as a seductive pleasure that kills like Alison Matthews David’s Fashion Victims. With contaminated cloth, mercury-laden fur and toxic dyestuffs, poisoned fashion silently claims its victims - makers and wearers. This panoramic work outlines the hazardous substances used in fashion, both past and present. * Tanya Williams Wetenhall, The George Washington University, USA *In this provocative and beautifully-illustrated volume, Alison Matthews David spans past and present, producers and consumers, Europe and the United States, to explore the many ways that fashionable clothing and accessories harmed and sometimes killed. A fascinating read and essential backdrop to concerns about today’s globalized textile and garment production. * Clare H. Crowston, University of Illinois, USA *A highly engaging and thought-provoking book. Informative, entertaining and unsettling, Fashion Victims is a history of death by dress for fashionistas and scholars alike. Read it! * Susan J. Vincent, University of York, UK *Alison Matthews David’s Fashion Victims: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present examines fashion’s fearful past, when crinolines were a serious fire hazard (Oscar Wilde’s half-sisters found out the hard way) and the aniline dye in eyelash and eyebrow tinting was blinding style-savvy users. -- Alison Nastasi * Flavorwire *Fashion Victims: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present is not only a smartly written, in-depth and deeply interesting book, it is also an important work of historical research and sobering account of some of the very real, very deadly dangers that have lurked - and continue, in certain cases, to reside - in our closets and places of clothing manufacturing alike. * Chronically Vintage *Fashion historian David (Ryerson Univ., Toronto) examines how clothing caused death, disease, and madness during the 19th and early 20th centuries in France and North America, transmitting contagious diseases, emitting chemical toxins, and catching fire… compelling and sometimes disturbing … does make a case for reexamining our fashion consumption in the 21st century and how that consumption hurts the environment and people, especially those in developing countries where most apparel is now produced. * Library Journal *Focusing on the mid-1700s to the 1930s, the book is an astonishing and sometimes gory account of the ways in which clothing has killed, either by accident, by design, or through treacherous manufacturing conditions. This dark history is presented alongside a series of illustrations from the era, which show just how dangerous dressing could be. * Atlas Obscura *In gruesome and fascinating terms, Matthews David focuses on the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, recounting ways people have literally died for fashion, from clothing that harbored germs or caught fire easily to poisonous arsenic in green dyes and mercury in fur hats. The conclusion draws parallels to the dangers of fast fashion, with its sweatshops and toxic industrial manufacturing processes. * Library Journal *David’s publication begs that we collectively examine the lengths we will go to for personal style … David probes this idea, noting that fashion has long been a marker of social status as well as moral compass, two things that were taken very seriously in times like the 19th century. Even today this still rings true, as we still make judgments about a person’s values based on their clothing choice, and luxury clothing and labels still act as a status signifier to separate us. Though we have moved past the times of arsenic imbued garments and lethal dyes, David also notes the deadly dangers of the creation of fashion of today. Workers in unsafe conditions with little other options but to take jobs working long hours doing the same thing day-in and day-out, with disastrous long-term effects, are not looked over by David. * Visionaire *Laden with colorful pictures, artwork, articles, newspaper clippings, and ads, Fashion Victims puts it all on the table in its artful and intelligent layout … the book is excellent for history enthusiasts and a must-have for anyone with an interest in fashion. * Please Pass the Books *We think of drop dead gorgeous clothes as deadly only for our wallets. But they can kill. And have … From hats laced in mercury to entangled scarves and easily inflammable fabric Matthews-David reveals the darkest side of fashion … Half-terrifying, half-fascinating, Fashion Victims is an eye-opener … beautifully illustrated too. * Beautiful with Brains, “4 New Fashion Books Every Fashionista Should Read This Fall” *The graphic design is impeccable ... Filled with colorful images, references to all collections, documents and works consulted, it is clear that the research has received well-deserved treatment from its editors. (Bloomsbury translation) * História: Questões & Debates *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Death by Fashion in Fact and Fiction 1. Diseased Dress: Germ Warfare 2. Toxic Techniques: Mercurial Hats 3. Poisonous Pigments: Arsenical Greens 4. Dangerous Dyes: A Pretty, Deadly Rainbow 5. Entangled and Strangled: Caught in the Machine 6. Inflammatory Fabrics: Flaming Tutus and Combustible Crinolines 7. Explosive Fakes: Plastic Combs and Artificial Silk Conclusion: The Afterlife of Fashion Victims Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn illuminating work revealing the long history of xenophobia—and what it means for today’s divided worldTrade Review“Makari . . . tells a compelling story of racial and ethnic animosity.”—Wall Street Journal“We may be inclined to believe that xenophobia is embedded in the human DNA—that it has existed since the dawn of human life. But psychiatrist and author George Makari . . . argues that xenophobia is a recent concept. As a social construct, xenophobia is a product of the modern era, arising under the conditions of intercultural mixing that have marked globalization. Makari traces the term from its first appearance in print to the ways it has been deployed in recent years, particularly since global social upheavals such as the fall of the Soviet Union, the economic crisis of 2008, and the mass displacement of refugees due to war and conflict.”—Washington Post“Riveting. . . . Makari brings an impressive range of reading to bear, wearing his learning lightly. . . . All the material is enthralling.”—New York Times Editor’s Choice“This important study by psychiatrist and historian Makari does not pull its punches.”—Martin Chilton, The Independent“An eloquent and monumental study of the fears that drive hatred, prejudice, violence and war…essential reading to understand the roots and realities of modern xenophobia and how to combat it.”—Mike Davis, The Chartist“Drawing on philosophy, psychology, sociology, and other disciplines, George Makari’s beautiful writing delivers a strikingly original history using words and phrases as clues to be examined: xenophobia, stranger-anxiety, fear of others, and so on. A sheer delight to read, this book is a gift for all.”—Zia Haider Rahman, author of In the Light of What We Know“George Makari shows that xenophobia is as relevant today as it was when this word first originated, and that so much of our hatred is often rooted in fear of outsiders, this notion of inside and outside groups that we create. As we see a rise of identity politics across the world, it becomes imperative to understand this fear, how political discourses and agendas feed into it, and what we can do about it. This insightful, timely and cogently argued book puts current global politics into perspective.”—Pragya Agarwal, author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias “With elegance and passionate conviction, George Makari deconstructs one of the ugliest problems of our time: a fear and hatred of strangers, foreigners, anyone perceived to place his loyalties with another group. With penetrating insight, he reveals the history of a grave weakness that is one of the wildest threats against coherent democracy and human kindness.”—Andrew Solomon, former president of PEN, and author of Far from the Tree“[With] astonishing range and lucid erudition, George Makari has again given us an intellectual history that illustrates how little we know about the ideas that animate and rule our world.”—Anthony Walton, author of Mississippi: An American Journey

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Book SynopsisAt a time when that 1960s notion of air travel as decadent and exceptional is experiencing an unexpected revival, this book ... could be the G&T in a plastic glass you need.' The SpectatorTravel writer Julia Cooke's exhilarating portrait of Pan Am stewardesses in the Mad Men era.Come Fly the World tells the story of the stewardesses who served on the iconic Pan American Airways between 1966 and 1975 - and of the unseen diplomatic role they played on the world stage.Alongside the glamour was real danger, as they flew soldiers to and from Vietnam and staffed Operation Babylift - the dramatic evacuation of 2,000 children during the fall of Saigon. Cooke's storytelling weaves together the true stories of women like Lynne Totten, a science major who decided life in a lab was not for her, to Hazel Bowie, one of the relatively few African American stewardesses of the era, as they embraced the liberation of a jet-set life.In the process, Cooke shows how the sexualized coffee-tea-or-me stereotype was at odds with the importance of what they did, and with the freedom, power and sisterhood they achieved.Trade ReviewJulia Cooke's entertaining, sexism-skewering history shows how female flight attendants were also flag-flying diplomats' * Financial Times *Cooke is good on the way an industry with rigid, deep-rooted notions about female service, looks and behaviour became a ticket to unparalleled independence . At a time when that 1960s notion of air travel as decadent and exceptional is experiencing an unexpected revival, this book . could be the G&T in a plastic glass you need.' * The Spectator *

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Book SynopsisIt was still dark when Mr Miller opened the gates of the old zoo, but he wasn''t scared because he wasn''t alone. He was with Jessie the elephant and together they were going to walk from Moore Park, through the city streets, to the ferry at Fort Macquarie. Jessie was moving to her spacious new home in the soon-to-be-opened Taronga Zoological Park.Jessie''s surprising journey was unlike any other and it brought a little warmth to the city on that brisk September morning in 1916.The incredible true story of Jessie the elephant from the bestselling author of Anzac Girl: The War Diaries of Alice Ross-King and the highly acclaimed illustrator of Anzac Biscuits.

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Book SynopsisA luxury facsimile edition of Bradshaw’s Handbook of 1863, the book that inspired the BBC television series ‘Great British Railway Journeys’. The original Bradshaw's guides had been well known to Victorian travellers and were produced when the British railway network was at its peak and as tourism by rail became essential. It was the first national tourist guide specifically organised around railway journeys, and this luxuryleatherbound facsimile edition is a true collector’s item, offering a glimpse through the carriage window at a Britain long past.

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding a people and their culture through code words and language.

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Book SynopsisHugely readable and entertaining' JIM AL-KHALILIAn accessible and crystal-clear portrait of this discipline's breadth, largely told through its history' PHIL BALL, PHYSICS WORLDEinstein's Fridge tells the story of how scientists uncovered the least known and yet most consequential of all the sciences, and learned to harness the power of heat and ice.The laws of thermodynamics govern everything from the behaviour of atoms to that of living cells, from the engines that power our world to the black hole at the centre of our galaxy. Not only that, but thermodynamics explains why we must eat and breathe, how the lights come on, and ultimately how the universe will end. The people who decoded its laws came from every branch of the sciences they were engineers, physicists, chemists, biologists, cosmologists and mathematicians.Their discoveries, set over two hundred years, kick-started the industrial revolution, changed the course of world wars and informed modern understanding of black holesTrade Review‘Sen knows how to grab the attention of an audience … [An] elegantly written and engaging book … It’s a measure of Sen’s achievement that by combining science, history, and biography he takes us on a successful tour through thermodynamics.’ Manjit Kumar, Financial Times ‘When you combine some of the most profound concepts in physics with exceptional storytelling, this is what you get: popular science writing at its very best. Einstein’s Fridge is a hugely readable and entertaining history of thermodynamics and how it has created and shaped our world.’ Jim Al-Khalili, author of The World According to Physics ‘Makes a strong case that thermodynamics is every bit as lively as those other fields – and vastly more useful for understanding what makes the universe tick … Thermodynamics does not bow to other fields; other fields bow to it.’ Sam Kean, Wall Street Journal ‘Superb … Einstein’s Fridge offers an accessible and crystal-clear portrait of this discipline’s breadth … [The book] wanders widely while never losing its connection to the central theme … Splendid’ Phil Ball, Physics World ‘Although thermodynamics has been studied for hundreds of years, film-maker Sen writes, few nonscientists appreciate how its principles have shaped the modern world.’ Scientific American ‘Sen makes a convincing case for the importance of thermodynamics in his impressive debut … He accomplishes all of this with splendid prose, making ample use of analogies to explain complex scientific ideas. Sen’s history of hot and cold is pop-science that hits the mark.’ Publisher’s Weekly ‘This entertaining, eye-opening account of how the laws of thermodynamics are essential to understanding the world today – from refrigeration and jet engines to calorie counting and global warming – is a lesson in how to do popular science right.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Sen performs an exquisite examination of an ostensibly simple distinction, the difference between hot and cold.’ Booklist

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Book SynopsisIn 1498 a young captain sailed from Portugal, circumnavigated Africa, crossed the Indian Ocean, and discovered the sea route to the Indies, opening up access to the fabled wealth of the East. It was the longest voyage known to history; the ships were pushed to their limits, their crews were racked by storms and devastated by disease. However, the greatest enemy was neither nature nor the fear of venturing into unknown worlds. With blood-red Crusader crosses emblazoned on their sails, the explorers arrived in the heart of the Muslim East at a time when the old hostilities between Christianity and Islam had intensified. In two voyages that spanned six years, Vasco da Gama would fight a running sea battle that would ultimately change the fate of three continents. The Last Crusade is an epic tale of spies, intrigue, and treachery; of bravado, brinkmanship, and confused - often comical collisions - between cultures encountering one another for the first time. With the world once again tipping back East, The Last Crusade offers a key to understanding age-old religious and cultural rivalries resurgent today.Trade ReviewA stirringly epic book...Gama's incident-rich voyage [is a] thrilling narrative * Sunday Times *This excellent book tells the story [of Vasco da Gama] with the swagger and excitement it deserves * Spectator *Lively and ambitious... Cliff has a novelist's gift for depicting character... He brings sixteenth-century Portugal in all its splendor and squalor pungently to life * New York Times, 'Notable Books of the Year' 2011 *

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Book SynopsisUsing wide-ranging evidence, Martyn Whittock shines a light on Britain in the Middle Ages, bringing it vividly to life in this fascinating new portrait that brings together the everyday and the extraordinary.Thus we glimpse 11th-century rural society through a conversation between a ploughman and his master.The life of Dick Whittington illuminates the rise of the urban elite. The stories of Roger 'the Raker' who drowned in his own sewage, a 'merman' imprisoned in Orford Castle and the sufferings of the Jews of Bristol reveal the extraordinary diversity of medieval society. Through these characters and events - and using the latest discoveries and research - the dynamic and engaging panorama of medieval England is revealed.

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Book SynopsisThe Inuit have experienced colonization and the resulting disregard for the societal systems, beliefs and support structures foundational to Inuit culture for generations. While much research has articulated the impacts of colonization and recognized that Indigenous cultures and worldviews are central to the well-being of Indigenous peoples and communities, little work has been done to preserve Inuit culture. Unfortunately, most people have a very limited understanding of Inuit culture, and often apply only a few trappings of culture - past practices, artifacts and catchwords -to projects to justify cultural relevance.Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit - meaning all the extensive knowledge and experience passed from generation to generation - is a collection of contributions by well- known and respected Inuit Elders. The book functions as a way of preserving important knowledge and tradition, contextualizing that knowledge within Canada's colonial legacy and providing an Inuit perspective on how we relate to each other, to other living beings and the environment.

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Book SynopsisSince its publication in 1925, The Great Gatsby has become one of the world's best-loved books. Careless People tells the true story behind F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, exploring in newly rich detail its relation to the extravagant, scandalous, and chaotic world in which the author lived.With wit and insight, Sarah Churchwell traces the genesis of a masterpiece, mapping where fiction comes from, and how it takes shape in the mind of a genius. Careless People tells the extraordinary tale of how F. Scott Fitzgerald created a classic and in the process discovered modern America.Trade Review[Sarah Churchwell] tells the story crisply and intelligently, judiciously deploying Fitzgerald's eminently quotable literary remains, and also Zelda's, which are often even better, in a sprightly, enjoyable and slightly strange book: part "biography" of the novel, part sketch of the roaring 1920s, part brief account of the second half of Fitzgerald's life. Churchwell is perceptive and well-informed * Guardian *A perfect book to read alongside The Great Gatsby. Excellent -- William Leith * Evening Standard *This book has as much spirit as gin fizz cocktails * Lady *A treasury of new material. Churchwell adds considerably to our understanding of the early 1920s, and how life for Fitzgerald played into the development of his art . . . Engaging deeply with the facts on the ground, the richly chaotic matrix that was Fitzgerald's life, Sarah Churchwell's Careless People takes us back there -- Jay Parini * Literary Review *A suggestive, almost musical evocation of the spirit of the time -- Thomas Powers * London Review of Books *The wonder of Careless People . . . is that it rewinds the years and allows the reader to appreciate again just how well Fitzgerald reflected his times - Book of the Week -- Nicholas Blincoe * Sunday Telegraph *Investigates subject after subject with subtle intelligence . . . you find yourself caught up in the excitement of her search - Book of the Week -- John Carey * Sunday Times *A literary spree, bursting with recherché detail, high spirits and the desperate frisson of the jazz age -- Robert McCrum * Observer *

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Book SynopsisIn 1872, a woman known only as 'An Ernest Englishwoman' published an open letter entitled 'Are women animals?', in which she protested the fact that women were not treated as fully human. In reality, their status was worse than that of animals: regulations prohibiting cruelty against dogs, horses and cattle were significantly more punitive than laws against cruelty to women. What does it mean to be 'human' rather than 'animal'? If the Ernest Englishwoman had turned her gaze to the previous century, her critique could equally have applied to slaves. In her time and beyond, the debate around human status involved questions of language, facial physiology, and vegetarianism. If she had been capable of looking 100 years into the future, she might have wondered about chimeras, created by transplanting animal fluids and organs into human bodies, or the ethics of stem cell research. In this meticulously researched, wide-ranging and illuminating book, Joanna Bourke explores the legacy of more than two centuries, and looks forward to what the future might hold for humans and animals.Trade ReviewBourke's critique of the concept of human rights opens an important debate on a complacent ideal -- Philip Ball * Observer *Provocative, exhilarating . . . Bourke's intelligence is sharp, her language lively, and the cultural images striking -- Iain Finlayson * The Times *What it Means to be Human ingeniously subverts assumptions of a clear-cut notion of "humanity". Bourke successfully undermines any complacency about absolute distinctions . . . Bourke deserves congratulations for bravely going where many historians would fear to tread. She also deserves many readers prepared to engage critically with the important issues raised by her quest to deconstruct "being human" -- Sheila Rowbotham * Times Higher Education Supplement *

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Book SynopsisCheese puffs. Coffee. Sunscreen. Vapes. George Zaidan reveals what will kill you, what won't, and why-explained with high-octane hilarity, hysterical hijinks, and other things that don't begin with the letter H.Trade Review'If you crossed Bill Nye with Stephen Colbert, you'd get George Zaidan. Ingredients is a masterful piece of science writing' Daniel H. Pink, author of When and Drive'If you ever thought that chemistry might be really interesting (it is), but your eyes glazed over in high school chem class, this is the book for you. George Zaidan will keep you laughing out loud as he shares the wonders of our most useful, practical science, with brilliant analogies that even an 11-year old can understand' Daniel J. Levitin, author of Successful Aging and This is Your Brain on Music'I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that food is very important, and yet we are terrible at talking about it. Nutrition is a mess of marketing, classism, science, truth, guilt, confusion, and outright hucksterism. Ingredients lifts the film from our eyes with humour and reassurance' Hank Green, author of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing'At last, a book on nutrition that tries to make you understand how little we know instead of offering blanket prognostications. If instead of a simple solution, you want a guide to how to think about health, this is it' Zach and Kelly Weinersmith, New York Times bestselling authors of Soonish'If you are looking for a guide in understanding the everyday chemistry of our lives, you could not do better than George Zaidan. And his book, Ingredients, is everything that should lead you to expect: funny, edgy, fascinating, dismaying, reassuring, and overall, just incredibly smart' Deborah Blum, Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Poison Squad'By all means, pick up George Zaidan's high-octane Ingredients if you want to know more about Cheetos, sunscreen, butter substitutes, and other fascinating bits of everyday chemistry. But above all, you should buy Ingredients because it teaches you how to think better—like a smart, informed, and wickedly funny scientist' Sam Kean, author of The Disappearing Spoon and The Bastard Brigade'Omfg this book is FABULOUS! It's hilarious, insightful, sassy, and reassuring. A delightful roller-coaster of science communication' Kallie Moore, Co-host of PBS Eons'George Zaidan’s mix of razor-sharp wit and pin-point accuracy are rarer in science than a T-Rex performing nuclear fusion. Ingredients has the answers to age-old questions—how many Oreos is too many Oreos?—and many more you never thought to ask. Like an optometrist performing stand-up, Zaidan is eye-opening and hilarious' Daniel Stone, author of The Food Explorer'Everything in our lives is made of chemicals. But unfortunately very few of us are chemists. Ingredients is a road map for navigating the confusing polysyllabic world we find in product labels and in viral news stories. Zaidan’s blend of humor and science will not only make you a better-informed consumer of all things chemical. Ingredients will also make you appreciate the chemistry that makes our world possible' Joe Hanson, creator, writer and host of It's Okay to Be Smart'Through incredibly weird and wonderful analogies (and delightfully nerdy wit), George helps you understand how scientists work toward the truth. I wish he'd rewrite all of my high school science textbooks!' Emily Calandrelli, author of the Ada Lace Adventures'Ingredients is a friendly introduction to the chemistry behind our health, but it's also a compelling portrait of how science is conducted and knowledge is built. Turns out, Cheetos and the scientific method have something in common: there's a lot going on, and not everyone knows what. George does a masterful job of showing where chemistry can answer questions about our health and environment, and where it—as well science in general—is lead by politics, culture and even *gasp* opinion' Mike Rugnetta, host of Idea Channel'When I taught a writing intensive course for nutrition and food science seniors, the main objectives were how to read scientific papers critically and how to argue effectively in print. I thought several times while reading this book that, rather than using peer-reviewed papers, I wish I could have had this book for my students. Pick any argument George makes and tell me, with references, why you agree or disagree. They probably would have learned more that way and certainly would have enjoyed their reading more' David Klurfeld, former Professor and Chair of Nutrition and Food Science at Wayne State University'Ingredients has all the ingredients I’m looking for in a science book: it’s chock full of interesting information, it reveals the science behind an everyday subject—and it’s written in a breezy, easy-to-understand voice—and it’s funny! I can’t recommend it enough' Brian Malow, Science comedian

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding how Covid-19 started is more important than we know for the future of humankind.Determining whether thevirus came from nature or from a lab will help us to safeguard against the next pandemic.This disease will forever punctuate modern history. It has led to the deaths of millions, sickened hundreds of millions and affected the lives of almost every person on the planet. We now know that Covid is here to stay.Genetic engineering expert Dr Alina Chan and renowned science writer Matt Ridley examine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, using their formidable skills to scrutinise arguments and rigorously analyse the sprawling data.Viralis a fascinating account that takes in pangolins, horseshoe bats, internet sleuths and misleading scientificpapers. It details the evidence and investigates hypotheses for the virus origin, chief among them a potential laboratory leak or a natural spillover.Science has made great strides over the last decades. Chan and Trade Review‘The result is a viral whodunnit that is sure to appeal to armchair detectives’ Mark Honigsbaum, the Observer ‘The book collates a series of circumstantial but damning points in favour of the lab-leak hypothesis. It opens with a cloak-and-dagger scene of a BBC reporter trying to reach a mine in Mojiang, a rural area in southwest China… The book has dozens of tantalising facts … The book, fairly, does not conclude that the lab leak hypothesis is definitely true, merely that it is highly possible, and I agree… I hope the questions that Chan and Ridley raise are answered more fully, one way or another’ Tom Chivers, The Times Praise for Dr Alina Chan: ‘Both journalists and armchair detectives interested in the mystery of the coronavirus were discovering Chan as a kind of Holmes to our Watson. She crunched information at twice our speed, zeroing in on small details we’d overlooked, and became a go-to for anyone looking for spin-free explications of the latest science on Covid-19’ Rowan Jacobsen, Boston Magazine ‘Here was an actual scientist at America’s biggest gene centre who was explaining why the official story might be wrong’ Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology Review Praise for Matt Ridley: ‘What a superb writer he is, and he seems to get better and better' Richard Dawkins ‘[Genome is] a dazzling work of popular science, offering clarity and inspiration’ Guardian ‘[How Innovation Works] ranges from the truly profound to the merely fascinating’ Steven Pinker

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Book SynopsisThis powerful photography collection, drawn from the celebrated National Geographic archive, reveals the lives of women from around the globe, accompanied by revelatory new interviews and portraits of contemporary trailblazers including Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Christiane Amanpour.#MeToo. #GirlBoss. Time''s Up. From Silicon Valley to politics and beyond, women are reshaping our world. Now, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, this bold and inspiring book from National Geographic mines 130 years of photography to showcase their past, their present, and their future. With 400+ stunning images from more than 50 countries, each page of this glorious book offers compelling testimony about what it means to be female, from historic suffragettes to the haunting, green-eyed Afghan girl. Organized around chapter themes like grit, love, and joy, the book features brand-new commentary from a wide swath of luminaries including Laura Bush, GloriaTrade Review“My initial expectation was that I would read through this book and see famous women spanning time and the globe. In reality, I saw the average woman spanning time and the globe. Some images I recognized from National Geographic, mostly they were new to me and drew me in. These images are exquisite and the layout was perfect. The images depict women in different stages of their lives, the compilation of images and interviews comes across as inspiring and powerful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐” –Instagram: @crystals_library “…a brilliant look at women around the world, across the ages, in photos taken by the most creative photographers. It's a book to savor, and each time you open it up, you see something new that captures your attention.” –Bookchickdi “I’ve never met a National Geographic book I didn’t like, and this one is no different. This collection of stunning photography also includes interviews with many of the influential women pictured. In one word: BEAUTIFUL!” –Literary Quicksand “It's just an amazing collection of images and stories, it's inspirational from the first to the last page, every step of the way.” –Stranded in Chaos “It is so special, memorable, and inspiring, and my adjectives don’t express well enough all the feelings this book induces. The photographs are as stunning as you expect from National Geographic. There are also interviews that will take your breath away. Varied cultures are represented, including some of the iconic photos you may have seen before in Nat Geo’s vast collection. I am completely smitten and overwhelmed with and by this book.” –Jennifer – Tar Heel Reader “This collection provides a unique perspective on history by displaying herstory in raw and vivid detail, in a way only photographs can. You get the privilege of seeing a split second in the lives of these women, but the photos evoke much more than a mere sliver of their stories. The power of these pictures is in the resonating quality. The way they linger inside your brain until you begin to imagine the things that came before and after they were taken.” –Amy’s Book-et List “There are photographs that made me smile and those that made me catch my breath and made me tear up and feel strong emotion. From the fanciful to the gritty, all aspects of women are captured.” –Kahakai Kitchen Oh my, gorgeousness!...beyond stunning. I fell in so deep with this beautiful tome chock full of images of women from all over the world. These photographs captured so much emotion, history, and livelihood - they were brilliant.” –A Bookish Way of Life “It’s a celebration and a gorgeous book to spend time reading through slowly, well worth checking out.” –Instagram: @sixminutesforme

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