Society and culture: general Books

Book SynopsisCurrently in Bill Gates's bookbag and FT Books of 2018 Increasingly, the demands of identity direct the world's politics. Nation, religion, sect, race, ethnicity, gender: these categories have overtaken broader, inclusive ideas of who we are. We have built walls rather than bridges. The result: increasing in anti-immigrant sentiment, rioting on college campuses, and the return of open white supremacy to our politics. In 2014, Francis Fukuyama wrote that American and global institutions were in a state of decay, as the state was captured by powerful interest groups. Two years later, his predictions were borne out by the rise to power of a series of political outsiders whose economic nationalism and authoritarian tendencies threatens to destabilise the entire international order. These populist nationalists seek direct charismatic connection to 'the people', who are usually defined in narrow identity terms that offer an irresistible call to an in-group and exclude large parts of the population as a whole. Identity is an urgent and necessary book: a sharp warning that unless we forge a universal understanding of human dignity, we will doom ourselves to continual conflict.Trade ReviewAs wise as it is compact, travelling at great speed through difficult terrain to a sensible conclusion. -- Daniel Finkelstein * Times *As a primer on the big political shift of our times, and an explainer of how we got here, this is not a book to pass by -- Andrew Marr * Sunday Times *Sweeping and ambitious -- Nesrine Malik * Prospect *A useful primer on an important subject -- David Goodhart * Literary Review *Praise for Origins of Political Order: 'Fukuyama remains as prominent as ever' * Financial Times *Praise for The Origins of Political Order: It should be read by every democrat - and every dictator. -- Dominic LawsonFukuyama writes clear prose and is a pleasure to read. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThis series supports teachers and students of Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives and Research (9239) for examination from 2023. Developing transferable skills in the classroom is key to unlocking a wide variety of versatile careers, progressing at higher education and building resilience for the future. With this coursebook, learners explore the Global Perspectives Critical Pathway, advancing their 21st century skills such as research, reasoning, thinking and communication. There is also a strong focus on essay writing skills, time management, and forming research questions.

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining, beautifully illustrated exploration of 100 plants that shaped history, culture, and technology full of surprising stories about humanity's extraordinary bond with the plant kingdom.

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Book SynopsisPart confessional memoir, part vital guide, No Lost Causes Club is a compassionate exploration of what navigating sobriety looks like in our modern world, from the author behind the popular Instagram account @brutalrecovery.

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Book Synopsis''A landmark new book.'' - The GuardianAge of Discovery looks at the world on the brink of a new Renaissance and asks the question, how do we avoid chaos and disruption, and share more widely the benefits of progress?Now is humanity's best moment. And our most fragile. Global health, wealth and education are booming. Scientific discovery is flourishing. But the same forces that make big gains possible for some of us deliver big losses to othersand tangle us together in ways that make everyone vulnerable.We've been here before. The first Renaissance, the time of Columbus, Copernicus, Gutenberg and others, redrew all maps of the world, liberated information and shifted Western civilization from the medieval to the early modern era. Such change came at a price: social division, political extremism, economic shocks, pandemics and other unintended consequences of human endeavour.Now is our second Renaissance. In the face Trade ReviewA landmark new book. -- The GuardianA bold mega-analysis of global education, health, prosperity and technology...incisive and rich in context and granularity. -- NatureAn essential guide - and a superb ride - through our current stormy moment. -- Arianna Huffington * Editor-in-Chief, Huffington Post *A powerful journey…This book will help the world. -- Richard Branson * Founder, Virgin Group *Everyone should read it. -- Michael Spence * Nobel Laureate in Economics *Ian and Chris ask—and answer—the big, essential questions…We should thank them for their audacity. -- Christine Lagarde * Managing Director, International Monetary Fund *This fascinating book…should interest all who care about the future of humanity. -- Lord Martin Rees * Astronomer Royal & past President of the Royal Society *A much-needed dose of perspective in our increasingly short-term-focused world. -- Dominic Barton * Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Co *Essential reading to navigate the waves of innovation we face today. -- Garry Kasparov * 13th World Chess Champion *A call to action we all need to hear. -- Kumi Naidoo * International Executive Director, Greenpeace *An education and a great read in one. -- AC Grayling * Philosopher *Outstanding insights for all those interested in the stresses of the modern world and how other ages have confronted them. -- Andrew Hamilton * President, NYU & past Vice-Chancellor, Oxford University *A very important reminder to grasp the opportunities in the many challenges we are facing today. -- Hans-Paul Bürkner * Chairman, Boston Consulting Group *A refreshing change from the shallow analyses and sterile nostrums of the right and the left…an impressive and important book. -- Edmund Phelps * Nobel Laureate in Economics *A hugely stimulating book…Everyone should heed the authors’ call. -- Niall Ferguson * Professor of History, Harvard University *A must-read for present and future leaders everywhere. -- Asha Kanwar * President, Commonwealth of Learning *A remarkable feat of both history and prophecy. Ian and Chris have given us a gift of self-reflection that is indeed rare. I can’t believe the book is so light and small for accomplishing such a heavy lift. -- Larry Brilliant * President, Skoll Global Threats Fund & past Executive Director, Google.org *A masterpiece. -- Vijay Govindarajan * New York Times best-selling author *A rich portrait…powerful parallels…essential insights for all of us—including for every emerging Michelangelo and da Vinci. -- Reid Hoffman * Founder & Chairman, LinkedIn *‘[A] lively account of both Renaissance and modern history...Maybe someone should send Mr. Trump a copy of this book; it might yield some thought-­provoking tweets. -- Financial TimesIf you read only one thing... -- PoliticoFar-sighted...Age of Discovery succeeds in convincing that this is an uncommonly interesting time to be alive, with unusual levels of promise—and peril. -- Times Higher Education SupplementA highly stimulating, indeed challenging book. -- ForbesEnlightening. -- The Sunday TelegraphAge of Discovery will leave its readers drained by the scale of the problems we face…but its scope and authority reward the effort. -- Daily TelegraphBreathless. -- New StatesmanUrgent reading everywhere. -- Shanghai Review of BooksThis book completely blows my mind. -- ‘Tell Me Everything with John Fugelsang’ on Sirius/XMWow. -- ABC Afternoons with James ValentineAudacious. -- Salon.comCharts the birth of a brave new world…Impressive. -- Morning StarA rallying cry for an aspirational future. -- CBC NewsA fantastic new book. -- Breitbart.comEdifying and thoroughly entertaining. -- Inside Higher EdA brilliant, “big-think” read of serious scholarship and keen observation of our present moment. It is a prescient warning, a call to action to the better angels of our nature, and a map for a new age of discovery. -- 800-CEO-READThe best book I’ve read in the past five years. -- 33Voices.comImportant. Powerful. -- FutureSquaredAn immense contribution to rethinking our epoch. -- Cambridge Business ReviewTable of Contents1. What’s Past is Prologue Part I: The Facts of a Renaissance Age 2. The New World 3. New Tangles 4. Vitruvian Man Part II: Flourishing Genius 5. Copernican Revolutions 6. Cathedrals, Believers and Doubt Part III: Flourishing Risk 7. The Pox is Spreading, Venice is Sinking 8. Bonfires and Belonging Part IV: The Contest for our Future 9. David

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Book SynopsisIn his first full-length work of journalism in a decade, the 'heir to R. Crumb and Art Spiegelman' (Economist) brings his comics mastery to a story of indigenous North America, resource extraction, and our debt to the natural world*A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR* The Dene have lived in the vast Mackenzie River Valley since time immemorial, by their account. To the Dene, the land owns them, not the other way around-it is central to their livelihood and their very way of being. But the subarctic Canadian Northwest Territories are also home to valuable natural resources, including oil, gas and diamonds. With mining came jobs and investment-but also road-building, pipelines and toxic waste, which scarred the landscape; and alcohol, drugs, and debt, which deformed a way of life.In Paying the Land, Joe Sacco travels the frozen North to reveal a people in conflict over the costs and benefits of development. Resource extraction is only part of Canada's colonial legacy: Sacco recounts the shattering impact of a residential school system that aimed to remove the Indian from the child; the destructive process that drove the Dene from the bush into settlements and turned them into wage labourers; the government land claims stacked against the Dene Nation; and their uphill efforts to revive a wounded culture.Against a vast and gorgeous landscape that dwarfs all human scale, Paying the Land lends an ear to trappers and chiefs, activists and priests, telling a sweeping story about money and dependency, loss and culture, with stunning visual detail by one of the greatest comics reporters alive.Trade ReviewA powerful depiction of the painful history of the Northwestern Territory's indigenous people... [Joe Sacco's] comics have earned him comparisons to Hogarth, Art Spiegelman and Robert Crumb... [Paying the Land has] an astonishing sense of place. You can smell rock, pine and snow, feel it in your bones. -- Aida Edemariam * Guardian *Book of the Week* *Paying the Land is Sacco's first full-length work of comics journalism in a decade, and it reminds us of why he is credited as a pioneer of the genre. His combination of authorial and narrative skill and artistic talent still marks him to from many of the cartoonists who have followed in his footsteps. His ability to move between genres and tones, often in consecutive frames, seems to cut across cultures, as his global popularity attests. Comics is a particularly effective mode for Paying the Land, enabling the reader to visualise an unfamiliar landscape and lifestyle. Sacco's artistic ability is particularly striking here, especially in his intensely detailed group scenes. The white page allows him to demonstrate the vast snowy expanses of the land, and to show how it dwarfs human beings. -- Alice Kelly * Times Literary Supplement *Urgent and compelling... This is Sacco getting to grips with the story of America itself, the story that America tells itself... Tremendously heartfelt...refreshingly honest...always thoughtful and engaging... We are nothing if not greedy for new Sacco work. * Bookmunch *Sacco's nuanced interviews and intricate drawings capture an impressive range of voices, each searching for a route forward as the ice melts and old ways fade. -- James Smart * Guardian *Books of the Year* *Joe Sacco...has carved a niche as a comic-book reporter, which is a strange and unusual niche to have. It's one he has made compelling... His drawings often seem more expressive than photojournalism could be, and he does what journalists do: he goes places, keeps his eyes open, talks to people and writes down what they say. * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisIn 'Combining', Nora Bateson invites us into an ecology of communication where nothing stands alone, and every action sets off a chain of incalculable consequences. She challenges conventional fixes for our problems, highlighting the need to tackle issues at multiple levels, understand interdependence, and embrace ambiguity. Insisting on our collective responsibility to confront the looming threats to humanity's survival, she advocates change through interconnectedness and challenges us to rethink our perspectives on relationships, community, and the very essence of being human. A blend of intellectual inquiry, essays, emotional engagement, storytelling, poetry and graphic art, Combining is an invitation to nurture genuine connections and navigate a world brimming with "Warm Data" - the interrelationships that integrate elements of every complex system. The book calls on us to shed our linear thinking and embrace "Aphanipoiesis" - the unseen ways in which life comes together to foster vitality and propel evolution. In 'Combining', love, humor, curiosity, and vulnerability entwine amidst the trials of a world in flux. As we face the Polycrisis, Nora Bateson urges us to swerve from the traditional paths and to dismantle the illusions of fitting in. She beckons us to step into a world where learning, uncutness, and readiness converge, promising both revelation and revolution.Trade Review"Nora Bateson writes like no other - her 'ecology of communication' is poetry, observation, wisdom and rage blended into a coherent narrative that sinks down deep and swirls. ... Nora takes risks to behave differently, in how she gives us pieces of herself; in how she speaks with clarity about the messiness of being on the edge of destruction, whilst embodying the prayers of our ancestors. In how she brings together that which systems of harm repetitively sever - logic and heart, ecology and psychology, trauma and oppression, science and art. Prepare to go to the places we are not supposed to go, in order to be in the spaces we are truly meant to be."; Taiwo Afuape, Clinical Psychologist and Systemic Psychotherapist, Author of Power, Resisitance and Liberation in Therapy with Survivors of Trauma; "Nora Bateson is doing with words what language has no capacity for. I fell in love with it right from the start."; Bayo Akomolafe, Author of These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to My Daughter on Humanity's Search for Home, Global Senior Fellow of The Othering & Belonging Institute; "A masterwork. Please avail yourself of this heartfelt, brilliant, yet entirely accessible guide to the lived experience of complexity. Bateson shows how to engage with our personal and collective challenges less as problems to be solved than as systems calling for understanding, compassion, and harmonious engagement. Continuing the inquiries of Donna Haraway, Bruno Latour, and a couple of Batesons before her, Nora has defined a new and vital landscape in a book that will take its place alongside their best remembered works. There is still a way for us to flourish; here's how."; Douglas Rushkoff, Author of Team Human and Survival of the Richest; " ... The imagery in Nora's writing is an exquisite depiction of Living Systems. We all can grow from this brilliant work of art, poetry, stories and more woven together, magically."; Carol Sanford, Author and Podcaster, Executive Producer of The Regenerative Business Summit; "This compilation is full of delicious insights that call us to witness the awe-inspiring breadth of possibilities that emerge from our entanglement. When we loosen our grip, and dive into the web of relationships we will begin to understand the abundance of potential pathways we have before us..."; Vicki Saunders, Founder, Coralus (formerly SheEO); "Nora Bateson reminds us in this book - and in how she thinks, speaks, and inhabits this world - that our hope lives not in our cleverness, but in our vulnerability, in our wildness, in our feral creativity, and most of all among our relationships, in our animate communications with each other and all living beings. This book is an exercise in living ecologically." Rex Weyler, Co-Founder, Greenpeace InternationalTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Where Prose Stumbles To Live in Another Way The Moths Do Something Eggs Are Time Possibility Meet Not Match Hallway of Hallways Moving Edges Mama Now Juicy The Caramels of Autumn Un-Pick-Apart-Able Communing Uncut A Pineapple & Tarantulas Where Is the Edge of Me? One Thing Without Shields (The Voice of Change Is Changing) Finding a WayTone Traveling on a Paved Road Somehow Stretching Edges Self Portrait Every Hole Is a Story I Love You Without Going Blank Now What I Learned It's Fantastic Simultaneously Implicating Life Is Art Seasons Change Everything While Breaking Nothing Symmathesy Reunion I Fear A Fear Of Fear Contents Cracks and Fissures Just Sing Frost Tacit Wild What Is Submerging? Affection for Life Urgent Mud Untamed Aphanipoiesis It's a Gap Listening to the Listeners Noticing Kinky The Meadow-Verse Creature I Am a Crayon Time in Winter Is Underground Unsilent Marrow New Blank Document Yes Divided We Fall Together For You How Do You Pack? Sacred Communication An Ecology of Assholes The Cringe Rejection Two Bad Questions Something New Swerving A Letter To My Imagination Liminal Leadership Words to Be Careful With Ideas Are Their Stories Theory Is Beautiful The Reasons Salt and Iron The Zombie Caterpillar Bacteria Nocturnal Building an Arc Freak Out and Freak In The Rubric Lurking Monster What Is Sanity? Common Sense Is Sense-Making in the Commons (There Is No Script) Minutiae of the Day In the Fire Tearing and Mending Unbreakable Who-New? What Am I Not Able to Receive? Surreal Decontextualized Family Is Where We Live Meeting Double Binds in the Polycrisis Slow Truth I Want You to Want Me to Want You Silences Predatory Skills Harvest Integrity Ecology of Communication To Live It Something Has To Matter Home Cupped Hands References

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Book SynopsisThe director of the Design Museum defines the greatest artefact of all time: the cityWe live in a world that is now predominantly urban. So how do we define the city as it evolves in the twenty-first century? Drawing examples from across the globe, Deyan Sudjic decodes the underlying forces that shape our cities, such as resources and land, to the ideas that shape conscious elements of design, whether of buildings or of space. Erudite and entertaining, he considers the differences between capital cities and the rest to understand why it is that we often feel more comfortable in our identities as Londoners, Muscovites, or Mumbaikars than in our national identities.Trade ReviewA deeply original and necessary book—Alain de BottonAn indispensable guide to what makes a city a city—Robert Bevan, Evening StandardDeyan Sudjic remains one of our most insightful commentators—Royal Academy magazineA small, readable guide to what cities are and how they work—Edwin Heathcote, Financial TimesA memoir and a master class in musing on modern design . . . It's a collection of thoughtful, absorbing essays about many aspects of modern design, a subject nobody writes better about than Sudjic—Evening Standard on B Is for Bauhaus

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Book SynopsisOne of the greatest, most radical public thinkers of our time' ARUNDHATI ROY In these incisive interviews, activist Chomsky addresses the urgent questions of this tumultuous time, speaking to the deterioration of democracy in the United States and rising tensions globally.He examines the crumbling of the social fabric and the fractures of the Biden era, including the halting steps toward a Green New Deal, the illegitimate authority of the Supreme Court, in particular its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and the ongoing fallout from COVID-19. Chomsky also untangles the roots of the War in Ukraine, the diplomatic tensions among the United States, China, and Russia, and considers the need for climate action on an international scale.Illegitimate Authority exposes those who wield power in their own self-interest and plots framework for how we can stand together and fight against injustice.''The West''s most prominent critic of US imperialism . . . the closest thing in the English-speaking world to an intellectual superstar'' Guardian''Will there ever again be a public intellectual who commands the attention of so many across the planet?'' New Statesman

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Book SynopsisCOVID-19 is the biggest public health and economic disaster of our time. It has posed the same threat across the globe, yet countries have responded very differently and some have clearly fared much better than others. Peter Baldwin uncovers the reasons why in this definitive account of the global politics of pandemic. He shows that how nations responded depended above all on the political tools available - how firmly could the authorities order citizens'' lives and how willingly would they be obeyed? In Asia, nations quarantined the infected and their contacts. In the Americas and Europe they shut down their economies, hoping to squelch the virus''s spread. Others, above all Sweden, responded with a light touch, putting their faith in social consensus over coercion. Whether citizens would follow their leaders'' requests and how soon they would tire of their demands were crucial to hopes of taming the pandemic.Trade Review'In this compelling guide to the coronavirus pandemic, Peter Baldwin shows that the varied state responses to COVID-19 cannot be explained by science or politics alone but depend on range of historical, social and cultural factors. Likely to be read long after the first wave is over.' Mark Honigsbaum, author of The Pandemic Century: A History of Global Contagion from the Spanish Flu to Covid-19'Why have countries taken such different approaches to fighting COVID? How have assumptions about behaviour, or political cultures, shaped responses? Peter Baldwin draws on the history of public health to produce a wide ranging analysis which helps us understand such surprising national divergences and outcomes.' Virginia Berridge, author of Public Health. A Very Short Introduction'Peter Baldwin, a very distinguished historian of epidemics and of the modern state, provides a rich, thoughtful, and accessible account of the various attempts to come to grips with COVID-19 around the world. This book will be at the center of the discussion for years to come.' Timothy Snyder, author of Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary'In Fighting the First Wave, one of the leading comparative historians of our era contemplates the worst global pandemic of the past century. This book will be an essential tool for understanding our present dilemmas, particularly those stemming from what Baldwin terms 'the social contract's fine print,' that is, the need to balance individual rights against the public good.' Nancy Tomes, author of The Gospel of Germs: Men, Women and the Microbe in American Life'In this masterful book, Peter Baldwin unravels the most puzzling aspect of the global response to COVID-19. His beautifully written and meticulously researched analysis spans history, science, politics, and law. From autocracies to democracies, Baldwin offers key lessons not just for COVID-19, but for future pandemics that most assuredly will come.' Lawrence O. Gostin, author of Foundations of Global Health and Human Rights'Peter Baldwin's examination of the 'first wave' of COVID-19 is a timely contribution and especially valuable because of its global reach. The central question of the book is fascinating and thought-provoking: why, despite a shared scientific understanding of the etiology of COVID-19, were the responses of governments across the globe so divergent?' Frank Snowden, author of Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present'Brisk and informative, this first draft history of the pandemic is a valuable resource for policymakers and lay readers looking to go beyond the headlines.' Publishers Weekly'The really disquieting possibility raised by Baldwin's history is that the central problem faced by many Western countries this past year was not political division, or libertarianism, or even Trump - it was democracy.' Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker'The best book written about the pandemic, so far' Crawford Killan, The Tyee'(Baldwin's) breadth is impressive, and his prose often elegant.' Henry Mance, Financial Times'Commendably, this well-written book is accessible to all audiences … The detailed index and Baldwin's extensive notes are of particular value. This will be a welcome text for use in university public health and history programs as well as an informative resource for general readers … Highly recommended R. A. Logan, ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction: One Threat, Many Responses; 1. Science, Politics, and History: Do They Explain the Variety of Approaches to Covid-19?; 2. New Dogs, Old Tricks: Fighting Covid-19 with Ancient Preventive Tactics; 3. The Politics of Prevention: How State and Citizen Interacted, Battling the Virus; 4. What Was Done? Act One of the Pandemic; 5. Why the Preventive Playing Field Was Not Level: Geography, Prosperity, Society; 6. Where and Why Science Mattered: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herd Immunity, Asymptomatic Carriers, Superspreading, and Masks; 7. From State to Citizen: The Individualization of Public Health; 8. Who is Responsible for Our Health? How Prevention was Enforced; 9. Difficult Decisions in Hard Times: Trade-offs between Being Safe and Solvent; Conclusion: Public Health and Public Goods: The State in a Post-Pandemic World; Acknowledgments; Notes; Index.

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Book SynopsisEPDF and EPUB available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. This book provides an accessible analysis of what gender equality means and how we can achieve it by adapting best practices in childcare and long term care policies from other countries.Table of Contents1. Why Does Gender Equality and Care Policy Matter? 2. Making Care Policy in the UK: Understanding the Role of Gender Equality 3. Applying the Nordic model: What Works in Sweden, Denmark and Iceland? 4. Applying the Market and Family Model: What Works in Germany and the Netherlands? 5. Developing Policy in a Context of Devolution: The Role of the Third Sector and Activists 6. Implementing Policy: What Could Work in the UK and the Devolved Administrations? 7. Conclusions and Policy Recommendation

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisA timely exploration of the work and lived experiences of a postwar generation of women artists that have largely been omitted from art historical narratives, Women in Revolt! surfaces the wealth and diversity of work created in the UK during the 1970s and 80s, a period of seismic social and political change. Across a wide variety of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, film and photography, this extensive exhibition book reflects on how women's needs were marginalised within mainstream culture and reveals how artists used radical ideas and methods to confront issues that will resonate with contemporary audiences — from access to healthcare and class struggles to ecological disaster, racism and misogyny. Featuring essays on feminist film distribution, the visibility of Black and South Asian women artists, Section 28 and the AIDS pandemic, Greenham Common and the peace movement, and the intersection of punk, feminism and art, Women in Revolt! celebrates the full diversity of what was a highly creative, politically engaged and determined community of women that paved the way for future generations and, ultimately, changed the face of British culture.

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Book SynopsisNature artist Jane Smith has been fascinated by wildlife communities and ecosystems her whole adult life. Starting from Argyll, she travels from the towering cliffs of St Kilda and the peatlands of Lewis to the Solway estuary and the urban sprawl of Glasgow - to explore the interaction of people and wildlife in a variety of diverse settings.

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Book SynopsisThe history of modern Italy is characterized by recurrent cultural and political projects of modernity, rejuvenation, and regeneration; projects which often had their roots in a widespread dissatisfaction with social and political reality, and perceived moral corruption. The Risorgimento, the movement leading to Italian Unification in 1861, explicitly linked the quest for national unity to a process of moral regeneration and progress. Later forms of nationalism and the rise of fascism in the first two decades of the twentieth century advocated a spiritual revolution and the moulding of new Italians through war and violence. The tragic outcome of Italian fascism led to the emergence of new visions of progress during the post-war First Republic, in which European integration was embraced with conviction. In the last 25 years a project of of modernization epitomized by Silvio Berlusconi has characterized Italian politics, invoking a mixture of nationalist themes and an uncritical embracing of consumer and media culture. In this Very Short Introduction Anna Cento Bull addresses the question of what modernity means to Italy, and asks what modern Italy stands for. She considers Italy''s political system and style of government, and looks at its economic modernisation and issues with emigration, internal migration and immigration. Bull concludes by looking at the Italian culture and lifestyle, including modern art and architecture, cinema, literature, gastronomy, fashion and sport.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThey say 'good things come in small packages' and this compact tome definitely proves the point. Packed into its 140-odd pages is all any italophile needs to know about the evolution of Modern Italy from the Risorgimento in the mid-1800s to the present day ... this snappy small-format guide is crammed with detail but never dry - the tone easy and accessible. An excellent overview, not to be missed. * Italia! *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; CONCLUSION; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisInfantilised: How Our Culture Killed Adulthood is the definitive grown-up's guide to a cultural landscape predicated on the primacy and constancy of youth.

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Book SynopsisThe drive to reflect the rich diversity of our world in our organisations isn't inherently political it's smart business. Yet, from the US to Europe and beyond, diversity and inclusion efforts are increasingly being caught in the crossfire of a culture war. As the backlash against DEI' grows, the very principles of fairness and dignity are being reframed as divisive. So how did we get here? And what can each of us do about it?While most of us are curious about diversity, and some would call ourselves allies, very few are skilled in inclusion. Instead, we double down on being nice and hope that will be enough. But this optimistic attitude may harm as much as help. The more we lean on our niceness, the more we tend to bypass the uncomfortable to avoid discord and the more likely we are to take an idle role. But there is no such thing as a passive ally. This book is for anyone who wants to dive into the complex task of supporting equality as the threat to an inclusive future becomes ever more urgent. Inside are tools to build confidence and capability, as well as practical guidance to help navigate complexity, challenge complacency and take meaningful action.

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Book SynopsisPro-social modelling refers to the process by which the worker acts as a good motivating role model in order to bring out the best in people. The worker engages the client in an empathetic relationship within which they actively reinforce pro-social behaviour and attitudes and discourage anti-social behaviour and attitudes. It has come to be recognized as fundamental to effective work with offenders in the Probation Service, Youth Justice and the Prison Service. It is also equally relevant in other fields such social work, youth work, health care, education, management and parenting. This updated and expanded new edition builds upon the highly successful first edition to provide an accessible guide to what pro-social practice is and how to do it, offering support and practical guidance for managers and practitioners seeking to implement and develop pro-social practice. It has been updated throughout, drawing on a wide range of evidence to relate theory to practice. It includes a wholly new chapter containing five case studies showing pro-social modelling being used in a police force, a prison, an Approved Premise, an educational establishment, and within community supervision Key areas of guidance include:Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Developing Empathetic Relationships and Working in a Solution-focused way 3. Exploring the Legitimate use of Authority: Roles, Rules, Values, Expectations and Rewards 4. Assertive Interactions and Pro-social Feedback 5. Motivating the Unwilling Client 6. Practical ways of Helping People to Change 7. Taking a Systematic, Pro-social, Collaborative Approach to Problem Solving 8. Responding to Individual Need and Diversity 9. Being a Pro-social Manager: Becoming a Pro-social Organisation 10. Pro-social Modelling in Practice Appendices: Exercises to Develop and Embed Pro-social Modelling in Teams A. Pro-social Audit of the Workplace B. Action Planning Using the Pro-social Audit C. Rewards, Sanctions and Values D. Pro-social Modelling: Assessment of Indicidual Practice E. Working Pro-socially Together: Critical Incident Analysis

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Book SynopsisA captivating new book from Wade Davis - winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Into the Silence - that brings vividly to life the story of the great Río Magdalena, illuminating Colombia's complex past, present, and future.For Wade Davis, Colombia was the first country that captured his heart and gave him license to be free. Here, he tells of his travels on the mighty Magdalena, the river that made possible the nation. Along the way, he finds a people who have overcome years of conflict precisely because of their character, informed by an enduring spirit of place, and a deep love of their remarkable land.Braiding together memoir, history and journalism, Magdalena is at once an absorbing adventure through a spectacular landscape and a kaleidoscopic picture of Colombia as it stands on the verge of a new period of peace.'Outstanding... Davis tells epic tales of passion, violence and ambition with tremendous narrative verve' Sunday Times, Books of the Year'A wonderful evocation of a lifetime's travel in Colombia' Spectator, Books of the YearTrade ReviewAnyone who wishes to understand this mysterious corner of the world deserves Magdalena. It is a capacious, generous and illuminating book -- —Juan Gabriel VásquezAfter all our agonies, Wade Davis, through the evocative power of his writing and the clarity of his understanding, gives us all reason to once again love Colombia. That is the wonder of his book, which in many ways reads as a love letter to a nation -- Héctor Abad, author of OblivionDavis stocks his lively narrative with piquant characters, dramatic historical set pieces, and lyrical nature writing. The result is a rich, fascinating study of how nature and a people shape each other * Publishers Weekly *Shimmering... Never wincing from dark histories, yet never abandoning hope, Wade Davis shows us why Colombia stole his heart as a young traveller and holds it still -- Kate Harris, author of Lands of Lost BordersA magnificent, hugely important book, breathtaking in its scope and vision … a masterpiece … an epic journey across the nation and into its beating heart …essential reading for anyone wanting to understand Colombia -- Anna Lewington

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Book Synopsis'BRILLIANT' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio Breakfast ShowWhen was the last time you listened to someone, or someone really listened to you? This life-changing book will transform your conversations forever. At work, we're taught to lead the conversation. On social media, we shape our personal narratives. At parties, we talk over one another. So do our politicians. We're not listening. And no one is listening to us.Now more than ever, we need to listen to those around us. New York Times contributor Kate Murphy draws on countless conversations she has had with everyone from priests to CIA interrogators, focus group moderators to bartenders, her great-great aunt to her friend's toddler, to show how only by listening well can we truly connect with others. Listening has the potential to transform our relationships and our working lives, improve our self-knowledge, and increase our creativity and happiness. While it may take some effort, it's a skill that can be learnt and perfected. When all we crave is to understand and be understood, You're Not Listening shows us how.* With a new afterword by the author *'This book couldn't be more timely. Inspiringly profound...smart and playful' Observer'I'll be adopting Murphy's advice' Sunday Times, StyleTrade ReviewThe premise of this book couldn't be more timely... inspiringly profound… Smart and playful... It feels like a reiteration of something essential... Murphy is here to remind us – entertainingly and compellingly – exactly why it matters so much, especially right now. Hear, hear. -- Viv Groskop * Observer *Gripping from start to finish... brilliant…extraordinarily interesting…full of meat and gold. -- Chris Evans * Virgin Radio Breakfast Show *Fiercely topical... You're Not Listening is an intriguing and constructive take on the problem... and a manual for better communication. Murphy’s book is intelligent and thought-provoking… Listening is when someone take a real interest in who you are…a moment of attunement and understanding that sticks in both heads. We could all do with some of that. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *It’s time for a spot of re-education... A fascinating guide to something we assume we do automatically, yet for the most part do very badly... The art of listening is really the art of being human. -- Stephen Moss * Guardian *We are losing this most crucial, arguably, of our skills in the modern world... I'll be adopting Murphy's advice... and I will be employing "support" responses everywhere. -- Charlotte Edwardes * Sunday Times Style Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIntegrated Principles of Zoology is considered the standard by which other texts are measured. With its comprehensive coverage of biological and zoological principles, mechanisms of evolution, diversity, physiology, and ecology, organized into five parts for easy access, this text is suitable for one- or two-semester introductory courses.Table of ContentsPART ONEIntroduction to Living Animals1 Life: Biological Principles and the Science of Zoology2 The Origin and Chemistry of Life 3 Cells as Units of Life 4 Cellular Metabolism PART TWOContinuity and Evolution of Animal Life5 Genetics: A Review 6 Organic Evolution 7 The Reproductive Process 8 Principles of Development PART THREEDiversity of Animal Life9 Architectural Pattern of an Animal 10 Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Animals 11 Unicellular Eukaryotes 12 Sponges and Placozoans 13 Radiate Animals 14 Acoelomorpha and Mesozoa 15 Polyzoa and Kryptrochozoa 16 Molluscs 17 Annelids and Allied Taxa 18 Smaller Ecdysozoans 19 Trilobites, Chelicerates, and Myriapods 20 Crustaceans 21 Hexapods 22 Echinoderms, and Hemichordates 23 Chordates 24 Fishes 25 Early Tetrapods and Modern Amphibians 26 Amniote Origins and Nonavian Reptiles 27 Birds 28 Mammals PART FOURActivity of Life29 Support, Protection, and Movement 30 Homeostasis: Osmotic Regulation, Excretion, and Temperature Regulation 31 Homeostasis: Internal Fluids and Respiration 32 Digestion and Nutrition 33 Nervous Coordination: Nervous System and Sense Organs 34 Chemical Coordination: Endocrine System 35 Immunity 36 Animal Behavior PART FIVEAnimals and Their Environments37 Animal Distributions 38 Animal Ecology

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Book SynopsisWith a specially commissioned preface by the author which assesses the continuing significance of the work, this Routledge Classics edition will ensure that Purity and Danger continues to challenge, question and inspire for many years to come.Trade Review"Professor Douglas writes gracefully, lucidly and polemically. She continually makes points which illuminate matters in the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of science and help to show the rest of us just why and how anthropology has become a fundamentally intellectual discipline." - New Society "Professor Douglas' book sparkles with intellectual life and is characterised by a concern to understand. Right or wrong, sound or idiosyncratic, it presents a rare and exciting spectacle of a mind at work." - Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsIntroduction; Chapter 1 Ritual Uncleanness; Chapter 2 Secular Defilement; Chapter 3 The Abominations of Leviticus; Chapter 4 Magic and Miracle; Chapter 5 Primitive Worlds; Chapter 6 Powers and Dangers; Chapter 7 External Boundaries; Chapter 8 Internal Lines; Chapter 9 The System at War with Itself; Chapter 10 The System Shattered and Renewed;

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Book SynopsisNow a major TV series on Disney+ 'A shocking investigation... Dopesick is essential' The Times 'Unfolds with all the pace of a thriller' Observer 'A deep – and deeply needed – look into the troubled soul of America' Tom Hanks 'Essential reading' New York Times Beth Macy reveals the disturbing truth behind America's opioid crisis and explains how a nation has become enslaved to prescription drugs. This powerful and moving story explains how a large corporation, Purdue, encouraged small town doctors to prescribe OxyContin to a country already awash in painkillers. The drug's dangerously addictive nature was hidden, whilst many used it as an escape, to numb the pain of of joblessness and the need to pay the bills. Macy tries to answer a grieving mother's question – why her only son died – and comes away with a harrowing tale of greed and need.Trade ReviewA shocking investigation... [Dopesick] is essential. The urgency of its message is compounded by the fact that as I write this, the latest figures show the number of deaths in England and Wales due to the synthetic opioid fentanyl rose by 29 per cent in 2017' * The Times *Essential reading... Macy follows one specific drug through the range of problems it has caused, the people it has hurt, the difficulties in fighting it and the glimmers of hope that remain' -- Janet Maslin, New York TimesBeth Macy seeks the very hearts of the people who are running the long marathons of struggle and survival – of Life. Dopesick is another deep – and deeply needed – look into the troubled soul of America -- Tom HanksAn urgent, eye-opening look at a problem that promises to grow much worse in the face of inaction and indifference * Kirkus Reviews *Macy potently mixes statistics and hard data with tragic stories of individual sufferers, as well as those who love and attempt to treat them... Forceful and comprehensive' * Publishers Weekly *A crucial and many-faceted look at a still-unfolding national crisis... A timely and necessary read' * Booklist *Beth Macy's powerful work of reportage... Dopesick goes to the heart of one of the most urgent problems of our time' * The Tablet *Essential to understanding not just the epidemic of opioid addiction and death, but also how America and Big Pharma work... Macy's narrative is a mosaic of suffering and bereavement' * Literary Review *A gripping, heartbreaking and enraging tale of ruined lives and the corporate greed that led to a nationwide epidemic of painkiller addiction * The Oldie. *Macy's reportage shows how unscrupulous drug companies helped to hook America on painkillers. Drugs are the leading cause of death for the under-fifties, above guns and car accidents; Macy puts human faces on to the grim statistics * The Times, Books of the Year. *Macy's harrowing account of the opioid epidemic, in which hundreds of thousands have already died, masterfully interlaces stories of communities in crisis with dark histories of corporate greed and regulatory indifference * New York Times, Books of the Year *Comprehensive, compassionate and forceful. No matter what you already know about the opioid crisis, its toughness and intimacy make it a must' New York Times, Critics * Picks of the Year *Shifting effortlessly between the socio-political and the personal, Macy weaves a complex tale that unfolds with all the pace of a thriller, her deep journalism – interviews with dealers, police officers, activists, local politicians as well as users and their families – matched by a sense of barely suppressed anger at what is happening... It may make you weep; it will almost certainly make you angry' * Observer *Beth Macy's book, told in the manner of a pace thriller, is a shocking investigation into where and how things got to be this bad... It wouldn't surprise me if it wins a Pulitzer... Essential' * The Times *I've read a few books about the opioid crisis in America and this might be the best... [Macy] does a brilliant job. [She] follows the epidemic – from the pharmaceutical industry to the doctors, the drug dealers, the victims. She gets it all' * Evening Standard *An unflinching look at the opioid crisis in the US... Truly shocking in some places, Dopesick is a wake-up call for doctors and the pharmaceutical industry' * British Journal of General Practice *

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Book SynopsisThis textbook is a comprehensive introduction to the ways in which people differ including race, gender identity, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and social class and the importance of these differences for sport organizations.Now in a fully updated and revised fifth edition, the book offers strategies for managing diversity and inclusion in work and sport environments. It also overviews strategies for creating and sustaining diverse and inclusive sport organizations. It considers how sport can be used to achieve positive social change. Grounded in cutting-edge research and theory, and focused on best practice, this edition includes new material on the important concept of intersectionality, as well as brand-new chapters on researching diversity and inclusion in sport, and strategies for reducing bias. It includes international examples in every chapter, as well as useful teaching and learning features, and supplementary resources for instructors are aTrade Review"Within this new edition, Dr George Cunningham provides a timely and comprehensive review into the exploration and promotion of diversity and inclusion within the field of sport. The integration of relevant scholarship and theoretical perspectives adds valuable nuance to this discussion in both academia and sport leadership. These elements, coupled with the learner-centric design of the text, allow for easy application into practice for new and established sport industry professionals."Sayvon Foster, University of Kansas, USA"This book is a must-read for sport management students, scholars, and people working in all types of sport organizations. Understanding the intentional and unintentional drivers of biases towards people with other socio-demographic characteristics is especially important in the light of globalization, migration, and ageing societies. Cunningham goes beyond the widely studied characteristics of race and gender by also considering age, disability, weight, religion, sexual orientation, and social class. He offers a wealth of explanations and recommendations, with the discussion questions and learning activities at the end of each chapter ensuring that readers fully digest the provided material."Pamela Wicker, Professor for Sport Management and Sport Sociology, Bielefeld University, Germany"The newest version of Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Organizations: A Multilevel Perspective retains the core concepts that helped establish this text as most respected diversity, equity, and inclusion related resource within Sport Management. Updates such as new Challenge Questions and timely, relevant examples only strengthen this already fundamental book for those working in or studying the sport industry."Liz Gregg, University of North Florida, USATable of ContentsPart I: Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion, 1. Overview of Diversity and Inclusion, 2. Theoretical Tenets of Diversity and Inclusion, 3. Conducting Diversity and Inclusion Research, 4. Bias, Part II: Forms of Diversity, 5. Race, 6. Gender, 7. Age, 8. Disability, 9. Weight, 10. Religion, 11. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 12. Social Class, Part III: Creating and Sustaining Diverse and Inclusive Sport Organizations, 13. Approaches to Reducing Bias, 14. Strategies for Diverse and Inclusive Sport Organizations, 15. Diverse and Inclusive Communities through Sport

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Book SynopsisFanny Howe s literary genius envisages the figure of the Child as exemplary of profound knowledge that cannot wield power. Night Philosophy is an echo of all those who continue to refuse to pay the price of dominating others.

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Book SynopsisA conversation between 2 eminent Black thinkers on how to work together to make the world a better place despite deep religious differencesBrad Braxton and Anthony Pinn represent two traditions—Christianity and Secular Humanism respectively—that have for centuries existed in bitter opposition. For too long, people with different worldviews have disparaged and harmed one another. Instead of fighting each other, Braxton and Pinn talk with, listen to, and learn from one another. Their wide-ranging conversation demonstrates the possibility of fruitful exchange that accounts for—rather than masks—their differences. Written amid the Covid-19 pandemic, threats to our democracy, and national protests for racial justice, A Master Class on Being Human shows us that constructive dialogue can help us pursue the common good without sacrificing our distinctive identities. In conversations that are frank, personal, and deeply informed by scholarsh

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Book SynopsisACADEMY AWARD WINNER: Best Picture, Best Director & Best ActressStarring Oscar winner Frances McDormand & directed by Chloé ZhaoSublimely written' Sunday TimesScorching, beautifully written, vivid, disturbing (and occasionally wryly funny)' Rebecca SolnitNomadland tells a revelatory tale of the dark underbelly of the American economy one which foreshadows the precarious future that may await many more of us. At the same time, it celebrates the exceptional resilience and creativity of people who have given up ordinary rootedness to survive, but have not given up hope.From the beetroot fields of North Dakota to the campgrounds of California to Amazon's CamperForce program in Texas, employers have discovered a new, low-cost labour pool, made up largely of transient older adults. These invisible casualties of the Great Recession have taken to the road by the tens of thousands in RVs and modified vans, forming a growing community of nomads.Golden Globes Winner: Best Film, Best Director Bafta Winner: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress

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Book SynopsisVintage Feminism: classic feminist texts in short formWITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOREvery day, women around the world are confronted with a dilemma – how to look. In a society embroiled in a cult of female beauty and youthfulness, pressure on women to conform physically is constant and all-pervading. In this shortened edition you will find the essence of Wolf’s groundbreaking book. It is a radical, gripping and frank exposé of the tyranny of the beauty myth, its oppressive function and the destructive obsession it engenders.Trade ReviewA smart, angry, insightful book, and a clarion call to freedom. Every woman should read it -- Gloria SteinemPowerful... No other work has...so honestly depicted the confusion of accomplished women who feel emotionally and physically tortured by the need to look like movie stars * New York Times *The most important feminist publication since The Female Eunuch -- Germaine GreerA brilliant, bracing book...The world has changed - a bit - over the past decade and a half, but not enough: this remains essential reading * Guardian *Essential reading * Fay Weldon *

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

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Book SynopsisAs the childless Elizabeth I lay on her deathbed, discussions over who would succeed her as ruler of England raged on amongst her advisors. The succession to Elizabeth's throne was hotly debated throughout her reign (1558-1603) and despite having no direct heir, the queen refused to name her successor over safety concerns, being convinced a plot would be raised to oust her in favour of the heir. There were many contenders to the crown, but Elizabeth's main rival was Mary, Queen of Scots but her Catholic faith and ill-advised marriage to fellow claimant Lord Darnley, against Elizabeth's wishes, damaged her claim. Her claim was ended when the English queen had her Scottish counterpart executed in 1587. Other claims came from the Grey sisters Katherine and Mary, and later Margaret Clifford and Arbella Stuart. But the crown finally came to King James VI of Scotland, son of Mary and Darnley, in what was a smooth transition. His accession marked the end of the Tudor dynasty and the start of the Stuart era in England.

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Book SynopsisWriting good essays is one of the most challenging aspects of studying in the social sciences. This simple guide provides you with proven approaches and techniques to help turn you into a well-oiled, essay writing machine. Good Essay Writing demonstrates how to think critically and formulate your argument as well as offering water-tight structuring tips, referencing advice and a word on those all too familiar common worries all brought to life through real student examples from a range of subjects. Now in its fifth edition, this fresh update contains: New essay examples are analysed and discussed, so you have a clear understanding of what makes a good essay A new chapter on essay writing skills and other forms of social science writing, helping you transfer the skills you learn to different types of written assessments A new Companion Website providing additional exercises and examTrade ReviewThis book is very valuable for any student intending to write an academic essay. It is well structured, provides ample examples, has valuable advice and tips, and is easy to navigate. -- Dr Kamil ZwolskiThis book is an easy to read and understand text which is written in an accessible style for undergraduate students. I recommend it, and would like to see it used more widely by my students. -- Louise McKnight * Lecturer in Radiography, Birmingham City University *Table of ContentsIntroduction What is a Social Science Essay? Stages of Writing, from Preparation to Final Version Matching the Answer to the Question Reading, Note-taking and Literature Searches Thinking Critically and Formulating an Argument Writing Introductions Writing the Main Section Writing Conclusions Referencing Essay-writing Skills and Other Forms of Social Science Writing Some Common Worries What Tutors Look for When Marking Essays Examples of Student Essays

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

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Book SynopsisAn all-in-one deep dive into the fascinating story of the Atlantic herring and its far-reaching dominions.

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

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of THE PERFECT STORM and WAR comes a book about why men miss war, why Londoners missed the Blitz, and what we can all learn from American Indian captives who refused to go home.Tribe is a look at post-traumatic stress disorder and the challenges veterans face returning to society. Using his background in anthropology, Sebastian Junger argues that the problem lies not with vets or with the trauma they've suffered, but with the society to which they are trying to return.One of the most puzzling things about veterans who experience PTSD is that the majority never even saw combatand yet they feel deeply alienated and out of place back home. The reason may lie in our natural inclination, as a species, to live in groups of thirty to fifty people who are entirely reliant on one another for safety, comfort and a sense of meaning: in short, the life of a soldier.It is one of the ironies of the modern age that as affluence rises in a society, so do rates of suicide, depression anTrade Review‘A brilliant little book driven by a powerful idea and series of reflections … I would give this gem of an essay to anyone embarking on the understanding of human society and governance’ Evening Standard ‘An eloquent and thought-provoking book … it could help us to think more deeply about how to help men and woman battered by war to find new purpose in peace’ The Times ‘Fascinating, insightful and built on real and difficult experiences as well as a background in anthropology’ Sunday Times ‘An electrifying tapestry of history, anthropology, psychology and memoir that punctures the stereotype of the veteran as a war-damaged victim in need of salvation. Rather than asking how we can save our returning servicemen and women, Junger challenges us to take a hard look in the mirror and ask whether we can save ourselves … Tribe is a stirring clarion call for a return to solidarity. In advocating a public, shared confrontation with the psychic scars of war, Junger aims to stop trauma burning a hole through individual veterans. Such a collective catharsis might also be our best hope of healing the wounds modern society has inflicted on itself’ Guardian ‘Junger is particularly insightful when he is discussing combat soldiers and the difficulties they experience when returning from war zones … Junger is correct to draw attention to the major faultlines in affluent societies, including the dismantling of a sense of community. A growing proportion of people are suffering from clinical depression, anxiety and chronic loneliness. He rightly observes that wealth is not the route to happiness. Being loved and giving love are fundamental to human happiness and health’ Observer ‘A small, but convincingly argued, book … a good starting point for rethinking the way we live our troubled modern lives’ Daily Mail ‘Lucid and engaging’ TLS

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