Society and culture: general Books

Book SynopsisWhen Americans think about race, white is often the furthest thing from their minds. Yet whiteness colors so much of social life in the United States, from the organization and maintenance of social structures to an individual's sense of self. White has long been the invisible default category against which other racial and ethnic groups are silently compared and marked out as different. At the same time, whiteness is itself an active marker that many bitterly fight to keep distinctive, and the shifting boundaries of whiteness reflect the nation's history of race relations, right back to the earliest period of European colonization. One thing that has remained consistent is that whiteness is a definitive mark of privilege. Yet, this privilege is differentially experienced across a broad and eclectic spectrum, as is white identity itself. In order to uncover the ways in which its rigid structures and complicated understandings permeate American life, this book examines some of the many varieties of what it means to be white across geography, class, and social context and the culture, social movements, and changing demographics of whiteness in America.Trade Review"With whiteness studies at a crossroads, McDermott patiently walks us through the sociological research that reveals how whiteness is now both visible and invisible, a source of identity and mobilization as well as of hidden privilege and cultural normativity."—Douglas Hartmann, University of Minnesota "In her unique, insightful, and impeccably timed book, McDermott unpacks the layered, contingent, and ever changing definition of whiteness at a time when colorblind narratives of race, white nationalism, and white resentment have moved center stage in American politics. Her book is essential reading for anyone interested in American race relations."—Charles Gallagher, La Salle University "An accessible guide to the field of whiteness and to white identity in the United States. Few texts cover this much ground without oversimplifying concepts or losing sight of both social structure and human agency."—Mary Romero, 110th President of the American Sociological AssociationTable of Contents1 Introduction 2 The Invisible Privilege of Whiteness 3 Whiteness Visible 4 Attitudes and Culture 5 Whiteness Mobilized 6 The Future of White Racial Identity

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Book SynopsisThis is an original, accessible book for scholars, students, activists, and the general public on the greatest crisis the world has faced. The authors challenge the widespread notion that a green and peaceful set of technological reforms in the current economic and political system perhaps a green capitalism can prevent disaster. Dying for Capitalism analyzes the triangle of extinction that links capitalism, environmental destruction, and militarism as a system that cannot sustain life on the planet. The authors analyze how the extinction triangle evolved historically, how it functions globally as integral to the world capitalist order, and how the United States has become the dominant extinction nation. They also show how recent anti-democratic and anti-scientific cultural and political forces intensify denial of the threat and subordinate health and survival to profit and extreme concentrated power.The book offers a slender path of social and political transformatiTrade Review"In digestible and elegant prose, easy to read and exciting to absorb, Derber and Moodliar show brilliantly how runaway capitalism, climate change and militarism (with its nuclear threat) create the perfect storm that threatens human survival. With many ah-ha moments, they make an urgent call, based on solid evidence, for a 21st century movement to abolish carbon emissions and nuclear weapons, taking inspiration from the movement to abolish slavery. They make the impossible seem not only possible, but essential. Read it and jump into the movement waters that will nourish your soul and might just save the planet." --Medea Benjamin, cofounder of Code Pink and Global Exchange, author of War in Ukraine, winner of Gandhi and Martin Luther King peace prizes"An eloquent call for abolition of fossil fuels and militarism, very soon. Dying for Capitalism is carefully reasoned and informed, spelling out what we can and must do, without delay."-- Noam Chomsky, University of Arizona, Emeritus Professor, MIT"Our planet Earth lies in the tightening grip of giant corporatized destruction with no firm stop signs. Derber and Moodliar deliver the indictment and verdict in many dimensions, showing the urgency of universalizing the resistance beyond protest and demands. They call for nothing less than unified action, propelled by the younger generation towards displacing corporatism and militarism with transformative structures taking ever deeper roots. This motivating book, marked toward the survival of all species, should be in every high school and college classroom." -- Ralph Nader, author, activist and consumer advocate "This must read cogent book dissects the interconnected systemic crisis bringing us to the brink of extinction. Dying for Capitalism illuminates the threads of the poly-crisis driven by extractive capitalism, ecological destruction, and entrenched militarism. Read it and weep –and then roll up your sleeves and engage." -- Chuck Collins, co-editor, Inequality.org at the Institute for Policy Studies; author, Altar to an Erupting Sun"This book is original and essential reading. As this and upcoming generations contend with a web of existential, hand-me-down crises, Dying for Capitalism reveals root causes and solutions. I will be assigning this book to my students as a major resource for navigating the political and grassroots community work that is now both their burden and charge." -- Jonathan White, Associate Professor of Sociology, Bentley University"Few could be free so long as what 19th century abolitionists called "The Slave Power" remained standing. Derber and Moodliar call us to face up to today’s abolitionist task with the courage of our forebears, and lay out a series of original and urgent strategies."-- Ben Manski, Assistant Professor of Sociology, George Mason UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction - The Greatest Emergency of All Time PART I - The Hidden System of Extinction 1 The Extinction Triangle: Capitalism, Environmental Destruction and Militarism 2 Is Capitalism Too Hot? Corporate Capital, Power, and Climate Change 3 Plague for Profit: Capitalism and Pandemic 4 Bloody Money: Capitalism, War, and the Doomsday Machine PART II - The US and Extinction 5 America’s “Extinction Exceptionalism” 6 Molecules of Freedom? America’s Climate of Exceptionalism 7 Inconvenient Truths: Systemic Roots of US COVID-19 Failure 8 America the Not-So-Beautiful: The US Doomsday Machine PART III – The Slender Path to Survival 9 Lessons & Inspiration from the Abolitionists 10 Front for Survival: Movements, the State, & Public Goods

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Book SynopsisThis book provides unrivalled coverage of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, making it invaluable for anyone embarking on social research. Divided into five parts/sections, it introduces tools, techniques, critical aspects and knowledge of conducting social research, which include a detailed discussion about the basics of social research, social research problem, review of literature, hypothesis, sampling, research design, tools of research, statistics and report writing. The volume helps acquire knowledge, develop an understanding, apply the concepts in social research and curate checklists and rating scales designed to evaluate the statement of a problem, research proposal, hypothesis, different methods of research and writing research reports. It also includes a brief discussion about statistics, the style of reporting and the criteria for evaluating social research.This book will be a helpful reference/text for graduates, postgraduates, doctoral scholars Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Basics of Social Research 2. Directing the Social Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Sampling 5. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Design 6. Experimental Design 7. Quality in Measurement 8. Statistics in Social Research 9. Reporting the Social Research. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisHow does it feel when your heritage isn''t listed as an option on an identification form?What is it like to grow up as the only person in your family who looks like you?Where do you belong if you are simultaneously seen as being ''too much'' of one race and ''not enough'' of another to fit neatly into society''s expectations?The mixed population is the fastest-growing group in the U.K. today, but the mainstream conversation around mixedness is stilted, repetitive and often problematic. At a time when ethnically ambiguous models fill our Instagram feeds and our high street shop windows, and when children of interracial relationships are lauded as heralding in the dawn of a post-racial utopia, journalist Natalie Morris takes a deep dive into what it really means to be mixed in Britain today. From blackfishing to the fetishisation of mixed babies; from the complexities of passing and code-switching to navigating the world of wTrade ReviewA vivid, vital examination of the mixed experience, Natalie Morris' book brings the issues alive in an accessible way that highlights the complications and joys of having multiple heritage in modern-day Britain. * Sareeta Domingo, author of Who's Loving You *One of the most powerful books I have ever read. Morris gives us a compelling and poignant read, examining exactly what it means to be of mixed heritage in Britain. Essential reading. * Di Lebowitz, author of THE MARKS LEFT ON HER *A modern, rigorous and deeply personal examination of identity told deftly, Natalie's writing gives voice to many lesser-known facets of the mixed heritage experience. This book made me feel seen and heard in so many ways. In today's polarised society, racial discourse so often flattens and falls short but Mixed, Other is a nuanced and compelling read, told skillfully. I'm so excited for the impact Natalie will continue to make on the world as a writer and storyteller. * Georgina Lawton, author of Raceless *

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Book SynopsisBerlin in the early 1990s, right after the fall of the Berlin Wall: this is the place to be. Berlin-Mitte, the central district of the city, with its wastelands and decaying houses, has become the centre of a new movement. Artists, musicians, squatters, club owners, DJs and ravers are reclaiming the old city centre and bringing it back to life. This interregnum between two systems – the collapse of the old East Germany, the gentrification of the new Berlin – lasts only a few years. West Berliners, East Berliners and new residents from abroad join together to create music, art and fashion, to open bars and clubs and galleries, even if only for a few weeks. In the months following the fall of the Wall, there is a feeling of new beginnings and immense possibilities: life is now, and to be in the here and now feels endless. The phrase ‘temporary autonomous zone’ is circulating, it describes the idea – romantic and naive but, in the circumstances, not absurd – that, at a certain moment in history, you can actually do whatever you want. Ulrich Gutmair moved to West Berlin as a student in autumn 1989: two weeks later the Wall came down. He spent the next few years studying during the day in the West and exploring the squats, bars and techno clubs in the East at night. He fell in love with House and Techno and raved at Tresor, Elektro, Bunker and many other places that in the meantime have almost disappeared from collective memory. Ten years later he decided to write a book about that period in between, when one regime was brought down and a new one wasn’t yet established. When utopia was actually a place to inhabit for a moment.Trade Review"Gutmair's chronicle is about another mise en scene ... namely that of the first electronic dance clubs. His descriptions of the sounds and smells, bass drums and breakbeats, the low-ceilinged and cinder-strewn dance floors transport one to those locations better than any film version of the day."—The National "[A] fascinating work of cultural history."—SocietyTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsPreface to the English editionMap of Locations I. How Long is Now?II. The Year of AnarchyIII. Occupying the Government DistrictIV. At the Elektro, Mauerstrasse 15V. The Nineteenth-Century ‘Founders’ of BerlinVI. U. S. P. Bibliography

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Book SynopsisLeading philosophers Alice Crary and Lori Gruen offer a searing and desperately needed response to systems of thought and action that are failing animals and, ultimately, humans too. In the wake of global pandemics, mass extinctions, habitat destruction, and catastrophic climate change, they issue a clarion call to address the intertwined problems we face, arguing that we must radically reimagine our relationships with other animals. In stark contrast to traditional theories in animal ethics, which abstract from social mechanisms harmful to human beings, Animal Crisis makes the case that there can be no animal liberation without human emancipation. Borrowing from critical theories such as ecofeminism, Crary and Gruen present a critical animal theory for understanding and combating the structural forces that enable the diminishment of so many to the advantage of a few. With seven case studies of complex human-animal relations, they make an urgent plea to dismantle the “human supremacism” that is devastating animal lives and hurtling us toward ecocide.Trade Review"Animal Crisis presents the reader with the most thorough research into the ways in which animal lives are understood. The arguments are illustrated with stories of individual animals or groups of animals who have been cruelly treated. It is a must for all those who want to understand why we should treat animals ethically."Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace"So radical, so morally unsettling, that you have to take your courage in both hands to read it. But read it you should."Raimond Gaita, author of The Philosopher’s Dog"A deeply moving book that calls on us to reconsider our relationship to animals and to other humans and ecosystems we depend on."Sally Haslanger, author of Resisting Reality"[A]n inspirational and comprehensive book on animal ethics: concise yet packed with an impressive amount of potent information."Leonardo ReviewsTable of ContentsAbout Writing this Book Acknowledgments Prologue 1 Crisis: Orangutans 2 Ethics: Pigs 3 Suffering: Cows 4 Minds: Octopuses 5 Dignity: Rats 6 Seeing: Parrots 7 Politics: Ticks References Index

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Book SynopsisPride events have become a powerful global symbol of LGBTQIA+ visibility, celebrated in settings ranging from urban centres to remote villages across the Global North and South. Drawing on decolonial theories, this book examines the complex relationship between Pride and modernity while addressing pressing issues such as accessibility, grassroots activism and environmental sustainability in a post-pandemic era. Challenging Eurocentric narratives of progress, modernity and human rights, the author introduces the concept of Kaleidoscope Modernities' to reveal the diverse meanings Pride embodies worldwide. Essential for understanding the shifting landscapes of LGBTQIA+ rights and cultures, this book offers a bold, fresh perspective.

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Book SynopsisHELPING THE GOOD DO BETTER pulls back the curtain on the corridors of power in Washington to reveal how social change really happens. This book offers lessons from the trenches on how some of this generation's most defining social issues-AIDS, disabilities, global poverty, cancer, human trafficking, national service, early childhood education, and social entrepreneurship -- engendered landmark federal policies. Each chapter tells the story of how a particular issue was shaped by the movements and legislation at the center of public debate. Each case provides powerful lessons about how coalitions are built, strategies crafted, and powerful interests challenged in high-stakes, no-holds-barred political battles. Doing good requires more than just providing programs and services. It requires coordination, organization, and a new, stronger emphasis on and dedication to advocacy. Participating in advocacy is no longer a luxury -- it is a necessity. Visionaries and activists together with "white hat" lobbyists -- people who understand the power of politics and who are able to put it to work to serve the public interest -- have won some of the most transformative policy fights in recent times. The culmination of those experiences, of fighting and winning on behalf of public interest causes, is presented here in a new theory for social change. Successful campaigns and movements must possess a lobbyist's combined approach to policy, politics, and press. Leveraging these 3 Ps, with true passion and discipline, can create results that are nothing short of awe-inspiring. An insightful first-person guide to advocacy by a white-hat lobbyist who was in the rooms where historic social changes were made, HELPING THE GOOD DO BETTER is a direct and honest look at government in action and the behind-the-scenes players who help make progress a reality.

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Book SynopsisWe are living through a world-rattling ecological inflection point, with an unprecedented consensus that capitalism is leading humanity into a social and ecological catastrophe and that everything needs to change, and fast. Thankfully, radical environmental movements have forced the question of system change to the centre of the political agenda

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Book SynopsisLinear and progressive views of history have dominated the popular imagination for the past seventy years in a worldview wedded to the inexorable rise of globalisation and GDP-growth at any cost. However, the end of the Cold War failed to produce the end of history as hoped, a fact brought home to many by Russia''s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Material wealth and ''Progress' in the name of social justice' have not made people happier or more united but quite the opposite. Anxiety, depression, fearfulness, sadness, loneliness and anger have all massively increased since 1970 with the male suicide rate at an all-time high. Western society seems to be divided against itself across every line conceivable: left versus right, women versus men, non-whites' versus whites', globalists versus populists, the elites' versus the people', people who think that men can be women and vice versa versus those who insist that they cannot, and so on. Seventy-three percent of Americans believe their country is on the wrong track', with similar views reflected in Britain and across Europe. The Prophets of Doom explores eleven thinkers who not only dared to contradict the dominant linear and progressive view of history, but also predicted many of the political and social maladies through which we are living.

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Book Synopsis''An entertaining and thought-provoking antidote to the tyranny of numbers in the modern world.'' -Alex Bellos, author of Can You Solve My Problems?''A smart and insightful read that will totally change the way you think - and live.''-Thomas Erikson, author of Sunday Times bestseller Surrounded By Idiots''Written in lucid, skillfully translated prose that puts the science into philosophical perspective, this shines a fascinating light on the modern-day obsession with numerical quantity over quality.'' -Publishers Weekly''In 31,234 words Dahlen and Thorbjørnsen cast their four critical, and at times whimsical, eyes at our numbered existences revealing that consuming too much ''pi'' might be bad for our health.'' -Professor Scott Page, author of The Model ThinkerHow many steps have you done today?How many emails answered?How much money have you spent th

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating tale of humankind’s journey from owning nothing to being owned—by our stuff. Why, when and how did our needs become world-destroying addictions? Over 3 million years ago, our ancestors realised they could break apart rocks for sharp edges to cut meat. That discovery changed the fate of our species and our planet. This lively, learned book charts three great leaps in humans’ relationship with objects and belongings, from the discovery of tools to the production of endless commodities. How did we go from primates who needed nothing to people who need everything? With colourful characters, astonishing archaeological discoveries, and reflections on philosophy and culture, Chip Colwell’s quest for answers takes readers to places both spectacular and strange: the Italian cave housing the world’s first painted art; a Hong Kong skyscraper where a priestess channels the gods; a trash mountain whose height rivals Big Ben or the Statue of Liberty. Humans make stuff, but our stuff makes us human—and this love affair may be our downfall. With landfills and oceans drowning in plastic, it’s time for a fourth and final leap for humanity: to reevaluate our relationship with the things that make, and could break, our world.Trade Review‘Compelling… and alarming.’ -- The New Yorker‘Colwell is chilling about our material addiction… 'Stuff' is lavishly illustrated, filled with enticing graphs, graphics and images.’ -- iNews‘Engaging.’ -- Inside Higher Ed‘An engrossing introduction for nonexperts into the big questions of material culture studies.’ -- Science‘Archeologist Colwell does an entertaining and expansive dive into how humans evolved into diehard consumers (hint: that transformation began almost three million years ago).' -- Toronto.com'A marvellously fascinating journey through our overstuffed world. Entertaining, inspiring and alarming in equal measure, I found myself learning new things from nearly every page.' -- Ed Conway, Sky News, author of 'Material World''Incredibly fresh, engaging and urgent. Chip Colwell will profoundly shift how you see your world and the mountains of stuff in it.' -- Farrah Jarral, writer, broadcaster and author of 'Anima''A fascinating, beautifully written, provocative history of how humans acquire stuff. This is a notable, at times humorous, reflection on the excesses of consumerism since prehistoric times, of relevance to all of us, rich or poor.' -- Brian Fagan, author of 'A Little History of Archaeology''Humans have too much stuff, and it is breaking the planet. Colwell brilliantly relates how and why we got here. His engaging, fun narrative through deep history and across societies describes our intense relations to the stuff we make, dream about and accumulate. Most importantly, he offers us a path to more just, equitable and sustainable lives.' -- Agustin Fuentes, author of 'Why We Believe: Evolution and the Human Way of Being''This eminently readable book reveals the very stuff that makes us human around the world, from stone tools to fast fashion. "Stuff" asks how we became so attached to so many things, and whether we’ll ever be able to survive without them. -- Lynn Meskell, author of 'A Future in Ruins: UNESCO, World Heritage, and the Dream of Peace'

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Book SynopsisThe ebook edition of this title is Open Access, thanks to Knowledge Unlatched funding, and freely available to read online. This book seeks broader critical engagement with the design, development and adoption processes of contemporary digital technologies. Such technology has been the catalyst for great improvements in the fields of medicine, employment, education and communications. Yet, a new digital age has also brought a unique set of societal, cultural and environmental challenges that have yet to be fully understood and, when needed, confronted. It could be argued that aspirations to develop an information super-highway that would be an instrument for human flourishing, has given way to vast stores of worthless trivia and is hijacking our attention at every opportunity. In the absence of robust sociological input at the conceptual stages of digital communication technology development, the probability of these tools and instruments delivering change that is deeply personally, socially, culturally and environmentally damaging will continue to grow. Critical exploration of the organisational, social, political and environmental context of digital communications technology is necessary, without which technology will continue to be left ‘to its own device’ to determine the social and cultural values of societies, for better or worse. The Social, Cultural and Environmental Costs of Hyper-Connectivity investigates the profound effects 21st century digital technology is having on our individual and collective lives and seeks to confront the realities of a new digital age. Changes brought about by digital technology are frequently disruptive and, thus, need to be designed to protect against harm on society.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The Digital Behemoths Chapter 3. Towards Cultural Homogenisation Chapter 4. The Challenges to our Innate Cognitive Abilities & Mental Wellbeing Chapter 5. The Smartphone: A Weapon of Mass Distraction Chapter 6. Online Privacy and Surveillance Chapter 7. Digital Divides Chapter 8. An Increasing Ecological Threat Chapter 9. Digital Democracy: The Winners and Losers Chapter 10. Retaking the Reins

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Book SynopsisIntroducing the contemporary conversation on internalised Jew-hate, Reclaiming Our Story is the second instalment of world-renowned educator Ben M. Freeman's seminal manifesto of the modern Jewish Pride movement that has revolutionised the Jewish world. In this groundbreaking work, Freeman takes his readers - both Jewish and non-Jewish - on a powerful journey that explores the impact of Jew-hate on Jews and the long history of internalised anti-Jewishness. Most importantly, Freeman will educate, inspire and empower his Jewish readers to look inside themselves - with empathy and without shame - to identify their own experiences with internalised anti-Jewishness so they can reclaim their Jewish stories, ultimately moving from prejudice to pride.

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Book SynopsisThis volume focuses on practical applications of the principles that can be transferred from nature to our design space. It is thereby supported by the regulation and control systems as described by the science of cybernetics.Table of ContentsThe inexhaustible wealth of evolutionary optimal solutions.- Principles of nature or survival in an open "cooking pot".- Multidisciplinary developmental works.- Central operating principles of evolution.- Eight basic biocybernetic rules according to Frederic Vester.- Ways out of the trap of human short-sighted design routines.- Application of basic strategic principles of nature in the human design space.- Application of central operational principles of nature in the human design space.- Eight basic operational biocybernetic rules.

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Book SynopsisChapter 1 Reading science/fiction: an introduction.- Chapter 2 Making science fiction readers.- Chapter 3 Reading together: remaking worlds with science fiction.- Chapter 4 Book Clubs: Bad Bugs and bioscience fictions.- Chapter 5 Research methods, meeting readers: concluding thoughts.

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Book SynopsisIn Yorkshire: There and Back, Andrew Martin celebrates Britain''s most charismatic county, looking back at the Yorkshire of his 1970s childhood and as it is today.Journeying to every historic corner, Martin writes affectionally about its past, present and peculiarities. York is an evolving city of chocolate, trains, pubs and tourists. Scarborough should be viewed as the posh place it once was, with surprising secrets pertaining to Adolf Hitler and the sea. Leeds is seen as the ''hard'' town with its party goers and late-night provocateurs, but its indoor market never fails to offer a sense of quintessential Yorkshireness on a rainy Saturday afternoon, with milky tea served in beakers and the Leeds United result coming through by osmosis. And the Moors and Dales continue to boast beauty and danger alike.Effortlessly entertaining and wonderfully detailed, Yorkshire: There and Back is a memoir, guide, and all-round appreciation of ''God''s own countTrade ReviewThere is no one else who is writing like Andrew Martin today...unique and important * Guardian *Iconoclastic, entertaining and often devastatingly witty -- Barry Forshaw on Andrew Martin * Independent *He can stop you in your tracks with a well-turned phrase * Sunday Times *A genuinely funny writer...also a daring one * The Times *Very funny and touching... Martin is a journalist and novelist with splendid observational skills and a warm, comic touch, and he spots regional characteristics others have missed...Delightful and unexpected facts abound: who knew that the London Tube map was allegedly inspired by York's medieval street pattern? * Daily Mail *Martin guides up through the geography of "God's Own Country", but also writes amusingly about the blunt pithiness associated with a place that shows 'the merest glimmer of humour, like a small spark struck from a flint' * TLS *

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Book SynopsisAn updated and refreshed edition of the groundbreaking book that shows how people can be nudged toward decisions that will improve their livesTrade Review“Amusing, enlightening and approachable. . . . The hugely influential Nudge is essential reading. It shows you the template of technocracy.”—Alexander Adams, The Critic“This eminently readable and most enjoyable book has a few new chapters added to it since 2008. The authors have taken out areas that are now seen as obsolete due to technological advances since the book was first written. New chapters cover areas such as ‘Sludge,’ a term they use to indicate the bureaucratic difficulties in attempting to take action—which still acts as a disincentive to change in so many areas and so many countries around the world.”—Vicky Pryce, Society of Professional Economists“Few books can be said to have changed the world, but Nudge did. The Final Edition is marvelous: funny, useful, and wise.”—Daniel Kahneman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thinking, Fast and Slow“Nudge should be required reading for anyone who aspires to run a country, lead a company, raise a child, or make a choice. It’s the gold standard for using behavioral science to guide decisions and policies, and the new edition is even better than the original.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife“Nudge has changed the way we think about both business’s and society’s biggest problems. The Final Edition is full of new insights and well worth reading.”—Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google“We used the core principles of Nudge when designing our protocols for resuming play during the pandemic. This new edition provides a refreshed set of practical concepts and strategies to influence decision-making for good.”―Adam Silver, NBA commissioner“If you’ve read Nudge and think you fully grasp the concept and its uses, you are mistaken. The new edition significantly deepened my understanding of what nudges are and how they can be employed. It truly is a must-read.”—Robert Cialdini, New York Times bestselling author of Influence “Revolutionary. Once you’ve read it, you start seeing the evidence everywhere. Evidence that economic orthodoxy is woefully out of date, that as humans we’re not always rational, and that in every bit of architecture, design, and economic choice, we are ALWAYS being nudged in some way. Once we see and accept that, we can ask how we can make better choices. This book points us in the direction. It changes the way you see the world—this edition even more so.”—David Byrne, musician

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Book Synopsis"[In the laboratory] they thought I was the new janitor." - Clarice Phelps, Nuclear Chemist. "Why do I get a tenth of the funding that men that have projects at large corporations do?" - Mary Lou Jepsen, inventor. "I asked 'why isn't there a girl character for me to choose from?'. At first, they laughed. Then, they got annoyed at me and started having design meetings and not tell me where they were." - Sheri Graner Ray, videogame designer. 50 Women in Technology is a full-colour book celebrating female pioneers and trailblazers in STEM. It features 25 extraordinary women scientists from Ada Lovelace to Emmanuelle Charpentier, as well as 25 exclusive interviews with incredible women who are leading the way in the fast-paced world of technology today including 2023 Nobel prize winner Katalin Kariko. Includes: Amalia Ballarino (Nuclear Engineer), Ana Oliveira (Crop Genetics), Anais Engelmann and Megan Hale (Design Engineering), Anda Waluyo Sapardan (Medical Tech/Healthcare), Anna Lukasson-Herzig (Computing/AI), Brenda Romero (Video Games), Clarice Phelps (Nuclear Chemist), Claudia Brind -Woody (IT), Coty Craven (videogames/IT), Emily Holmes (Neuroscientist), Gretchen Andrew (NFT Artist), Ida Tin (FemTech), Katalin Kariko (Biochemistry), Kasia Gora (Food Tech), Maria Carolina Fujihara (Environmental Tech), Marita Cheng (Robotics), Mary Agbesanwa (FinTech), Mary Lou Jepsen (Imaging/Healthcare), Morenike Fajemisin (FemTech), Odunayo Eweniyi (Financial Tech), Rumman Chowdhury (Internet Algorithms/Data Science), Sheri Graner Ray (Videogames), Stephanie Willerth, (Bioengineering), Tan Le (Medical Tech) and Yewande Akinola (Sustainability).Trade Review"There are phenomenal women all over the technology landscape but we need to tell their stories to inspire more and to show what's possible. Unfortunately the industry, while growing in importance has shrinking numbers of women. This is a must read." - Martha Lane Fox, businesswoman, philanthropist and co-founder of "Last Minute"; "Women have played a fundamental part in the creation and success of the technology industry. We should all have grown up hearing their names, but unfortunately too often their contributions have not been championed. This book highlights the incredible contributions of 50 inspiring women tech pioneers, don't miss the opportunity to find out all about them." - Sue Black, Award winning computer scientist and digital skills expert; "50 Women In Technology is the story of women who have faced, or are facing, insurmountable odds but have overcome challenges to succeed beyond expectations. The book challenges the readers’ own knowledge of women in the tech sector as compared to their knowledge of males and brings awareness to the bias that mainstream media has in covering news stories of males in tech, as opposed to females. Most importantly, 50 Women In Technology does exactly as the name suggests, it highlights the incredible accomplishments of women in the traditionally male dominated technology industry. The stories are inspirational and for this reason should be a must read, not only for young girls and women, but for young boys and men as well. The stories of these women should be told at school, in the workplace, in the media and in the home. While reading to a young boy or girl about a sports hero may be a popular choice at bedtime, an inspiration excerpt from 50 Women In Technology may have longer, more positive consequences for their overall development."Table of ContentsEditor bio Foreword Introduction 25 profiles of pioneers 25 interviews with contemporary women in technology Index

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Book Synopsis* Brings a vibrant sociological imagination to the study of population and demography * Reveals the fascinating social insights that can be revealed by studying population trends such as population size, composition, distribution, etc.Trade Review"Anyone wanting to learn the basics of demography and the ways it relates to broader social forces will profit from reading this book. Carter provides an overview of the field that is informative and wide-ranging."William H. Frey, The Brookings Institution "Carter offers a comprehensive yet concise overview of the major concepts, theories, and data sources in the fields of classic and social demography. Written in an accessible style and leveraging the most recent data from countries around the world, the book highlights the salience of the demographic perspective in understanding all contemporary social problems and provides multiple examples of how demographic forces both reflect and constrain individual choices."Shannon Monnat, Pennsylvania State University "Population and Society does an outstanding job of bringing to life demographic processes such as fertility, mortality, and migration by illustrating their impact using a range of student-engaging, in-depth examples and easy-to-understand data. The book applies demographic events to a range of critical social issues, from environmental degradation, overpopulation, and gender inequality, to the everyday choices we make in our own lives. In short, this book is an outstanding accomplishment!"Sharlene Hesse-Biber, Boston College "This book is well written and with a non-specialist in mind, one more interested in getting quickly into the main points of consensus about human populations instead of the academic quibbles underlying that consensus. The book is peppered with many thought-provoking questions [… T]his is an engaging read, non-technical in style, best suited for undergraduates." American Library Association Choice Reviews"Demography textbooks tend to be high priced and lacking an explicit sociological perspective. Population and Society has neither of these weaknesses. [… Greg Lee Carter's] goal, successfully achieved in my opinion, is to provide students access to the power of social demography to help explain a wide variety of social problems."Teaching SociologyTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Overview of Population Study 2. World Population Growth and Distribution 3. Mortality 4. Fertility 5. Migration

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Book SynopsisA RALLYING CRY FOR THE WHOLE WORLD, BY ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED LEADERS OF OUR TROUBLED TIMES. This eloquent, impassioned manifesto is possibly the most important message The Dalai Lama can give us about the future of our world. It's his rallying cry, full of solutions for our chaotic, aggressive, divided times: no less than a call for revolution.Are we ready to hear it?Are we ready to act?

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Book Synopsis'Ingenious, consistently taut and witty' TLS 'Humorous and quizzical, with a light touch on weighty themes, the narrative darts about with lizard-like colour and velocity' Independent'Strange, elliptical, charming' Guardian 'A poetic, beguiling meditation on truth and storytelling . . . from the dreamscapes of magical realism to a gripping political thriller and even a murder mystery' New InternationalistFélix Ventura trades in memories, a slippery character selling new pasts to people whose bright futures lack only a good lineage, and wiping clean the slate of their identity.In a narrative that darts between past and present Angola, a bookish albino man, a beautiful woman, a mysterious foreigner and a witty talking lizard come together to discover their real origins. For theirs is a world where the truth seems to shift from moment to moment and where history itself is up for grabs . . .WINNER OF THE INDEPENDENT FOREIGN FICTION PRIZE'A work of fierce originality' Independent'Without doubt one of the most important Portuguese-language writers of his generation' ANTÓNIO LOBO ANTUNES'Cross J. M. Coetzee with Gabriel García Márquez and you've got José Eduardo Agualusa' ALAN KAUFMANTranslated from the Portuguese by Daniel HahnTrade ReviewFierce originality, vindicating the power of creativity to transform the most sinister acts. Not since Gregor Samsa's metamorphosis have we had such a convincing non-human narrator, brought vividly home to us by Daniel Hahn -- Amanda Hopkinson * Independent *Strange, elliptical, charming * Guardian *Humorous and quizzical, with a light touch on weighty themes, the narrative darts about with lizard-like colour and velocity -- Boyd Tonkin * Independent *Witty and perceptive. Agualusa has the distinction of being the first Angolan writer to be translated into English * Herald *A curious tale of memory and how it can be shaped, threaded with literary nods, where dreams and reality interweave, and reality itself is interpreted in myriad ways . . . with truths shifting against a vividly drawn sense of place * Metro *A magical tale of metamorphosis, friendship and revenge. Hahn's English translation matches the original's playful inventiveness with language. I loved this book. -- margaret jull costaA subtle, beguiling story of shifting identities * Kirkus Review *A poetic, beguiling meditation on truth and storytelling, a political thriller and a wholly satisfying murder mystery. * New Internationalist *Lovers of stylish literary fiction will rejoice at this charming tale by Angolan writer Agualusa * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisIn this remarkable and groundbreaking book, Kenan Malik explores the history of moral thought as it has developed over three millennia, from Homer's Greece to Mao's China, from ancient India to modern America. It tells the stories of the great philosophers, and breathes life into their ideas, while also challenging many of our most cherished moral beliefs. Engaging and provocative, The Quest for a Moral Compass confronts some of humanity's deepest questions. Where do values come from? Is God necessary for moral guidance? Are there absolute moral truths? It also brings morality down to earth, showing how, throughout history, social needs and political desires have shaped moral thinking. It is a history of the world told through the history of moral thought, and a history of moral thought that casts new light on global history. At a time of great social turbulence and moral uncertainty, there will be few histories more important than this.Trade ReviewAn absolute tour de force. I can imagine it replacing Bertrand Russell's History of Western Philosophy on many a bookshelf - certainly mine. -- Tom HollandThis is an extraordinarily rewarding investigation of the most striking, and contested, aspect of our humanity... To read it is not only to be better informed but also to be more alert to the assumptions that have guided human beings in the past, and to our capacity for goodness and wickedness. -- Raymond TallisWhat I love about Kenan Malik's book is its unashamed, unabashed ambition: he wants to write the history of moral thought, not just in the Western tradition, but of all the traditions that make up the global argument about the direction that the human moral compass should point. The result is a tour de force of lucidity and narrative skill. -- Michael IgnatieffThe Quest for a Moral Compass is a remarkable achievement... While demonstrating genuine command of the subtleties of the hundreds of topics covered, he consistently chooses the accessible, the concise, the precise, and the broad-ranging over the technical, theoretical, and trivial. I learned more than I can say and will no doubt be consulting this book often in the future. -- Austin Dacey

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Book SynopsisWhy are people nice to each other? What are the reasons for altrusim? Matt Ridley explains how the human mind has evolved a special instinct for social exchange, offering a lucid and persuasive argument about the paradox of human benevolence.

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Surveillance permeates every aspect of our lives today. Once a more limited and often remote aspect of social life, today surveillance is central to political, economic, and everyday life. Every click on the keyboard, every call, text or email, every purchase, every contact with a doctor or the police or a government department, each time you walk under a video camera or pass through a security check, and in many other ways, you are recorded, identified, traced, and tracked. Who processes this free-flowing data, how, and with what consequences, is a critical question affecting everyone. This is not an alien conspiracy. It is the way today''s digitally-dependent world works. Surveillance is not inherently good or bad but neither is it neutral. It urgently needs to be understood better because people''s lives and life-chances depend on it. Today surveillance is central to doing business, meeting friends, organizing governanc

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Book SynopsisThe world can be an amazing place if you know the right questions to ask: How did carrots become orange? What's stopping us from having a four-day week? How can we remove all the broken bits of satellite from orbit? If everything is so terrible, why is the global suicide rate falling? The keen minds of the Economist love to look beyond everyday appearances to find out what really makes things tick. In this latest collection of The Economist Explains, they have gathered together the juiciest fruits of their never-ending quest for answers. For an uncommonly interesting read, take a peek at some Uncommon Knowledge - and pass it on! The world only gets more amazing when discoveries are shared.Trade ReviewFor Go Figure: "Books like this make you wary of ever guessing the answer to anything -- Mark Mason * Daily Mail *An uncommonly brilliant little book -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWith a sharp eye for the magnificently absurd, Rod Liddle sets light to modern-day Britain.One of Britain's funniest, most daring columnists. If he weren't so offensive you'd almost call him a national treasure' Mail on SundayI, and my generation, seem feckless and irresponsible, endlessly selfish, whining, avaricious, self-deluding, self-obsessed, spoiled and corrupt and ill.'What is it that has transformed the British who in living memory were admired for their unassuming, stiff-upper-lipped capacity for `muddling through'' into the feckless,obese, self-deluding, avaricious and self-obsessed whingers we have become? Savagely funny and relentlessly contrary, yet with a poignant sense of all that we have lost, Rod Liddle mercilessly exposes the absurdity, cant and humbuggery of the way we live now.Trade Review‘Liddle lured me in with his riotously entertaining take on everything from attitudes towards obesity to what he calls our "respec" culture’ Independent ‘A magnificent torrent of analysis and abuse – 90 per cent brilliant, 10 per cent bonkers … A flaming, bloodthirsty romp, scything through the clichés and lazy thinking of an effete liberal establishment’ Times Higher Education Supplement ‘Filled with his trademark dry and self-hating wit, I would recommend even Rod-sceptics read his book’ New Statesman

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Book SynopsisThe idea of the sword-wielding samurai, beholden to a strict ethical code and trained in deadly martial arts, dominates popular conceptions of the samurai. As early as the late seventeenth century, they were heavily featured in literature, art, theater, and even comedy, from the Tale of the Heike to the kabuki retellings of the 47 Ronin. This legacy remains with us today in the legendary Akira Kurosawa films, the shoguns of HBO''s Westworld, and countless renditions of samurai history in anime, manga, and video games. Acknowledging these common depictions, this book gives readers access to the real samurai as they lived, fought, and served.Much as they capture the modern imagination, the samurai commanded influence over the politics, arts, philosophy and religion of their own time, and ultimately controlled Japan from the fourteenth century until their demise in the mid-nineteenth century. On and off the battlefield, whether charging an enemy on horseback or currying favor at the imperial court, their story is one of adventures and intrigues, heroics and misdeeds, unlikely victories and devastating defeats. This book traces the samurai throughout this history, exploring their roles in watershed events such as Japan''s invasions of Korea at the close of the sixteenth century and the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. Coming alive in these accounts are the samurai, both famed and ordinary, who shaped Japanese history.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Becoming Those Who Served Chapter Two: Early Warrior Authority Chapter Three: War and Culture Chapter Four: Warriors in an Age of Peace Chapter Five: Samurai Invention and Decline References Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisModern Geography has come a long way from its historical roots in exploring foreign lands, and simply mapping and naming the regions of the world. Spanning both physical and human Geography, the discipline today is unique as a subject which can bridge the divide between the sciences and the humanities, and between the environment and our society. Using wide-ranging examples from global warming and oil, to urbanization and ethnicity, this Very Short Introduction paints a broad picture of the current state of Geography, its subject matter, concepts and methods, and its strengths and controversies. The book''s conclusion is no less than a manifesto for Geography''s future.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 ReviewMatthews and Herbert's book is written- as befits the VSI series- in an accessible prose style and is peppered with attractive and understandable images, graphs and tables. * geographical. *The authors make an honest effort to represent the wide and diverse range of proffesional geographers' interests. * Geographical, *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Geography: the World is our stage ; 2. The physical dimension: our natural environments ; 3. The human dimension: people in their places ; 4. Geography as a whole: the common ground ; 5. How geographers work ; 6. Geography's present and future ; References ; Further reading ; Index

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