Packed with fascinating facts and insight, this book will fuel dinner party debate, and provide readers with the science and politics behind the world’s most controversial resource.Without oil, there
The study of life and its existence in the universe, known as astrobiology, is now one of the hottest areas of both popular science and serious academic research, fusing biology, chemistry, astrophysi
Examining Judaism as a religion, philosophy and lifestyle, this authoritative introduction asks what it means to be a Jew today. From the nature of God to worship and everyday life, Dan and Lavinia Co
Rescuing the subject from dry abstractions, Clare Connors focuses on the real questions that emerge when we read and study literature–such as how we find meaning and how literature relates to its hist
Machiavelli has been among the most commented upon, criticised and feared thinkers of the modern world. Infamous for his support of brutality and repression as valid political instruments, he is often
Inhumanely cruel and irresistibly cool, the Mafia has always captured the darker side of the imagination. But just what is the mafia, how does it operate, and what can be done to combat it?In this dra
The Middle East is notoriously complex and difficult. This compact book on the topic by the University of Oxford’s leading expert does not shirk the challenge.Organized thematically, and dealing with
Written by the world’s leading experts and campaigners, Modern Slavery blends original research with shocking first-hand accounts from slaves themselves around the world to reveal the truth behind one
This is a comprehensive yet concise and accessible introduction to the history, role, activities and future challenges facing NATO. Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, author Jennifer Medcalf
A deeply divisive figure, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) remains an enigma to this day. Infamous for his startling assertion that ‘God is dead’, he is often misrepresented and many have sought to dis
Opera is often dismissed as outdated and excessive, and perceived to be characterised by excessive passions, sumptuous costumes and ill-mannered divas. In reality, however, operas address the most fun
Blending narrative with analysis, Peter Davies explores a time of obscene opulence, mass starvation, and ground-breaking ideals; where the streets of Paris ran red with blood, and the numbers requirin
The Enlightenment has been nothing if not divisive, being blamed for bloody disasters – Auschwitz, the gulags, Islamic terrorism – as well as being heralded as the harbinger of reason and equality. To
Existentialism pervades modern culture, yet if you ask most people what it means, they won’t be able to tell you.In this lively and topical introduction, Wartenberg reveals a vibrant mode of philosoph
Science makes the modern world go round, driving the economy, shaping politics, and influencing the food we eat, the films we watch, and the authorities we trust. Although we are surrounded by its tri
The work of engineers surrounds us: from the phones in our pockets to the layout of our cities. But the skills that brought the world clean water and telecommunications also produced polluting technol
Evolutionary Psychology is a uniquely accessible yet comprehensive guide to the study of the effects of evolutionary theory on human behavior. Written specifically for the general reader, and for entr
What drives someone to become a suicide bomber? Who are al-Qaeda and what do they want? What happens when the media becomes part of the story?Author and UN Security advisor Leonard Weinberg answers th
In this clear and accessible introduction to Hinduism, Klaus K. Klostermaier offers a unique overview of a tradition that spans thousands of years. Explaining the origins, beliefs, scriptures and phil
Does goodness require God? Do we need eternity for meaningful lives? Should we believe in God without evidence? With historical adherents as various as Mark Twain, Einstein, Freud, Philip Pullman, and
From the introduction of Greek philosophy into the Muslim world in the eighth century, right through to modern times, Majid Fakhry charts the evolution and interaction of philosophy, theology, and mys
Journalism today is moving faster than ever before. With web 2.0, blogging, huge media conglomerates, 24-hour news-networks, and tight legal frameworks, this introduction investigates the role of jour
Epistemology is the philosophical study of knowledge. Without knowledge, scientific enquiry is meaningless and we can’t analyse the world around us. But what exactly is knowledge and how do we obtain
What’s wrong with buying regular coffee? Does fair trade necessarily mean ethical trade? What impact can consumers have on global economics?Fair Trade means more than just bananas, coffee, and chocola
Feminism is arguably the most significant social movement of the last century and it is far from over. But what appears as a single, unified movement on behalf of women’s liberation is really a fascin
The most remarkable weapon in the fight against crime, forensic science turns bullet trajectories, bodily fluids, and the very structure of our DNA into damning witnesses of our every act.Packed with
In this user-friendly and informative audiobook, prolific author and academic Vaclav Smil provides an introduction to this farreaching term and gives the reader a greater understanding of energy’s pla
Spanning the centuries and crossing the globe, this engaging introduction covers everything Daoist, from the religion of the ancients to 21st century T’ai Chi and meditation. Daoism will prove invalua
With over two billion adherents, Christianity is the world’s largest religion. However, with a multitude of denominations, and varying opinions on many central tenets, it can be difficult to obtain a
Climate change is the greatest single problem we face as a planet. This important introduction skilfully guides us through the complex mix of scientific, political, social, and environmental issues to
At a time of unparalleled environmental change, there has never been a greater need for new ways of defending nature.In this forward-thinking work, Paul Jepson and Richard Ladle cover all aspects of m
In this compelling overview, Adam Jones outlines the history and current extent of key crimes against humanity, and highlights the efforts of popular movements to suppress them.Using examples ranging
Critical thinking shows people how to analyse arguments, speeches, and newspaper articles to see which faults the authors are making in their reasoning. It looks at the structure of language to demons
With the ideology of democracy under more global scrutiny than ever in the wake of the war on Iraq and suspicions over election results, David Beetham offers new insights into democracy. He looks at r
An icon of philosophy and psychology during the first half of the 20th century and the author of over forty books across a range of topics, Dewey is known as the father of functional psychology and a
Winston Churchill, Andy Warhol, Tom Cruise, Agatha Christie, Pablo Picasso. All famous and successful in their chosen professions. All dyslexic. But what is dyslexia? Are there different types of dysl
When we think of the word "censorship," we imagine blacked out words and authoritarian political regimes of the past. However, censorship is alive and well today, and just as pervasive in ca
Vast, diverse, dynamic, and turbulent, the true nature of Africa is often obscured by its poverty-stricken image.In this controversial and gripping guide, Tom Young cuts through the emotional hype to
To understand the world events today, you need to understand American politics. Exploring the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Jon Roper provides a sharp a
What do anarchists stand for? In this clear and penetrating study, Ruth Kinna goes directly to the heart of this controversial ideology, explaining the influences that have shaped anarchism and the di
