Starting with the controversial hypothesis that not only human intelligence but also its antithesis 'intellectual disability' are nothing more than historical contingencies, this title traces the interplay between human types and the characteristics attributed to them.

Aimed primarily at students and undergraduates, this text covers Italian history between the period 1700-1860.

Presents an exploration of the Dark Ages, which examines the impact of the Barbarian invasions on Constantine's Christianized empire, and the gradual emergence of a new social, economic and political order. This book discusses the Church and the Papacy, the coming of Islam, and the rise and fall of the Frankish Empire.

Summarises the main debates and perspectives shaping the field of reading. This title introduces key theorists such as Iser, Fish and Bakhtin. It surveys influential works and outlines important studies on mass reading. It focuses on specific communities such as Welsh miners, African American library users and Australian convicts.