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Superstition: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
23/01/2020,
£8.99
£8.09
Do you touch wood for luck, or avoid the number 13? Despite the dominance of science in today's world, superstitious beliefs - both traditional and new - remain surprisingly popular. From black cats to lucky pennies, Stuart Vyse explores the history of our deepest superstitions, and the psychological reasons behind why they persist today.
Indian Cinema: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
28/07/2016,
£7.99
£7.19
The Indian cinema sells 2.9 billion movie tickets annually, the largest in the world. Yet, as an economic entity, the Indian movie industry remains small, with an annual revenue that is 5% of Hollywood's. This volume throws light on the history of Indian cinema and the circumstances that saw the birth of one of the world's great countercultures.
American Immigration: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
25/03/2021,
£8.99
£8.09
A thoughtful look at immigration, anti-immigration sentiments, and the motivations and experiences of the migrants themselves, this updated book offers a compact but wide-ranging look at one of America's persistent hot-button issues.
French Cinema: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
26/10/2023,
£8.99
£8.09
It is often claimed that the French invented cinema, and although their prominence may have been supplanted by Hollywood today, the French film industry remains both prolific and highly lauded. Exploring the entire French cinematic oeuvre, Andrew teases out the distinguishing themes, to bring the defining features of French cinema to light.
Leibniz: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
22/09/2016,
£8.99
£8.09
This Very Short Introduction considers who Leibniz was and introduces his overarching intellectual vision. It follows his pursuit of the systematic reform and advancement of all the sciences, to be undertaken as a collaborative enterprise supported by an enlightened ruler, and his ultimate goal of the improvement of the human condition.
The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
26/05/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Famous throughout history for their doomed stand at Thermopylae, and immortalised by contemporary Athenian writers who viewed them as the exotic other, the Spartans, and their brutality and bravery, both fascinate and appal us. Andrew Bayliss reveals the best and the worst of this harsh society, separating myth from reality.
Anarchism: a Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
25/08/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
This Very Short Introduction describes anarchism as a lived set of practices, with a rich historical legacy, and shows how anarchists have inspired and criticised some of our most cherished values, from the ideals of freedom, participatory education, federalism, and climate change, to science fiction.
Viruses: A Very Short Introduction 3ed
Paperback,
27/10/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Viruses are everywhere, and as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, cannot be ignored. From their discovery to the unravelling of their intricate structures, this Very Short Introduction provides a rounded and concise account of the nature of viruses, how they attack their hosts, and the efforts to control them.
The Jury: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
22/12/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
This book shows how and why societies around the world have used juries, from ancient Athens to today. It considers the present decline of jury trials in English speaking countries, the alternatives that have been used throughout history, and analyses how innovations from these non-English-speaking countries may hold the key to jurors' survival.
Goedel's Theorem: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
24/11/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
When Kurt Goedel published his celebrated theorem, showing that no axiomatization can determine the whole truth and nothing but the truth concerning arithmetic, it had a profound impact on mathematical ideas and philosophical thought. Adrian Moore places the theorem in its intellectual and historical context, explaining the key concepts and misunderstandings.
Anselm: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
24/11/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Anselm was the outstanding philosopher-theologian of the Latin West between Augustine and the thirteenth century. This introduction examines the historical and political contexts that shaped his work and explains his central project of 'faith seeking understanding,' encompassing arguments for the existence of God and an account of God's nature.
Ancient Greek and Roman Science: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
24/11/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Liba Taub gives an overview of the major developments in early science between the 8th century BC and 6th century AD. Focussing on Greece and Rome, she discusses the key thinkers and their theories, and traces the evolution of ideas concerning the natural world and its operation, and considers the influence these ideas have had on later centuries.
Evil: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
27/10/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
With the media bringing us constant tales of terrorism and violence, questions regarding the nature of evil are highly topical. Luke Russell explores the philosophical thinking and psychological evidence behind evil, alongside portrayals of fictional villains, considering why people are evil, and how it goes beyond the normal realms of what is bad.
The History of Computing: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
25/08/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
This Very Short Introduction discusses the central events, machines, and people that feature in established accounts of the history of computing. It then recontextualises them, critically examining received perceptions and providing a fresh look at the nature and development of the modern electronic computer.
Nanotechnology: A very short introduction
Paperback,
24/11/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
From nanobots to nanoswarms, the field of nanotechnology has been a staple of science fiction. As this Very Short Introduction shows, the science, from quantum confinement to self-assembly and molecular machines, is just as fascinating.
Condensed Matter Physics: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
22/09/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Solid, liquid, and gas are not the only states of matter. Others include liquid crystal, magnet, glass, and superconductor. New states are continually, and unexpectedly, being discovered. Condensed matter physics seeks to understand how states of matter and their distinct physical properties emerge from the atoms that compose a material.
Negotiation: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
22/09/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Negotiation is essential for peace and international relations, but also for economically efficient trades and bargains in business, and for problem solving skills in workplaces, families and interpersonal interactions. Menkel-Meadow illustrates different models, approaches, and styles of negotiation, which are both conceptual and behavioral.
Poststructuralism: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
25/08/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
This book traces the key arguments that have led poststructuralists to challenge traditional theories of language and culture. It draws on examples from across our culture to explain how poststructuralism explores the relationship between human beings, the world, and the practice of making and reproducing meanings.
Microbiomes: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
24/11/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Humans and other organisms harbour microbiomes, communities of microorganisms which are mostly beneficial but can sometimes cause disease. This book explains how and why our health and wellbeing depend on our resident microbiomes, providing readers with the knowledge to judge claims about microbiome-based applications.
American Political Parties and Elections : A Very Short Introduction 3ed
Paperback,
28/07/2022,
£8.99
£8.09
Few Americans and even fewer citizens of other nations understand the electoral process in the United States. The third edition of this Very Short Introduction offers an up-to-date overview of American political parties and elections, providing an expert view of how the system actually works while shining a light on some of its flaws.
Modern India: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
23/11/2017,
£8.99
£8.09
India has become one of the world's emerging powers, rivaling China in terms of global influence. Yet people still know relatively little about the cultural changes unfolding in India today. Craig Jeffrey looks at the history of India, and considers the questions and challenges facing it today, informed by the everyday stories of Indian citizens.
Analytic Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
07/12/2017,
£8.99
£8.09
Michael Beaney introduces analytic philosophy by exploring some of the key ideas of Gottlob Frege, Bertrand Russell, G. E. Moore, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Susan Stebbing. He also considers how analytic philosophy has developed and spread to become the dominant philosophical tradition across the world.
Logic: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
02/10/2017,
£8.99
£8.09
Graham Priest shows that formal logic is a powerful, exciting part of modern philosophy - a tool for thinking about everything from the existence of God and the reality of time to paradoxes of probability. Explaining formal logic in simple, non-technical terms, this edition includes new sections on mathematical algorithms, axioms, and proofs.
Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
16/10/2017,
£8.99
£8.09
Secondary edition statement from sticker on cover.
Development: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
22/03/2018,
£8.99
£8.09
o How do nations escape poverty and achieve economic and social progress? Ian Goldin, a former vice-president of the World Bank, explains what development means in its broadest sense - encompassing education, health, and gender equality as well as economic growth. He discusses the shift from state-led strategies, to ones driven by market forces.
Decadence: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
16/04/2018,
£8.99
£8.09
Decadence: A Very Short Introduction provides an elegant overview of the culture of decadence - defined as the artistic expression of a conflicted sense of modernity - by tracing its origin in ancient Rome, development in nineteenth-century Paris and London, manifestation in early twentieth-century Vienna and Berlin, and present resonance in contemporary life.
Holy Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
09/08/2018,
£8.99
£8.09
This Very Short Introduction explores the thousand-year history of the Holy Roman Empire, from its origins in 800 as Charlemagne's Frankish kingdom, to its destruction by Napoleon. Throughout, Joachim Whaley analyses the empire's crucial impact and role in the history of European power and politics.
European Union: A Very Short Introduction 4ed
Paperback,
13/02/2018,
£8.99
£8.09
Fully updated to include the migrant crisis, the UK's decision to leave the Union, and the state of the Euro currency, this accessible Very Short Introduction shows how and why the EU has developed, how its institutions works, and what it does - from the single market to the Euro, and from agriculture to peace-keeping and the environment.
Marx: A very short introduction 2ed
Paperback,
07/03/2018,
£8.99
£8.09
Marx is one of the most influential philosophers of all time, whose theories about society, economics, and politics have shaped and directed political and social thought for 150 years. In this new edition, Peter Singer discusses the legacy and impact of Marx's core theories, considering how they apply to twenty first century politics and society.
Saints: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
11/10/2018,
£8.99
£8.09
In this Very Short Introduction Simon Yarrow explores sainthood, sanctity, and the lives of saints themselves. Explaining their social, cultural, and political roles through history, he considers them as forms of literary and artistic expression, and concludes by looking at their relevance in the modern world.
Reading: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
18/04/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Reading can inform, inspire, emancipate, and motivate us. Down the centuries, it has brought huge educational and social benefits. It can also unleash subversion, and its spread has been accompanied by censorship and control. Belinda Jack explores the global development and impact of reading - from ancient texts to digital texts today.
Heidegger: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
07/02/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Martin Heidegger is one of the twentieth century's greatest yet most enigmatic and divisive philosophers. Michael Inwood explores the major themes of Heidegger's seminal work, Being and Time, as well his later thought and association with Nazism.
World Music: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
15/07/2020,
£8.99
£8.09
From folk music to worldbeat, world music holds the power to evoke the exotic and give voice to the voiceless. This new edition shows how dramatic political changes are affecting the ways in which people produce and listen to world music, and addresses how new technologies and the internet alter the way we disseminate and listen to it.
Geopolitics: A Very Short Introduction 3ed
Paperback,
08/08/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Encompassing everything from great power politics to everyday objects such as smart phones, geopolitics affects citizens, governments, and international bodies, and is far more than simply the impact of geographical features on political developments. This book considers both geopolitics' intellectual historical origins and its current concerns.
Foucault: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
10/10/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Foucault is one of those rare philosophers who has become a cult figure. From aesthetics to the penal system; from madness and civilisation to avant-garde literature, he rejected old models of thinking and replaced them with versions that are still debated today. This book introduces and explores aspects of his life, work, and thought.
Human Evolution: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
11/07/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
The study of human evolution is advancing rapidly. New fossil evidence is adding ever more pieces to the puzzle of our past; the new science of ancient DNA is completely reshaping theories of early human populations and migrations. Bernard Wood traces the field of palaeoanthropology from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to the present.
Emotion: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
10/10/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Drawing on the latest scientific research, from anthropology and psychology to neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Evans takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the human heart, discussing the evolution of emotions and their biological basis, the science of happiness, and the role that emotions play in memory and decision making.
Socrates: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
05/09/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Christopher Taylor introduces the life and philosophy of Socrates, whose work has played a central role in shaping Western philosophical thinking for centuries. Examining what we can deduce about Socrates from the writings of his contemporaries (as he himself left none), Taylor traces the reception and influence of his thought to the modern day.
Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
7,
08/08/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Quentin Skinner introduces Niccolo Machiavelli, Florentine diplomat, politician, and the writer known for that most infamous Early Modern work, The Prince. He explores Machiavelli's theory of princely virtu, tracing its roots in ancient historians and moralists, and considering its influence on contemporary politics.
French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
12/12/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
William Doyle chronicles the unfolding events of the French Revolution, from the quarrels of the first revolutionaries with the king, to the Terror, to the rise of Napoleon. Considering how and why the revolution destroyed the age-old cultural, institutional, and social structures in France, Doyle also explores its lasting effects today.
Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction 2ed
Paperback,
08/08/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Eric R. Scerri presents a modern and fresh exploration of this fundamental topic in the physical sciences, considering the deeper implications of the arrangements of the table to atomic physics and quantum mechanics. This new edition celebrates the completion of the 7th period of the table, with the naming of elements 113, 115, 117, and 118
Treaty of Versailles: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
15/03/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
This book presents an introduction to one of the most important treaties ever written, the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I in 1919. Controversial from the very beginning, the treaty still shapes the destinies of societies and states worldwide.
Federalism: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
15/11/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
This Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of federalism, from its origins and evolution to the key events and constitutional decisions that have defined its framework. While primary focus is on the United States, other federal systems, including Brazil, Canada, India, Germany, South Africa, Russia, and the EU, are addressed.
Nazi Germany: A Very Short Introduction
Paperback,
08/08/2019,
£8.99
£8.09
Nazi Germany may have only lasted for 12 years, but it has left a legacy that still echoes with us today. This book discusses the emergence and appeal of the Nazi party, the relationship between consent and terror in securing the regime, the role played by Hitler himself, and the dark stains of war, persecution, and genocide left by Nazi Germany.
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