In A Field Guide to the English, Lyall strides her way readably, eloquently and perceptively across the social, political and cultural landscape of contemporary England. In a narrative studded with memorable anecdote and rich in humour, she explores themes as diverse as peers, politics, the media, understatement, the weather, and England's relationship with animals, alcohol and sex.
This unique volume brings together the key writings of Elizabeth Andrews, one of the most influential female political activists of the early 20th century and a key figure in Welsh women's political history.
In November 2008 the United States will elect a new President. But the imminent collapse of twenty years of Republican conservativism means the country is already conducting an intense self-examination about the trajectory of its history; how it came to find itself in multiple crises and how an America that began as 'the last, best hope of earth' came to be so suspected and vilified around much of the world.
Clare Short MP has been one of the government's most outspoken critics, despite having been a member of it for most of its two terms of office since 1997. Her resignation from the Cabinet over the war in Iraq in 2003 caused a furore -- not least because she had already threatened to go a few months earlier. Why did she delay? Why did she then decide to go? What is at the heart of her reservations about the New Labour style of government, and how does it affect the way we all live our lives?
From the bestselling author of The Aquarian Conspiracy widely regarded as one of the most important books of the 20th century comes this pioneering new book that re-examines the paradigm shift to a more mindful society. She dares to ask
Can we change? and concludes that we can and we must. (courtesy Bertrams)
In early 1997 Peter Penfold, arrived in Sierra Leone as the British High Commissioner. This fascinating book describes not just his eventful three year tour but the background and subsequent events that placed this small country at the centre of the world stage. During his tour he found himself as right hand man to the country's beleaguered President Kabbah.
Due to rebel actions, including shocking atrocities, the Author had to not only evacuate the international community (twice) but was forced out himself. At times he flew in daily from British warships as the situation was dangerously unstable. We learn how almost immediately after being praised by Prime Minister Tony Blair for his pivotal role in getting this once rich country back on its feet, he found himself under Customs and Excise investigation and Parliamentary Committee scrutiny for his supposed role in the 'Arms for Africa' Enquiry.
It's rare that a book appears with a fresh perspective on world affairs, but renowned economist Ha-Joon Chang has some startlingly original things to say about the future of globalization. In theory, he argues, the world's wealthiest countries and supra-national institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO want to see all nations developing into modern industrial societies. In practice, though, those at the top are 'kicking away the ladder' to wealth that they themselves climbed.
Governmental policies (especially in America and Britain) assume international terrorism to be the greatest threat to global security, and attempt to maintain the status quo by using military force. This book argues that the failure of this approach has been demonstrated during the the 'war on terror'.