Social Science

The Predicament of Culture: A Critical Ethnography of the West in its Changing Relations with Other Societies. This book is a critical examination of the West's interactions with other societies, exploring the cultural practices that shape our...

Bill Wyman's Stone Alone is a candid and humorous account of the Rolling Stones' creative evolution and personal struggles during their heyday.Written in the form of a diary, this book offers a meticulous and insightful look at the complex personalities...

The Claremont Run: Subverting Gender in the X-MenA groundbreaking analysis of Chris Claremont's innovative approach to gender representation in comics. By examining the X-Men comics over several hundred issues, J. Andrew Deman reveals the sophisticated...

Quicksand & Passing by Nella Larsen is a powerful exploration of the complexities of identity and societal expectations in the early 20th century. Written by a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Larsen's work offers a nuanced portrayal of the...

Grayson Perry's The Descent of Man is a thought-provoking exploration of masculinity, challenging the traditional notion of what it means to be a man. Perry examines the social, psychological, and cultural factors that shape male identity, and considers...

Andrea Dworkin: A Radical Life This biography provides a vital reassessment of the life and work of Andrea Dworkin, a towering figure of second-wave feminism. Based on exclusive access to her archives, including never-before-published photographs and...

A Dead Cat On Your Table by Peter York features striking illustrations by Martin Rowson. This book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the UK's social and political landscape.

The Secret Life of Cows offers a unique glimpse into the world of cows, revealing their diverse personalities and fascinating behaviors. From the intelligent to the vain, these animals are capable of complex social interactions and surprising antics...

Inalienable Possessions: The Paradox of Keeping-While-Giving by Annette B. Weiner This book challenges traditional anthropology's assumptions about kinship, economics, power, and gender, offering a fresh perspective on reciprocity and marriage exchange...

The Gift Forms and Functions of Exchange in Archaic Societies by Marcel MaussA foundational work in social anthropology, this book presents a systematic study of gift exchange in primitive societies, from ancient Rome to present-day Melanesia.Mauss's...

Social Work's Histories of Complicity and Resistance A Tale of Two Professions by Vasilios Ioakimidis and Aaron Wyllie explores the complex and often troubled history of the social work profession. This book reconsiders the legacy of social work,...

Research is often a solitary pursuit, but it's not immune to the demands of everyday life. This book offers practical advice on how to balance research with other commitments, without compromising the quality of your work. With its focus on time-saving...

The Future of the Professions: How Technology Will Transform the Work of Human Experts The traditional professions of the 20th century are facing a significant shift. According to the authors, increasingly capable technologies will place the practical...

Terry Eagleton's "After Theory" is a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural and political factors that shaped the rise and fall of "high" theory. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Eagleton examines how key thinkers like Barthes, Foucault, Lacan, and...

This thought-provoking book explores the concept of disability as a fundamental aspect of the human experience, urging a new approach to understanding and addressing social, political, and historical issues. Paul Longmore's essays examine the...

Islamic Scholarship in Africa: New Directions and Global Contexts This groundbreaking volume brings together leading international scholars to explore the rapidly growing field of Islamic scholarship in Africa. The study of Islamic erudition in Africa is...

Gossip from the Forest: The Tangled Roots of Our Forests and Fairytales by Sara Maitland In the world of fairytales, forests are often depicted as magical and mysterious, yet also eerie and sometimes horrifying. But what if the forests themselves were...

The English Year by Steve Roud explores the rich tapestry of English social customs and traditions, taking you on a journey through the year's festivities. From national celebrations like New Year's Eve to regional customs like the Padstow Hobby Horse...

Media Studies: A Complete Introduction by Joanne Hollows provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, covering key areas in clear and accessible language. The book mirrors the structure of many university courses, offering essential coverage of...

Chasing the Scream: The Search for the Truth About AddictionJohann Hari's journey to understand the war on drugs takes him across the globe, uncovering the personal stories behind the statistics. From the streets of Brooklyn to the deserts of Mexico,...

Thames Mudlarking: Searching for London's Lost Treasures Discover the fascinating history of London through the objects found on the River Thames. Mudlarks, groups of archaeology enthusiasts, have been combing the shoreline at low tide since the...

Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime by Alex Espinoza This book offers a unique perspective on a pivotal aspect of queer history, exploring the art of cruising and its enduring impact on society. Combining historical research and personal...

How do we experience time, when our lives are shaped by the clock we live by? In her latest book, Jenny Odell explores the fundamental structure of our society and reveals that the clock was built for profit, not people. This has led to a painful...

Critical Race Theory, Fourth Edition An Introduction by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic is a seminal text that explores the intersection of law and race in the United States. Since the publication of the third edition in 2017, the country has...

Reading Is My Window: Books and the Art of Reading in Women's Prisons by Megan Sweeney In this thought-provoking book, Megan Sweeney explores the role of reading in the lives of women prisoners. Through extensive interviews with ninety-four women,...

A Social History of the Media by Asa Briggs, Peter Burke, and Espen Ytreberg provides a comprehensive overview of communication media and their social and cultural contexts. The fourth edition has been revised and updated to reflect the latest...

The Old Man and Me by Jason Wilson At the age of 50, Tony Spencer, aka The Old Man, is on the run from the law. A prolific businessman with a history of bank robberies and counterfeiting, he has lost fortunes and gained notoriety. But as his life hangs...

Science and politics have long been intertwined, with science often invoked in political debates. However, the relationship between the two is complex and sometimes contentious. Geoff Mulgan, a leading policy analyst, explores the growing tensions...

Build confidence in tackling the key themes of the 2015 OCR A-Level Sociology specification with this clear and accessible approach.Develop knowledge and understanding of key Year 1 concepts in a contemporary context, including globalisation and the...

Norman Fairclough's Media Discourse explores the study of media language, applying his critical discourse analysis framework to understand changing media practices in relation to broader social and cultural shifts.Through analysis of TV, radio, and...

Geography is an introduction to the subject that tackles the biggest issues facing us today, from globalisation to equality, from sustainability to population growth, from climate change to changing technology.By exploring the complex interactions...

A comparative analysis of immigrant integration across Western countries, Strangers No More examines the experiences of low-status newcomers and their children in four European countries and the United States and Canada. The book sheds new light on the...

Thoroughly revised and updated, this introduction to place combines everyday uses of the term with complex theoretical debates. The book explores how the concept of place has developed over time, from its origins in the 1950s to its current use in...

Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers by Brigid Daniel, Sally Wassell, Robbie Gilligan, and David Howe is a comprehensive guide for practitioners working with children and young people. The book offers a practical approach to...

The Taste Culture Reader: Experiencing Food and Drink Taste is a deeply evocative sense that plays a vital role in our experiences of food and drink. Yet, despite its significance, it is often overlooked in discussions about eating and drinking. This...

A bold and uncompromising feminist manifesto, The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls advocates for a muscular approach to teaching women and girls to harness their power. Mona Eltahawy's call to action is rooted in her own experiences of sexual...

The Viking Age in Scotland brings the latest research on Scottish Scandinavian archaeology into the new century. Over two decades of study have greatly improved our understanding of Scandinavian daily life between the late eighth and fifteenth centuries,...

Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and RelationshipsBy Camilla Pang, Penguin BooksThis book offers a unique exploration of human nature, using scientific principles to examine everyday interactions such as decision-making,...

Wilhelm Reich examines the underlying causes of modern sexual conflicts, drawing on his medical experiences and observations of the Soviet Union's early economic revolution. This book presents a detailed analysis of the sexual revolution that occurred in...

Explore the multisensory world of ancient Roman homes, where everyday life was shaped by the spaces around you. Hannah Platts examines how the senses - sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch - influenced domestic environments in Rome, Pompeii, and...

Sara Ahmed explores the concept of orientation in this groundbreaking work, examining how bodies are situated in space and time. By focusing on the "orientation" aspect of "sexual orientation" and the "orient" in "orientalism," Ahmed reveals how social...

The break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on 17 June 1972 marked the beginning of a story that would shake the foundations of the American presidency. Journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, working for the Washington Post,...

A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Substances and the Killers Who Used Them Poison has long been a popular choice for murderers, and its enduring appeal lies in its ability to be used in a variety of ways. But how do these poisons work, and what can we...

Our understanding of the world is shaped by a set of ancient biases, forged through millennia of natural and cultural selection. In "Inheritance: The Evolutionary Origins of the Modern World", renowned anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse explores how these...

The 1940s was a pivotal decade for Hollywood, marked by both creative triumphs and commercial decline. Fifty million Americans flocked to the movies every week in 1939, but by the end of the decade, the studios were faltering.This masterful work of...

Effective Communication with Children and Young People is Key to Making a Difference In today's Children's Services, direct practice with children and young people has become a crucial aspect of policy and practice. To truly make a positive impact on...

Discover 50 fascinating folktale characters from around the world, each with their own unique story to tell. Rebel Folklore brings together a diverse range of flawed heroes and relatable villains from ancient stories, showcasing their enduring relevance...

Nomadland is a revelatory tale of the dark underbelly of the American economy, one that foreshadows the precarious future that may await many of us. It celebrates the exceptional resilience and creativity of people who have given up ordinary rootedness...

Becoming Criminal: The Socio-Cultural Origins of Law, Transgression, and Deviance by D. Crewe is a thought-provoking exploration of the fundamental concepts of Criminology and the Sociology of Law. This book offers a radical new perspective on the...

The medieval economy was driven by a significant growth in trade, yet few have studied the network of roads that was so vital to this trade. This book explores the evidence from documents and maps to understand the medieval road network, tracing the...

Child to Parent Violence and Abuse: A Guide to Family Interventions with Non-Violent ResistanceThis book provides a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing child to parent violence and abuse, and offers a practical framework for...

An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture provides a comprehensive assessment of the major theories used to understand and evaluate popular culture in modern societies. Dominic Strinati critically examines the key concepts, including Mannheim...

A Brief History of Slavery A New Global History by Jeremy Black This comprehensive history of slavery spans the ancient world to the present day, revealing how it has taken many forms throughout history and across the globe. From ancient civilizations to...

A new perspective on the transatlantic slave trade emerges in this comprehensive history. British, African, and American merchants collectively transformed the slave trade through innovative business methods, resulting in a brutal system that enslaved...

What About Men? by Caitlin Moran is a thought-provoking exploration of masculinity in the 21st century. The book delves into the challenges faced by teenage boys and their parents, from education and employment to online influencers and social media...

The Sociology Book by Mitchell Hobbs, Sarah Tomley, and Megan Todd is a comprehensive overview of the subject, presented in a clear and easy-to-follow format. This Big Ideas series book tackles complex topics in an accessible way, making it ideal for...

Dark PR: How Corporate Disinformation Undermines Our Health and the Environment The power of persuasion can be a powerful tool, but when used to manipulate public opinion, it can have devastating consequences. Corporate spin-masters have mastered the art...

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir is a foundational work of feminist philosophy that has had a profound impact on our understanding of gender and its relationship to society. First published in 1949, this groundbreaking book has been translated into...

Sociology: A concise and accessible introduction to a key discipline in the social sciences. This book invites you to engage with the intellectual discipline that seeks to provide answers to fundamental questions about our social world.Written by an...

Turkey: A Nation of Contrasts Turkey occupies a strategic position in today's world, straddling both Europe and the Middle East. Its unique blend of cultural, historical, and geographical influences makes it a fascinating country to explore. With a large...

The Virtues of Underwear Modesty, Flamboyance and Filth by Nina Edwards This book offers a unique exploration of the hidden meanings behind our most personal garments. Through a rich collection of illustrations, it unravels the intimate narratives woven...

The Morphology of the Folktale is a seminal work on the forms of the European folktale, providing a comprehensive analysis of the underlying structures and patterns that govern these stories. First published in 1968, this second edition has been widely...

Peripheral Visions: A thought-provoking exploration of lifetime learning from experience and encountering the unfamiliar. Mary Catherine Bateson weaves together four distinct narratives to create a compelling intellectual journey.From a Persian garden to...

The Uncontrollability of the World by Hartmut Rosa Our modern world is driven by a desire to make the world controllable. Yet, it is only when we encounter the uncontrollable that we truly experience the world. In this sense, a world that is fully known...

Gender-critical feminism challenges the traditional view that sex and gender are interchangeable concepts. According to this perspective, sex is a biological reality, while gender is a social construct that is often used to justify inequality. Holly...

The Essential Hirschman brings together some of the finest essays in the social sciences, written by one of the twentieth century's most influential thinkers. Albert O. Hirschman's unique ability to blend precision and literary imagination makes his work...

Powder Wars: The Supergrass Who Brought Down Britain's Biggest Drug Dealers is a gripping true crime account of modern gangsters. Paul Grimes, a notorious gangster, turned undercover informant after his son's tragic death from a drugs overdose. He...

The Public Relations Handbook provides a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic and evolving public relations industry. The book is divided into four parts, covering key conceptual themes in public relations, including strategic public relations, media...

Esther Newton's memoir, My Butch Career, is a deeply personal and affecting account of her journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. Born out of a series of traumas and conflicts, Newton recounts her struggles to navigate a world that often sought...

Niklas Luhmann's Introduction to Systems Theory offers a comprehensive introduction to the key ideas of general and sociological systems theory. This book provides a wealth of examples to illustrate Luhmann's approach, making it an accessible resource...

Freedom to Think: Protecting a Fundamental Human Right in the Digital AgeHuman rights lawyer Susie Alegre explores how the powerful have always sought to influence how we think and what we buy, from Galileo to Alexa. This book charts the history and...

The Sources of Social Power: Volume 4, Globalizations, 1945-2011 by Michael Mann This fourth volume of Michael Mann's analytical history of social power explores the complex interplay of four sources of power - ideological, economic, military, and...

Exploring the intricate web of social connections that shape our lives, 'Connected' reveals the surprising power of social networks in mathematics, genetics, psychology and sociology.The authors, Nicholas A. Christakis and James H. Fowler, uncover the...

This inspirational collection of letters shares the lessons learned by successful trans women on their journeys to womanhood, celebrating their achievements and empowering the next generation to become who they truly are.Written by politicians,...

Hikikomori: Adolescence Without End by Tamaki Saitō This book explores the phenomenon of hikikomori, a social withdrawal that affects an estimated one million Japanese adolescents and young adults. First published in Japan in 1998, Saitō's work has...

W. David Marx explores how our desire for social rank shapes our tastes, identity, art, fashion, and cultural change in this thought-provoking book.Marx examines the fundamental human need for status and how it structures our behavior, forms our tastes,...

Trans When Ideology Meets Reality by Helen JoyceA thought-provoking analysis of the current state of gender identity and its impact on society. Biological sex is no longer accepted as a basic fact of life, and Helen Joyce offers a rational and expert...

Al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul offers a unique perspective on the human condition, exploring the intricate relationship between physical and emotional health. This 75-page paperback provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing a...

Winner Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the WorldAn in-depth investigation into the inner workings of a new gilded age, where the elite follow a 'win-win' logic that prioritises their own interests over equality and justice.This book challenges...

Discover the lives of Britain's prehistoric inhabitants in a vivid and compelling portrait of the past. From the earliest human family to settle in Norfolk over a million years ago, to the craftsmen who built a wooden trackway in the Somerset Levels...

Francis Fukuyama's Identity explores the growing challenge to universal recognition in liberal democracies. The author argues that the rise of identity politics, driven by charismatic leaders and narrow in-group definitions, threatens the international...

The Great Good Place explores the importance of informal public and civic life in fostering community health and individual well-being. Ray Oldenburg's concept of "third places" - where people gather for the pleasure of good company and conversation - is...

First published in 1992, Backlash is a powerful critique of the media's portrayal of women and its impact on feminist progress. Faludi exposes the ways in which the media distorts feminist concepts to sell products, warping the idea of economic...

The Gods Never Left Us is the long-awaited sequel to the worldwide best-selling book Chariots of the Gods. First published 50 years ago, Chariots of the Gods sparked a global shift in humanity's understanding of the cosmos, proposing that Earth was...

Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us WholeBy Susan Cain, Penguin BooksThis thought-provoking work explores the idea that our experiences of sorrow and longing are not weaknesses, but rather a natural part of the human condition. Cain, author of...

Left-Handedness: Causes and Consequences For those who are among the 10% of people who are naturally left-handed, life can be challenging. From being forced to write with their right hand at school to facing prejudice and stereotypes in everyday life,...

The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black StudyA powerful exploration of the black radical tradition, this book draws on theory and practice to inform contemporary social and political thought. Stefano Harney and Fred Moten examine the mechanisms of...

Why Women Are Blamed for Everything exposes the culture of victim-blaming that pervades society, both in the UK and around the world. Dr Jessica Taylor explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, drawing on three years of doctoral research and ten years...

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to strengths-based approaches in Social Work and Social Care practice, covering the theory and research behind these approaches. With a focus on international research and evidence, it offers a critical...

A brilliant and stirring epic of America's Great Migration, The Warmth of Other Suns is a deeply human story of the African American experience. Isabel Wilkerson's masterful narrative weaves together the lives of three individuals who left the South in...

Social Work and Mental Health by Malcolm Golightley and Robert Goemans is a comprehensive introduction to the complex issues surrounding mental health in social work practice. The book provides a clear outline of law and policy, alongside essential...

Sociology for AQA Volume 2 is a comprehensive textbook designed for the second year of AQA's new Sociology A level. The book provides a thorough introduction to sociological concepts and theories, matching the AQA specification. It includes up-to-date...

The Life Project: The Extraordinary Story of Our Ordinary Lives by Helen PearsonThis groundbreaking study has been tracking the lives of thousands of people born in one week, providing unparalleled insights into human development and the impact of early...

Roberto Calasso explores the ancient texts known as the Vedas, a 'Parthenon of words' that reveal a daring understanding of life. The Vedic people, who lived over three thousand years ago in northern India, left behind little physical evidence, but their...

Addressing racism requires a fundamental shift in how we engage with each other, one that acknowledges the visceral experience of the "race conversation". Psychotherapist Eugene Ellis offers a new approach, one that combines trauma-informed,...

The Illuminati: Facts & Fiction by Mark Dice Secret societies have long fascinated and frightened people, and the infamous Illuminati is often at the centre of global conspiracies. However, the truth about this historical secret society is more complex...

Gobekli Tepe: The Megalithic DawnUncover the secrets of the world's oldest temple complex, a sophisticated civilisation that has been hidden in plain sight for millennia. Hugh Newman's groundbreaking book takes you on a journey to the ancient sites of...

Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag The depiction of violence and atrocity has become a commonplace in modern life, with images of horrors from around the world readily available through various media. But what impact do these images have on our...

The Power of the Sacred: An Alternative to the Narrative of Disenchantment by Hans Joas In the self-understanding of modernity, the concept of disenchantment holds a key role. But what does this term actually mean? Hans Joas explores the history of the...

This book offers an in-depth look at the unique Welsh Social Work context, exploring the nation's distinctive approach and its implications for practice. With a foreword by the First Minister of Wales, it provides essential reading for students and...