Politics

News from Somewhere tells the story of a philosopher's attempt to settle in rural Wiltshire. In a style that is both deeply felt and full of humour, Roger Scruton describes the people and animals around his farm, the condition of rural society, the impact of recent disasters, the eccentric pursuits and hard-won consolations of the English yeoman farmer and the joy and vitality that constantly break through the clouds of grief. This book draws on the author's much-praised accounts of rural life in the national press and pre... read more

Aung Sun Suu Kyi was confined to house arrest in 1989 by the junta in Burma and since then she has been cut off from the world outside. Few people have seen or spoken to her during this time, yet despite her isolation and forced reticence, Suu Kyi - leader of Burma’s National League for Democracy and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - remains an enduring symbol for hope and freedom to her supporters within Burma and abroad, and one of the most powerful symbols of human rights of our era. While her struggle has fascinated... read more

The first wholly accurate and authorised record of Nelson Mandela's most inspiring and historically important quotations.
Nelson Mandela by Himself is the complete and fully authorised book of quotations from one of the great leaders of our time. This definitive collection - gathered from privileged access to Mandela's vast personal archive of private papers, speeches, correspondence and audio recordings - features nearly 2000 quotations, over half of which have never before published. Categorised for easy reference, Nelson ... read more

In mid-2008, after thirty years of increasingly tyrannical rule, Robert Mugabe lost an election. Instead of conceding defeat, his supporters launched a brutal campaign of terror. Zimbabweans called it, simply, The Fear. Peter Godwin travels, at considerable risk, to see the havoc raging at the heart of his country, but what emerges from the brutality are the heartbreaking tales of resistance and survival, the astonishing moments of humour and goodwill and the unforgettable characters who will not be subdued.

Vogel offers a nuanced portrait of China's great reform leader Deng Xiaoping and a shrewd analysis of the political maneuvers by which he made such a large mark on history.
No one in the twentieth century had a greater impact on world history than Deng Xiaoping. And no scholar is better qualified than Ezra Vogel to disentangle the contradictions embodied in the life and legacy of China's boldest strategist - the pragmatic, disciplined force behind China's radical economic, technological and social transformation.

Timber is a vital resource that is all around us. It is the house that shelters us, the furniture we relax in, the books we read, the paper we print, the disposable diapers for our babies and the boxes that contain our cereal, detergent and new appliances. The way we produce and consume timber, however, is changing. With international timber companies and big box discount retailers increasingly controlling through global commodity chains where and how much timber is traded, the world's remaining old-growth forests, particularly in ... read more

Since it first appeared, this book has achieved a classic status. Reprinted many times since its publication, it remains the only work that looks in detail at the political issues posed by global warming. This new edition has been thoroughly updated and provides a state-of-the-art discussion of the most formidable challenge humanity faces this century. If climate change goes unchecked, the consequences are likely to be catastrophic for human life on earth. Yet for most people and for many policy-makers too, it tends to be a back-o... read more

Full of astonishing personal stories, this is an essential and incisive discussion on China today - a country on an environmental precipice that will affect the entire world - and a compelling look at the lives of its people.
With foul air, filthy water, rising temperatures and encroaching deserts, China is already suffering an environmental disaster. Now it faces a stark choice: either accept catastrophe or make radical changes. Traveling the vast country to witness this environmental challenge, Jonathan Watts moves from... read more

A group biography of the twelve caesars of our time: American Presidents from Roosevelt to George W. Bush. The twentieth century has been called 'the American Century'. Not since the days of the Roman emperors has there been such a succession of rulers holding the fate of the world in their hands. Now, award-winning biographer Nigel Hamilton gives us the lives of the twelve men, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush, who presided over America's imperial fortunes - the good, the bad and the truly awful. How did these A... read more

Where China Meets India is a vivid, searching and timely book about a remote region that is suddenly becoming a geopolitical center of the world. From their very beginnings, the civilizations of China and India have been walled off from each other, not only by the towering summits of the Himalayas, but also by the vast and impenetrable jungle, hostile tribes and remote inland kingdoms that once stretched a thousand miles from Calcutta across Burma to the upper Yangtze River. In the next few years this last great frontier will li... read more

The Cage is a brilliant yet harrowing account of Sri Lanka's fall into darkness. From one of the most promising nation states of the post-colonial world, Sri Lanka descended into bitter civil conflict between a vicious and corrupt government and the equally barbaric Tamil Tigers. Tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands of civilians were to pay the price. Gordon Weiss, a veteran journalist and UN official with two decades' experience in many of the world's hot spots, was firmly entrenched in the conflict as spokesperson for the United... read more

A groundbreaking book, this unprecedented study is the authoritative account of the best-known intelligence organisation in the world. Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of espionage, the two world wars, modern British government and the conduct of international relations in the first half of the twentieth century, MI6: The History of the Secret Intelligence Service 1909-1949 is a uniquely important examination of the role and significance of intelligence in the modern world.

Sir Winston Churchill remains a British hero, lauded for his oratorical skill. He wrote histories, biographies, memoirs, and even a novel, while his journalism, speeches and broadcasts run to millions of words. From 1940 he inspired and united the British people and guided their war effort. Behind the public figure, however, was a man of vast humanity and enormous wit. His most famous speeches and sayings have passed into history but many of his aphorisms, puns and jokes are less well-known. This enchanting collection brings... read more

A fearless, passionate veteran reporter of conflicts from around the world, Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin was killed in February 2012, covering the uprising in Syria from the besieged city of Homs. On the Front Line is a collection of her finest work, proceeds from which will go to the Marie Colvin Memorial Fund. Marie Colvin held a profound belief in the pursuit of truth, and the courage and humanity of her work was deeply admired. On the Front Line includes her various interviews with Yasser Arafat and Colonel Gadaffi; re... read more

What is the Arab Spring? How did it start? How might it end? What role did Wikileaks play? And where do events leave the oil-dependent west?
  As American and British jets shower bombs on Libya, it is astonishing to think that it all began with a young man who ran a fruit stall. Angry at police brutality, 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi, who sold fruit and vegetables streetside in a provincial Tunisian town, set himself on fire in protest at police behaviour. His act of defiance, in the middle of December 2010, sparked a ch... read more

"The power of the people is stronger than the people in power." Social media allow ideas to be shared. They are places where people can unite, Revolutions can begin. A new type of Revolution -- Revolution 2.0 Wael Ghonim used to be a man unwilling to publicly criticise the Egyptian regime. Like many, he was silenced by the fear of reprisals. But in January 2011 Wael decided he had seen too much oppression go unchallenged and started a Facebook page calling for the people to protest. It became a rallying-point for revolution and Egy... read more

The rights of children as citizens have become an increasing focus of international attention as the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is celebrated in 2009. Entitlement to respect and recognition, opportunities for belonging and meaningful participation in society, the right to express an opinion and have it taken into account, and the fulfilment of duties to others are all key components of citizenship. This book reports on research with children and young people in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, ... read more

An up-close portrait of the fierce struggle - between moderates and extremists - taking place within the Islamic world today.

The United States is a country founded on the ideals of democracy and freedom, yet throughout the last century it has used secret and lawless methods to destroy its enemies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the most powerful of these forces. This title presents the history of the FBI as a secret intelligence service.

How are we to regain economic growth? In this seminal new book based on 60 years of data, economist Stewart Lansley shows that economic equality is necessary for economic growth. Like a tumour, the economy for the rich has grown at least 10-fold in countries like Britain and the US, sucking in ever-increasing quantities money away from circulating in the real economy. 30 years after the creed that inequality is good for us all became common wisdom, it is clear that the experiment has failed and a world of two economies has grown u... read more