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| (FABULOUS) FIBONACCI NUMBERS [Alfred S Posamentier & Ingmar Lehmann] The most ubiquitous, and perhaps the most intriguing, number pattern in mathematics is the Fibonacci sequence. In this simple pattern beginning with two ones, each succeeding number is the sum of the two numbers immediately preceding it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ad infinitum). Far from being just a curiosity, this sequence recurs in structures found throughout nature -- from the arrangement of whorls on a pinecone to the branches of certain plant stems. All of which is astounding evidence for the deep mathematical basis of the natural world. With admirable clarity, mathematics educators Alfred Posamentier and Ingmar Lehmann take us on a fascinating tour of the many ramifications of the Fibonacci numbers. The authors begin with a brief history of their distinguished Italian discoverer, who, among other accomplishments, was responsible for popularising the use of Arabic numerals in the West. Turning to botany, the authors demonstrate, through illustrative diagrams, the unbelievable connections between Fibonacci numbers and natural forms (pineapples, sunflowers, and daisies are just a few examples). In art, architecture, the stock market, and other areas of society and culture, they point out numerous examples of the Fibonacci sequence as well as its derivative, the "golden ratio". And of course in mathematics, as the authors amply demonstrate, there are almost boundless applications in probability, number theory, geometry, algebra, and Pascal’s triangle, to name a few. Accessible and appealing to even the most math-phobic individual, this fun and enlightening book allows the reader to appreciate the elegance of mathematics and its amazing applications in both natural and cultural settings. REVIEW: "...delightful...accessible to anyone who enjoys or enjoyed high school mathematics. Mathematics teachers from middle school through college will find this book fun to read and useful in the classroom. The authors consider more properties, relationships, and applications of the Fibonacci numbers than most other sources do...I enjoyed reading this book...a valuable addition to the mathematical literature." -- Mathematics Teacher, Vol. 102, No. 1, August 2008 { 385pp, 155x235mm, June 2007; PB, £19.50, 1591024757:9781591024750 , Prometheus Books } |
| ¿SE PUEDE SABER SI DIOS EXISTE? [Hector Avalos] In this Spanish primer on biblical criticism and key problems in religion and philosophy, Professor Avalos critically reviews the classic arguments for the existence of God, alleged miracles and faith healing, the belief that the bible is the inerrant word of God, the resurrection of Jesus, and many other topics. { 284pp, 155x230mm, July 2003; PB, £14.99, 1591020433:9781591020431 , Prometheus Books } |
| 100 GREATEST AFRICAN AMERICANS : A Biographical Encyclopedia [Molefi Kete Asante] The 100 people who are included range from former slaves such as Crispus Attucks and Phillis Wheatley to more contemporary individuals such as Amiri Baraka and Toni Morrison. Among others are sports figures Jesse Owens and Tiger Woods, performers Marian Anderson and Bill Cosby, and political activists Marcus Garvey and Jesse Jackson. Each portrait covers two to four pages that summarize the person's life, work, and importance and is accompanied by a black-and-white photograph or illustration. There is enough variety so that students with assignments will have no trouble focusing on someone in their area of interest. { 350pp, March 2003; HB, £34.99, 1573929638:9781573929639 , Prometheus Books } |
| 2000 YEARS OF DISBELIEF : Famous People with the Courage to Doubt [James A Haught] Society rarely acknowledges the many and varied gifts that disbelievers give to the world. Churchmen generally contend that great figures in history, such as America's founders, were conventional believers. That isn't true, and this insightful, witty collection sets the record straight! This collection chronicles dozens of famous people such as Isaac Asimov, W E B DuBois, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, Omar Khayyam, Abraham Lincoln, James Madison, John Stuart Mill, Ayn Rand, Gene Roddenberry, Margaret Sanger, George Bernard Shaw, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Voltaire, with many quotes that reveal their rejection of the supernatural. { 334pp, 140x215mm, June 1996; HB, £21.99, 1573920673:9781573920674 , Prometheus Books } |
| 50 REASONS PEOPLE GIVE FOR BELIEVING IN A GOD [Guy P Harrison] Many books that challenge religious belief from a sceptical point of view take a combative tone that is almost guaranteed to alienate believers or they present complex philosophical or scientific arguments that fail to reach the average reader. Journalist Guy P Harrison argues that this is an ineffective way of encouraging people to develop critical thinking about religion. In this unique approach to scepticism regarding God, Harrison concisely presents fifty commonly heard reasons people often give for believing in a God and then he raises legitimate questions regarding these reasons, showing in each case that there is much room for doubt. Whether you're a believer, a complete sceptic, or somewhere in between, you'll find Harrison's review of traditional and more recent arguments for the existence of God refreshing, approachable, and enlightening. From religion as the foundation of morality to the authority of sacred books, the compelling religious testimony of influential people, near-death experiences, arguments from Intelligent Design, and much more, Harrison respectfully describes each rationale for belief and then politely shows the deficiencies that any good sceptic would point out. As a journalist who has travelled widely and interviewed many highly accomplished people, quite a number of whom are believers, Harrison appreciates the variety of belief and the ways in which people seek to make religion compatible with scientific thought. Nonetheless, he shows that, despite the prevalence of belief in God or religious belief in intelligent people, in the end there are no unassailable reasons for believing in a God. For sceptics looking for appealing ways to approach their believing friends or believers who are not afraid to consider a sceptical challenge, Harrison's book makes for very stimulating reading. { 354pp, 155x230mm, April 2008; PB, £11.99, 1591025672:9781591025672 , Prometheus Books } |
| ABNORMAL PAP SMEARS : What Every Woman Needs to Know [Lynda Rushing, MD & Nancy Joste, MD] Millions of women experience abnormal Pap smears each year, but how many of these patients know what the test screens for, what they can do to ensure optimal results, how laboratory errors can affect their results, what various diagnoses mean, and what to expect in follow-up and treatment procedures? Rushing, medical director of cytology and gynecologic pathology at Pathology Services, Inc., and Joste, a medical doctor and associate professor of pathology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, cover these topics and more. They also consider the link between cervical cancer and human papillomaviruses, new Pap smear technologies, suggestions on how to deal with a cervical cancer diagnosis, cervical cancer prevention, personal stories from women who have experienced abnormal Pap smears, and a Pap smear FAQ. Selected chapter references, a glossary, and a very brief appendix featuring general references, web sites, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers complete the book. { 250pp, September 2001; PB, £15.50, 1573929298:9781573929295 , Prometheus Books } |
| ABNORMAL PAP SMEARS : What Every Woman Needs to Know: Updated Edition [Lynda Rushing MD & Nancy Joste MD] This comprehensive guide for the more than 4 million women each year who experience abnormal Pap smears discusses the relationship of cervical cancer to infection by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and underscores how crucial Pap smears are for cervical cancer prevention. The book covers the meaning of different Pap-smear diagnoses, ranging from atypical to full-blown cervical cancer. Simple and clear line drawings illustrate pertinent female anatomy and normal-to-abnormal cell changes. Since sub-optimal tests can produce misleading results, tips are provided to help women improve their chances of receiving the most accurate Pap smear. This updated edition details the most recent developments in HPV testing, as well as the new liquid-based Pap test. Lastly, the future of Pap smears and cervical-cancer prevention is explored, with special emphasis on the recently approved HPV vaccine. Vital to the book are interspersed personal interviews, which provide firsthand information on women's feelings about their abnormal Pap smears as well as their experiences with cervical disease. These personal vignettes offer insights into the social and emotional effects that often result from an abnormal Pap smear. The first edition was chosen by 'Nurse Practitioner' and 'Library Journal' as one of the best books of the year. Now fully updated, this clearly written, very approachable guide fills a vital consumer-health need. { 354pp, 155x230mm, April 2008; PB, £14.99, 1591025710:9781591025719 , Prometheus Books } |
| ABRACADABRA! : Secrets Methods Magicians & Others Use to Deceive Their Audience [Nathaniel Schiffman] Magicians use more than just mirrors, string, and sleight of hand to deceive their audience. Those who are masters at this trade have developed an arsenal of techniques to manipulate people. Every action and utterance on stage and off is precisely planned to achieve a specific effect. Abracadabra! is an insider's look at what goes on at a magic show, behind-the-scenes, and in the mind of the magician. Nathaniel Schiffman explains the principles of deception, exposing those seemingly innocent motions that conceal vital actions from onlookers; how the conjurer uses misdirection of space and time to mislead the audience; how silly and simple optical illusions can fool us; and what to look for during a magic show. Also explored in detail is the world of offstage magic. Some 'magicians' use various techniques in life to deceive and influence you, yet these magicians don't boast of their magic talent, because they are advertisers, politicians, generals, spies, con artists, computer programmers, movie directors, faith healers, psychics, and others. These 'magicians' work to make you buy their product, believe in their cause, and influence your thinking from the time you get up in the morning, until you go to bed at night. This is not a 'how to' book for aspiring magicians, but a layperson's guide to methods used to mislead or fool you. Lighthearted and informal, Abracadabra! will fascinate anyone interested in knowing how one person can control many. Included are hands-on experiments, magic tricks, and reader participation segments. You'll soon see that magicians don't just manipulate playing cards and animals; they manipulate you. { 441pp, March 2005; PB, £14.99, 1591022487:9781591022480 , Prometheus Books } |
| ABUSE OF INNOCENCE : The McMartin Preschool Trial [Paul & Shirley Eberle] On 12 August 1983, Judy Johnson called the police and told them her two-year-old son had been sexually abused at Virginia McMartin's Preschool in Manhattan Beach, California. Mrs Johnson accused a teacher, Raymond Buckey. After searching the school and the homes of the owners and teachers, police distributed a letter to parents of children attending the McMartin Pre-school urging them to ask their children if they have witnessed any acts of sexual molestation by Buckey. The result was mass hysteria. None of the allegations were true. Investigative journalists Paul and Shirley Eberle witnessed the McMartin Trial and uncovered stunning amounts of prosecutorial misconduct, all revealed in this disturbing book. { 416pp, 150x230mm, November 2003; PB, £15.99, 1591021650:9781591021650 , Prometheus Books } |
| ACCESSIBLE HEGEL [Michael Allen Fox] Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century. Unfortunately, reading Hegel is a notoriously difficult task and there is a good deal of debate about exactly how to interpret his words. Philosopher Michael Allen Fox admirably fills this need in 'The Accessible Hegel'. For both beginners and those already familiar with Hegel's work, this excellent overview of one of philosophy's great geniuses offers many clarifications and insights. { 120pp, 150x230mm, January 2005; PB, £16.99, 1591022584:9781591022589 , Prometheus Books (Humanity Books) } |
| ACTS OF THE APOSTLES : What Really Happened in the Earliest Days of the Church [Gerd Ludemann] In Jesus After 2000 Years, New Testament historian Gerd Lüdemann analysed the four traditional gospels, plus the more recently discovered Gospel of Thomas and apocryphal literature, to ascertain which of the alleged words and actions of Jesus can be judged authentic. Now in this companion volume, Lüdemann takes the same historical-critical approach to the Acts of the Apostles. Together these two in-depth studies lay the groundwork for a factually accurate history of primitive Christianity. Although many books have been published on the Acts of the Apostles, Lüdemann's work is unique in its emphasis on establishing reliable historical facts. Other scholars have delved into Acts to discover the author's theology and the purpose of his writing. By contrast, Lüdemann examines each individual section of Acts to detect whatever tradition may lie behind it. Where possible, he offers a reasoned judgement on the historical value of every event and action described in this early Christian text. For everyone with a desire to know what really happened in the earliest days of the Christian church, this volume is indispensable. { 450pp, July 2005; HB, £22.99, 1591023017:9781591023012 , Prometheus Books } |
| AD WOMEN : How They Impact What We Need, Want & Buy [Juliann Sivulka] Most of the workers in advertising, the media, retail, and fashion are women. Holding key marketing and advertising positions, women shape the basic promotional appeal of almost every consumer product in America. How did the advertising business go from a handful of women in a man's world to women working in virtually every mass consumer goods industry in America in the space of the twentieth century? This book tells the story of how women have risen to the top of the advertising profession. Juliann Sivulka, a former marketing communications manager and now an advertising educator, describes how, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the recognition of women as primary consumers resulted in the hiring of more women to promote products aimed at the women's market. At that time manufacturers began to emphasise colour, fashion, and style, while advertising embraced a new language of persuasion aimed at women consumers. Soon agencies were recruiting an ensemble of businesswomen -- copywriters, product designers, merchandisers, fashion and beauty experts, home economists, editors, and publicists. Through close collaboration with manufacturers, mass media, and retailers, they participated in developing strategies to convince women to buy goods and wove their selling messages into women's reading, shopping, housework, and leisure activities. Sivulka follows three key periods in the history of American advertising, which represent eras of major social change for women (1880-1920, the 1920s, and the 1970s). She discusses the effect on advertising of such controversial issues as the women's movement, minorities, and consumer activism, and devotes an entire chapter to the contributions to advertising of African American, Hispanic, and Asian American women in the twentieth century. Copiously illustrated with portraits of early ad women and examples of their work, this thoroughly researched and engagingly written survey of women in advertising will fascinate marketing students, women's studies scholars, and everyday consumers. REVIEW: ...a serious examination of women’s impact on and careers in the industry. Booklist, October 15, 2008 { 340pp, 155x230mm, October 2008; HB, £17.99, 1591026725:9781591026723 , Prometheus Books } |
| ADAM PRINCIPLE : Genes, Genitals, Hormones, and Gender: Selected Readings in Sexology [John Money] The first-ever collection of this noted sexologist's original clinical studies of gender identity and role in genetics, hormones, body morphology, brain, and social assimilation and learning. REVIEW: ". . . it is impossible to read Money without having one's own views challenged . . . who could ask for more?" -- Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality { 364pp, 155x230mm, October 1993; HB, £39.99, 087975804X:9780879758042 , Prometheus Books } |
| ADVENTURE OF RETIREMENT : It's About More Than Just Money [Guild A Fetridge] There is more to retirement than just having enough money. Many older people dream for years about what they will do once they retire -- catch up on their reading, complete projects around the house, take up gardening, travel - only to find that six months later they have accomplished most of their goals! Now what? With people living longer or retiring earlier, the post-retirement period can extend to 25, or even 35 years. Those extra eight hours a day, every day, add up to as many as 50,000 hours of unplanned time! The constant "togetherness" of spouses after retirement can put a severe strain on relationships, and often exposes conflicts that have been hidden by the demands of child-rearing and work routines. Many people have their personal identity tied up with work, or in a profession, and they discover that the dismantling of the social and business structure of a career is more difficult than expected. It is important that people plan for this new and exciting phase of their life just as seriously as they prepared for a career. In "The Adventure of Retirement", consultant and researcher Guild A Fetridge explores those frequently overlooked behavioural, emotional, and lifestyle issues that are vital to a fulfilling retirement. He includes questionnaires and a unique checklist to help readers gauge their attitudes and progress toward retirement; important diet and exercise information; and a guide to some uncommon travel ideas, projects, learning opportunities, events, and associations that can help retirees enjoy life and leisure more. Also included are an extended bibliography and a variety of forms to assist in the retirement planning process. { 205pp, 155x230mm, October 1994; HB, £21.99, 0879759216:9780879759216 / PB, £15.99, 0879759410:9780879759414 , Prometheus Books } |
| AFFIRMATIONS, REVISED EDITION : Joyful & Creative Exuberance [Paul Kurtz] In this optimistic, life-affirming book, philosopher Paul Kurtz succinctly outlines the main characteristics of the humanist perspective. Centred on human concerns and employing rational and scientific methods to determine objective truth, humanism is dedicated to the development of individual human potentials and the improvement of the planetary community. { 126pp, 140x215mm, August 2005; PB, £11.50, 1591023890:9781591023890 , Prometheus Books } |
| AFFIRMATIVE ACTION : Social Justice or Reverse Discrimination? [Francis J Beckwith & Todd E Jones (eds)] What is our goal: equal opportunity or equality of result? The debate rages on. The 5 November 1996 decision by voters in California to eliminate most forms of state sanctioned affirmative action ignited a civil rights debate that sent shock waves across the country. The vote had critics celebrating the dawn of a new era of equal rights, while opponents warned of school and workplace discrimination without the protective blanket of affirmative action. The question of racial equality has inspired new debate today, reminiscent of the conflicts of the 1960s. Again we ask ourselves: Is affirmative action necessary to maintain equal labour practices, school desegregation plans, and broad social standards of racial equality? Does affirmative action or laws to roll it back go against the idea of equality itself? Should race play an important role in college admissions and corporate hiring? Is affirmative action a poison instead of a cure? For some, it depends on how the term is defined. These and other questions are debated in this highly charged collection of essays by a distinguished group of politicians, philosophers, educators, and others including Tom Beauchamp, Ward Connerly, Ronald Dworkin, Stanley Fish, Lyndon Johnson, Nicholas LeMann, Louis Pojman, George Sher, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Richard Wasserstrom, Cornell West, and Steven Yates. Included also are important legal decisions bearing on affirmative action. { 250pp, 155x230mm, September 1997; PB, £15.50, 1573921572:9781573921572 , Prometheus Books } |
| AFFIRMING FLAME : A Poetics of Meaning [Maurice S Friedman] Professor Friedman explores the rich tapestry of our humanness as we strive to find meaning in our experiences, even in the midst of the evil and death that threaten to put an end to it all. This struggle is vividly captured in literary and poetic works that epitomise what Friedman describes as our effort to hold the tension between affirming where we can affirm and withstanding where we must withstand. { 252pp, March 1999; HB, £37.50, 1573922595:9781573922593 , Prometheus Books } |
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN HUMANISM : An Anthology [Norm R Allen Jr (ed)] This collection demonstrates the strong influence that humanism and free-thought had in developing the history and ideals of black intellectualism. Most people are quick to note the profound influence that religion has played in African-American history: consoling the downtrodden slave or inspiring the abolitionists, the underground railroad, and the civil rights movement. But few are aware of the role humanism played in shaping the black experience: developing the thought and motivating the actions of powerful African-American intellectuals. { 286pp, 140x215mm, August 1991; PB, £19.99, 0879756586:9780879756581 , Prometheus Books } |
| AFTER GENOCIDE : Bringing the Devil to Justice [Adam M Smith] How did one of the bravest and most optimistic expressions of post Cold War global power -- the provision of justice for those victimised by atrocious crimes -- degenerate into a system in which so few are convinced that justice is being dispensed? This book comprehensively examines the complex world of international criminal justice in several hot spots including the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda. The author suggests ways to provide an effective justice system that entrusts the potentially destabilising work of crime war crimes justice to the very states affected by the crimes. { 375pp, 155x230mm, January 2009; HB, £18.99, 1591026849:9781591026846 , Prometheus Books } |
| AFTER THE STROKE : Coping with America's Third Leading Cause of Death [Evelyn Shirk] In just a few seconds -- without warning -- a stroke can shatter the life of its adult victim and radically affect the unsuspecting family. Confused, frightened, and completely unprepared, family members suddenly find themselves in the role of caregiver. What exactly happened? What to do? What to expect? Where to turn for help? How to cope? The questions come fast and furious but answers are hard to find. After the Stroke is the compelling account of Evelyn Shirk's courageous struggle to face these questions and to find her own answers as she accepted the challenge of caring for her husband, a victim of multiple strokes. At 61, Jay Shirk was a successful scholar with a bright and productive future -- until he experienced a mild stroke, an "ischemic attack". During the next seventeen years, Evelyn, a professional scholar herself, faced the fear and uncertainty of never knowing when or if there would be another "episode". Her life became a roller-coaster ride of mixed emotions reaching new highs and lows as she and Jay began the hard, but rewarding, work of rehabilitation and recovery, only to see their progress dashed by the debilitating effects of subsequent strokes, further aggressive treatment, and eventual nursing home placement. "After the Stroke" chronicles the twists and turns of a white-knuckle ride that tested Evelyn's endurance, patience, and ingenuity as she faced tough choices and overcame the challenges of caring for a spouse whose helplessness increased with each new attack. Hers is a frank, yet uplifting account, a testament to the courage and determination of patients and caregivers who struggle each day to maintain dignity and quality of life. { 114pp, 155x230mm, December 1994; HB, £23.99, 0879756934:9780879756932 / PB, £15.99, 0879756942:9780879756949 , Prometheus Books } |
| AGAINST CARTESIAN PHILOSOPHY The 'Censura' is the most comprehensive, unrelenting, and devastating critique of Descartes ever published. Anticipating the issues that have occupied Cartesian scholarship for the past half-century, Huet argues at length that Descartes's philosophy fails on many counts: his methodology of doubting; the reliability of his famous 'cogita' (I think, therefore I am); clarity and distinctness as criteria of truth; his proofs for the existence of God; the circularity of his main argument in the 'Meditations'; and numerous other points. Complete with an extensive introduction explaining the circumstances, history, and importance of the work; a brief biography of its fascinating author; and helpful scholarly annotations; this translation of Huet's 'Censura' brings to light an important philosophical work that has been neglected for more than three hundred years. { 248pp, August 2003; HB, £40.99, 1591021022:9781591021025 , Prometheus Books (Humanity Books) } |
| AGE OF AGING : A Reader in Social Gerontology [Abraham Monk (ed)] Ageing has become a high priority issue on the agenda of legislators, public forums, and human service agencies. Social scientists are acknowledging that the American society is ageing -- that is, older persons live longer and are increasing in numbers relative to the rest of the population. In "The Age of Aging", Abraham Monk has collected some of the most engaging and useful essays on ageing ever to have appeared in one volume. This book contributes to a better understanding of the processes of ageing and their impact on society as a whole. It goes beyond a mere descriptive account of the aged population, for it probes the images held about them and compares these views with their actual life styles, developmental transitions and crises. It also examines those experiences in light of social gerontological theories. Among the contributors, all of whom are leading researchers in the field of gerontology, are: Donald O Cowgill, Irving Roscow, Beverly A Yawney and Darrell L Slover, Dan Rubenstein, Helena Lopata, Marjorie H Cantor, and Martin B Sussman. This is not a single discipline book. It is not psychology, sociology, or social work, in the strict sense, but a combination of all. Thus, it is geared to a wide professional and educated laymen audience. Students in the social sciences and human service careers, and anyone seeking a better understanding about issues and concerns of old age will find this anthology a most invaluable and useful sourcebook. { 374pp, 155x230mm, December 1994; PB, £15.50, 0879751142:9780879751142 , Prometheus Books } |
| AGE OF REASON [Thomas Paine] Thomas Paine, defender of freedom, independence, and rational common sense during America's turbulent revolutionary period, offers insights into religion which ring sharply true more than two centuries later. This unabridged edition of The Age of Reason sets forth Paine's provocative observations on the place of religion in society. { 190pp, 140x215mm, March 1985; PB, £13.50, 0879752734:9780879752736 , Prometheus Books } |
| AGING IN GOOD HEALTH [Sue E Levkoff, Yeon Kyung Chee, Ph.D. & Shohei Noguchi, Ph.D. (eds)] With advances in medicine and preventive health-care measures, more and more people are living to advanced old age while remaining productive and experiencing relatively good health and vitality. Unfortunately, a significant number of the elderly still succumb to various serious maladies, many of them preventable and treatable, whether physical or psychological. This excellent interdisciplinary collection of articles on ageing, by a wide range of experts, is designed to make available to the general reader the best recent research on the many facets of successful ageing. Divided into four parts, the contributors discuss the psychological, sociological, and biomedical aspects of ageing and conclude with a focus on how to provide effective service to the elderly. Among the specific issues discussed are the role of negative life events in adapting to growing old, spiritual needs of those near the end of life, emotional health and maturity, ethical issues in family relations and care-giving, the planning and consequences of retirement, elder abuse, over-medication, drug and alcohol abuse, nutritional recommendations, increasing physical activity, improving physician-patient communication, valuable services in the community, and the role of volunteers. Through the varying perspectives this inviting collection develops an overall picture of the needs of ageing individuals and offers successful approaches to the diverse challenges of later years. { 385pp, 155x230mm, November 2002; PB, £15.50, 1591020263:9781591020264 , Prometheus Books } |
| AGNOSTIC READER [S T Joshi (ed)] Agnosticism -- the philosophical argument that it is impossible to know whether God exists or not -- has been the point of view of many distinguished thinkers from the 19th century to the present. In contrast to atheism, which asserts that God does not exist, agnosticism holds that reason and the best scientific evidence do not allow one to reach a decisive conclusion regarding the existence of God. This reader prints selections of some of the most profound and pioneering discussions of agnosticism over the past two centuries. Beginning with early formulations of the agnostic perspective by Thomas Henry Huxley (who coined the term), Bertrand Russell, and others, editor S. T. Joshi shows how agnosticism received a strong boost in the later 19th century from the so-called higher criticism of the Bible. Selections from Edward Burnett Tylor, Arthur Schopenhauer, Robert G. Ingersoll, and Edward Westermarck made a strong case that religion was a natural product of primitive development and that the Bible was the product of an age of scientific ignorance and superstition. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christianity in Europe was in a state of decline among the intellectual classes. The writings of W. E. H. Leckey, Leslie Stephen, and Walter Lippmann show that leading commentators were openly pondering a European society in which Christianity was a thing of the past. The increasing success of the natural sciences during this same time period supported the agnostic viewpoint by accounting for phenomena on a natural, rather than a supernatural, basis. Selections from John William Draper, Albert Einstein, Isaac Asimov, and others demonstrate the scientific respectability of agnosticism. Finally, selections from such thinkers as Frederic Harrison, H. L. Mencken, and Corliss Lamont emphasise how living with agnosticism can be intellectually and morally satisfying, even exhilarating. Overall, "The Agnostic Reader" shows how agnosticism can provide a framework for living with courage and dignity. { 386pp, 155x230mm, August 2007; PB, £14.99, 1591025338:9781591025337 , Prometheus Books } |
| AGNOSTICISM & CHRISTIANITY : & Other Essays [Thomas Henry Huxley] In this selection of his most important writings, renowned scientist and philosopher Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) discusses his views on the demonstrative evidence of evolution, the physical basis of life, naturalism and supernaturalism, agnosticism and Christianity, and the Christian tradition in relation to Judaic Christianity. { 242pp, 140x215mm, August 1992; PB, £11.50, 0879757493:9780879757496 , Prometheus Books } |
| AIDS -- TODAY, TOMORROW : An Introduction to the HIV Epidemic in America [Robert Searles Walker] Since its publication in 1991, Robert Walker's book has become the standard student text on AIDS -- for courses dealing with both social issues and natural disasters or epidemics. This completely revised second edition is updated through the Spring of 1994 and includes data released at that time. With a broad-based introduction, utilising a wide-range of sources in a unified and manageable way, Walker uses the virus itself, its characteristics, and our perception of it, as the foundation for his analysis. The character of the epidemic is seen as a function of the virus, thus his examination integrates politics, economics, avoidance issues, and scientific research with the biology of HIV. Topics include discussions of linguistic usages and metaphors applied to AIDS and their consequent policy significance; the impact of the epidemic on those professional groups engaged in researching cures and treatments; a historical-epidemiological comparison of the bubonic plague and the AIDS epidemic; the policy implications deriving from the nature of HIV itself; behaviour impact on individuals seeking to avoid AIDS; avoidance strategy and risk assessment; economic and political impacts; and a conjectural view of the future through the prism of the current epidemic. { 275pp, 155x230mm, June 1994; PB, £15.50, 1573924881:9781573924887 , Prometheus Books } |
| AIR RAGE : Crisis in the Skies [Anonymous & Andrew R Thomas] Air rage is the biggest threat to safety in the skies, the authors argue in this glimpse into the dangers caused by aberrant behavior in the skies. Indeed, "Air Rage poses one of the most serious threats to the safety and security of the flying public today," they write. The authors list a number of causes for passenger aggression: flight delays, alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness or just plain anxiety. They're persuasive that the number of incidents are underreported, mainly because the "reporting procedures are woefully inadequate." And they highlight a number of important public health and policy issues, most notably that in the US, jurisdiction for air rage cases needs to be transferred to a criminal court. { 272pp, September 2001; PB, £15.50, 1573929174:9781573929172 , Prometheus Books } |
| AL QAEDA CONNECTION : International Terrorism, Organized Crime, & the Coming Apocalypse [Paul L Williams] Williams reveals persuasive evidence that al Qaeda has now established connections with the Sicilian Mafia, which is helping to finance terrorism through the sale of Number Four heroin, the present drug of choice in Europe and the United States. In addition, through its ties to the Chechen Mafia, the group responsible for the heinous attack on a Russian school, al Qaeda has managed to obtain nuclear weapons from poorly secured and carelessly guarded storehouses in Russia. Perhaps the most disturbing evidence uncovered by Williams is the relation of al Qaeda to an obscure Salvadoran street gang, which calls itself Mara Salvatrucha and has expanded exponentially. In exchange for big money, this violent group of anarchic thugs has smuggled weapons of mass destruction and sleeper agents across the Mexican border onto American soil, or what al Qaeda refers to as the land of the 'Great Satan'. Williams convincingly demonstrates that by means of this network Osama bin Laden is now in a position to execute his dream of an American Hiroshima, an apocalyptic act of mass murder within the borders of the United States. Though vigorously working to prevent such an attack, many military experts and security officials concede the probability of nuclear terrorism in America, perhaps in the immediate future. { 280pp, 152x228mm, September 2005; HB, £18.99, 1591023491:9781591023494 , Prometheus Books } |
| AL QAEDA IN EUROPE : The New Battleground of International Jihad [Lorenzo Vidino. Foreword by Steven Emerson] The July 2005 London bombings are yet another example of how Europe has emerged as one of the key battlegrounds in the global War on Terror. The region has become a critical 'ground zero' for Islamist terrorists, not only as a target but as a base of operations. The implications for the United States are tremendous: under existing law, for example, terrorists carrying European passports could easily enter the country. It is not a coincidence, in fact, that every attack planned or executed against the United States, including 9/11, has had strong European ties. This is the first book in English that dissects Islamic terrorism in Europe. The book fills a critical gap in the understanding of the new threats posed by Islamist terrorism. Vidino analyses the causes of this dangerous situation while providing an extensive historical overview of Islamic terrorist activities in Europe. The book shows how terrorists -- most of them native to the Continent -- raise money, communicate, and hide in plain sight in the suburbs of London, Paris, and Amsterdam. It presents with painful clarity the difficulties that law enforcement agencies world-wide have had in shutting terror cells down. Finally, the book describes three of the most important networks operating in Europe. Vidino analyses events such as the Madrid train bombings, the thwarted plot to attack various European capitals with chemical weapons, and the movements of hundreds of European Muslims who are joining terrorist groups in Iraq to fight U.S. forces. Vidino includes fascinating information taken from a dozen countries’ original documentation (intelligence reports, indictments, court transcripts), plus transcripts of conversations among al Qaeda operatives that have been intercepted by intelligence agencies. “Al Qaeda in Europe” is authoritative, informative and written in a lively narrative that will captivate general readers, and become a valuable new resource for scholars and government officials. { 300pp, November 2005; HB, £19.50, 1591024331:9781591024330 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALBERT EINSTEIN'S VISION : Remarkable Discoveries That Shaped Modern Science [Barry R Parker] In clear and eloquent language, Parker helps us appreciate the breadth and richness of Einstein's vision, discussing the renowned scientist's lesser-known contributions, from Einstein's theories supporting time travel, to his research on curved space, the cosmological constant, black holes, wormholes, gravity waves, and cosmic lenses, to quantum theory, and beyond. Parker also discusses Einstein's reluctant connection with atomic weapons, his pacifist philosophy, his quest for the elusive unified theory that occupied thirty years of his life, and the relationship of his work to the recent 'hot' area of superstrings. { 330pp, May 2004; HB, £19.50, 1591021863:9781591021865 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALEXANDER FOX & THE AMAZING MIND READER [John C Clayton. Illustrated by Emily Egan] For ages 4-8. Alexander Fox is a curious fifth grader who stands apart from his friends because he believes in thinking for himself rather than accepting claims without first exploring the evidence. Like a super sleuth investigator, Alexander sifts for clues, searches for answers, and asks plenty of questions when met with something mysterious or unbelievable, especially when a schoolmate claims to have witnessed the supernatural feats of one Arcady Mystikos. But when he meets the great Mystikos, a man whose powers have astounded the wealthy residents of the town, Alexander realises that he may have met his match, a case that is too tough to crack. Admiration for Mystikos among the town folk causes the youngster to examine his own beliefs: Is Alexander a close-minded person, unwilling to accept the mysteries of the unknown? Or can he show his friends that claims of the paranormal aren't always so mysterious? Young readers will delight in this fascinating tale and cheer Alexander on as he tries to uncover the truth about the powers of Mr Mystikos. Alexander Fox and the Amazing Mind Reader will start young minds on their journey toward independent thinking, open-mindedness, sceptical inquiry, and critical awareness. { 78pp, 140x215mm, July 1998; PB, £11.50, 1573922218:9781573922210 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALIEN ABDUCTIONS : Creating a Modern Phenomenon [Terry Matheson] Extra-terrestrials regularly abduct humans from Earth, often performing bizarre surgeries and experiments on their subjects, according to the popular and profitable "nonfiction" offered by major publishing houses. Books by John Fuller, Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, Whitley Strieber, and others have helped shape contemporary belief in alien beings. Science fiction scholar Terry Matheson reveals that the alien abduction literary genre has been a part of our history for decades, but was never taken seriously until recent times. He explains that traditional aliens were friendly or merely curious quite different from today's ugly, fierce, sinister creatures. Abduction narratives and individual accounts have evolved and changed, and the new aliens seem to symbolise growing fears that our technology is out of control. Actual accounts from abduction victims and evidence collected, Matheson stresses, are often greatly enhanced by the best-selling authors who market the stories, or are directly linked to well-known fantasy and sci-fi films released or broadcast prior to the alleged abductions. "Alien Abductions" also draws a parallel to the way societal myths are made, and that in these narratives we see a new myth in the making. { 300pp, 155x230mm, November 1998; HB, £21.99, 1573922447:9781573922449 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALIENATION & SOCIAL CRITICISM [Richard Schmitt & Thomas E Moody (eds)] Assembles reports of and reflections about the varied experiences of alienation from the concrete perspectives of women, people of colour, the old, the handicapped, and others, combining critical analyses of the concept of alienation with a wide range of first-person narratives. { 287pp, 155x230mm, January 1994; PB, £19.50, 1573926086:9781573926089 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALL FAMILIES ARE DIFFERENT [Sol Gordon PhD] Ages 7 years and over. Is there such a thing as a "normal" family? Is one family better than another? Of course the answer to these questions is no, but children are often led to believe otherwise. Young people need to understand and appreciate that when it comes to families, they are all different! One of the world's most influential and loved authors of educational children's books, Dr Sol Gordon has created an uplifting book for young people age four and older who are curious about just what it means to be part of a family. Some children, he explains, live with both parents, while others live with one or with step- or foster parents. Nowadays, we also find children being reared by aunts, uncles, or grandparents, as well as same-sex couples. The variety of possibilities is rich in its diversity. Separations, divorce, abuse, neglect, and sibling rivalries are an unfortunate part of life, but, Gordon emphasises, they are not the child's fault. While the many illustrations show a variety of family situations to stimulate awareness and acceptance, the text places importance on children knowing they are loved by their family members-whomever they may be-and that no one's family is perfect. But children can play a very special and important role in making their home a happier one: "It's up to you to be the best person you can be and doing well in school will help you to be a better adult, or parent, when you grow up", Gordon says. { 53pp, 215x215mm, February 2000; PB, £9.50, 1573927651:9781573927659 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALL-AMERICAN MONSTER : The Unauthorized Biography of Timothy McVeigh [Brandon M Stickney] In this riveting and revealing biography of Timothy McVeigh, Brandon M Stickney not only answers many of the compelling questions surrounding McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing, but puts this critical information into the broader perspective of McVeigh's childhood, his education, military service, and his efforts to find meaning and purpose in life. A reporter and a native of the western New York area where McVeigh was born and raised, Stickney draws on personal experience as well as numerous interviews with McVeigh's family, friends, and associates to offer intimate details of Tim's life factors that contributed to his startling transformation. Stickney carefully fits together the complex pieces of the puzzle that is Timothy McVeigh. Utilising little-known and often shocking pieces of information the fruits of an intense investigation Stickney transports readers inside the mind of McVeigh to discover what might well have been his thoughts and feelings as his life moved closer and closer to that fateful April morning. REVIEW: "Stickney is well suited to write a biography of accused Oklahoma City bombing suspect and Lockport native McVeigh, since he is a lifelong resident of the area. He utilizes that advantage in this admirable search for the influences that shaped the personality of his subject." Publishers Weekly { 336pp, 155x230mm, January 1997; HB, £21.99, 1573920886:9781573920889 , Prometheus Books } |
| ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE : A Comprehensive Guide [Jack Raso MS RD] Raso examines the philosophical underpinnings of "alternative" medicine as well as hands-on healing, Qigong, and faith healing. He shows that, whatever the specific philosophy, the common denominator is a rejection of the scientific approach of modern medicine in favour of a belief in paranormal forces that influence the well-being of mind and body. The final section is a firsthand account of Raso's many revealing visits to various "alternative" healthcare practitioners. The book concludes with an encyclopaedic glossary of "alternative" healthcare terminology. { 267pp, 155x230mm, November 1994; HB, £24.99, 0879758910:9780879758912 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMAZING CONVERSIONS : Why Some Turn to Faith & Others Abandon Religion [Bob Altemeyer and Bruce Hunsberger] This groundbreaking study uncovers fascinating new data on sudden shifts in religious and non-religious belief. Amazing Conversions explores, for the first time ever, the reasons why converts join, and apostates go. The focus of this absorbing study is on some amazing people, with unique stories to tell those who join a religious group in spite of being raised in non-religious (or even anti-religious) families, and those who, at great personal cost, choose to leave religion in spite of having a deeply religious background. Why would an atheist's son become a Christian fundamentalist? Why would a "good Catholic girl" decide that she really is an atheist? The authors, both social psychologists, surveyed thousands of young adults to find that small number who were "amazing believers" or "amazing apostates." These rare individuals tell their stories, which are supplemented by their responses to a detailed questionnaire. The resulting picture shows that amazing believers and amazing apostates are dramatically different groups of people, in spite of the fact that their lives now stand in opposition to previous (non)religious training. You, too, can complete the same questionnaire to learn more about yourself and your beliefs. Have you experienced an amazing conversion? REVIEW: "Readers interested in the intellectual, emotional, and social influences on religious belief and non-belief will find the scenarios of individuals fascinating reading." Small Press ". . . thoroughly worthwhile." Free Inquiry { 268pp, 155x230mm, July 1997; HB, £23.99, 1573921475:9781573921473 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICA FIRST! : Its History, Culture & Politics [Bill Kauffman. Foreword by Gore Vidal] Bill Kauffman, described by the Washington Post as having the "pleasantly wicked touch of H. L. Mencken", examines the cultural factors and political schisms of 20th-century American nationalism. He weaves a fascinating tale that links Sinclair Lewis to NAFTA, 'The Best Years of Our Lives' to Ross Perot, and the Old Right to the New Left. He discusses the Perot phenomenon, the presidential campaign and the influence of Pat Buchanan, the impact of free trade agreements, the film industry of the 1930s, and a fascinating cast of characters and causes in what is sure to be controversial reading. As Gore Vidal notes in his foreword, "By studying our history [Kauffman] has latched on to some interesting facts (as opposed to opinions) that completely turn inside out the tedious liberal versus conservative debate, or grunting contest." { 296pp, 155x230mm, June 1995; HB, £23.50, 0879759569:9780879759568 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICA ON NOTICE : Stemming the Tide of Anti-Americanism [Glenn E Schweitzer & Carole D Schweitzer] During the past decade, the image of America in many parts of the world has steadily deteriorated. In this perceptive analysis of the causes of anti-Americanism, Glenn and Carole Schweitzer chart a proactive course for change that will create a more positive attitude toward America and deter terrorism, while encouraging international cooperation to solve some of the world's most pressing problems. The authors begin by showing how and why growing American military and economic power in recent years, coupled with questionable foreign policy choices, have generated negative foreign perceptions of America, especially in Muslim countries. They also address how the growing Muslim populations, with few resources and little room to expand, display increased resentment toward American wealth, while their overcrowded cities have become breeding grounds for hatred directed toward America. Beyond highlighting key problem areas, the Schweitzers devote most of the book to recommending realistic, doable solutions. They want to see US leadership that gives priority to: a new emphasis in foreign assistance on job creation and sustainable solutions; expanded international educational opportunities and the adoption of modern university curricula, particularly in the Muslim world; a change in current US policies that justify military interventions; greater support of capabilities in the developing countries to control infectious diseases; modification of the US double standard that allows for the increase in American nuclear weapons capabilities while denying others the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes; a strengthening of the role of the United Nations to prevent and resolve international security crises; and more assertive US actions in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a major source of much of the anti-American feeling in the Middle East. The authors also stress the importance of listening to and considering the views of leaders of other societies, in contrast to simply pronouncing US policies and intentions. Also, they urge more effective support of local television stations to communicate accurate and balanced views of American society, culture, and policies. Reflecting decades of experience in international relations, this important assessment of America’s role in the world will interest everyone concerned with American security and the prospects for global peace. { 325pp, 155x230mm, August 2006; HB, £19.50, 1591024285:9781591024286 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICA'S CIVIL WAR : The Operational Battlefield, 1861-1863 [Brian Holden Reid] In 1861, when the Confederate States of America seceded from the Union and Civil War broke out between the North and the South, few people had much idea of the scale, intensity, and duration of the conflict they were about to enter. Politicians, generals, and common folk on both sides blithely assumed that the conflict would be over quickly and were naively convinced of the superiority of the leadership and the forces at their disposal. Three years later, after many horrendous battles and huge loss of life, the tragic realities of this war had begun to sink in. Stalemate had led to great frustration and suggested a protracted conflict with no end in sight. In this successor volume to his acclaimed "Origins of the American Civil War", Civil War historian Brian Holden Reid examines in depth the operational military history during the first three years of America's Civil War. In particular, he focuses on generalship, command decisions, strategy, and tactics, as well as the experiences of ordinary soldiers. Besides a lack of experience among generals, Holden Reid reveals that for the first few years of the war there was considerable indecisiveness in the North, a hesitancy to punish the South, and a fruitless hope that the Confederacy would agree to some form of reconciliation. He highlights certain important political and social developments during the course of the war that had an effect on Union soldiers and shows how their views became a catalyst in hardening the attitudes in the North toward the South. This important analysis makes a major contribution to Civil War military history within the larger context of a turbulent political and social climate. It will be followed by another work covering the final eighteen months of the conflict. REVIEW: "Within the vast range of Civil War literature, relatively few major works seriously address the operational art, such as it was. The middle volume of an unfinished trilogy, historian Brian Holden Reid's America's Civil War: The Operational Battlefield, 1861-1863 does just that… articulate, direct, confident, and thought provoking. Recommended." -- Civil War Books and Authors blog, September 25, 2008. { 504pp, 155x230mm, August 2008; HB, £23.50, 1591026059:9781591026051 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICA'S FIRST WOMAN LAWYER : The Biography of Myra Bradwell [Jane M Friedman] During her lifetime, Myra Bradwell (1831-1894) -- America's "first" woman lawyer as well as publisher and editor-in-chief of a prestigious legal newspaper - did more to establish and aid the rights of women and other legally handicapped people than any other woman of her day. Her female contemporaries -- Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone -- are known to all. Now it is time for Myra Bradwell to assume her rightful place among women's rights leaders of the nineteenth century. With author Jane Friedman's discovery of previously unpublished letters and valuable documents, Bradwell's fascinating story can at last be told. { 217pp, 155x230mm, May 1993; HB, £23.50, 0879758120:9780879758127 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICAN DREAM : Can It Survive the 21st Century? [Joseph L Daleiden] Can each of us achieve our own "American dream" while recognising needs of other individuals, society, and future generations? Not if our present national policies continue, warns long term planning expert Joseph L. Daleiden. He persuasively argues that if present socio-economic trends remain, our nation faces social disaster before the middle of the 21st century. These trends can be reversed, he insists, but only if we are willing to (1) reject failed policies both liberal and conservative directed at population growth, the environment, the national debt, trade, poverty, crime, race relations, education, healthcare, social security, and tax reform; (2) accept that all of these areas of concern are intertwined; and (3) take responsibility for our decisions. Avoiding ideology and platitudes, Daleiden's pragmatic approach relies on actual evidence of how prospective policies will influence human behaviour and whether their outcomes will increase or decrease human happiness in the long run. { 738pp, 155x230mm, August 1999; HB, £27.50, 157392265X:9781573922654 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICAN ETHIC : A Philosophy of Freedom Applied to Contemporary Issues [John D Gerken] Provides a forceful and sometimes controversial interpretation of the principles of equality and liberty. While exploring the notion of what being a responsible American adult means in today's society, Gerken offers candid, and often novel, alternatives to the contemporary reliance upon moral relativism to solve social ills. { 199pp, 155x230mm, November 1995; HB, £33.99, 1573924113:9781573924115 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICAN EXTREMISTS : Militias, Supremacists, Klansmen, Communists, & Others [John George & Laird Wilcox] Extremist movements aren't new, but the tragic events in Oklahoma City, New York City, and elsewhere have awakened Americans to this frightening reality within our borders. What sorts of fringe groups exist? Who joins up and why? What do they want and what are they willing to do to accomplish their goals? How serious is the danger? In response to these questions, noted experts John George and Laird Wilcox have teamed up to examine the frayed edges of human behaviour. Beginning with a summary of pre-1960 movements, they then discuss conspiracy theories and what motivates extremists. Their thoroughly documented and detailed tour of contemporary groups on the "far left" and the "far right" includes recent militia groups making headlines. Included as well is an in-depth appendix on the use of fake quotes and fabricated documents a staple of many extremist organisations. REVIEW: ". . . fascinating reading . . . serves as an excellent introduction to a topic that should continue to grab headlines and concern for a long time." -- The Columbus Free Press ". . . fascinating . . . highly recommended." -- Choice { 443pp, 155x230mm, September 1996; PB, £20.99, 1573920584:9781573920582 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICAN JURIES : The Verdict [Neil Vidmar & Valerie P Hans] Reviews over 50 years of empirical research on civil and criminal juries and returns a verdict that strongly supports the jury system. The authors place the jury system in its historical and contemporary context giving the stories behind important trials while providing fact-based answers to critical questions. Various suggestions for improving the way juries carry out their duties. After comparing the system in various countries, it is concluded that on the whole, the jury system, despite occasional problems, is fair and democratic and an indispensable component of the judicial process. { 428pp, 155x230mm, October 2007; HB, £21.99, 1591025885:9781591025887 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICAN NATURALISM & GREEK PHILOSOPHY [John P Anton] In this in-depth examination of the relation between Greek philosophy and American naturalism, John P Anton assesses the various ways in which American philosophers found inspiration for a new philosophical perspective in Aristotle and other Greek philosophers. { 320pp, 150x230mm, November 2004; HB, £23.50, 1591022541:9781591022541 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMERICAN PHILOSOPHIC NATURALISM IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY [John Ryder (ed)] This comprehensive collection, bringing together significant essays by leading philosophers of the twentieth century, represents one prominent school of American thought philosophic naturalism. Naturalism holds that nature is objective and can be studied to gain knowledge that is not determined by methodology, perspective, belief, or theory. For the naturalist, "nature" is an all-encompassing concept; nothing is other than natural and any notion of a supernatural realm is rejected. Naturalism, however, cannot be equated with materialistic reductionism or strict determinism. Certain nonmaterial aspects of human existence thoughts, feelings, meanings, values, beliefs, ideals, and free will are included within the scope of the naturalist's approach. REVIEW: "For students and scholars alike, [this] is an excellent introduction to and overview of an important school of philosophy." -- The Freethought Observer { 566pp, 155x230mm, December 1994; HB, £31.50, 0879758945:9780879758943 , Prometheus Books } |
| AMONG FRIENDS : Hospice Care for the Person with AIDS [Dr Robert W Buckingham] This valuable guide shows how hospice can provide compassionate, palliative care to meet the medical, psychological, and spiritual needs of persons with AIDS and those who love them; it offers a detailed discussion of the history and philosophy of hospice care; the medical challenges and psychological issues involved in the treatment of AIDS patients during the painful, debilitating final stages of the disease; and the costs of medical and pain-relieving care. Hospice is shown to be more attuned to the special needs of AIDS patients as well as far more cost-effective in most cases than acute-care hospitals. Patients, loved ones, and all advocates of the rights and dignity of persons with AIDS will find Among Friends an indispensable resource. REVIEW: Among Friends will prove increasingly meaningful to all those whose lives have been touched by AIDS." -- American Foundation for AIDS Research "This is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, AIDS patients and concerned loved ones." -- Library Journal { 191pp, 155x230mm, April 1992; HB, £22.99, 0879757205:9780879757205 / PB, £15.50, 0879757590:9780879757595 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS, COSMIC COLLISIONS : and Other Popular Theories About Man's Past [William H Stiebing Jr] This book critically evaluates many of these popular hypotheses about man's early history. It presents the most important evidence and arguments for and against theories of a universal flood, the lost continent of Atlantis, mysterious pyramid powers, pre-Columbian voyages to America by ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians, and Velikovsky's cosmic catastrophism. { 217pp, 140x215mm, September 1984; PB, £17.50, 0879752858:9780879752859 , Prometheus Books } |
| AND GOD CREATED LENIN : Marxism vs Religion in Russia, 1917-1929 [Paul Gabel] When the Bolsheviks took power in Russia in November 1917, they used a wide range of techniques -- some subtle, some violent -- to eradicate religion in areas under their control. The new Soviet government arrested priests, closed church buildings, exposed fraudulent monastic relics, forbade the printing of religious literature, and denied religious education to the young -- all the while proclaiming abroad that there was no religious persecution in Russia. They set out to crush not only all organised religion but even the likelihood of religious thought. And God Created Lenin examines in depth the conflict between Lenin's logic-driven efforts to stamp out religion and the churches' passionate attempts to save themselves from obliteration. It looks at both sides objectively and admits that they both presented strong cases. In this thoroughly researched yet accessible study, historian Paul Gabel offers a new understanding of the only effort in world history to upset the universality of religion. Besides the main conflict between the Russian Orthodox Church and the atheist state, Gabel also considers the tensions that this campaign against religion caused within the Communist Party. In addition, he discusses the bitter hatred dividing the Orthodox factions that refused cooperation with the government from those that tried to adapt the church to communism. Was the failure of Soviet communism to eradicate religion simply a matter of practical miscalculation, or was this effort, in light of the persistence of religion throughout history, ultimately unrealistic and doomed from the start? This is the key question that Gabel's fascinating, insightful narrative attempts to answer. { 600pp, October 2005; HB, £23.99, 1591023068:9781591023067 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANGEL OF ASHLAND : Practicing Compassion & Tempting Fate [Vincent J Genovese] For over fifty years Dr Robert Spencer (1889-1969) practised medicine in the small coal-mining town of Ashland, PA. As the only town doctor, he was known by everyone as a dedicated medical professional who spent long hours at his clinic, charged a modest fee for his services, never turned anyone away who couldn't pay, and was the person the townspeople turned to with their many ailments and injuries, from Black Lung Disease and mangled limbs crushed in mining accidents to tonsillectomies. His reputation for great skill, integrity, and kindness assured him a steady stream of patients throughout his long career. But he also gained another kind of notoriety as well, about which there was generally a discreet silence in the town: he would willingly perform safe and reliable abortions. Women "in trouble" could consult him without shame or fear, and he would perform the procedure quickly and efficiently with no questions asked. This was unique in the era before Roe versus Wade, especially in the 1920s when Dr Spencer opened his practice. As a result he soon became a much-sought-after physician, to whom doctors throughout the country would refer women who wished to end their pregnancies. Of course, many disapproved of his not-so-secret and illegal abortion practice. Despite the townspeople's reliance on him for his medical expertise, over the years he was blackmailed, robbed, often shunned in public, censured by the American Medical Association, and arrested by the police. Nonetheless, he never spent a night in jail and his eleven-room clinic always remained opened for business. As his reputation grew, his detractors labelled him "King of the Abortionists", and when he died in 1969 his death notice was announced on the national news with the estimate that he had performed 100,000 abortions. This is the first biography of Dr.Spencer. Vincent Genovese has done yeoman's work in reconstructing Dr Spencer's life and career by researching his correspondence, interviewing surviving Ashland residents who knew him, and combing through old newspaper archives. This unique biography is a must read for anyone interested in the issue of abortion. { 150pp, 155x230mm, November 2000; HB, £19.99, 1573928313:9781573928311 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANGRY RIGHT : Why Conservatives Keep Getting It Wrong [S T Joshi] Since 1968, Republican presidents have occupied the White House far longer than Democratic presidents, and recently Republicans have controlled both houses of Congress as well. In spite of these electoral triumphs, leading spokespersons on the right continue to depict conservatives as an embattled minority. Lashing out at their liberal opponents, sharp-tongued partisan advocates like Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Sean Hannity never tire of issuing jeremiads against what they perceive as the inexorable tide of liberal abuses that threatens to overwhelm the Republic. But if Republicans have won the battle at the voting booths, why is the right so angry? As S. T. Joshi reveals in this incisive profile of twelve leading conservatives, the rage at the heart of the right is fuelled by a gnawing sense that conservatives long ago lost the hearts and minds of the American people. Since the F.D.R. administration, conservatives have unsuccessfully opposed legislative and judicial reforms that today are considered so mainstream as to be "conservative." In effect, yesterday’s liberalism is today’s conservatism, and this has been the direction of social and political change since the age of the Flappers and the Model T. Examining the writings of such conservative icons as Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley Jr, Phyllis Schlafly, and nine others, Joshi uncovers statements that most people today would consider not just radical but outrageous: In the 1950s, Russell Kirk opposed Social Security because he said it was "un-Christian"; In the same decade, William F. Buckley Jr. argued against the desegregation of public schools on the grounds that it would be an infringement of states’ rights (an argument also used a century earlier to defend slavery); In the 1970s, Phyllis Schlafly declared that women’s liberation is a "disease" and a "homewrecker". Knowing that these positions are today indefensible, conservative spokespersons have little recourse but to engage in passionate invective that attempts to portray their opponents as extremists. Joshi characterises the aggrieved lament of conservatives as the last gasp of those who know their ideas will be confined to the dustbin of history. { 311pp, 150x230mm, September 2006; HB, £17.99, 1591024633:9781591024637 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANIMAL CONSCIOUSNESS [Daisie & Michael Radner] Any intelligent debate on the ethical treatment of animals hinges on understanding their mental processes. The idea that consciousness in animals is beyond comprehension is usually traced to the 17th-century philosopher Ren? Descartes whose concept of animals as beast machines lacking consciousness influenced arguments for more than 200 years. But in reviewing Descartes' theory of mind, Daisie and Michael Radner demonstrate in Animal Consciousness that he did not hold the view so frequently attributed to him. In fact, they contend that Descartes distinguished two types of consciousness, which make it easier to discuss the conscious experiences of animals and to trace the debate into the post-Darwinian era. { 253pp, 155x230mm, December 1996; PB, £15.99, 1573921149:9781573921145 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION : The Moral Issues [Robert M Baird & Stuart E Rosenbaum] The direct mail campaigns of powerful animal rights lobbies and their guerrilla tactics against animal laboratories certainly demonstrate where they stand. Equally compelling are those who argue that medical progress and consumer safety are significantly enhanced by research using animals. This balanced collection focuses attention on the clash of opposing positions in this national debate, whose intensity is sure to weigh heavy on society as demands for more research make the need for rational, informed discussion all the more urgent. { 182pp, 155x230mm, July 1991; PB, £16.99, 0879756675:9780879756673 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANIMAL RIGHTS & HUMAN MORALITY : Third Edition [Bernard E Rollin] It’s been over two decades since the first edition of this landmark book garnered public accolades for its sensitive yet honest and forthright approach to the many disquieting questions surrounding the emotional debate over animal rights. Is moral concern something owed by human beings only to human beings? Drawing upon his philosophical expertise, his extensive experience of working with animal issues all over the world, and his knowledge of biological science, Bernard E. Rollin -- now widely recognised as the father of veterinary ethics -- develops a compelling analysis of animal rights as it is emerging in society. The result is a sound basis for rational discussion and social policy development in this area of rapidly growing concern. He believes that society must elevate the moral status of animals and protect their rights as determined by their natures. His public speaking and published works have contributed to passage of major federal legislation designed to increase the well-being of laboratory animals. This new third edition is greatly expanded and includes a new chapter on animal agriculture, plus additional discussions of animal law, companion animal issues, genetic engineering, animal pain, animal research, and many other topics. { 400pp, 155x230mm, November 2006; HB, £16.99, 1591024218:9781591024217 / PB, £16.99, 0879757892:9780879757892 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANIMALS, EMOTION & MORALITY : Marking the Boundary [B A Dixon] It seems obvious that animals have emotions. Dogs bark with excitement when their masters return home, snarl aggressively at the approach of a stranger, and cower with anxiety at the vets. Our ordinary ways of talking about animals suggest that animals and humans are emotional kin. In this exploration of our emotional kinship with animals, philosopher B A Dixon invites the reader to consider what is philosophically controversial about the idea that animals have emotions. Dixon guides the reader through a tangle of philosophical issues related to the concept of emotion and the various ways in which emotions are morally significant. She demonstrates that claims about animal emotion often stand in for a more fundamental property it is believed that animals and humans share-namely morality. Do some animals have "morally laden" emotions? Dixon examines various arguments in favour of this idea and finds them lacking. Her close analysis elucidates the concept of emotional kinship, the role of emotions as virtues, Darwin's principle about evolutionary continuity, the nature of primate empathy, the possibility of morally appraising children and animals, and how the animal narrative should be used as a methodology for thinking about the animal mind. Each chapter begins with an animal story or anecdote to illustrate the theme to be covered. Dixon concludes that we are unwarranted in attributing to animals morally laden emotions. { 240pp, 155x230mm, July 2008; PB, £14.99, 1591026296:9781591026297 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANNOTATED ANCIENT MARINER : With an Introduction & Notes by Martin Gardner, Illustrations by Gustave Doré [Martin Gardner] Samuel Taylor Coleridge's greatest work, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, is utterly unique, unlike any other ballad. No narrative poem has rivalled it in combining scenes of terror with scenes of incomparable beauty. Although enormously popular in the nineteenth century, it is seldom read or studied today. This annotated version by Martin Gardner will help to renew the appreciation and deepen the understanding of Coleridge's unjustly neglected masterpiece. Preceding the poem is a biographical sketch of the great poet, which emphasises those aspects of his many-sided life and personality that have the strongest bearing on the poem, especially on circumstances surrounding its composition. { 210pp, 150x230mm, September 2003; HB, £21.99, 1591021251:9781591021254 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANNOTATED NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS : A Collection of Sequels, Parodies, & Imitations of Clement Moore's Immortal Ballad About Santa Claus [Martin Gardner (ed)] Gardner traces the beginnings of this beloved poem and its gradual rise to fame as an indispensable part of America's Christmas celebration. Beginning with a discussion about whether or not to allow children to believe in Santa Claus, Gardner recounts the history of the famous poem. After setting forth the original poem, Martin Gardner proceeds to later imitations, parodies, and sequels, beginning with a series of hilarious specimens all titled 'The Night After Christmas'. The book concludes with a discussion of the only significant addition to the Santa Claus legend since Moore's -- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. { 253pp, October 2005; HB, £21.99, 1591023033:9781591023036 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANTHOLOGY OF ATHEISM & RATIONALISM [Gordon Stein (ed)] This anthology fills a conspicuous gap in the discussion of religion and theism. The issues that theology addresses, the meaning of life, the existence of God, the truth of the Bible, the possibility of life after death, are so important to people that they ought to examine both sides of these fundamental questions. The atheist and rationalist writings collected here are virtually impossible to obtain anywhere else, even in large university library collections. This material chronicles the contributions of many distinguished thinkers who have carefully investigated key issues in religion and philosophy, but have arrived at remarkably different conclusions from those of the clergy or media. We should not neglect this long and rich history or ignore the insights rooted in the freethough tradition. "An Anthology of Atheism and Rationalism", a thorough introduction to the writings of the world's most famous freethinkers, will lead intellectually curious and intelligent people of all religious persuasions to an increased appreciation of the scope and limitations of their own opinions and attitudes on these important issues, including the existence of God, the definition of atheism and rationalism, the possibility of Divine Revelation, the existence of the Devil, and the real history/contribution of atheism to intellectual thought. { 354pp, 150x205mm, December 1989; PB, £20.99, 0879752564:9780879752569 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE COLONIAL ENCOUNTER [Talal Asad (ed)] The papers in this book analyse and document ways in which anthropological thinking and practice have been affected by British colonialism. They approach this topic from different points of view and at different levels. Each stands as an original contribution to an argument which is only just beginning. { 287pp, 155x230mm, June 1995; PB, £19.50, 1573925896:9781573925891 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANTICHRIST [Friedrich Nietzsche] A work of Nietzsche's later years, 'The Antichrist' was written after 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' and shortly before the mental collapse that incapacitated him for the rest of his life. The work is both an unrestrained attack on Christianity and a further exposition of Nietzsche's will-to-power philosophy so dramatically presented in Zarathustra. { 110pp, 140x215mm, November 2000; PB, £9.50, 1573928321:9781573928328 , Prometheus Books } |
| ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR : Personality Disorders from Hostility to Homicide [Benjamin B Wolman] Antisocial behavior takes on many forms, from rebellious teens with green hair and pierced skin to the truly dangerous homicidal individuals whose horrible stories fill our newspapers. Parents worry about their children as they are exposed to the heated climate of violence in contemporary society, a time of decaying morals and values. The rise in sociopathic behavior among adults and children, whether in tense inner cities or in tranquil suburban and rural settings, is masterfully chronicled by Dr Benjamin Wolman, a leading psychologist and noted national expert who has studied these trends for over half a century. "There is a growing incidence of sociopathic antisocial behavior . . . coupled with an attitude of moral apathy," Dr. Wolman asserts. He cites international statistics pointing to a showdown between dangerous individuals -- the violent, the charming, and the passive -- and the societies that create them. How has the spread of democratic ideals actually increased the potential for antisocial behavior? What social and cultural factors must be changed if free societies are to reduce this alarming trend? Rather than simply complain about the problem, Dr Wolman examines the familial and societal causes, and proposes clear-cut solutions to the problem-including radical changes to our educational system and the mass media. { 200pp, 150x205mm, October 1999; PB, £15.50, 1573927015:9781573927017 , Prometheus Books } |
| APE-MAN WITHIN [L Sprague de Camp] Why do people behave in such unreasonable, ineffective ways? Why can't we get along? Renowned science writer L. Sprague de Camp explains that some of our counterproductive and self-destructive tendencies are the result of humans spending over a million years foraging through the African savannah for food, grubbing for edible roots, and chasing other scavengers away from the kills of abler predators. In these activities we see our highly competitive nature and our tendency to view others as adversaries. De Camp examines our global "wrong-headedness" by considering the qualities that served as survival traits in our primitive past. This book is social anthropology at its best! { 266pp, 155x230mm, January 1996; HB, £22.99, 0879759518:9780879759513 , Prometheus Books } |
| APPOINTMENT DENIED : The Inquisition of Bertrand Russell [Thom Weidlich] In the spring of 1940 the Great Depression was still spreading misery throughout the world, and war in Europe threatened to drag America into the conflict. Amid these global troubles a tempest in a teapot was brewing on the island of Manhattan, where the board of the City College of New York had just appointed the renowned philosopher Bertrand Russell to teach. With the appointment of this most celebrated of philosophers, the board had intended to boost the school's image. Instead it found itself suddenly embroiled in a controversy involving the city's conservative Episcopal bishop, charges that it was encouraging radical and communist views at the college, and political in-fighting between the popular liberal mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, and corrupt Tammany Hall politicians with a hidden agenda. Journalist Thom Weidlich masterfully reconstructs this major political imbroglio, which not only captured the attention of New Yorkers but very quickly received national coverage. As political theatre, with both farcical and dramatic elements, the denial of Russell's appointment is interesting in and of itself: The sanctimonious and outraged Bishop Manning demands to know how the board could have chosen a man with such radical views on sex, marriage, and religion. Then, amazingly, a seemingly ordinary Brooklyn housewife files a lawsuit to stop Russell's appointment. Journalists begin to wonder, What is her motive? Is she being manipulated by Tammany Hall politicians and their rivalry with the liberal mayor? Before long civil libertarians are holding rallies at City College in defence of the philosopher and academic freedom. And for Russell this trying situation couldn't have come at a worse time with his funds running low and his third marriage falling apart. But beyond its intrinsic interest, this 1940s' clash between an independent thinker and the guardians of public morality is still of the greatest relevance in light of today's cultural debates and arguments over standards of decency. Journalist Thom Weidlich has written an engrossing page-turner that brings recent history to life and makes us rethink the perennial issues of free thought and moral standards at publicly funded institutions. { 233pp, 155x230mm, March 2000; HB, £21.99, 1573927880:9781573927888 , Prometheus Books } |
| ARE SOULS REAL? [Jerome W Elbert] Do you have a supernatural soul? If you think you do, have you asked yourself why you think so? If souls are real, will yours survive after you die? Is your soul your most valuable possession, or is the entire idea of the soul a fossilised remnant of an outdated worldview? How we answer these questions affects what we believe about ourselves and how we live our lives. In this informative yet accessible book, Jerome Elbert examines these issues from the diverse perspectives of neuroscience, biblical scholarship, the history of ideas, and quantum physics. The resulting study leads to a strong and convincing conclusion. { 399pp, 155x230mm, April 2000; HB, £20.99, 1573927910:9781573927918 , Prometheus Books } |
| ARE YOU A MACHINE : The Brain, the Mind, & What It Means to Be Human [Eliezer J Sternberg. Foreword by Andreas Teuber PhD] Right now, someone in an artificial intelligence lab is fusing silicon circuitry in an attempt to engineer the human mind. In a hospital, a neurosurgeon is attempting to influence a patient's emotions by firing electrical impulses into his brain. In a classroom, a teacher is explaining how neurons in the brain interact to generate thoughts, feelings, and decisions. The question of where consciousness comes from and how it works is likely the greatest mystery we face. Despite progress in our knowledge of the brain, we still don't know how it allows us to do things like enjoy a sunset, solve a math problem, or use our imagination. For those of us who have ever thought about issues of the mind or free will, these developments pose provocative questions. What would happen if those mysterious processes could be understood? Would a scientist be able to know everything about our minds just from studying the systems in our brains? Could he predict how we will think and act? After all, the brain is an organ just like the heart or stomach, and scientists can figure out when the heart will beat and when the stomach will release bile. If such a thing could be accomplished, would that make me a machine? There are those who approach this question from a technological perspective. Someday, an engineer might be able to build a robot with my memories, opinions, and behaviour. Would that make me a machine? This concise, lucid primer on neuroscience and philosophy of mind takes the reader to the very depths of the mystery of consciousness, exploring it through the eyes of key philosophers, neuroscientists, and technologists. Avoiding jargon and oversimplification, author Eliezer J Sternberg illuminates baffling questions of the brain, mind, and what it means to be human. REVIEW: "Are our minds merely patterns, replicable in labs? Daniel Dennett (who says yes) and John Searle (who says no) are among the philosophers Sternberg surveys, all while leavening with puckish humor his considerations of famous thought-experiments about the nature of consciousness, and of writings from Descartes to double-helix co-modeler Frances Crick." -- Pittsburgh City Paper, August 9, 2007. { 176pp, 150x230mm, January 2007; PB, £12.99, 1591024838:9781591024835 , Prometheus Books } |
| ARE YOU POLITICALLY CORRECT? : Debating America's Cultural Standards [Michael E Bauman & Francis J Beckwith] Policies governing what is taught in America's colleges and universities, who is admitted, and how faculty are hired (for years viewed as standards of excellence) are now being replaced by standards aimed at "multicultural diversity". Traditional standards are criticised as inherently racist, sexist, and oppressive, while the new perspective is said to be "politically correct." Today, important questions are being raised: Should the study of Western culture be replaced by "multiculturalism"? Is affirmative action inherently racist? These are just two of the numerous issues raised. Are You Politically Correct? brings together selections that span the political gamut from the far left to the far right, demonstrating the clash of views on the many issues surrounding the political correctness debate. REVIEW: ". . . a very good selection." Academic Library Book Review ". . . an even sampling from each side's arsenal." -- Booklist { 266pp, 155x230mm, April 1993; PB, £16.99, 0879757698:9780879757694 , Prometheus Books } |
| ARMED : New Perspectives on Gun Control [Gary Kleck & Don B Kates] In a nation where nearly one-half of all households have firearms, the gun control issue has never been more relevant. While some Americans support controls aimed at disarming only criminals and the irresponsible, others oppose any controls at all, seeing them as steps toward the confiscation of all firearms. Intelligent public debate on what types of controls, if any, are feasible requires some understanding of the results of the best research on guns and violence. In this thought-provoking study of the issue, researchers Gary Kleck and Don B Kates closely examine the arguments used by advocates and opponents of gun control, identify crucial factual assumptions behind the arguments, and systematically address these assumptions using evidence from the best research available on the subject. Among the topics addressed are media bias in coverage of gun issues, prohibitionist measures for reducing gun violence, the frequency and effectiveness of the defensive use of guns, and a close analysis of the Second Amendment. Easily understood by both specialists and laypersons, this engaging work will help the reader grasp the many facets of this complex issue. { 363pp, 155x230mm, July 2001; HB, £20.99, 1573928836:9781573928830 , Prometheus Books } |
| ARMED ROBBERY ORGASM : A Lovemap Autobiography of Masochism [Ronald W Keyes & John Money] Imprisoned paraphiliac Ronald Keyes reveals the factors that contributed to his sadomasochistic tendencies and criminal life. Taunted and beaten into a state of erotic ecstasy by his dominatrix "Connie", Keyes became utterly subservient to her wishes. In an act of ultimate capitulation, he accommodated Connie's need to achieve orgasm through crime. Caught and imprisoned, Keyes sought to understand the nature of his sexual drives The result is a fascinating look into the mind of a most unusual man: scholar, writer, keen observer of human sexuality, and prisoner. { 164pp, 155x230mm, December 1994; HB, £23.99, 0879758562:9780879758561 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART & PHILOSOPHY [Timothy Taubes] The author offers a look at the history, ethics, and aesthetics of art from the perspective of the specific philosophical concepts of transcendence, metaphysics, subjectivity, and conditionality. Contemporary and conversant with the major issues that have affected 20th-century art (including existentialism, phenomenology, semiotics, and Jungian psychology), this volume questions many philosophical concepts used to justify art, and views their meaning within the perspective of philosophical development. { 121pp, 155x230mm, March 1994; HB, £23.99, 0879758651:9780879758653 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART OF BECOMING HUMAN [Mary E Mercer] Being born is just the beginning; becoming a fully human being is not easy. It's a creative process of self-development toward which we have to work for the rest of our lives. How we live; how we think; how we react to our experiences; and who we wish to be, rather than who we are, all contribute to our humanness--or lack of it. Despite the claims of popular "how-to" guides to becoming a better person, no book holds the magic key to true humanness or real happiness. It takes a lifetime of learning. In "The Art of Becoming Human", Mary Mercer reflects with great insight and empathy on the happiness and difficulties we encounter at each stage of life, pointing out that all growth requires separation from previous attachments. As we move from infancy to old age, the pain of each separation lifts us to a higher level of awareness of ourselves. This pattern of love and separation repeats itself throughout our lives until, if we're fortunate, our desire to be loved becomes a desire to love. Dr. Mercer explains what is required for personal growth, details the aspects of life that touch us profoundly, and lays out the choices that can lead to the highest state of humanness possible. This book considers not only the common experiences of human growth from birth to old age, but also the profound influences that inborn talent, chance, necessity, and hope play in our development. Using eloquent quotations from literary classics, Dr Mercer reveals the universal self-creative pattern that lies beneath the surface of individual life. { 150pp, 155x230mm, January 2002; PB, £12.99, 1573929409:9781573929400 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART OF BECOMING HUMAN : Patterns of Growth, The Adventure of Living, Love & Separation, Limitless Possibilities [Mary E Mercer, MD] Being born is just the beginning; becoming a fully human being is not easy. It's a creative process of self-development toward which we have to work for the rest of our lives. How we live; how we think; how we react to our experiences; and who we wish to be, rather than who we are, all contribute to our humanness -- or lack of it. Despite the claims of popular "how-to" guides to becoming a better person, no book holds the magic key to true humanness or real happiness. It takes a lifetime of learning. In "The Art of Becoming Human", Mary E Mercer reflects with great insight and empathy on the happiness and difficulties we encounter at each stage of life, pointing out that all growth requires separation from previous attachments. As we move from infancy to old age, the pain of each separation lifts us to a higher level of awareness of ourselves. This pattern of love and separation repeats itself throughout our lives until, if we're fortunate, our desire to be loved becomes a desire to love. Dr Mercer explains what is required for personal growth, details the aspects of life that touch us profoundly, and lays out the choices that can lead to the highest state of humanness possible. The book considers not only the common experiences of human growth from birth to old age, but also the profound influences that inborn talent, chance, necessity, and hope play in our development. Using eloquent quotations from literary classics, Dr Mercer reveals the universal self-creative pattern that lies beneath the surface of individual life. { 146pp, 155x230mm, August 1997; HB, £17.99, 1573921203:9781573921206 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART OF DECEPTION AUDIOBOOK : An Introduction to Critical Thinking: Revised Edition [Nicholas Capaldi & Miles Smit] 1 audiocasette. This classic work on critical thinking -- now fully updated and revised -- uses a novel approach to teach the basics of informal logic. On the assumption that "it takes one to know one," the authors have written the book from the point of view of someone who wishes to deceive, mislead, or manipulate others. Having mastered the art of deception, readers will then be able to detect the misuse or abuse of logic when they encounter it in others -- whether in a heated political debate or while trying to evaluate the claims of a persuasive sales person. Using a host of real-world examples, the authors show you how to win an argument, defend a case, recognise a fallacy, see through deception, persuade a sceptic, and turn defeat into victory. Not only do they discuss the fundamentals of logic (premises, conclusions, syllogisms, common fallacies, etc.), but they also consider important related issues often encountered in face-to-face debates, such as gaining a sympathetic audience, responding to audience reaction, using non-verbal devices, clearly presenting the facts, refutation, and driving home a concluding argument. Whether you are preparing for law school or you just want to become more adept at making your points and analysing others' arguments, "The Art of Deception" will give you the intellectual tools to become a more effective thinker and speaker. Helpful exercises and discussion questions are also included. { December 1996; MM, £14.99, 1573920576:9781573920575 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART OF DECEPTION, FULLY REVISED & UPDATED EDITION : An Introduction to Critical Thinking [Nicholas Capaldi PhD & Miles Smit PhD] This classic work on critical thinking -- now fully updated and revised -- uses a novel approach to teach the basics of informal logic. On the assumption that "it takes one to know one", the authors have written the book from the point of view of someone who wishes to deceive, mislead, or manipulate others. Having mastered the art of deception, readers will then be able to detect the misuse or abuse of logic when they encounter it in others -- whether in a heated political debate or while trying to evaluate the claims of a persuasive sales person. Using a host of real-world examples, the authors show you how to win an argument, defend a case, recognise a fallacy, see through deception, persuade a sceptic, and turn defeat into victory. Not only do they discuss the fundamentals of logic (premises, conclusions, syllogisms, common fallacies, etc.), but they also consider important related issues often encountered in face-to-face debates, such as gaining a sympathetic audience, responding to audience reaction, using non-verbal devices, clearly presenting the facts, refutation, and driving home a concluding argument. Whether you are preparing for law school or you just want to become more adept at making your points and analysing others' arguments, "The Art of Deception" will give you the intellectual tools to become a more effective thinker and speaker. Helpful exercises and discussion questions are also included. REVIEW: "I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about intellectual self-defence. It should be on every student’s book shelf, and on every educators list of recommended reading." -- Dr Jason Braithwaite, Behavioural Brain Sciences Centre, University of Birmingham. { 277pp, 140x215mm, August 2007; PB, £15.50, 159102532X:9781591025320 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART OF HIRING IN AMERICA'S COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES [Ronald H Stein & Stephen Joel Trachtenberg (eds)] Edited by two respected university administrators, this book is indispensable for professional administrators, job seekers, and the general public. This ground-breaking work identifies all parties in the hiring process and clearly defines their roles. Attention is given to special concerns as the contributors offer helpful suggestions to those whose task it is to reach hiring decisions that could affect the quality of American education well into the next century. { 188pp, 155x230mm, February 1993; HB, £30.99, 0879757868:9780879757861 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART OF LOVEMAKING : An Illustrated Tribute [James A Haught] This treasure for couples combats the taboos pervading sexual intimacy by presenting lovemaking as healthy, natural, tender, romantic, wholesome, fulfilling and joyful tribute to the goodness of sex, incorporating world-class art, poetry, and commentary. { 146pp, 152x228, October 1992; HB, £26.99, 087975740X:9780879757403 , Prometheus Books } |
| ART, BEAUTY & PORNOGRAPHY : A Journey Through American Culture [Jon Huer] When viewing the picture of a beautiful sunset, how many of us realise that, while we admire it as a work of art, we have just taken the very first step toward pornography? And that both the beauty in the sunset and the senses that recognise such beauty are very likely to be anti-art? Making a radical departure from the conventional wisdom on art and beauty, this book presents the startling thesis that things of beauty are not only unrelated to art but often responsible for pornography. { 239pp, 140x215mm, August 1987; HB, £30.99, 0879753978:9780879753979 , Prometheus Books } |
| ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN [Robert Mayhew] The women of Athens concoct a daring scheme: penetrate the male-dominated Assembly disguised as men and vote themselves into power, after which they will overturn the old laws and inaugurate a new society where all are equal and where property and sex, too! is shared. This new translation of Aristophanes' last extant play recaptures the spirit, the bawdiness, and the brilliance of this rollicking farce, which is at the same time a profound critique of contemporary Greek customs and manners. { 125pp, 140x215mm, April 1997; PB, £11.50, 1573921335:9781573921336 , Prometheus Books } |
| ASSISTED SUICIDE : Theory & Practice in Elective Death [C G Prado & Sandra J Taylor] Court cases in the United States and Canada, and attendant media coverage, have transformed assisted suicide from an unspoken practice to a pressing social issue. Assisted suicide has joined abortion as one of the major and most intractable issues of our time. Behind the rhetoric of public debate, the truly important questions are whether assisted suicide ever makes good sense, whether assisting suicide should ever be permissible, and if so, what professional ethics should govern its provision. Effective ethical guidance for assisted suicide is not lacking for want of effort, but rather because of conflict and dissent. Arguments about it arise from divergent conceptions of personal autonomy and the nature of human life. The hard fact that assisted suicide is practised regardless of its legality makes questions about the ethics that govern it all the more urgent. Professors Prado and Taylor strive to achieve a compromise between ethical theoreticians and clinicians by clarifying what is most at issue in their arguments. Among the topics of their discussion are the criteria for rational suicide; making a genuine, unimpaired choice; and the problem of the slippery slope. Though they do not agree, their collaboration results in a constructive exploration of one of the most difficult ethical dilemmas of our time. { 223pp, 155x230mm, June 1999; PB, £17.50, 1573926337:9781573926331 / HB, £39.50, 1573926345:9781573926348 , Prometheus Books } |
| ASTROLOGY : What's Really in the Stars? [J V Stewart, MD] Rather than offering a blistering critique of astrology, Stewart reveals discrepancies within horoscopic astrology's own framework to let the reader decide whether there is any merit to this ancient scheme of things. { 156pp, 155x230mm, November 1996; HB, £17.50, 1573920770:9781573920773 , Prometheus Books } |
| ASTROLOGY: TRUE OR FALSE? : A Scientific Evaluation [Roger B Culver & Philip A Ianna] Contemporary astrologers claim that their craft is scientifically based and rationally consistent, and above all, that "astrology works" -- a belief shared by millions, including highly visible political and media personalities. As a result, the practice of consulting the stars for advice has never been more popular - or more dangerous. Professional |