The Middle Ages: A Very Short Introduction (Rubin Miri)(Paperback)

The Middle Ages: A Very Short Introduction (Rubin Miri)(Paperback)

The Middle Ages is a term coined around 1450 to describe a thousand years of European History. In this Very Short Introduction, Miri Rubin provides an exploration of the variety, change, dynamism, and sheer complexity that the period covers. From the provinces of the Roman Empire, which became

Emotion: A Very Short Introduction (Evans Dylan)(Paperback)

Was love invented by European poets in the Middle Ages or is it part of human nature? Will winning the lottery really make you happy? Is it possible to build robots that have feelings? In this Very Short Introduction Dylan Evans explores these and many other intriguing questions in this guide to

Conscience (Strohm Paul)(Paperback)

From Cicero and Augustine through the middle ages and into the Reformation, this Very Short Introduction considers conscience as a matter of human rights and obligations, as well as an important issue in contemporary politics. Written by Paul Strohm, an eminent authority in the field and an

The Brain: A Very Short Introduction (O'Shea Michael)(Paperback)

The Brain: A Very Short Introduction provides a non-technical introduction to the main issues and findings in current brain research and gives a sense of how neuroscience addresses questions about the relationship between the brain and the mind. Short, clear discussions on the mechanical workings

Napoleon: A Very Short Introduction: A Very Short Introduction (Bell David A.)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction might prove disappointing to those expecting an introduction to a very short man. Dispelling the myth of Napoleon Bonaparte's short stature, as well as the other rumors and legends, David A. Bell provides a concise, accurate, and lively portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte's

The Aztecs: A Very Short Introduction (Carrasco David)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction employs the disciplines of history, religious studies, and anthropology as it illuminates the complexities of Aztec life. Readers meet a people highly skilled in sculpture, astronomy, city planning, poetry, and philosophy, who were also profoundly committed to cosmic

The Elements: A Very Short Introduction (Ball Philip)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction is an exciting and non-traditional approach to understanding the terminology, properties, and classification of chemical elements. It traces the history and cultural impact of the elements on humankind, and examines why people have long sought to identify the substances

Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Keown Damien)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction offers readers a superb overview of the teachings of the Buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of Buddhism into daily life. What are the distinctive features of Buddhism? Who was the Buddha, and what are his teachings? Words such as 'karma' and

Human Evolution: A Very Short Introduction (Wood Bernard)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction traces the history of paleoanthropology from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to the latest fossil finds. Although concentrating on the fossil evidence for human evolution, it also covers the latest genetic evidence about regional variations in the modern human

Nutrition: A Very Short Introduction (Bender David)(Paperback)

In this Very Short Introduction, David Bender explains the basic elements of food, the balance between energy intake and exercise, the problems of over- and under-nutrition, and raises questions on the safety of nutritional supplements. Looking broadly at what constitutes nutrition, Bender provides

Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Miller David)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction introduces readers to the key concepts of political philosophy: authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think

Whose Middle Ages?: Teachable Moments for an Ill-Used Past (Albin Andrew)(Paperback)

Whose Middle Ages? is an interdisciplinary collection of short, accessible essays intended for the nonspecialist reader and ideal for teaching at an undergraduate level. Each of twenty-two essays takes up an area where digging for meaning in the medieval past has brought something distorted back

Clinical Psychology: A Very Short Introduction: A Very Short Introduction (Llewelyn Susan)(Paperback)

Clinical psychology makes a significant contribution to mental health care across the world. The essence of the discipline is the creative application of the knowledge base of psychology to the unique, personal experiences of individuals who are facing difficulties or changes in their lives. Rather

The History of Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction (Stedall Jacqueline)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction explores the rich historical and cultural diversity of mathematical practice, ranging from the distant past to the present. Historian Jacqueline Stedall shows that mathematical ideas are far from being fixed, but are adapted and changed by their passage across periods

Film: A Very Short Introduction (Wood Michael)(Paperback)

Film is arguably the dominant art form of the twentieth century. In this Very Short Introduction, Michael Wood offers a wealth of insight into the nature of film, considering its role and impact on society as well as its future in the digital age. As Wood notes, film is many things, but it has

Romanticism: A Very Short Introduction (Ferber Michael)(Paperback)

In this Very Short Introduction, Michael Ferber explores Romanticism during the period of its incubation, birth, and growth, covering the years roughly from 1760 to 1860. This is the only introduction to Romanticism that incorporates not only the English but the Continental movements, and not only

Kabbalah: A Very Short Introduction (Dan Joseph)(Paperback)

In Kabbalah: A Very Short Introduction, Joseph Dan, one of the world's leading authorities on Jewish mysticism, offers a concise and highly accurate look at the history and character of the various systems developed by the adherents of the Kabbalah. Dan sheds light on the many misconceptions about

Christian Art: A Very Short Introduction (Williamson Beth)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction decodes the key themes, signs, and symbols found in Christian art: the Eucharist, the image of the Crucifixion, the Virgin Mary, the Saints, Old and New Testament narrative imagery, and iconography. It also explores the theological and historical background of Christian

The Soviet Union: A Very Short Introduction (Lovell Stephen)(Paperback)

Galaxies: A Very Short Introduction (Gribbin John)(Paperback)

In this fascinating Very Short Introduction, popular science writer John Gribben tells the story of our growing understanding of galaxies, from the days before Galileo to our present-day observations of our many hundreds of millions of galactic neighbors. Not only are galaxies fascinating

Country Music: A Very Short Introduction (Carlin Richard)(Paperback)

Country Music: A Very Short Introduction presents a compelling overview of the music and its impact on American culture. Country music has long been a marker of American identity; from our popular culture to our politics, it has provided a soundtrack to our national life. While traditionally

Magnetism: A Very Short Introduction (Blundell Stephen J.)(Paperback)

In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen J. Blundell illuminates the mysterious force of magnetism. For centuries, magnetism has been used for various purposes--through compasses it gave us the ability to navigate, and through motors, generators, and turbines, it has given us power. Blundell

Theology: A Very Short Introduction (Ford David)(Paperback)

This Very Short Introduction provides both the believer and non-believer with a balanced survey of the central questions of theology. David Ford's approach draws us in to considering the principles underlying religious belief, including the centrality of salvation to most major religions, the

The Cell: A Very Short Introduction (Allen Terence)(Paperback)

In this Very Short Introduction, Terrence Allen and Graham Cowling offer an illuminating account of the nature of cells--their basic structure, forms, division, signaling, and programmed death. Allen and Cowling start with the simple 'prokaryotic' cell--cells with no nucleus--and show how the