Special Collections
Benetech’s Global Certified Accessible Titles
Description: Benetech’s GCA program is the first independent third-party EPUB certification to verify ebook accessibility. By creating content that is born accessible, publishers can meet the needs of all readers. Learn more: https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/
- Table View
- List View
God and Man
by Leon RothOriginally published in 1955, and containing some 500 passages, this Biblical anthology brings together, in their original wording, the highest expressions of the Biblical view of life. The anthology is non-historical and non-doctrinal. It starts with the confrontations of man with God as seen in the ‘calls’ of the prophets, and proceeds to the ways of life demanded of man and the duties accompanying the privilege of vocation. It ends with the visions of the ideal society which in times of trial the author believes have sustained the mind. When this was first published, the anthology used often forgotten texts, and in so doing stimulated much attention to these enduring religious documents.
Evaluating Social Media Marketing
by Katarzyna Sanak-KosmowskaThis book is an innovative attempt to identify and analyse the processes related to social influence in online buying behaviour, with special attention given to the phenomenon of social proof, which is the basis of social media, recommendation marketing and word of mouth (WOM) marketing. It empirically verifies the factors which influence the effectiveness of social proof, as well as identifying relevant impact factors. Opening with a literature review of this concept from the perspective of social psychology, sociology and marketing, this interdisciplinary approach to the issue allows for an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of the effective use of social proof in contemporary online marketing. Following this, in the context of theoretical considerations, the author analyses the social role and significance of social proof in the buying behaviours of online consumers. The second half of the book presents the results of the author’s quantitative and qualitative research of the effectiveness of social proof. The quantitative research verifies the hypotheses concerning the social role and significance of social proof in buying decisions and identifies the level of confidence in the opinions expressed by other web users. The qualitative research focuses on the empirical verification of the effectiveness of social proof mechanisms. Additionally, attention is given to sensitivity to social proof, i.e., the factors that increase the effectiveness of such messages, both from the sender’s and recipient’s perspective, as well as the forms and channels of communication. Written for scholars and researchers interested in the debate on the transparency of activities carried out by companies in the area of online marketing, the book’s detailed analysis of influence utilising both quantitative and qualitative studies may be of interest to a wider group of academics including economists, psychologists and sociologists.
Claimant or Client?
by Olive StevensonOriginally published in 1973, the aim of this book was to consider the relationship of a vital element in our social security system, the Supplementary Benefits Commission, to the personal social services, in particular to social work. Notions of ‘entitlement’ and ‘rights’ in means-tested benefit schemes are examined in relation to those claimants, including unsupported mothers and the so-called ‘voluntary unemployed’, who present particular difficulties to those administering the scheme. For many who claim supplementary benefit their only need is prompt, efficient financial service. For a few, their financial need is inextricably bound up with complex social and psychological difficulties. For such cases, the civil servants who administer the British Supplementary Benefits scheme need skill beyond that normally expected of such persons and their relationship with the social workers who are, or should be, in touch with such claimants becomes crucial. The book considers some of the underlying ethical issues, in particular the tension between equitable and individualised justice, involved in the exercise of discretion. It describes the structure and organisation of the Supplementary Benefits scheme and analyses the roles of officials that bear on welfare. It also examines the current situation with regard to the selection and training of officials and discusses the attitudes of social workers to officials. This work, drawing on the unique experience of the author as the first Social Work Adviser to the Supplementary Benefits Commission, was the first study of its kind to be published in this country and would be of great value to all students and teachers of social work at the time as well as to a wide readership of social scientists.
Impact and the Management Researcher
by Usha C.V. HaleyUniversities, governments, faculty-evaluation committees, grant-bestowing institutions, scholars, and accreditation organizations have increasingly insisted on identifying and placing value on research impact. Valuation of research and scholarly output predicts innovation, affects careers, and guides resource allocations worldwide. This book joins the burgeoning conversation in management and the social sciences with theoretical and applied discussions of the concepts, measurements, costs and benefits that accrue to pursuing scholarly impact. The author draws on a pioneering study by the Academy of Management that asked its global membership of 20,000 how they assessed scholarly impact, including rankings and impact factors, and how institutions supported this pursuit. Through qualitative and quantitative cross-country analysis by professorial rank, geographical region and support for various metrics, as well as exploration of parallel discussions in the social and hard sciences, the author argues for an urgent re-examination of the visible and invisible hands of research evaluation that shape lives and global societies. The book presents original data on the external impacts of management research on policy, through the media, and in interest displayed by constituencies, which will make the book of interest to researchers, academics and students in the fields of business and management. Recommendations from leading management scholars and from the data follow for more valid, more reliable and less cynical metrics of research impact.
The Mystics of Spain
by E. Allison PeersOriginally published in 1951, this volume gives a general survey of the Golden Age of Spanish mysticism, following this with translations of extracts from 15 leading authors in this field. The selections from each author are preceded by details of editions and studies, thereby making this not only an authoritative study on the treasures of Spanish mysticism but also a valuable anthology and starting point for further reading.
Globalization, Environmental Law, and Sustainable Development in the Global South
by Kirk W. JunkerThis volume examines the impact of globalization on international environmental law and the implementation of sustainable development in the Global South. Comprising contributions from lawyers from the Global South or who have experience in the Global South, this volume is organized into three parts, with a thematic inquiry woven through every chapter to ask how law can enable economies that can be sustained, given the limited carrying capacity of the earth. Part I describes and characterizes the status quo of environmental and economic problems in the Global South during the process of globalization. Some of those problems include redistribution of environmental burden on the public through over-reliance on the state in emerging economies and the transition to public-private partnerships, as well as extreme uncontrolled economic expansion. Building on Part I, Part II takes an international perspective by presenting some tools that are in place during the process of globalization that lead to friction and interfaces between developed and developing economies in environmental law. Recognizing the impossibility of a globalized Northern economy, the authors in Part III present some alternatives through framework ideas of human and civil rights, environmental rights, and indigenous persons’ rights, as well as concrete and specific legal tools to strengthen justice and rule of law institutions. The book gives new perspectives to familiar approaches through concrete examples by professional practitioners and theoretical discourse by academic researchers, and can thereby form the basis for changes in practices, as well as further discussions and comparisons. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of environmental law, sustainable development, and globalization and international relations, as well as legal professionals and practitioners.
An Autoethnography of Fitting In
by Phiona StanleyAn Autoethnography of Fitting In: On Spinsterhood, Fatness, and Backpacker Tourism is a feminist narrative about the social rules of obedience and acquiescence to the norm – embodiment, heteronormativity, partnering – and about fitting in, or not, with those narratives. Phiona Stanley explores a period through her twenties and thirties, living and travelling alone, foreign to herself and the countries of her travel in all regards: white, cisgender, sometimes thin, sometimes fat, sometimes partnered. This fascinating volume uses these lived experiences, depicted through first-person narrative storytelling, as a prism through which to understand the subtle, social rules of gendered normative expectations. It draws on contemporary journals, letters, and photos, and features process-oriented sections that focus on the methodological possibilities these offer, and on questions of verisimilitude and subjectivity. Set in the context of transnational work in Qatar, China, and elsewhere, and "road status" as negotiated and performed among long-term backpacker tourists, this book serves as an exemplar of how autoethnography can illuminate socio-cultural normativities and their effects – which are rarely explicit, but which nevertheless have great potential to harm – while problematizing and rethinking the meanings and semantic boundaries of weight, queerness, and (hetero)normativity. Framed through reflexive autoethnography, with a strong focus on ethics and feminist theories, this book will appeal to students and researchers in autoethnography, qualitative methods, and gender and women's studies.
Ministry of Morale
by Ian McLaineThis book, first published in 1979, is an analysis of the wartime Ministry of Information, responsible for the maintenance of public morale. How was it that British morale remained high, yet the department responsible was so bad? This book examines the domestic work of the Ministry and offers an unprecedented insight into the mind of both government and people during the war. It answers key questions: How did a government department assess and set about maintaining morale? How did it handle the social and political questions associated with morale – post-war social reform, press freedom and censorship, the nature of the Soviet regime? How sound in fact was civilian morale, on the basis of the secret Wartime Intelligence reports then available? One of the most fascinating aspects of this book is the Ministry’s constant internal debate on how its responsibilities should best be carried out. It is a key work of research on the political, psychological and mass communications problems facing a society at war.
The Battle of Britain
by Edward BishopThis book, first published in 1960, is a close examination of the twelve most decisive weeks in British history. It looks at the responsibility of pre-war politicians for the preparedness of the air defence system, the conflicting views on the conduct of the battle on both sides, the attitude of the US, and the part played by such leading figures as Dowding, Park, Beaverbrook, Kesselring and Sperle.
The Economics and Finance of Commodity Price Shocks
by Mikidadu MohammedThe behaviour of commodity prices never ceases to marvel economists, financial analysts, industry experts, and policymakers. Unexpected swings in commodity prices used to occur infrequently but have now become a permanent feature of global commodity markets. This book is about modelling commodity price shocks. It is intended to provide insights into the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical modelling of the underlying causes of global commodity price shocks. Three main objectives motivated the writing of this book. First, to provide a variety of modelling frameworks for documenting the frequency and intensity of commodity price shocks. Second, to evaluate existing approaches used for forecasting large movements in future commodity prices. Third, to cover a wide range and aspects of global commodities including currencies, rare-hard-lustrous transition metals, agricultural, energy, and health pandemics. Some attempts have already been made towards modelling commodity price shocks. However, most tend to narrowly focus on a subset of commodity markets, i.e., agricultural commodities market and/or energy market. In this book, the author moves the needle forward by operationalizing different models, which allow researchers to identify the underlying causes and effects of commodity price shocks. Readers also learn about different commodity price forecasting models. The author presents the topics to readers assuming less prior or specialist knowledge. Thus, the book is accessible to industry analysts, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students in economics and financial economics, academic and professional economists, investors, and financial professionals working in different sectors of the commodity markets. Another advantage of the book’s approach is that readers are not only exposed to several innovative modelling techniques to add to their modelling toolbox but are also exposed to diverse empirical applications of the techniques presented.
The Distribution of the Product
by John CravenOriginally published in 1979, the purpose of this book is to introduce a theory of the distribution of national income between wages, profits and other categories of income. The relation between this branch of distribution theory and other areas of economics is explained in the Introduction. The first six chapters are designed to introduce distribution theory to students of intermediate economic principles. The reader should be familiar with the basic analysis of supply, demand and market equilibrium, and with the use of indifference curves to represent a consumer’s preferences. The remaining seven chapters discuss developments of the theory introduced in the first six.
Playlisting
by Onur SesigürThis book examines the collection and curation of music, and the way digital streaming services are transforming the way we engage with the media. The study foregrounds personal digital curation techniques, rather than algorithms or technology, to acknowledge the sustaining human agency involved in playlisting. The author looks at Digital Service Providers such as Spotify, Apple and Deezer, which offer their users not just access to large collections of music, but also the opportunity to create and maintain personalised consumption subsets such as playlists. Positioning these current playlisting practices as a remediation of significant cultural practices of the 20th century – such as collecting records and mix-taping – the book highlights the continuity of culture through media change, and the implications for concepts of self and identity, society and sharing. Shedding new light on this contemporary cultural phenomenon, this book will be an important read for scholars who are interested in the area of digital music from different disciplines such as communication, digital humanities and social sciences in fields of media studies, digital cultures, personal information management, digital curation and popular music.
Ends and Means in Social Work
by E. Matilda Goldberg and R. William WarburtonOriginally published in 1979, Ends and Means in Social Work was the first book to provide research-based evidence on what social workers actually do, what they were aiming to achieve, and what sense their activities made, both in terms of their own subjective perspectives and those of their clients. The authors describe and analyse a series of surveys and action studies based on a year’s referrals and the long-term clientele of an area office. They aimed first to find out what the clients thought of and expected from the newly reorganised social services, and how social workers saw the changes and their new responsibilities. The second aim was to discover how social work skills and other resources were being used to meet different client needs. Third, the research was designed to enable social workers, by developing a new monitoring tool, the Case Review System, to become more explicit about both the ends and means of their activities. Widespread interest had been aroused by the Case Review System. It had raised intriguing questions about who gets what and why. On an individual level, the Case Review System can enable social workers to evaluate their practice by comparing plan with achievement; as an educational tool it can assist supervision; as a management tool it can provide aggregated data on client characteristics, the use of resources, and outcomes; as a research tool it can answer questions on the relationships between client characteristics, problems and social work practice, and provide longitudinal data on client careers. It is in response to insistent demands for a rounded account of this research project and its results that this book has been written. It endeavours to bring together all the aspects of the specific research studies and to discuss their wider implications for the organisation of the personal social services. Particularly valuable for students and practitioners alike will be the concluding discussion in which the evidence which emerged about the use of social work resources is subjected to critical review. Questions are raised about the current deployment of social work skills, and suggestions are made about how these skills might be redeployed, tasks defined more realistically, and how statutory functions could mesh more easily with voluntary activities.
The Theatre of Luis Valdez
by Michael M. ChemersThe Theatre of Luis Valdez focuses on the life and work of American playwright and director Luis Valdez, probably best known for his landmark 1979 play Zoot Suit – the first play by a Latinx playwright to appear on Broadway – and founder of El Teatro Campesino, the oldest surviving community theatre in the United States. Built around first-hand discussions of Valdez’s work, this collection gives an in-depth understanding of where ‘the godfather of Chicano theatre’ fits in the grand scheme of American drama and performance. Collaborators Edward James Olmos and Alma Martinez talk about working with Valdez and El Teatro Campesino; scholar Leticia Garcia interviews Jorge Huerta, the leading authority on Chicanx and Latinx theatre on the impact of Valdez work; and Luis Valdez himself contributes a lecture on all aspects of his craft from political resistance and the migrant experience to actor training and dramatic form. A concise and accessible study, 4x45 || Luis Valdez is the go-to resource for scholars, students and theatre practitioners looking for an introduction to this seminal figure in modern American performance.
Society and Knowledge
by V. G. ChildeOriginally published in 1956, the well-known archaeologist here takes on the role of philosopher. The author argues that knowledge is a social phenomenon, and that our intellectual life is the product of social heritage: reality is the product of different opinions of various societies.
The New Economic Warfare
by Antonín BaschThis book, first published in 1942, examines the economic necessities, defensive and offensive, basic and strategic, involved in waging war. Written with total global war raging, it analyses the unprecedented demands placed on the economic system of a nation, and looks at the great shifts of productive effort and limits on consumption that were needed.
Soviet Foreign Policy During the Patriotic War
by Andrew RothsteinThis book, first published in 1946, collects documents illustrating the foreign policy of the Soviet Union during the Second World War. They show how the fighting alliance of the USSR, Britain and the USA came into being and grew stronger, how relations were restored with other anti-Nazi countries, and how diplomatic relations were extended between the USSR and hitherto un-connected countries. The collection of three parts of translated documents: statements and speeches made by Stalin; documents, treaties, agreements; appendices including press statements and telegrams.
The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Mass Atrocity, and Genocide
by Sara E. BrownThe Routledge Handbook of Religion, Mass Atrocity, and Genocide explores the many and sometimes complicated ways in which religion, faith, doctrine, and practice intersect in societies where mass atrocity and genocide occur. This volume is intended as an entry point to questions about mass atrocity and genocide that are asked by and of people of faith and is an outstanding reference source to the key topics, historical events, and heated debates in this subject area. The 39 contributions to the handbook, by a team of international contributors, span five continents and cover four millennia. Each explores the intersection of religion, faith, and mainly state-sponsored mass atrocity and genocide, and draws from a variety of disciplines. This volume is divided into six core sections: Genocide in Antiquity and Holy Wars The Genocide of Indigenous Peoples Religion and the State The Role of Religion during Genocide Post Genocide Considerations Memory Culture Within these sections central issues, historical events, debates, and problems are examined, including the Crusades; Jihad and ISIS, colonialism, the Holocaust, desecration of ritual objects, politics of religion, Shinto nationalism, attacks on Rohingya Muslims; the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, responses to genocide; gender-based atrocities, ritualcide in Cambodia, burial sites and mass graves, transitional justice, forgiveness, documenting genocide, survivor memory narratives, post-conflict healing and memorialization. The Routledge Handbook of Religion and Genocide is essential reading for students and researchers with an interest in religion and genocide, religion and violence, and religion and politics. It will be of great interest to students of theology, philosophy, genocide studies, narrative studies, history, and international relations and those in related fields, such as cultural studies, area studies, sociology, and anthropology.
Montgomery the Field Marshal
by R.W. ThompsonThis book, first published in 1969, examines the achievement of Montgomery and the 21st Army Group in the campaign in Northwest Europe in 1944-45. The author observed the campaign first-hand, and has spent twenty years poring over war diaries and regimental papers to provide an in-depth analysis of Montgomery’s generalship, personality, complex relations with his American allies, and his own subordinates. Looking at Montgomery’s performance as a morale builder both for troops and civilians, this books also examines his difficulties with the diplomatic niceties of coalition warfare.
Challenging Parental Alienation
by Jean MercerThis book addresses the concept of parental alienation – the belief that when a child of divorced parents avoids one parent, it may be because the preferred parent has persuaded the child to do this. It argues against the unquestioning use of parental alienation concepts in child custody conflicts. Increasing use of this concept in family courts has led at times to placement of children with abusive or violent parents, damage to the lives of preferred parents, and the use of treatments that have not been shown to be safe or effective. The 13 chapters cover the history and theory of "parental alienation" principles and practices. Methodological and research issues are considered, and diagnostic and treatment methods associated with "parental alienation" beliefs as well as those recommended by research and ethical evidence are analyzed. The connections of "parental alienation" with gender and domestic violence issues are discussed as are the experiences of individuals who have experienced "parental alienation" treatments. The book argues that "parental alienation" principles and practices should be avoided by family courts, in the best interests of children in custody disputes. This book will be useful reading for lawyers, judges, children’s services workers including social workers, child protection court workers, and mental health professionals involved in child custody decisions.
Mental Health Social Work Observed
by Mike Fisher and Eric Sainsbury and Clive NewtonDespite extensive changes in the organisation of social and psychiatric services, there had been no study of mental health social work in the UK since the early 1960s. There was, however, no shortage of ‘received wisdom’ about the perceived failure of social work to provide a service to the mentally disordered. Originally published in 1984, it was to provide some basic information about the practice of social work in this field that the study was conducted on which Mental Health Social Work Observed is based. The authors looked at both long-term work and emergency work in which the use of compulsory powers was requested. In addition to the views of social workers, the opinions of psychiatrists, family practitioners and of the clients themselves were sought in order to gain a full picture of social work in practice. Through their thorough immersion in the field of study and through their experience of social work and of mental health issues, the authors were able to provide a sympathetic and lucid account of the difficulties of mental health social work and of the thorny issue of interprofessional relationships which will ring true to the practitioner. They produced recommendations relevant to social work practice at the time and this book would be found useful to social workers and their managers, to psychiatrists, family practitioners, psychiatric nurses and clinical psychologists. Of particular relevance to the then current changes in the role of the social worker under the new mental health legislation is the authors’ study of mental health emergency work, culminating in a recommended code of practice.
Madkind
by Charles BergFirst published in 1962, the original blurb reads: ‘This provocative book explores the whole range of human thought conduct and beliefs. Commencing with primitive man and his superstitions it goes on to study our present-day cultural institutions, customs, ritual and other behaviour upon which we pride ourselves. All of these are shown to have identical primitive mechanisms and to be subjectively determined without reference to scientific knowledge. These delusions are shown to be mostly undesirable and harmful and the author goes on to state that only objective thinking, scientifically based, can lead to any ultimate good. The later chapters contain an aetiological study of the mind. The author states "If we can consider the human mind in the light of its origin and development we may better appreciate its basic nature and its inevitable limitations". The subject matter is amply illustrated with clinical examples in Dr Berg’s usual lively style. This book is one which will affect all readers. None of us is immune from delusions, however much we may delude ourselves to the contrary, and the presentation of these truths will to some of us seem shocking in the extreme.’ Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.
Education for Sustainable Development in Foreign Language Learning
by María J. de la FuenteThis unique volume utilizes the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework to illustrate successful integration of sustainability education in post-secondary foreign language (FL) learning. Showcasing a variety of approaches to using content-based instruction (CBI) in college-level courses, this text valuably demonstrates how topics relating to environmental, social, and cultural dimensions of sustainability can be integrated in FL curricula. Chapters draw on case studies from colleges throughout the US and consider theoretical and practical concerns relating to models of sustainability-based teaching and learning. Chapters present examples of project-, problem-, and task-based approaches, as well as field work, debate, and reflective pedagogies to enhance students’ awareness and engagement with sustainable development issues as they acquire a foreign language. Insights and recommendations apply across languages and highlight the potential contribution of FL learning to promote sustainability literacy amongst learners. This text will benefit researchers, academics, and educators in higher education with an interest in Modern Foreign Languages, sustainability education, training, and leadership more broadly.
Akbar's Religious Thought
by Emmy WelleszOriginally published in 1952, the first part of this book gives a portrait of Akbar (1542-1605), Emperor of India, not as a War Lord and Empire Builder, but as a man deeply absorbed in questions of the Spirit. It follows him in his quest after the various religions professed in India and the doctrines of the Christian faith. The text is illustrated by numerous reproductions of contemporary miniatures. Their style which, under Akbar’s inspiring patronage, resulted from the collaboration of Muslim and Hindu artists who became acquainted with European paintings, reflects the universality of the Emperor’s mind. The second part of the book is concerned with the rise and development of this style.
The Gaullist Phenomenon
by Jean CharlotBooks on gaullism – or, more precisely, books on General de Gaulle – are not uncommon. Originally published in English in 1971, this claimed to be the first book of this sort on gaullism as a political force within the French political system. Since the publication of his work on the Union pour la nouvelle République Jean Charlot had become known as one of the few objective experts on gaullism. His knowledge of the British political system had helped him to appreciate the nature of the gaullist party which he saw from the first, not as a transient party linked to the political career of General de Gaulle, but as a major, modern, right-wing party, comparable to the Conservative Party in Britain. In this book he demonstrates how the gaullist movement is a ‘voter-oriented’ party, the first that France had really ever known. The strength of gaullism lies in the electorate, which had fully accepted gaullist economic policies, the institutional changes introduced under the Republic, and the party’s foreign policy. This voter-oriented party had fundamentally changed the French party system. A majority party since 1962, the gaullist movement would force the left to regroup within a left-wing, voter-oriented party, if it did not want to face political sterility. Jean Charlot was one of the few specialists to publish an article just after the referendum (Le Monde, May 2, 1969) forecasting that the departure of General de Gaulle did not foreshadow the end of gaullism as a major political force.