Oxford University Press

The Expedition of Cyrus	Oxford University Press
Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2009	PDF, 288 страниц, 8.64 МБ 7 Оценка:
Men, the enemy troops you can see are all that stands between us and the place we have for so long been determined to reach. We must find a way to eat them alive! The Expedition of Cyrus tells the story of the march of the Ten Thousand. The exploits of this famous army of Greek mercenaries in modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq were described by one of their leaders, the Athenian historian and philosopher Xenophon. They were recruited at the end of the fifth century BC by a young Persian prince, Cyrus, who rose in revolt against his brother, the king of Persia. After Cyrus' death, the army was left stranded in the desert of Mesopotamia, a thousand miles from home. Their long march, across mountains and plateaux to the sight of The sea! The sea!, and back to the fringes of the Greek world, is the most exciting adventure story to survive from the ancient world. Xenophon's gripping narrative offers a unique insight into the character of a Greek army struggling to survive in an alien world. It is also the most sustained eyewitness account of the landscape of the vast and wealthy Persian empire.
1044 vitalysev 14 сентября 2014	Скачать книгу

Nuclear Weapons	Oxford University Press
Автор: Joseph M. Siracusa Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2008	PDF, 160 страниц, 4.80 МБ 8 Оценка:
Despite not having been used in anger since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Bomb is still the biggest threat that faces us in the 21st century. As Bill Clinton's first secretary of defence, Les Aspin, aptly put it: The Cold War is over, the Soviet Union is no more. But the post-Cold War world is decidedly not post-nuclear. For all the effort to reduce nuclear stockpiles to zero, it seems that the Bomb is here to stay. This Very Short Introduction reveals why. The history, and politics of the bomb are explained: from the technology of nuclear weapons, to the revolutionary implications of the H-bomb, and the politics of nuclear deterrence. The issues are set against a backdrop of the changing international landscape, from the early days of development, through the Cold War, to the present-day controversy of George W. Bush's National Missile Defence, and the threat and role of nuclear weapons in the so-called Age of Terror. Joseph M. Siracusa provides a comprehensive, accessible, and at times chilling overview of the most deadly weapon ever invented.
579 admin 26 марта 2011	Скачать книгу

Bestsellers	Oxford University Press
Автор: Sutherland John Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2007	DOC, 144 страницы, 1.00 МБ 0 Оценка:
I rejoice, said Doctor Johnson, to concur with the Common Reader. For the last century, the tastes and preferences of the common reader have been reflected in the American and British bestseller lists, and this Very Short Introduction takes an engaging look through the lists to reveal what we have been reading — and why. John Sutherland shows that bestseller lists monitor one of the strongest pulses in modern literature and are therefore worthy of serious study. Along the way, he lifts the lid on the bestseller industry, examines what makes a book into a bestseller, and asks what separates bestsellers from canonical fiction. Exploring the relationship between bestsellers and the fashions, ideologies, and cultural concerns of the day, the book includes short case-studies and lively summaries of bestsellers through the years: from In His Steps — now almost totally forgotten, but the biggest all-time bestseller between 1895 and 1945, to Gone with the Wind and The Andromeda Strain, and The Da Vinci Code.
521 alex033ru 20 декабря 2009	Скачать книгу

Chinese Literature	Oxford University Press
Автор: Knight Sabina Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2012	PDF, 160 страниц, 4.80 МБ 8 Оценка:
Perhaps nowhere else has literature been as conscious a collective endeavor as in China, and China's survival over three thousand years may owe more to its literary traditions than to its political history. This Very Short Introduction tells the story of Chinese literature from antiquity to the present, focusing on the key role literary culture played in supporting social and political concerns. Embracing traditional Chinese understandings of literature as encompassing history and philosophy as well as poetry and poetics, storytelling, drama, and the novel, Sabina Knight discusses the philosophical foundations of literary culture as well as literature's power to address historical trauma and cultivate moral and sensual passions. From ancient historical records through the modernization and globalization of Chinese literature, Knight draws on lively examples to underscore the close relationship between ethics and aesthetics, as well as the diversity of Chinese thought. Knight also illuminates the role of elite patronage; the ways literature has served the interests of specific groups; and questions of canonization, language, nationalism, and cross-cultural understanding. The book includes Chinese characters for names, titles, and key terms.
580 admin 26 декабря 2014	Скачать книгу

German Literature	Oxford University Press
Автор: Boyle Nicholas Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2008	PDF, 184 страницы, 5.52 МБ 0 Оценка:
German writers, from Luther and Goethe to Heine, Brecht, and Gunter Grass, have had a profound influence on the modern world. This Very Short Introduction presents an engrossing tour of the course of German literature from the late Middle Ages to the present, focussing especially on the last 250 years. Emphasizing the economic and religious context of many masterpieces of German literature, it highlights how they can be interpreted as responses to social and political changes within an often violent and tragic history. The result is a new and clear perspective which illuminates the power of German literature and the German intellectual tradition, and its impact on the wider cultural world.
666 yurius 21 июня 2010	Скачать книгу

Literary Theory	Oxford University Press
Автор: Culler Jonathan Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2011	PDF, 184 страницы, 5.52 МБ 0 Оценка:
What is literary theory? Is there a relationship between literature and culture? In fact, what is literature, and does it matter? These are some of questions addressed by Jonathan Culler in this Very Short Introduction to literary theory. Often a controversial subject, said to have transformed the study of culture and society in the past two decades, literary theory is accused of undermining respect for tradition and truth and encouraging suspicion about the political and psychological implications of cultural projects rather than admiration for great literature. Here, Jonathan Culler explains theory, not by describing warring 'schools' but by sketching key 'moves' theory has encouraged, and speaking directly about the implications of theory for thinking about literature, human identity, and the power of language. In this new edition Culler takes a look at new material, including the death of theory, the links between the theory of narrative and cognitive science, trauma theory, ecocriticism, and includes a new chapter on Ethics and aesthetics. This lucid introduction is useful for anyone who has wondered what all the fuss is about or who wants to think about literature today.
667 yurius 22 мая 2014	Скачать книгу

Philosophy	Oxford University Press
Автор: Craig Edward Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2002	DOC, 144 страницы, 1.00 МБ 0 Оценка:
How ought we to live? What really exists? How do we know? This book introduces important themes in ethics, knowledge, and the self, via readings from Plato, Hume, Descartes, Hegel, Darwin, and Buddhist writers. It emphasizes throughout the point of doing philosophy, explains how different areas of philosophy are related, and explores the contexts in which philosophy was and is done.
520 alex033ru 19 февраля 2009	Скачать книгу

Logic	Oxford University Press
Автор: Priest Graham Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2001	PDF, 160 страниц, 4.80 МБ 8 Оценка:
Logic is often perceived as having little to do with the rest of philosophy, and even less to do with real life. In this lively and accessible introduction, Graham Priest shows how wrong this conception is. He explores the philosophical roots of the subject, explaining how modern formal logic deals with issues ranging from the existence of God and the reality of time to paradoxes of probability and decision theory. Along the way, the basics of formal logic are explained in simple, non-technical terms, showing that logic is a powerful and exciting part of modern philosophy.
577 admin 25 мая 2009	Скачать книгу

Marx	Oxford University Press
Автор: Singer Peter Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2001	PDF, 128 страниц, 3.84 МБ 7 Оценка:
Peter Singer identifies the central vision that unifies Marx's thought, enabling us to grasp Marx's views as a whole. He sees him as a philosopher primarily concerned with human freedom, rather than as an economist or a social scientist. He explains alienation, historical materialism, the economic theory of Capital, and Marx's ideas of communism, in plain English, and concludes with an assessment of Marx's legacy.
462 liego55 20 октрября 2009	Скачать книгу

Presocratic Philosophy	Oxford University Press
Автор: Osborne Catherine Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2004	DOC, 168 страниц, 1.00 МБ 7 Оценка:
This is a book about the invention of Western philosophy, and the first thinkers to explore ideas about the nature of reality, time, and the origin of the universe. It begins with the finding of the new papyrus fragment of Empedocles' poem, and uses the story of its discovery and interpretation to highlight the way our understanding of early philosophers is marked by their presentation in later sources. Generations of philosophers, both ancient and modern, have traced their inspiration back to the presocratics, even though we have very few of their writings left. In this book, Catherine Osborne invites her readers to dip their toes into the fragmentary remains of thinkers from Thales to Pythagoras, Heraclitus to Protagoras, to try to fill in the bits of a jigsaw that has been rejigged many times and in many different ways.
607 pdsolid 06 мая 2009	Скачать книгу

Socrates	Oxford University Press
Автор: Taylor Christopher Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2001	DOC, 144 страницы, 1.00 МБ 0 Оценка:
Socrates has a unique position in the history of philosophy. It is no exaggeration to say that had it not been for his influence on Plato, the whole development of Western philosophy might have bee unimaginably different. Yet Socrates wrote nothing himself, and our knowledge of him is derived primarily from the engaging and infuriating figure who appears in Plato's dialogues. In this book, Christopher Taylor explores the relationship between the historical Socrates and the Platonic character, and examines the enduring image of Socrates as the ideal exemplar of the philosophic life — a thinker whose moral and intellectual integrity permeated every detail of his life, even in the face of betrayal and execution by his fellow Athenians.
519 alex033ru 19 февраля 2009	Скачать книгу

Nationalism	Oxford University Press
Автор: Grosby Steven Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2005	PDF, 160 страниц, 4.80 МБ 8 Оценка:
This book examines the political and moral challenges that face the vast majority of human beings who consider themselves to be members of various nations. It explores nationality through the difficulties and conflicts that have arisen throughout history, and discusses nations and nationalism from social, philosophical, and anthropological perspectives. In this fascinating Very Short Introduction, Steven Grosby looks at the nation in history, the territorial element in nationality, and the complex ways nationality has co-existed with religion, and shows how closely linked the concept of nationalism is with being human.
578 admin 26 марта 2008	Скачать книгу

The European Union	Oxford University Press
Автор: Pinder John Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2013	PDF, 208 страниц, 6.24 МБ 7 Оценка:
Since the second edition of this popular Very Short Introduction published in 2007, the world has faced huge economic and political change. Showing how and why the EU has developed from 1950 to the present day, John Pinder and Simon Usherwood cover a range of topics, including the Union's early history, the workings of its institutions and what they do, the interplay between 'eurosceptics' and federalists, and the role of the Union beyond Europe in international affairs and as a peace-keeper. In this fully updated third edition, Pinder and Usherwood incorporate new material on the Lisbon treaty, the EU fiscal crisis, the state of the single Euro currency in its wake, and conclude by considering the future of the Union and the choices and challenges that may lie ahead.
755 anatoly_24 18 июля 2014	Скачать книгу

Anglicanism	Oxford University Press
Автор: Mark D. Chapman Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2006	DOC, 168 страниц, 1.00 МБ 7 Оценка:
What is Anglicanism? How is it different from other forms of Christianity, and how did it come to have so many different versions throughout the world? Although originally united by location and a common belief, Anglicanism has gradually lost its pre-eminence as the English state church due to increasing pluralisation and secularisation. While there are distinctive themes and emphases which emerge from its early history and theology, there is little sense of unity in Anglicanism today. In Anglicanism: A Very Short Introduction, Mark Chapman highlights the diversity of contemporary Anglicanism by exploring its fascinating history, theology, and structures. Putting the history and development of the religion into context, Chapman reveals what it is that holds Anglicanism together despite the recent crises that threaten to tear it apart.
608 pdsolid 07 апреля 2010	Скачать книгу

Darwin	Oxford University Press
Автор: Howard Jonathan Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2001	DOC, 144 страницы, 1.00 МБ 0 Оценка:
Darwin's theory that our ancestors were apes caused a furore in the scientific world and outside it when The Origin of Species was published in 1859. Arguments still rage about the implications of his evolutionary theory, and scepticism about the value of Darwin's contribution to knowledge is widespread. In this analysis of Darwin's major insights and arguments, Jonathan Howard reasserts the importance of Darwin's work for the development of modern biology.
519 alex033ru 19 февраля 2009	Скачать книгу

Freud	Oxford University Press
Автор: Storr Anthony Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2001	PDF, 176 страниц, 5.28 МБ 0 Оценка:
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) revolutionized the way in which we think about ourselves. From its beginnings as a theory of neurosis, Freud developed psycho-analysis into a general psychology which became widely accepted as the predominant mode of discussing personality and interpersonal relationships.
635 kubinec12 11 июля 2009	Скачать книгу

The Brain	Oxford University Press
Автор: O'Shea Michael Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2006	DjVu, 152 страницы, 6.08 МБ 5 Оценка:
How does the brain work? How different is a human brain from other creatures' brains? Is the human brain still evolving? In this fascinating book, Michael O'Shea 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. Chapters tackle subjects such as brain processes, perception, memory, motor control and the causes of altered mental states. A final section discusses possible future developments in neuroscience, touching on artificial intelligence, gene therapy, the importance of the Human Genome Project, drugs by design, and transplants.
550 coldlikeice 16 февраля 2008	Скачать книгу

Probability	Oxford University Press
Автор: Haigh John Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2012	DOC, 144 страницы, 1.00 МБ 0 Оценка:
Making good decisions under conditions of uncertainty — which is the norm — requires a sound appreciation of the way random chance works. As analysis and modelling of most aspects of the world, and all measurement, are necessarily imprecise and involve uncertainties of varying degrees, the understanding and management of probabilities is central to much work in the sciences and economics. In this Very Short Introduction, John Haigh introduces the ideas of probability and different philosophical approaches to probability, and gives a brief account of the history of development of probability theory, from Galileo and Pascal to Bayes, Laplace, Poisson, and Markov. He describes the basic probability distributions, and goes on to discuss a wide range of applications in science, economics, and a variety of other contexts such as games and betting. He concludes with an intriguing discussion of coincidences and some curious paradoxes.
522 alex033ru 22 сентября 2017	Скачать книгу

Religion in America	Oxford University Press
Автор: Beal Timothy Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2008	DOC, 144 страницы, 1.00 МБ 0 Оценка:
«It's hard to think of a single aspect of American culture, past or present, in which religion has not played a major role. The roles religion plays, moreover, become more bewilderingly complex and diverse every day. For all those who want-whether out of curiosity, necessity, or civic duty-a vivid picture and fuller understanding of the current reality of religion in America, this Very Short Introduction is the go-to book they need. Timothy Beal describes many aspects of religion in contemporary America that are typically ignored in other books on the subject, including religion in popular culture and counter-cultural groups; the growing phenomenon of «hybrid» religious identities, both individual and collective; the expanding numbers of new religious movements, or NRMs, in America; and interesting examples of outsider religion, such as Paradise Gardens in Georgia and the People Love People House of God in Ohio. He also offers an engaging overview of the history of religion in America, from Native American traditions to the present day. Beal sees three major forces shaping the present and future of religion in America: first, unprecedented religious diversity, which will continue to grow in the decades to come; second, the information revolution and the emergence of a new network society; and third, the rise of consumer culture. Taken together, these forces offer the potential to create a new American pluralism that would enrich society in unimaginable ways, but they also threaten the great ideal of e pluribus unum. With visual aids that help readers navigate America's diverse religious landscape, this informative, thoughtful, and provocative book is a must-read in the emerging public conversation concerning religion in America. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.»
521 alex033ru 20 декабря 2010	Скачать книгу

The Koran	Oxford University Press
Автор: Cook Michael Издательство: Oxford University Press, 2000	PDF, 176 страниц, 5.28 МБ 0 Оценка:
The Koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. This Very Short Introduction explores the significance of the Koran both in the modern world and in traditional Muslim culture. Michael Cook provides a lucid and direct account of the Koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as the embodiment of truth, and examines its means of formation and dissemination. He also discusses issues of interpretation for certain key verses, demonstrating that fecundity of the text for readers throughout the world.
635 kubinec12 11 июля 2009	Скачать книгу

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