Covers the major aspects of linguistics. This guide begins at the 'arts' end of the subject and finishes at the 'science' end, with the discoveries regarding language in the brain. It looks at the prehistory of languages and their common origins, language and evolution, language in time and space, grammar and dictionaries and phonetics.

Shows that Continental philosophy encompasses a distinct set of philosophical traditions and practices. This book discusses the ideas and approaches of various philosophers, and introduces key concepts such as existentialism, nihilism, and phenomenology, by explaining their place in the Continental tradition.

Discusses the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. The author prompts the reader to consider why political systems evolve, how politics offers both power and order in the society, whether democracy is always a good thing, and what future politics may have in the twenty-first century.

An essay about how we study and understand history, this book begins by inviting us to think about various questions provoked by our investigation of history. It explores the ways these questions have been answered in the past. It also introduces the concepts of causation, interpretation, and periodization, through examples of how historians work.

What is Literary Theory? Is there a relationship between literature and culture? Addressing such questions, this book offers insights into theories about the nature of language and meaning, and outlines the ideas behind a number of different schools: deconstruction, semiotics, postcolonial theory, and structuralism amongst them.

'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

Sartre, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, de Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty, and Camus were some of the most important existentialist thinkers. This book provides an account of the existentialist movement, and of the themes of individuality, free will, and personal responsibility which make it a 'philosophy as a way of life'.

Exploring the geological research, this title explains how advances in the understanding of plate tectonics, seismology, and satellite imagery have enabled us to see the Earth for what it is. It introduces the concepts of continental drift, the earth's structure, sea floor spreading, and the relationship between the atmosphere and the oceans.

The Viking reputation is of bloodthirsty seafaring warriors. Yet Vikings were also traders, settlers, and farmers, with a complex artistic and linguistic culture. Using archaeological evidence, this book attempts to reveal the whole Viking world: their history, society and culture, and their expansion overseas for trade, colonization, and plunder.

Part of The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain , this book covers the emergence of the earliest English settlements to the Norman victory at Hastings in 1066. It offers an introduction to the political, social, religious, and cultural history of Anglo-Saxon England.

A introduction to nineteenth-century Britain, this is an account of a remarkable economic and social change and an even more remarkable political stability.

Part of The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain , this book spans from the aftermath of the Revolution of 1688 to Pitt the Younger's defeat at attempted parliamentary reform.

Deals with the approaches to myth, from almost all the major disciplines, including science, religion, philosophy, literature, and psychology. Presenting a survey of the theorizing on myth, this book takes into account the work of prominent thinkers, such as Albert Camus, Claude Levi-Strauss, Roland Barthes, C G Jung, and Sigmund Freud.

Many people regard Hegel's work as obscure and extremely difficult, yet his importance and influence are universally acknowledged. This book provides a discussion of his ideas and an account of his major works.

Provides both believers and non-believers with a balanced survey of the central questions of contemporary theology. This work draws the reader into considering the principles underlying religious belief, including the centrality of salvation to most major religions, the concept of God in ancient, modern, and post-modern contexts.

Do you think of atheists as immoral pessimists who live their lives without meaning, purpose, or values? This work attempts to dispel the myths that surround atheism, and shows how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral. It also confronts the failure of officially atheist states in the twentieth century.

This Very Short Introduction explains the EU in plain English. Fully updated for 2008 to include controversial and current topics such as the EU's enlargement and its role in ongoing world affairs, this accessible guide shows how and why the Union developed, how it works, and what it does - from the single market to the Euro and the environment.

Presenting an overview of Hinduism, this book offers an analysis of the challenges facing it in the twentieth century. It discusses key preoccupations of Hinduism, such as the centrality of the Veda as religious texts, the importance of epics such as the Ramayana, and also the place of women and dalits (untouchables) in contemporary society.

Contains insights into issues such as why Islam has such major divisions between movements such as the Shi'ites, the Sunnis, and the importance of the Shar'ia (Islamic law) in Islamic life. This book also deals with contemporary questions: can women find fulfilment in Islamic societies? How must Islam adapt as it confronts the modern world?

Aims to explain the differences between advanced mathematics, and the sort of mathematics learnt at school. The first few chapters are about general aspects of mathematical thought. These are followed by discussions of specific topics, and this book closes with a chapter answering common sociological questions about the mathematical community.