This is a book about the encounters that contemporary North American fiction stages with distinct strands of self-help. Its central argument is that the varied practices of ever-expanding and diversifying self-help cultures are generatively elastic sites of inspiration as well as antagonism for contemporary authors: spaces where they can explore what it means to be better on personal, ethical, and societal terms. It offers new perspectives on the work of nine very different writers by expl...

′The book does what it says on the label. It is punctuated throughout with useful and relevant quotes from working journalists - their opinions, tips and warnings - a technique that drives home the message and adds life and colour′ -THES Textbook GuideThe job of a journalist has changed dramatically over the past few decades with satellite links, 24 hour rolling news, and the Internet creating constant pressure for the latest updates. But for all that, the fundamentals of doing the...

The story behind the scandalous first performance of one of the most influential works in the history of music, as part of the stunning Landmark Library series.On 29 May 1913, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, a new ballet by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, received its premiere. Many of the cultural big names of Paris were there, or were rumoured to have been there: Debussy, Ravel, Proust, Gertrude Stein, Picasso. When the curtain rose on a c...

Whatever happened to good government? What are the signs of bad government? And can Malcolm Turnbull apply the lessons of the past in a very different world?In this crisp, profound and witty essay, Laura Tingle seeks answers to these questions. She ranges from ancient Rome to the demoralised state of the once-great Australian public service, from the jingoism of the past to the tabloid scandals of the internet age. Drawing on new interviews with key figures, she sh...

This essential and highly acclaimed guide, now updated and revised in its fifth edition, explains the possibilities and pitfalls of the British music industry, from the developments in new media, privacy, sponsorship and sampling to the expanding role of the internet and the dominance of digital music.Drawing on her extensive experience as a media lawyer, Ann Harrison offers a unique, expert opinion on the deals, the contracts and the business as a whole. She examines in detail the...

'Funny, clever and sharper than a bag of pitchforks...' Clementine Ford'Every time Andrew P Street commits pen to paper is like someone loading a catapult with truth bombs.' Benjamin Law'Andrew P Street's insight into the Australian political circus is no less serious for being, by turns, droll, quick-witted, tenderly sympathetic and often laugh- out-loud hilarious.' Van BadhamThe even more elaborately-titled sequel to The Short and Excruciatingly Embarrassing R...

What is the true human cost of the war in Afghanistan? What are the real effects of the austerity measure? And how did the London riots spread so quickly?Facts are Sacred, the Guardian's award-winning datablog, publishes and analyses seemingly benign data - released under the auspices of transparency - to bring its readers astonishing revelations about the way we live now. It reveals how data has changed our world and what we can learn from it. Now, the most telli...

Best summer reads 2015 John Crace, GuardianNot for everyone the title of Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary or other such hallowed callings; the vast majority of the House of Commons is made up of backbenchers – the power behind the constitutionally elected throne.Here is a guide for anyone and everyone fascinated by the quirks and foibles of Westminster Palace, covering all species of backbencher and providing every hardworking MP and political ent...

Everything you wanted to know about Managing Meetings is the essential guide to managers who want to lead and perform well in meetings.Most people spend too much time in meetings, but they are an essential part of most organisations. When badly organised theyare a source of frustration, and a drain on efficiency. Sometimes they are disaster. However, when properly run they are possibly the most valuable means of communication within an organisation and can ease the formidabl...

In February 2004, whilst at Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg and friends created "The Facebook". What started as just a website for one university spread through academic institutions, developed into an application platform, and then became an entire web ecosystem. It has become one of the dominant forces on the internet in the early 21st century. The simple idea of connecting people together into networks of friends sharing their personal details has made Mark Zuckerberg, on paper at least, one o...

Infinite Ripple is an essential read for anyone wishing to utilise the power of social media in their personal, academic and professional lives. With a strong focus on Irish examples, the book contextualises the key concepts of the growing global phenomenon with a focus on advice to harness this opportunity offered by social networking. The discussion and examples are relevant to modern marketers and businesses intent on keeping on top of developments in customer engagement and interaction...

From Boris Johnson to Nigel Farage, George Galloway to Michael Gove, the campaign to get Britain out of the EU brought together some of the most colourful characters in British politics. This once-in-a-generation opportunity to free the UK from the grip of Brussels saw egos put to one side and rivalries put on hold to push for a Leave vote in the EU referendum … Or did it?As D-Day drew near, political reporter Owen Bennett went deep into Leave territory to reveal the inside story o...