Many biographies of Mark Twain cover his entire life, while others focus on specific periods, especially his later years. In this innovative new work, John Bird takes an entirely different approach. Mark Twain’s 1884: A Pivotal Year in the Life is a “micro-biography” that homes in on a single—and pivotal—year.In 1884, Twain stood at the height of his powers as a writer and enjoyed one of the happiest years in his domestic family life. During the course of the year he was r...

In this highly-accessible self-help book Big Issue founder John Bird explains his seven simple rules that could help you change your life. Whether you want to get a new job, quit smoking, stop drinking or go back to college, How to Change Your Life in 7 Steps explains how you can take what you've been given and turn it into something you'll be proud of, rather than spend your life wishing for everything you haven't got.For 99% of us life doesn't come knocking on t...

As defined by conservation biologist Thomas Fleishner, natural history is “a practice of intentional, focused receptivity to the more-than-human world . . . one of the oldest continuous human traditions.” Seldom is this idea so clearly reflected as in classic works of American fiction of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.John Cullen Gruesser’s edited volume Animals in the American Classics: How Natural History Inspired Great Fiction features essays by prominent litera...

Now in its seventh edition, Bird’s Electrical and Electronic Principles and Technology introduces and covers theory through detailed examples and laboratory experiments, enabling students to gain knowledge required by technicians in fields such as engineering, electronics, and telecommunications. This edition includes several new sections, including glass batteries, climate change, the future of electricity production, and discussions concerning everyday aspects of electricity, su...

Now in its seventh edition, Bird’s Electrical Circuit Theory and Technology explains electrical circuit theory and associated technology topics in a straightforward manner, supported by practical engineering examples and applications to ensure that readers can relate theory to practice.The extensive and thorough coverage, containing over 800 worked examples, makes this an excellent text for a range of courses, in particular for Degree and Foundation Degree in electrical pr...

Mechanics of Solids provides an introduction to the behaviour of solid materials under various loading conditions, focusing upon the fundamental concepts and principles of statics and stress analysis. As the primary recommended text of the Council of Engineering Institutions for university undergraduates studying mechanics of solids it is essential reading for mechanical engineering undergraduates and also students on many civil, structural, aeronautical and other engineering cour...

Mark Twain In Context provides the fullest introduction in one volume to the multifaceted life and times of one of the most celebrated American writers. It is a collection of short, lively contributions covering a wide range of topics on Twain's life and works. Twain lived during a time of great change, upheaval, progress, and challenge. He rose from obscurity to become what some have called 'the most recognizable person on the planet'. Beyond his contributions to literature, which were hu...

Now in its ninth edition, Bird’s Engineering Mathematics has helped thousands of students to succeed in their exams. Mathematical theories are explained in a straightforward manner, supported by practical engineering examples and applications to ensure that readers can relate theory to practice. Some 1,300 engineering situations/problems have been ‘flagged-up’ to help demonstrate that engineering cannot be fully understood without a good knowledge of mathematics.The extens...

“Seeing Mad” is an illustrated volume of scholarly essays about the popular and influential humor magazine Mad, with topics ranging across its 65-year history—up to last summer’s downsizing announcement that Mad will publish less new material and will be sold only in comic book shops.Mad magazine stands near the heart of post-WWII American humor, but at the periphery in scholarly recognition from American cultural historians, including humor spec...

Now in its eighth edition, Bird’s Basic Engineering Mathematics has helped thousands of students to succeed in their exams. Mathematical theories are explained in a straightforward manner, supported by practical engineering examples and applications to ensure that readers can relate theory to practice. Some 1,000 engineering situations/problems have been ‘flagged-up’ to help demonstrate that engineering cannot be fully understood without a good knowledge of mathematics.The...

Annotated Companies Legislation is the only single volume commentary with a complete set of company law materials. It draws together in one place all you need to know about the legislation with substantive and high-quality commentary in a section-by-section format. With a high quality author team from a mix of disciplines, this guide to the Companies Act 2006 and surviving parts of older legislation is easy to navigate and value for money. Annotated Companies Legislation has also ...

A student-friendly introduction to core mechanical engineering topics.This book introduces mechanical principles and technology through examples and applications, enabling students to develop a sound understanding of both engineering principles and their use in practice. These theoretical concepts are supported by 400 fully worked problems, 700 further problems with answers, and 300 multiple-choice questions, all of which add up to give the reader a firm grounding on each topic.