New Releases by Ian Hunter

A historical inquiry into Kantian philosophy as a form of philosophical religion Kantian philosophy is typically viewed as providing a universal theory of knowledge and morality based on timeless principles retrieved from the human mind. In The Kantian Religion, Ian Hunter offers a starkly different account. Hunter contends that Kant’s arguments were assembled from purely historical sources and served as ascetic devices for crafting the towering self of the Kantian philosopher; they were exercises in intellectual self-clarification and moral transformation undertaken by a cohort of the philosophically educated in search of spiritual clarity and moral purity. These “solemn rites of the mind” were seen as heir and rival to the regenerative resources and cultural importance of the Christian religion, and Kantianism was characterized as a philosophical religion. Hunter describes the ways that elite spiritual athletes performed a series of philosophically strenuous “acts of the self on the self” through Kant’s intellectual exercises. When Kantianism emerged as an insurgent cultural movement in the 1780s, it offered young academics training to be clergy and teachers a philosophy that was powerful enough to supplant Christian spirituality and to subordinate humanist scholarship and the natural sciences to philosophical self-reflection. For Kant and his followers, the religious disposition of Kantian philosophy came solely from the immanent practice of the philosophy itself. As a rival to conventional religion and as an academic interloper, Kantian philosophy unleashed a wave of conflicts in Germany’s ecclesiastical and scholarly cultures. Although recent Kant commentary typically views Kantianism as intrinsically secular and scientific, Hunter argues provocatively that Kant’s contemporaries viewed his philosophy as an extra-ecclesiastical path to spiritual refinement and moral regeneration.

Mark Wilson nearly died at birth. He survived but suffered a severe brain injury, and at six months of age was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Doctors warned his parents he would likely never walk or talk. ‘Best not to expect too much,’ they said. But Shirley and Glenn refused to give up. Determined to defy the grim prognosis, Mark’s parents embarked on an intense, home-based therapy program—one with no guarantees, only relentless effort and hope. And against all odds, it worked. Told with Mark’s signature self-deprecating humour, Wobbles is more than just his story. His parents, sister, and childhood therapist, Ian Hunter, share their own perspectives, revealing the immense challenges, sacrifices, and unexpected joys that shaped their journey. Moments of triumph sit alongside deep despair—a hilarious battle with his kitchen nemesis, the plastic bread clip, is followed by his mother’s heartbreaking contemplation of suicide. Raw, uplifting, and deeply human, Wobbles is an emotional rollercoaster, offering not just inspiration but a real-life story demonstrating how, and explaining why, the brain can recover from catastrophic injury. This unforgettable memoir proves that resilience, love, and determination can rewrite even the bleakest of fates.

The first in an exciting multiversal adventure series! Twelve-year-old Fyn Carter has always wondered why his dad disappeared eight years ago, so when a world window appears in his living room and a mysterious man warns him to beware of the agents, he cannot help but feel this is the clue he''s been waiting for. Setting off on a perilous journey with his best friend Amy, his Grandad Bernie, and a fox named Henry Flame, Fyn must race the agents of Eromlos to find the answers he needs. The multiverse is at risk, but Fyn doesn''t realise that he himself is the missing key...

In Luna Bay along the North Fork of Long Island, New York, Puffer the fish is making a batch of his famous chocolate chip cookies. While waiting for them to cook, he goes outside to water his seaweed garden, but then, disaster strikes! Puffer goes back inside to find someone has stolen his cookies. Puffer goes on a search to get his delicious cookies back. He travels through Luna Bay and asks his friends if they’ve seen his cookies anywhere, but nobody can help poor Puffer. Then, while retracing his steps, Puffer comes upon a big surprise. In The Curious Puffer, explore the charming underwater town of Luna Bay with Puffer and his adorable sea creature friends. In the colorful illustrations, see if you can spot some of the local landmarks that are well known to Eastern Long Island. Follow along with the enticing mystery of Puffer’s missing cookies, and see if you can figure out what happened to them.

Educationalists have long worked to democratise our school system and purge traces of its religious origins. Rethinking the School shows that these efforts have been in vain. The bureaucratic organisation of schooling is here to stay, and Christian moral discipline is an integral part of the school as we know it. Hunter argues that both liberal and Marxian theory ignore the historical reality of the school. He does not see the school as the failed attempt to realise principles of social equality, complete personal development and intellectual enlightenment. Rather, he sees the modern school as an improvised apparatus for the training of good citizens and the guidance of souls. Rethinking the School is one of the first major applications of Foucault''s genealogical method to the school system, and will be widely debated by educationalists, policy-makers and those interested in the interaction of government and subjectivity. ''This is a serious piece of scholarship which breaks with much orthodoxy in educational theory and research. It brings new insights to old dilemmas and as such is a major contribution to a field which has in some respects lost its nerve. This is a book that must be read.'' - Professor Richard Smith, Australian Journal of Education ''Hunter. offers a detailed and fascinating account of the popular school. in a manner which reinvigorates modern debates regarding the relations between government and education. He makes us look and see differently, the hallmark of a powerful and original thinker.'' - Professor Tony Bennett, Institute for Cultural Policy Studies

In the business world, especially in manufacturing or quality management, the term Six Sigma usually refers to a set of tools and methodologies developed by Motorola to improve processes by eliminating defects. So why should the HR professional care what Six Sigma is or how it can be applied in the HR function? According to the specialists at Orion Partners, there are ten key reasons: * to create excellence in process delivery; * to reduce defects; * to increase efficiency; * to create a quality focused mindset; * to benefit from best practice; * to bring clarity to the processes of HR; * to use a structured scientific approach; * to speak the same language and improve communication; * to gain control over your processes; * and to strengthen your business case. Mircea Albeanu and Ian Hunter explain some of the basic concepts to show how applying Six Sigma tools and methodologies can be used to manage the practical challenges of improving HR operations to meet your organization''s expectations at a lower cost and with greater efficiency. To help illustrate some of the key messages examples are drawn from Orion Partners'' work using Six Sigma tools with international organizations over the last seven years. This concise guide is ideal for project and programme managers involved in business transformation, and for HR managers as well as Six Sigma specialists seeking to understand its applications within human resources. About The Gower HR Transformation Series: The Human Resources function faces a continuing challenge to its role and purpose, in many organizations it has suffered from serious under-representation at strategic, board level. Yet, faced with the challenges of globalism, the need to innovate, manage knowledge, attract and retain the very best employees, organizations need an HR function that can lead from the front. The process of transforming the function is complex and rarely linear. It includes the practical challenges of improving HR operations to meet customer expectations at lower cost and with greater efficiency. The Gower HR Transformation Series will help; it uses a blend of conceptual frameworks, practical advice and global case study examples to cover each of the main elements of the HR transformation process. The books in the series follow a standard format to make them easy to read and reference. Together, the titles create a definitive guide from one of the leading specialist HR transformation consultancies; an organization that has been involved in HR transformation for clients as diverse as Bombardier Transportation, Marks & Spencer, Barnardo''s, Oxfam, Schroders, UnitedHealth Group, Nestlé, BP, HM Prison Service, Transport for London and Vodafone.

This book highlights the changes and challenges to the role of the HR Business Partner, overviewing the emerging service delivery models for the HR function (in particular the development of shared services and outsourcing options) and what this means for the HR Business Partner (HRBP) in the modern enterprise. The purpose of this book is to provide a conceptual framework and practical advice, based on real life case studies and recent research, into how HR Business Partners best add value to the organization. The authors have extensive experience of working in the area of HR restructuring (having been HR Directors in blue chip organizations and senior advisers in leading consultancies) and have consistently come up against confusion and contradiction about what is the new role of the HR Manager/Business Partner in supporting business managers in the delivery of strategic and tactical objectives. Theory and conceptual models are used to underpin this book but it has been written as a pragmatic, hands-on guide that will help its readers think through how best they might fulfil the role of the HRBP. The book contains checklists, case study examples and self-assessment tools. It is supported by supplementary material (updates, further case studies, templates and tools) which are available via the authors'' website.

The concept of heresy is deeply rooted in Christian European culture. The palpable increase in incidences of heresy in the Middle Ages may be said to directly relate to the Christianity''s attempts to define orthodoxy and establish conformity at its centre, resulting in the sometimes forceful elimination of Christian sects. In the transition from medieval to early modern times, however, the perception of heresy underwent a profound transformation, ultimately leading to its decriminalization and the emergence of a pluralistic religious outlook. The essays in this volume offer readers a unique insight into this little-understood cultural shift. Half of the chapters investigate the manner in which the church and its attendant civil authorities defined and proscribed heresy, whilst the other half focus on the means by which early modern writers sought to supersede such definition and proscription. The result of these investigations is a multifaceted historical account of the construction and serial reconstruction of one of the key categories of European theological, juristic and political thought. The contributors explore the role of nationalism and linguistic identity in constructions of heresy, its analogies with treason and madness, the role of class and status in the responses to heresy. In doing so they provide fascinating insights into the roots of the historicization of heresy and the role of this historicization in the emergence of religious pluralism.

This was not meant to be. He was reading the letters of T.E. Lawrence to Bernard and Charlotte Shaw and found a telling little passage. "I have finished the little show of activity which the revision of the Seven Pillars ... provided ... There is not a germ of desire left inside my frame." John felt the same way after 14 years of writing and finally closing on his last title, Love''s Anatomy, a book that as he proofread time and again, brought back all the elation and anguish of blind love. He was finished, and as he thought, terminally so; ..". not a germ of desire left inside my frame." He then finds himself drifting into a series of Conversations, partly to obliterate the pain of emotional failure. As he does so, he recognizes yet more about himself that he attempted to uncover in all six of his earlier books. The last conversation brings him back to where his journey started. Ian Hunter is a consultant, moving between New York, Edinburgh, and now, Nairobi. He started life in Germany, moved to Scotland, worked in Scotland and England, and then Southeast Asia and New York, before experiencing East Africa. This book really is the culmination of his journey of exploration, a crescendo toward a greater self-understanding. The journey has now lasted 15 years; the results of which are his books The Early Years, e-Love, e-Dreams, e-World, Three Interludes, Love''s Anatomy and Conversations. Publisher''s website: http: //sbpra.com/IanHunter

Murder in Lancashire provides a fascinating insight into policing in the north of England in the 1970s

Helena and John fall madly and desperately in love. It is that worst of all worlds: love at a distance. Things move on. Changes are made. Meetings come and go. The oscillating feelings both clarify and confuse. Geographical moves convey commitment that forge new dynamics. They generate the elation and agony of blind love. It is a heady concoction. There is a final stage as the relationship climbs into a tempestuous phase of passion and other things. The anatomy of love is the sheer range of emotion and desire possible between two people. About the Author: Ian Hunter is a consultant. He started life in Germany, moved to UK, worked in Great Britain, then Southeast Asia and New York before touching on East Africa. This book is the culmination of his journey of exploration, a crescendo towards greater self-understanding. The journey lasted 14 years: the results of which are his books, e-Love, e-Dreams, e-World, Three Interludes and The Early Years. Love''s Anatomy marks the end of his semi-autobiographical fictional writing. "The purpose has been served. It is a fitting end!" Publisher''s Website: http: //sbpra.com/IanHunter

This is the story of Jack, a Jack Russell/Chihuahua mixed breed, and Frankie, a young boy who''s curiosity always tends to steer him into trouble. Frankie, Jack''s eventual owner, finds that their lives have many similarities, and they have grown a deep love for one another. A routine trip to the park becomes scary when Frankie''s curiosity gets the best of him. What happens to Frankie? Will Jack save the day? Find out in this edition of Scaredy Jack.

"Writing well takes practice; it can also be fun and interesting. This student workbook is packed with charts, examples, worksheets, exercises and sample essays, everything you need to improve your high-school essay writing"-- Back cover. Suggested level: secondary.

"Essay writing technique and tips."--Provided by publisher.

Links current theories of leadership to executive coaching and also shows how the return on coaching investment can be measured.

Offshoring to low-cost environments has increased over the last five years and the HR function is an obvious potential candidate for this strategy. ''The Indian Offshore Advantage'' is a definitive research report in this specialist field for any organization considering this step.

This specially commissioned report sets out a blueprint for the future of HR to enable you to deliver proven value to your Board, business and colleagues. In this ground-breaking report you will learn all about: how to free up HR to deliver; the role of the Business Partner; the role of the Shared Service Centre; the pros and cons of outsourcing HR; the critical factors to look for in a partner; the keys to securing the best agreement; techniques for leveraging technology.

This biography of Malcolm Muggeridge traces the varied life of one of the most brilliant and controversial men of the twentieth century. The author, Ian Hunter, was given full access to all of Muggeridge''s unpublished material, letters, and diaries. The result is an objective, well-researched, and honest account that is sometimes at variance with Muggeridge''s own recollection of events. Ian Hunter captures the humor, the intellect, the rawness of perception, the abandoned honesty of a man engaged in knowing himself, his world, and his God. Malcolm Muggeridge was not merely a "vendor of words," as he invariably described himself, but was also a celebrated author, broadcaster, lecturer, debater, traveller, journalist and television personality, a one-time ardent admirer of the Soviet system, a World War II intelligence agent, and a former agnostic turned committed Christian. To many people, however, Malcolm Muggeridge was admired above all for his superb use of the English language. It is to the credit of Ian Hunter that after reading this biography one has a clearer understanding of an extraordinary man. Dr. Ian Hunter is professor emeritus at the University of Western Ontario. His articles and reviews have appeared in many Canadian and American poublications. He edited two collections of Muggeridge''s writings: Things Past and The Very Best of Malcolm Muggeridge; he also wrote a biography of Muggeridge''s friend, Hesketh Pearson (Nothing to Repent: The Life of Heskerth Pearson).

Working patterns have changed so radically in recent years that both employees and employers require guidance on how to survive and thrive. Job security is a growing concern, and no one can afford to ignore the steady flow of new UK and EU legislation. Updated to include the legislative changes of April 2003, this guide asks - and answers - common employment questions, explaining both parties'' rights and obligations. It addresses every legal aspect of life at work, from the minimum wage and statutory holiday entitlement to what happens when someone resigns and disciplinary matters. Its reliable advice could even save you legal expenses.

Rival Enlightenments, first published in 2001, is a major reinterpretation of early modern German intellectual history. Ian Hunter approaches philosophical doctrines as ways of fashioning personae for envisaged historical circumstances, here of confessional conflict and political desacralization. He treats the civil philosophy of Pufendorf and Thomasius and the metaphysical philosophy of Leibniz and Kant as rival intellectual cultures or paideiai, thereby challenging all histories premised on Kant''s supposed reconciliation and transcendence of the field. This study reveals the extraordinary historical self-consciousness of the civil philosophers, who repudiated university metaphysics as inimical to the intellectual formation of those administering desacralized territorial states. The book argues that the marginalization of civil philosophy in post-Kantian philosophical history may itself be seen as a continuation of the struggle between the rival enlightenments. Combining careful and well-documented scholarship with vivid polemic, Hunter presents penetrating insights for philosophers and historians alike.

As a young man of 25, Robert Laidlaw launched a small mail-order business. With daring courage he overcame world wars, economic depression and tragic loss to build one of the largest retail chains in the Southern Hemisphere. From the highlands of Scotland to the shores of New Zealand, from Henry Ford''s moving assembly line in Detroit to the beaches of Normandy, this panoramic biography of one of the 20th century''s greatest businessmen is a story that will capture your heart and inspire you to action. A must-read for business professionals.

Diary written during a five-week American tour in November and December of 1972.

The policing of pornography remains a subject of widespread controversy. On Pornography provides a history of this policing and an understanding of the current debate. The authors show that obscenity law should not be understood negatively as censorship but as part of the positive administration of a particular practice of sexuality. This book indicates that obscenity law is not, as liberals claim, a mistaken attempt to police moral ideas, but rather forms part of the legitimate governmental regulation of a problematic social conduct.

The first section of this instructional guide explains why open learning needs marketing and what steps go into preparing a marketing campaign, including marketing the college and tutor time, service definition, service delivery, and communications. Changes in education that have affected open learning in recent years are addressed in the second section, including targeting the campaign. The following section focuses on identifying competitors and preparing a strategy to compete with them, using the technique of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis. Specific benefits of using direct mail as a method of promotion are considered in the fourth section, including low cost and targeting specific groups; and sample calculations of cost effectiveness are presented. The next section describes the impact of computers on marketing work and identifies necessary software; and the organization of a direct mail campaign is examined in the sixth section, with emphasis on targeting. The concluding section addresses several topics, including target groups for open learning, preparing a direct mail database, preparing literature, writing copy, production costs, follow up, timing, and sources of funding. A checklist of questions to provide the basis for an open learning marketing campaign is included. Statistics from a 1987 survey of open learning in Bedfordshire County (England) are used as examples throughout; and answers to the exercises given in the guide are provided at the end. (ALF)

Since the Romantics culture has been identified with the promise of a complete development of human capacities and, typically, the ''rise of English'' has been viewed in terms of the (true or distorted) fulfilment of this promise in the education system. This book presents a sustained and historically informed challenge to that view.