New Releases by Paul Mason

Did the Ancient Romans eat crisps? Who was the first queen to use a toilet? Have a city''s streets ever been paved with gold? This book takes a fun look at history by asking and answering a series of quirky yet thought-provoking questions such as these! Although primarily a recreational read, the book nevertheless contains a wealth of fascinating information and bizarre facts about history that readers will be sure to find captivating.

This book tells all about snowboarding from some history to basic and advanced skills.

Can you lick your own elbow? Could you pick up a car? Can you sneeze faster than a cheetah? This book takes a fun look at the human body by asking and answering a series of quirky yet thought-provoking questions such as these Although primarily a recreational read, the book nevertheless contains a wealth of fascinating information and bizarre facts about the human body that readers will be sure to find captivating."

Originally published in 2012 to wide acclaim, this updated edition, Why It’s Still Kicking Off Everywhere, includes coverage of the most recent events in the wave of revolt and revolution sweeping the planet—riots in Athens, student occupations in the UK, Quebec and Moscow, the emergence of the Occupy Movement and the tumult of the Arab Spring. Economic crisis, social networking and a new political consciousness have come together to ignite a new generation of radicals. BBC journalist and author Paul Mason combines the anecdotes gleaned through first-hand reportage with political, economic and historical analysis to tell the story of today’s networked revolution. Why It’s Still Kicking Off Everywhere not only addresses contemporary struggles, it provides insights into the future of global revolt.

Two abandoned children make their home in a castle - which turns out to be haunted by the Duke of Wellington! The ghost is a particularly determined spook who helps them hide from the castle''s caretaker. But when developers want to turn their home into a spa, everyone who loves the castle must band together to save the day. Comic ghostly fun for newly confident readers aged 8+ and those looking for a fast, fun read.

Discusses the many interesting breeds of dogs -- from wolves down to tiny chihuahuas.

Policing and the Media provides an up-to-date overview of the changing dynamics and dimensions of the relationships that exist on the British police-media nexus. Factual, fictional and factional representations of policing in the media are the major - and for a great many citizens probably the sole - influence in shaping their perceptions and opinions about crime, law and order, community safety, police efficiency and integrity, not to mention the efficacy of criminal justice and penal policy. This book deals with all three representations, noting the lines between such clear divisions are increasingly blurred and the concepts of reality, realism and representation, slippery and complex.

Explains what surfing is, its orgins, and safety tips designed to protect the rider and those around him/her.

Provides basic information about mountain biking, including its history, equipment needed, technique, and famous riders.

Incisive grassroots account of the new global revolutions by acclaimed BBC journalist. The world is facing a wave of uprisings, protests and revolutions: Arab dictators swept away, public spaces occupied, slum-dwellers in revolt, cyberspace buzzing with utopian dreams. Events we were told were consigned to history—democratic revolt and social revolution—are being lived by millions of people. In this compelling new book, Paul Mason explores the causes and consequences of this great unrest. From Cairo to Athens, Wall Street and Westminster to Manila, Mason goes in search of the changes in society, technology and human behavior that have propelled a generation onto the streets in search of social justice. In a narrative that blends historical insight with first-person reportage, Mason shines a light on these new forms of activism, from the vast, agile networks of cyberprotest to the culture wars and tent camps of the #occupy movement. The events, says Mason, reflect the expanding power of the individual and call for new political alternatives to elite rule and global poverty.

Introduces free running, describes some of the stunts, and profiles atheletes involved.

Describes the geography, history, government, economy, people, lifestyle, religion, language, arts, leisure, festivals, and food of twenty-four countries.

White Wolves Non-fiction is an engaging series covering a wide range of topics at different reading levels. It has been created to appeal to children, reflecting the range of texts in the real world, from guidebooks to cookbooks. This series is ideal for topic libraries, and for teaching literacy skills in a curriculum context.

Discusses the best places for kayaking and canoeing.

Introduces dirt biking, discussing the places, techniques, and equipment of the world of dirt bikes.

Learn about the various parts that make a bicycle, how to change them, and how to fix them.

"This is micro-historical writing at its best."--Walden Bello, author of Dilemmas of Domination "Brilliant."--Ken Loach The stories in this book come to life through the voices of remarkable individuals: child laborers in Dickensian England, visionary women on Parisian barricades, gun-toting railway strikers in America''s Wild West, and beer-swilling German metalworkers who tried to stop World War I. It is a story of urban slums, self-help cooperatives, choirs and brass bands, free love, and self-education by candlelight. And, as the author shows, in the developing industrial economies of the world, it is still with us. Live Working or Die Fighting celebrates a common history of defiance, idealism, and self-sacrifice, one as alive and active today as it was two hundred years ago. It is a unique and inspirational book. Paul Mason is an award-winning journalist who reports regularly on labor rights and social justice stories as economics editor for BBC World News America and BBC Newsnight. In addition to Live Working or Die Fighting, which was shortlisted as a 2007 Guardian First Book Award, Mason is the author of Meltdown: The End of the Age of Greed (Verso Books).

While all sports use a combination of flexibility, endurance, strength and speed, one of these is usually dominates over the others, depending on the sport. This series introduces each of these physical qualities by way of the sports they are most important for. The series includes: Profiles of sportspeople whose sport fits into the category - how they train and how this is reflected in their physique Training programmes Cross-training activities Nutrition and recipes Cross-curricular elements covering science, food technology and sport

This engaging series examines places around the globe where life is anything but serene.

The Indian subcontinent has been a hot spot since 1947 when India and Pakistan were formed. Since then, they have been in conflict over religion and land. There are other conflict zones in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The Indian Subcontinent tells the story of this region and the conflicts between its nations and its peoples. Book jacket.

Why are rivers important? How does farming affect rivers? What can you do to help save our rivers? For a global tour of Earth''s threatened habitats, explore ''World in Peril.'' This series offers a striking panorama of endangered habitats around the world. Stunning, large format photographs show the damage caused to our planet, but also the possible solutions that can lead to a greener future.

Describes how oceans affect the world''s climate, why coral reefs may vanish in the future and discusses ways to make a difference.

Describes the importance of forests to a healthy environment, the reckless and destructive ways that forests are being destroyed and "replaced," and ways that forest resources may be managed more wisely.

Describes the history of reported alien activities, and discusses theories behind UFO sightings and faked photographs.

An authoritative yet highly readable monograph on one of Britain''s rarest yet most spectacular breeding birds, the Golden Oriole. One of Britain''s rarest breeding birds, the Golden Oriole is also one of its most charismatic. Females are a vivid green, while the males of this species are a stunning yellow and black, with an extraordinary and unforgettable song. A long-distance migrant, the orioles return to breed in early May at just a few sites, almost all of which are in Suffolk. Jake Allsop and Paul Mason''s The Golden Oriole looks in detail at the biology of this spectacular species, with sections on breeding biology, feeding ecology, evolution, population dynamics, mimicry, migration and conservation, as well as a discussion of the biology of other species in the genus. A colour section showcases this photogenic species to full effect, complemented by high-quality black-and-white illustrations throughout. The fascinating history of the bird''s distribution is also covered extensively, stemming from the authors'' first-hand experience of the battle to help the species retain a toehold in Britain. The Golden Oriole is a much-admired bird, sought by serious and casual birders alike for the beauty of its plumage and song, as well as for its rarity, and this book brings the biology of this elusive species to light.

Describes the issues with the growing urbanization of the world, including unsafe and unsanitary conditions, shortages of resources, and pollution problems.

Head Cases takes us into the dark side of the brain in an astonishing sequence of stories, at once true and strange, from the world of brain damage. Michael Paul Mason is one of an elite group of experts who coordinate care in the complicated aftermath of tragic injuries that can last a lifetime. On the road with Mason, we encounter survivors of brain injuries as they struggle to map and make sense of the new worlds they inhabit. Underlying each of these survivors'' stories is an exploration of the brain and its mysteries. When injured, the brain must figure out how to heal itself, reorganizing its physiology in order to do the job. Mason gives us a series of vivid glimpses into brain science, the last frontier of medicine, and we come away in awe of the miracles of the brain''s workings and astonished at the fragility of the brain and the sense of self, life, and order that resides there. Head Cases "[achieves] through sympathy and curiosity insight like that which pulses through genuine literature" (The New York Sun); it is at once illuminating and deeply affecting.

Photographs and illustrations describe what volcanologists do, why their research is so important, and what it takes to become a volcanologist.

How was Stonehenge created? Did circle builders use math to arrange the stones? What happens on Midsummer Day? Some things are so strange that they cannot be explained. This series explains the connection between science and natural phenomena and how science can be used to try to explain mysteries.