Most Popular Books by Robert West

The word ‘addiction’ these days is used to refer to a chronic condition where there is an unhealthily powerful motivation to engage in a particular behaviour. This can be driven by many different factors – physiological, psychological, environmental and social. If we say that it is all about X, we miss V, W, Y and Z. So, some people think addicts are using drugs to escape from unhappy lives, feelings of anxiety and so on; many are. Some people think drugs become addictive because they alter the brain chemistry to create powerful urges; that is often true. Others think that drug taking is about seeking after pleasure; often it is. Some take the view that addiction is a choice – addicts weigh up the pros and cons of doing what they do and decide the former outweigh the latter. Yet others believe that addicts suffer from poor impulse control; that is often true... And so it goes on. When you look at the evidence, you see that all these positions capture important aspects of the problem – but they are not complete explanations. Neuroscience can help us delve more deeply into some of these explanations, while the behavioural and social sciences are better at exploring others. We need a model that puts all this together in a way that can help us decide what to do in different cases. Should we prescribe a drug, give the person some ‘tender loving care’, put them in prison or what? Theory of Addiction provides this synthesis. The first edition was well received: ‘Throughout the book the reader is exposed to a vast number of useful observations...The theoretical aims are timely, refreshing, ambitious and above all challenging. It opens up a new way of looking at addiction and has the potential to move the field of addiction a considerable leap forward. Thus we wholeheartedly would like to recommend the book for students as well as scholars. Read and learn!’ Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ‘The book provides a comprehensive review of existing theories - over 30 in all - and this synthesis of theories constitutes an important contribution in and of itself... West is to be commended for his synthesis of addiction theories that span neurobiology, psychology and social science and for his insights into what remains unexplained.’ Addiction This new edition of Theory of Addiction builds on the first, including additional theories in the field, a more developed specification of PRIME theory and analysis of the expanding evidence base. With this important new information, Theory of Addiction will continue to be essential reading for all those working in addiction, from student to experienced practitioner – as urged above, Read and learn!

This inspiring biography explores the life and faith of Saint Francis of Assisi, the thirteenth-century Italian mystic who founded the Franciscan order. Born to a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, Italy, Francis didn''t seem destined for the life of prayer and poverty that he chose. But Francis took the gospel literally and followed all that Jesus said and did without limit. His devotion led to a life filled with miracles and wonders. Bankrolled by his father, and blessed with natural good looks and personality, Francis indulged in worldly pleasure as a young man. He had a ready wit, sang merrily, and delighted in fine clothes and showy display. But serious illness brought Francis to see the emptiness of his frolicking ways and led him to a life of prayer and unbridled devotion to Scripture. Francis gave over all his possessions to the poor and embraced a life of simplicity and poverty, transforming him from a self-centered youth to a man living for God and a model of complete obedience. This biography brings his incredible transformation vividly to life.

Gives practical advice for interventions in a clear and eloquent style, along with current information about the effects of smoking, the consequences of smoking cessation and the myths about smoking and quitting.

The Great Iron Trail brilliantly recounts how the blood, sweat, tears and dollars of the dreamers, explorers, inventors, iron men, graders and financiers combined to build America''s first transcontinental railroad. Only a century ago, the United States consisted of two littoral encampments on the East and West coasts. The perilous sailing trip around Cape Horn took from four to six months; the plague-ridden shortcut across the Panama Isthmus required five weeks; on the trails crossing the 2,000 miles of "The Great American Desert," stagecoaches and prairie schooners faced a deadly gamut of Indian attacks, starvation, fevers and blizzards. The momentous task of conquering a continent began on July 2, 1862, when, in the face of successive defeats of the Union''s armies, Abraham Lincoln signed The Pacific Railway Act. During the next seven years shrewd manipulators, improvising geniuses and nameless heroes laid the tracks, foot by painful foot, from the eastern and western terminals. Construction of the 2,000 miles of high-iron between Omaha and Sacramento was marked by the fetid breath of Credit Mobilier scandals and The Associates'' ruthless drive to economic power. The railhead towns of North. Platte, Julesberg, Cheyenne, Laramie, became "the worst hell-holes on earth"; gamblers, cutthroats and ladies of easy virtue organized their "Hell-on-Wheels" for the Irish, German and "Galvanized Yankee" track gangs. On May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific locomotives, "facing on a single track, half a world behind each back," touched cowcatchers at Promontory Point, Utah.

What do you believe about souls? There are many very different doctrines taught in the world today concerning souls that are believed to be in all humans. By most a soul is believed to be something that is wholly apart from the person a soul is in; that a soul is something that is that is believed to be complete in its self without the person; it will live after the person it is in is dead; it is believed that a soul will exist forever without the person; it will never be dead; therefore, a soul cannot be resurrected from the dead. It is believed that a soul must live someplace forever, and it will live either in Heaven or Hell even if there is no resurrection. The doctrine of unconditional immortality of a deathless soul being in a person, and that soul leaving that person at the death of the person makes it impossible for Christ to have give His life to save that soul from death; if a soul had immortality it would already have life and could never not have life; all Christ could do is give it a reward or punish it.

Polymer chemistry and technology form one of the major areas of molecular and materials science. This field impinges on nearly every aspect of modern life, from electronics technology, to medicine, to the wide range of fibers, films, elastomers, and structural materials on which everyone depends. Although most of these polymers are organic materials, attention is being focused increasingly toward polymers that contain inorganic elements as well as organic components. The goal of Inorganic Polymers is to provide a broad overview of inorganic polymers in a way that will be useful to both the uninitiated and those already working in this field. There are numerous reasons for being interested in inorganic polymers. One is the simple need to know how structure affects the properties of a polymer, particularly outside the well-plowed area of organic materials. Another is the bridge that inorganic polymers provide between polymer science and ceramics. More and more chemistry is being used in the preparation of ceramics of carefully controlled structure, and inorganic polymers are increasingly important precursor materials in such approaches. This new edition begins with a brief introductory chapter. That is followed with a discussion of the characteristics and characterization of polymers, with examples taken from the field. Other chapters in the book detail the synthesis, reaction chemistry, molecular structure, and uses of polyphosphazenes, polysiloxanes, and polysilanes. The coverage in the second edition has been updated and expanded significantly to cover advances and interesting trends since the first edition appeared. Three new chapters have been added, focusing on ferrocene-based polymers, other phosphorous-containing polymers, and boron-containing polymers; inorganic-organic hybrid composites; and preceramic inorganic polymers.

In this book Robert West explores the science behind motivation, delving into the Machiavellian art of persuasion and examining the roles that incentives, praise, and punishment play in our society. This lively and humorous book reveals simple yet game-changing principles that will transform your understanding of motivation and set you on a practical path to achieving your personal and professional goals. "How do effective leaders motivate their teams?" "How can parents stop their children throwing tantrums?" "How do adverts play on our hopes and fears?" "How do I resist that last slice of cheesecake?" Robert West is Professor of Psychology at University College London and an Associate of UCL’s Centre for Behaviour Change. He is Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Addiction, and he has published more than 800 scholarly works including books on behaviour change and addiction. Jamie West is a writer, performer, and musician. He holds a BA in English from UCL and an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck University.

"As Christians, we seek to make God a part of every decision that we make--the way we parent, lead, serve, and spend. But what if God has a purpose and plan for the investing dreams he has given you? A community of ministries, businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and fund managers have all experienced God awakening a movement, and its bigger than simply avoiding ''sin stocks.''" --provided by publisher.

While mountain climbing with his father and friends in California, seventh grader Nick calls on God to help him deal with various fears and dangers.

Know Your Star-FightersBeamer: California transplant to a weird Midwestern town. Feels like he’s living on another planet. Scilla: the gangly tomboy next door. Ghoulie: the class nerd. Add one spaceship-shaped tree house capable of taking them most anywhere in the universe. Hop in and blast off for fantastic outer space adventures in Star-Fighters of Murphy Street—the quirky, funny, fast-paced new trilogy by Robert West.Newly arrived from California, thirteen-year-old Beamer MacIntyre feels like an alien in this bizarre Midwestern town. Strangest of all is the spaceship-shaped tree house in his yard. Surprises await Beamer and his two new friends, Ghoulie and Scilla, when they climb inside and blast off to a universe full of adventure—including a surefire way to make the school bully stop harassing Ghoulie (provided it doesn’t backfire!).

Cigarette smoking is one of the most significant preventable causes of death and illness in the world. Given the wide-ranging effects smoking has on many disease processes, it is essential that clinicians understand: • the short- and long-term effects of smoking on the body • the benefits of smoking cessation • why smokers find it difficult to stop • the role of clinicians in promoting and supporting smoking cessation • the treatments available to help smokers overcome their addiction. ''Fast Facts: Smoking Cessation'' meets these needs: here, in one place, you will find all the information you need on smoking, tobacco addiction and how best to treat the addiction. Ultimately, the best reason for reading this book is to help your patients who smoke to change their behavior for the better and sustainably. Every GP and support clinic will benefit from this edition, filled with tips, advice and treatment aids for the clinical team. Contents: • Cigarettes as a nicotine delivery system • Smoking patterns • Social, psychological and economic influences on smoking • Effects of smoking and smoking cessation • Addiction to cigarettes • The clinician and smoking • Treatments to aid smoking cessation • Future trends