Most Popular Books by Simon Harrison

Augustine''s dialogue De libero arbitrio (On Free Choice) is, with his Confessions and City of God, one of his most important and widely read works. It contains one of the earliest accounts of the concept of ''free will'' in the history of philosophy. Composed during a key period in Augustine''s early career, between his conversion to Christianity and his ordination as a bishop, it has often been viewed as a an incoherent mixture of his ''early'' and ''late''thinking. Simon Harrison offers an original account of Augustine''s theory of will, taking seriously both the philosophical arguments and literary form of the text. Relating De libero arbitrio to other key texts of Augustine''s, in particular the City of God and the Confessions, Harrison shows that Augustine approaches the problemof free will as a problem of knowledge: how do I know that I am free?, and that Augustine uses the dialogue form to instantiate his ''way into the will''.

Western societies draw crucially on concepts of the ''individual'' in constructing their images of the ethnic group and nation and define these in terms of difference. This study explores the implications of these constructs for Western understanding of social order and ethnic conflicts. Comparing them with the forms of cultural identity characteristic of Melanesia as they have developed since pre-colonial times, the author arrives at a surprising conclusion: he argues that these kinds of identities are more properly and adequately viewed as forms of disguised or denied resemblance, and that it is these covert commonalities that give rise to, and prolong, social divisions and conflicts between groups.

Many anthropological accounts of warfare in indigenous societies have described the taking of heads or other body parts as trophies. But almost nothing is known of the prevalence of trophy-taking of this sort in the armed forces of contemporary nation-states. This book is a history of this type of misconduct among military personnel over the past two centuries, exploring its close connections with colonialism, scientific collecting and concepts of race, and how it is a model for violent power relationships between groups.

This is a book-length analysis of the term unity as used within recent ecumenical discussion. It seeks to present the many conceptions of unity found in discussion, whose subtle diversity and number are often a source of confusion and ambiguity.

This book dives into the mise-en-scène of contemporary China to explore the “becoming cinema” of Chinese cities, societies, and subjectivities. Set in the wake of China’s radical and rapid period of urbanization and infrastructural transformation, and situating itself in the processual city of Ningbo, the book combines empirical, ficto-critical, and philosophical methods to generate a dynamic account of everyday life as new forms of consumer culture bed in. Harnessing a Realist approach that allows for different scales of analysis, the book zooms in on five architectural assemblages including: surreal real estate showrooms; a fragmented history museum; China’s “first and best” Sino-foreign university; a new “Old town”; and weird gamified “any-now(here)-spaces.” Together these modern arrangements and machines for living cast light upon the broader picture sweeping up greater China.

Gestures are central to the way people use language when they interact. This book places our impulse to gesture at the very heart of linguistic structure: grammar. Based on the phenomenon of negation - a linguistic universal with clear grammatical and gestural manifestations - Simon Harrison argues that linguistic concepts are fundamentally multi modal and shows how they lead to recurrent bindings between grammar and gesture when people speak. Studying how speakers express negation multi modally in a range of social and professional contexts, Harrison explores how and when people gesture, what people achieve linguistically and discursively with their gestures, and why we find similar uses of gesture in different languages (including spoken and signed language). Establishing the inseparability of grammar and gesture, this book is an important reference for any researcher interested in the relation between language, gesture, and cognition.

Kung Fu 4 Girlz is an original and unique title. In a funky, handbag-sized format, the book gives practical advice on self-defence techniques in every day situations. You''re being hassled at the bar? The man sitting next to you on the bus is getting too close for comfort? Kung Fu 4 Girlz gets you out of these tricky spots with style and lot of humour. What makes Kung Fu 4 Girlz different is its design and its attitude. As well as being a highly qualified martial artist, Simon Harrison is also a vibrant and exciting illustrator. The book will explode with colour and cool. Whilst the self-defence techniques are real and highly usable, we''re calling Kung Fu 4 Girlz ''humour'' because it''s a desirable gift purchase and really does have something of the Worst Case Scenario about it!

Drawing on case studies taken from a range of innovative secondary schools, and interrogating the use of cross-curricular approaches in UK schools, Cross-Curricular Teaching and Learning in Humanities constructs a research based pedagogy with practical steps for students and teachers as they consider how cross-curricular approaches can be implemented in their own subject areas.

Learning to drive can be exciting, overwhelming, and life-changing - especially for autistic and neurodiverse learners. Autism - The Road to Driving isn''t a manual on "how to drive" or a Highway Code guide. It''s a compassionate companion for those who experience the world - and the road - differently. Drawing on years of experience as a driving instructor, alternative therapist, and educator, Simon J. Harrison offers a calm, structured, and understanding approach to the learning journey. This book explores how sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and different learning styles affect confidence behind the wheel - and how small changes can make a big difference. Filled with real learner stories, supportive strategies, and practical insights, it helps autistic and SEND learners, their families, and instructors work together toward one goal: driving with confidence, calm, and independence.

An examination of the key issues that determine business behaviour. It covers a range of topics which are essential to understanding business studies, and themes which underpin an analytical and evaluative approach to the subject. It is designed for A Level business studies students, with the aim of developing an in-depth understanding of the subject by highlighting analytical and evaluative issues within this area of business activity. The text also seeks to reinforce and enhance examination skills. It is part of a series of six books, which are accompanied by a Teacher''s workbook providing photocopiable mark schemes and suggested answers to all the questions.