Essays

Recommended for teens seeking inspiration and guidance. The book covers stories that focus on love, friendship, self-respect, and belief in the future. Readers will appreciate the valuable life lessons learned from each story.

A witty and razor-sharp look at the many ways our individually rational decisions can combine into some truly weird collective results—and some hilarious and serious ways to fix just about everything.Economics is no longer the “dismal science” dreaded by college freshmen. In recent years, a band of economists has broken away from the charts and graphs of college textbooks, and begun to explain ordinary behavior in plain and often entertaining English. Steve Landsburg was one of the first of the new breed, in his book The Armchair Economist and long-running “Everyday Economics” column in Slate magazine. Now he is back, and more provocative than ever.In More Sex Is Safer Sex , Landsburg shows how the rational behavior of each one of us—when combined together—produces the often bizarre, seemingly irrational behavior of crowds. We all stand up at the ballpark, so none of us can see. We avoid casual sex, from fear of disease, and we thereby make sex more dangerous. Things really get interesting when Landsburg suggests ways to change the rules, and game the system. Why not charge juries if a convicted felon is exonerated? Why not have each member of Congress represent a national subset of voters, chosen alphabetically? Why not solve the “overpopulation” problem by having more children, who will help think of ways to improve our use of resources?More Sex Is Safer Sex will make you laugh and argue—and it will make you think about the world around you in new and unforgettable ways.

This long overdue collection gathers together sixteen of Gregory Nalpon’s short stories, eleven of his essays, and a selection of his sketches of life in coffee shops, hawker stalls and samshu shops. Through his writing, Nalpon poignantly records a lost, rich world: the colourful, exciting and sometimes perilous Singapore of half a century ago.With this collection, a vital Singaporean voice is finally recovered. Nalpon’s inspired blend of close observation, legend, local superstition and peculiarly eclectic reading results in some of the most imaginative and exciting writing produced in Singapore during the 1960s and 1970s, including authentic descriptions of indigenous culture and working-class men and women rarely found in Singaporean writing of the period.Praise:“I am glad that Gregory Nalpon’s work at last has a chance of being recognised. His stories are excellent.”—Edwin Thumboo, award-winning Singaporean poet and academic“[Nalpon's] stories often produce a resolution at the level of narrative but keep cultural elements in suspense, a series of intersecting gazes that never quite align…Angus Whitehead is to be congratulated both for making Nalpon’s works available to a new and wider audience, and also in the process enabling new perspectives on literary history in Singapore.”—Philip Holden, Asiatic IIUM Journal of English Language and Literature“Gregory Nalpon’s stories and evocative commentaries might seem nostalgic for a pre-development Singapore, but make no mistake—there is little sentimentality here, as marginalised characters get fleshed out with brutality, as well as compassion. His poetic, fable-esque narratives possess a sense of magic that is almost spiritual, full of moral lessons about the abjection of human desires, death, and a knowing presence at the heart of the natural world.”—Cyril Wong, author of Ten Things My Father Never Taught Me and Other Stories and The Last Lesson of Mrs de Souza“[Nalpon's] collected works in The Wayang at Eight Milestone seem to work as a veritable time machine, winding us readers back to the gritty world of old Singapore and immersing us in its saudade, its beautiful spirit of melancholy…[He is] a pioneer Singaporean storyteller like no other.”—Ng Yi-Sheng, Quarterly Literary Review Singapore“Gregory Nalpon wrote from the margins about a Singapore in the throes of great change, and I am convinced that he is our first true proponent of magical realism.”—Robert Yeo, playwright and author of The Adventures of Holden Heng“Enigmatic and evocative, Gregory Nalpon’s stories unsettle the reader, sometimes with unexpected tenderness, other times, startling violence. They usher us into a Singaporean world smudged and erased from public memory but throbbingly alive in a fictive universe uniquely shaped by Nalpon’s creative imagination and his spare but suggestively symbolic style. For this wonderful experience we have to thank Angus Whitehead, who with dedicated, perceptive, and historically sensitive scholarship, excavated these stories and brought them into the light of day.”—Dr Angelia Poon, Nanyang Technological University“Angus Whitehead’s timely recovery of Gregory Nalpon’s hitherto largely unknown but fascinatingly unique voice makes not only for gratifying reading but also helpfully challenges and enlarges our notions of postcolonial Singapore and its literature.”—Mohammad A. Quayum, International Islamic University“Gregory Nalpon’s stories are perfectly poised between gritty realism and mythic wonder. He observes and embraces the rich local diversity of Singapore with the eye of an enchanted poet and the heart of an honest friend. He fathoms the human soul through, and beyond, cultural identity. Editor Angus Whitehead’s love for Nalpon glows in this informative and accessible edition, which will be a treasure for Singaporeans, and a gratifying find for the rest of us who are eager for great reads from around the globe, or take interest in the development of postcolonial writing. Nalpon deserves to claim a place among the most unique and significant voices of the formative and vibrant 1970s.”—Tristanne Connolly, University of Waterloo“The modernity of Singapore tends to be regarded as functional and technocratic, pragmatically future-directed. The stories of Gregory Nalpon, light, deft and deceptively understated, restore an alternative past to the city, drawing on its richly diverse collective memory, its multiple cultural identities, and the shaping omnipresence of its coastal terrain. Editor Angus Whitehead has uncovered a distinctive and enchanting new post-colonial voice, wry, lyrical and humane, whose evocation of the local and particular is deserving of a wide international audience.”—Stephen Clark, University of Tokyo“Gregory Nalpon’s short stories and essays bring to life vibrant, colourful, and rich depictions of everyday cosmopolitanism of old Singapore. Vivid descriptions of fishermen working on islands southwest of Singapore complement stories in a diverse range of settings from a kampung in Bedok to a bee hoon factory in Upper Thomson, a one bedroom flat in Bukit Ho Swee, and a wayang by a graveyard. This collection is an absolute treasure; it provides an important literary archive of Singapore’s forgotten history and should be made essential reading in the Singapore literature classroom.”—Dr Suzanne Choo, National Institute of Education and author of Mining for Meaning and Reading the world, the globe, and the cosmos“If you cannot imagine local fiction without the urban ennui and stirrings against conformity and control, if you long for it to be some other creature altogether–then Gregory Nalpon's revelatory short stories are for you. Written in the 1960s and 1970s, they lucidly and lovingly capture the rhythms and textures of a more rustic Singapore steeped in mysticism, danger and a primaeval sense of wonder. People by an oddball, multi-ethnic cast of characters–loafers, bar girls, gangsters, cynics, dreamers, holy men, freaks and ghosts, The Wayang at Eight Milestone continues Epigram Books' project of publishing buried treasures of early Singapore literature.”—Clarissa Oon, The Sunday Times“A wonderful collection edited by Angus Whitehead.”—Lydia Kwa, fiction writer, in “My Book of the Year”, Singapore PoetryAbout the Author:Gregory Nalpon was born in 1938 in Singapore. After attending St Joseph’s Institution, he energetically embarked on a variety of peripatetic careers: disc jockey, journalist, trade unionist and ‘gentleman of leisure’. These assorted vocations took him from Singapore to Sarawak, Northern Malaysia, Thailand and Australia. During the 1960s and 1970s, Nalpon composed numerous stories, essays, plays and novels. His short story, “The Rose and the Silver Key” was studied by thousands of Singaporean secondary school students. With Nalpon’s sudden death in 1978 at the age of 40, the majority of his writings remained unpublished for over thirty years.

Imagine yourself submerged in the depths of a world at war, where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur. Cyril Connolly's "The Unquiet Grave" offers an intimate glimpse into the author's personal struggles with aging, lost love, and the horrors of war. With its unique blend of aphorisms, quotes, and reflective passages, this book will transport you to a time of chaos and introspection. Prepare to be captivated by its dazzling originality and profound insights that have captured the hearts of readers for generations.

Published in the UK as London Observed: Stories and Sketches.The Real Thing is the first new work of fiction from Doris Lessing since her highly acclaimed novel, The Fifth Child. The stories and sketches in this collection penetrate to the heart of human experience with the passion and intelligence readers have come to expect of Doris Lessing. Most of the pieces are set in contemporary London, a city the author loves for its variety, its populations from everywhere in the world, its transitoriness, the way it connects the life of animals and birds in the parks to streets so old they have forgotten they ever had anything to do with nature.In “Among the Roses”, a near chance meeting in Regent’s Park allows a difficult reconciliation of mother and daughter, while in “Sparrows,” an older couple argues over their daughter’s independence at a cafe table in Hampstead Heath, inspired by a fledgling making its first forays for crumbs. Another sketch takes us into a tower block of flats where a social worker observes a miracle when he confronts a loving Indian mother determined to protect her youngest daughter.Lessing’s fiction often explores the darker corners of relationships between women and men, illuminating the courage and resilience of women in particular. In “The Pit,” an independent-minded older woman is surprised by a visit from her former husband that sets off a flow of memory and fantasy, disturbs her hard-won equilibrium, and finally causes her to flee to Scandinavia on holiday. “Debbie and Julie” is a brilliant and compassionate depiction of a pregnant girl alone. And “The Real Thing,” the rich and emotionally complex title story of the collection, uncovers a more parlous reality behind the facade of the most conventional relationships between the sexes.

This book is perfect for children who need a confidence boost. Each story is carefully selected to encourage and inspire young readers. With relatable characters who overcome adversity and find joy in life, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on its audience. Parents and teachers alike will appreciate the positive messages and important life lessons conveyed in this collection.

"Bad, or the Dumbing of America" is a witty and sharp critique of the manipulative public relations strategies employed by companies to manipulate consumer behavior. The author, Paul Fussell, often employs a satirical tone to ridicule the absurdities and irrationalities of modern-day mass marketing techniques. This book is recommended for readers who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the ways in which corporations attempt to control our desires and preferences. Fussell's writing style is extremely engaging and entertaining, making this book an enjoyable read for those who appreciate satire and humor.

The acclaimed author of Low Life reinvents the memoir in a cunning, lyrical book that is at once a personal history and a meditation on the construction of identity.Born in Belgium but raised in New Jersey, Luc Sante transformed himself from a pious, timid Belgian boy into a loutish American adolescent, who eschewed French while fantasizing about the pop star Françoise Hardy. To show how this transformation came about--and why it remained incomplete--The Factory of Facts  combines family anecdote and ancestral legend; detailed forays into Belgian history, language, and religion; and deft synopses of the American character.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Croatian journalist, novelist, and essayist Slavenka Drakulić notes that Eastern Europeans are so anxious to become like their Western counterparts that every city and town has a Cafe Europa that is a pale imitation of similar establishments in cities like Paris and Rome. She presents here a collection of essays that explore life in various Eastern European countries since the fall of communism. As a citizen of Croatia (formerly part of Yugoslavia) living now in Vienna with her Swedish husband, she writes knowingly as a survivor of a communist regime, as one who realizes that pitfalls still lie ahead for nations emerging from the Soviet yoke. In Albania, she observes rage everywhere in people who seem to want to smash all vestiges of the Hoxha regime. In Romania, she comments on the execrable state in which public toilets are maintained: "[T]he standard of Romanian toilets reflects the nature of the communist system of which it is a legacy"; "the absence of any improvement is... a warning for the future of democracy" there. Drakulic's pungent and insightful ruminations not only describe life in her part of the world?she makes us feel it as well.--Publishers Weekly

What is the role of the Writer? Prophet? High Priest of Art? Court Jester? Or witness to the real world? Looking back on her own childhood and writing career, Margaret Atwood examines the metaphors which writers of fiction and poetry have used to explain--or excuse!--their activities, looking at what costumes they have assumed, what roles they have chosen to play. In her final chapter she takes up the challenge of the title: if a writer is to be seen as "gifted", who is doing the giving and what are the terms of the gift? Atwood's wide reference to other writers, living and dead, is balanced by anecdotes from her own experiences, both in Canada and elsewhere. The lightness of her touch is offset by a seriousness about the purpose and the pleasures of writing, and by a deep familiarity with the myths and traditions of western literature. Margaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa and grew up in northern Quebec, Ontario, and Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master's degree from Radcliffe College. Throughout her thirty years of writing, Atwood has received numerous awards and honorary degrees. Hew newest novel, The Blind Assassin, won the 2000 Booker Prize for Fiction. She is the author of more than twenty-five volumes of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction and is perhaps best known for her novels, which include Alias Grace (1996), The Robber Bride (1994), Cat's Eye (1988), The Handmaid's Tale (1983), Surfacing (1972) and The Edible Woman (1970). Acclaimed for her talent for portraying both personal lives and worldly problems of universal concern, Atwood's work has been published in more than thirty-five languages, including Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic, and Estonian.

The stories in Syncopated challenge convention, provide perspective, and search out secret truths–all in the inviting, accessible form of comics.Syncopated will give you a daringly different view of the past–from the history of vintage postcards to the glory days of old Coney Island. It will immerse you in fascinating subcultures, from the secret world of graffiti artists to the chess champs of Greenwich Village. And it will open your eyes to pieces of forgotten history–for example, the Tulsa race riots of 1921–and to new perspectives on critical current events, such as the interrogation of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay. These “picto-essays” encompass memoir, history, journalism, and biography in varied visual styles–each handpicked by Brendan Burford, one of America’s top editors.

This book presents a clear vision for a society that is both compassionate and economically sustainable, focusing on the needs of the less fortunate. Galbraith provides practical steps for achieving these goals, making this book an essential read for anyone interested in creating a better world.

If you're intrigued by the interplay between life experiences and the literature that mirrors them, "On Psychological Prose" is a thought-provoking read. Ginzburg's analysis will deepen your appreciation for how personal narratives and societal contexts shape the stories we cherish. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or interested in literary criticism, this book invites you to examine the fine lines connecting art and life.

Stimulating exercises to help beginner to advanced students push the boundaries of traditional drawing.As with most art forms, it's best to comprehend traditional drawing techniques before you break the rules. But once you've mastered the basics, you may find that you gravitate to more abstract ways of rendering everything from still lifes to figures. However, this book is not only about avant-garde style; it is experimental in that it forces the artist out of his or her comfort zone, whatever that might be.In this book, renowned New York University professor, Robert Kaupelis, shares the tutorials that he used with his students, offering illustrations of drawings and paintings from old masters to contemporary artists (and even some outstanding works from his students) to explain techniques.Covering everything from creating form through contour drawings to drawing with new technology, Experimental Drawing helps you zero in on concepts and form ideas that may take your work to a new and more intriguing level. Some of the innovative exercises you'll find here     • Drawing models while blindfolded   • Engaging in group drawing sessions popularized during the Dada era   • Utilizing different drawing materials like glass, plastic, feathers, string, sponges, metal dust, and more   • Reducing a post's brushstroke from six to one   • Using cross-contour lines for a more abstract still life   • Integrating a grid system on a carefully rendered scene to create an illusion of distorted space and movement   • And much more...This classic volume's inventive and stimulating projects will help serious artists develop their own vision and their own way to draw. Includes more than 200 spectacular drawings by old and modern masters from Michelangelo to Jasper Johns.

Louder and Funnier is a collection of hilarious stories that showcase Wodehouse's clever wit and talent for humor. The stories involve various mishaps and misunderstandings that are sure to leave readers in stitches. Wodehouse's unique writing style and comedic timing make Louder and Funnier a must-read for anyone looking for a good laugh.

Recommended for book lovers and Hornby fans. The book offers diverse, humorous and sometimes unconventional takes on books. It is not only an insightful peek into the mind of one of the celebrated authors of contemporary times, but also a source of great recommendations for books that readers might have not explored yet.

Recommendation: - This book could be a good read for someone who wants to find laughter and solace in the face of personal struggles. Irma Bombeck's witty and candid writing style provides a unique perspective on dealing with postnatal depression, offering a relatable experience that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Through her resilience and humor, Bombeck reminds us that even in our darkest moments, laughter can be the best medicine.

Was punk just another moment in music history, a flash in time when a group of young rebels exploded in a fury of raw sound, outrageous styles, and in-your-face attitude? Greil Marcus, author of the renowned "Lipstick Traces," delves into the after-life of punk as a much richer phenomenon a form of artistic and social rebellion that continually erupts into popular culture.In more than seventy short pieces written over fifteen years, he traces the uncompromising strands of punk from Johnny Rotten to Elvis Costello, Sonic Youth, even Bruce Springsteen. Marcus's unparalleled insight into present-day culture and brilliant ear for music bring punk's searing half-life into deep focus. Originally published in the U.S. as "Ranters and Crowd Pleasers.""

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys writing and needs inspiration to get started. With 642 unique prompts, ranging from the silly to the serious, writers of all levels will find something to spark their imagination. The book's most distinctive feature is its ability to help even the most blocked writer find something to write about, whether it's a personal life story in just five sentences, or a detailed description of a tiny detail. Users will appreciate the book's cute and compact format, making it easy to carry around and use whenever they need a spark of inspiration.

The Norton Book of Personal Essays is a great read for anyone seeking a collection of essays that offer a wide range of perspectives and insights on various life experiences. From the humorous to the thought-provoking, this anthology includes works from well-known authors like Mark Twain, Virginia Woolf, and Truman Capote. Each essay offers a unique viewpoint on topics that range from racial conflict to table athletics, making it a great choice for those who appreciate diverse perspectives on life.

Ruta brings a fresh perspective to a cuisine most people think of as mysterious, complex to cook, and overly rich. Her Indian food is stylish, modern and light—equally at home with a glass of Pinot Grigio or mango lassi. Ruta’s 125 quick and easy Indian recipes all made in 30 minutes or less comprise the 5th cookbook in the highly successful AMP Quick-Fix series.For too long, Indian cuisine has been perceived as complex and time-consuming to prepare. Quick-Fix Indian aims at making Indian cooking accessible to everybody--the beginner, the experienced cook, absolutely anyone wanting to try his or her hand at a new cuisine.The 125 dishes in Quick-Fix Indian are modern and fresh, yet rooted in tradition. These recipes are identifiable as Indian, but that's where the familiarity ends--most of these recipes haven't been seen before, anywhere.While the dishes are simple to make, they are by no means simplistic. They are bright, modern, and complex tasting, belying the fact that they only took 30 minutes or less to prepare. The recipes range from quick breakfasts and soups, to curries, snacks, and sweet drinks. Some of the recipes included Chickpea Salad with Pomegranate , Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers, Beet Raita with Cilantro, Sweet Coconut Rice, Spicy Coastal Scramble, Pan-Fried Silky Eggplant, Coriander Shrimp with Zucchini, and Kids' Favorite Banans Fritters.While most of the recipes use easy-to-acquire ingredients, there are a few that will require a trip to a health-food or Indian store. As an added bonus, the book also lists 'exotic' substitutions for readers who'd like to try them. For example, mustard oil adds a special zing to the Sprouted Mung Bean Salad, but canola oil works just fine.And finally, this cookbook is fun. Written in a lighthearted manner, Quick-Fix Indian amuses readers while also providing solid information.

If you're drawn to untangling the threads of history and culture, "Behind the Forbidden Door" is like a well-drawn map into the labyrinth of China's once closed-off world. Tiziano Terzani offers not just a tantalizing glimpse, but a deep dive into the complexities of a society that has long fascinated outsiders. His account is particularly compelling for those interested in the contrasts between the rich traditions and the wave of modernization that swept through China during the 20th century.

Hennessy's classic text tells you everything you need to know about writing successful features. You will learn how to formulate and develop ideas and how to shape them to fit different markets.Now in its fourth edition, Writing Feature Articles has been fully revised and updated to take into account the changing requirements of journalism and media courses. You will also discover how to exploit new technology for both researching and writing online.Learn step-by-step how to plan, research and write articles for a wide variety of 'popular', 'quality' and specialist publications. Discover more and make the advice stick by completing the tasks and reading the keen analysis of extracts from the best of today's writing.Packed with inspirational advice in a friendly, highly readable style, this guide is a must-have for practising and aspiring journalists and writers.

Wild Mind could be a good read for aspiring writers who want to connect with their creativity and take their craft to a deeper level. It offers practical advice and exercises to overcome writer's block and develop personal style, while also exploring the larger vision of balancing writing with daily life responsibilities. Readers may appreciate the compassionate approach and the emphasis on self-acceptance.

Perhaps you feel the pull of the past clashing with the wave of the future, a sensation that both perplexes and intrigues you. "Granta 105: Lost and Found" wades into this tide, offering narratives that reveal what vanishes in the wake of progress and what emerges anew. For a thoughtful reader like you, it provides a mosaic of stories that ponder the essence of transformation and preservation across our rapidly evolving world.

The Unheard Cry for Meaning could be a good read for individuals who are interested in the role of humanism in psychotherapy and psychology. This book captures the essence of human potential, and provides a unique perspective on traditional theories such as Freudian analysis and behaviorism. The author uses various subjects including sex, morality, modern literature, competitive athletics, and philosophy to highlight the significance of individuality in psychotherapy. The book is a must-read for those who want to understand the importance of the human dimension in psychology and celebrate each person's unique potential.

Jon Ronson's "Out of the Ordinary" is a treat if you're intrigued by the quirks that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. His blend of humor and curiosity takes you on a journey through the bizarre and inexplicable behaviors that make us human, yet often go unnoticed. It's a book that celebrates the strangeness in the mundane, and it will keep you chuckling and reflecting in equal measure as you peer into the odd corners of regular existence.

Primo Levi's "The Drowned and the Saved" is a profound look at the nuanced ethics and the frailty of collective recollection regarding the Holocaust. It offers a stirring narrative that digs deep into human nature. If you're looking to understand the complexities of survival and the impact of history's darkest chapters, this book will not only educate but also challenge your perceptions. Levi's insight as a Holocaust survivor adds an irreplaceable authenticity and depth.

This book is a must-read for those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of international politics and the how they shape our modern world. Fisk's writing is gripping, insightful, and never shies away from controversial topics. His personal connection to the subjects he covers makes for a unique and engaging reading experience.

The Challenge of Things is a brilliantly curated collection of writings by A.C. Grayling that demonstrates how philosophy can help navigate the complexities of the world we live in, especially in times of conflict and war. Grayling's insightful essays critically examine various issues such as free speech, the role of science in the arts, and the legacy of the First World War. Readers will appreciate the author's ability to challenge conventional thinking, provide new perspectives, and offer hope for a better future.

The Ongoing Moment is a must-read for photography enthusiasts. Geoff Dyer's insightful narrative delves into the signature styles of various iconic photographers like Alfred Stieglitz and Diane Arbus, and how they captured everyday objects in unique and fascinating ways. Dyer's storytelling ability breathes life into the photographs, transporting the reader to the time and place where each image was created, making it a fascinating and engaging read.

It Must Be Beautiful is a collection of 12 essays on the power and beauty of modern scientific equations by some of the world's foremost scientists and historians. Contributors include Steven Weinberg, Peter Galison, John Maynard Smith, and Frank Wilczek.

The Rise of the Meritocracy is a thought-provoking satirical piece that presents a future where merit is essential to achieve status and power. This book would be an excellent read for someone interested in sociology, politics and philosophy, as it offers a unique perspective on the idea of meritocracy in society. Michael Young's wit and style of writing make the book an enjoyable read from cover to cover.

This book provides a critical examination of Chinese culture from a unique perspective, calling out the toxic elements of Confucianism that have had a negative impact on society. It offers a thought-provoking analysis of the country's political, social, and ethical issues that is both challenging and enlightening. Readers who are interested in exploring new ideas and willing to engage in critical thinking would find this book a worthwhile read.

Granta 134 is a treasure trove for those who seek varied and powerful storytelling. As a reader, you'll traverse across genres and encounter the craft of both esteemed and emerging writers. The mix of fiction, nonfiction, and photojournalism in this issue offers a vibrant snapshot of contemporary culture and conflicts, lending you perspectives that are as enlightening as they are engaging. It's like being at a global roundtable of literary masters, each sharing a story that could change the way you see the world.

Written by a team of leading international scholars, this Companion is designed to illuminate Shakespeare's works through discussion of the key topics of Shakespeare studies. Twenty-one essays provide lively and authoritative approaches to recent scholarship and criticism for readers keen to expand their knowledge and appreciation of Shakespeare. The book contains stimulating chapters on traditional topics such as Shakespeare's biography and the transmission of his texts. Individual readings of the plays are given in the context of genre as well as through the cultural and historical perspectives of race, sexuality and gender, and politics and religion. Essays on performance survey the latest digital media as well as stage and film. Throughout the volume, contributors discuss Shakespeare in a global as well as a national context, a dramatist with a long and constantly mutating history of reception and performance.

A collection of hilarious spoof letters from a major new comedy talent   Whether he's offering himself up for adoption to Elton John or attempting to offload his live ostrich collection—"a big hit with the children and simpletons"—on Bernie Clifton, Stan Madeley is a fearless and dynamic correspondent. He’s also a cabaret star, nobleman, plastics expert, chisel thrower, owl warden, porn star, rubber duck magnate, conservationist—and much more. Using his "celebrity status" as an innovative excuse to plague, pester, and pen letters to many well-known faces, politicians, and organizations, he writes in the bestselling tradition of Robin Cooper's The Timewaster Letters to undeniably hilarious results. A witty and joyously surreal collection from an extraordinary new voice, the book includes replies from Alan Bennett, Sir David Attenborough, John Prescott, the British Flute Society, some nuns, and a terse email from Su Pollard's assistant.

A wide-ranging anthology of investigative journalism from the liberation of Dachau in 1945 to the Florida elections scandal of 2000. Taken together they form a “secret history” of the last fifty years, revealing the truth behind the period’s most important events.From the Hardcover edition.

If you're someone who appreciates fine writing across different epochs and styles, "One Hundred Great Essays" is like a grand buffet for your intellect. It's not just text on pages but a collection of voices, each essay offering its unique depth, wit, and wisdom. Imagine a tapestry woven from threads of diverse perspectives that could transform your own thinking and discourse—this book is that tapestry in literary form.

Country how it is lived, how it has changed, and how the changes are far from over. An issue that ranges from English fox- hunters to the rice-planters of the Ganges delta.

Serendipities is a careful unraveling of the fabulous and the false, a brilliant exposition of how unanticipated truths often spring from false ideas. From Leibniz's belief that the I Ching illustrated the principles of calculus to Marco Polo's mistaking a rhinoceros for a unicorn, Umberto Eco offers a dazzling tour of intellectual history, illuminating the ways in which we project the familiar onto the strange to make sense of the world. Uncovering layers of mistakes that have shaped human history, Eco offers with wit and clarity such instances as Columbus's voyage to the New World, the fictions that grew around the Rosicrucians and Knights Templar, and the linguistic endeavors to recreate the language of Babel, to show how serendipities can evolve out of mistakes. With erudition, anecdotes, and scholarly rigor, this new collection of essays is sure to entertain and enlighten any reader with a passion for the curious history of languages and ideas.

America, with all its warts, lies naked under the laser-like scrutiny of legendary outlaw journalist and brilliant reporter Hunter S. Thompson. Fearlessly, he hurls himself into each assignment, gouges out the truth, then returns with a fresh story no one else on earth could write. From Nixon to napalm, Las Vegas to Watergate, Carter to cocaine, hippies to himself, Thompson's razor-sharp insight and crystal clarity capture the crazy, hypocritical, degenerate, and redeeming aspects of the explosive and colorful '60s and '70s. Thompson is a rebel and an artist, and we are all richer for it."No other reporter reveals how much we have to fear and loathe, yet does it so hilariously."-- Chicago Tribune

Rirkrit Tiravanija has created the second Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission artwork for National Gallery Singapore. Featuring an interlocking bamboo structure with a simple wooden tea house at its centre, this site-specific installation springs from the artist's interest in fostering social engagement and human interaction through art. With homes in Chiang Mai, New York and Berlin, Tiravanija's nomadic life is a constant negotiation of cultures, and a source of inspiration for his practice. This catalogue illuminates this influential artist's fascinating oeuvre through newly commissioned essays and full-colour images of the installation.Other artists featured in this Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission series include Danh Vo (2017) and Charles Lim (forthcoming).

A collection of stories from Vanity Fair magazine about the current financial crisis by some of the country’s best business journalists, including Michael Lewis ( Moneyball, Liar’s Poker ), Bryan Burrough ( Barbarians at the Gate ), and Mark Bowden ( Black Hawk Down ), edited by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, and with an introduction by Cullen Murphy ( Are We Rome? ).

The Corpse Walker is a compilation of twenty-seven extraordinary oral histories that opens a window, unlike any other, onto the lives of ordinary, often outcast, Chinese men and women. Liao Yiwu (one of the best-known writers in China because he is also one of the most censored) chose his subjects from the bottom of Chinese people for whom the “new” China--the China of economic growth and globalization-—is no more beneficial than the old. By asking challenging questions with respect and empathy, he manages to get his subjects to talk openly about their lives.Here are a professional mourner, a trafficker in humans, a leper, an abbot, a retired government official, a former landowner, a mortician, a feng shui master, a former Red Guard, a political prisoner, a village teacher, a blind street musician, a Falun Gong practitioner, and many others–people who have been battered by life but who have managed to retain their dignity, their humor, and their essential, complex humanity.Liao crafted the interviews (conducted between 1990 and 2003) with sensitivity and patience, working both from notes and from his own memory of these remarkable conversations. The result is an idiosyncratic, powerful, and richly revealing portrait of a people, a time, and a place we might otherwise have never known.

If you're looking to delve deeper into the realms of literature beyond their surface-level stories, "Signs Taken for Wonders" is the perfect book for you. Franco Moretti masterfully uses structuralist, sociological, and psycho-analytic approaches to analyze iconic works like Shakespearean tragedies and Dracula. Through his exploration, he not only offers captivating insights into various literary genres but also provides a thought-provoking examination of the cultural and political realities they represent. Prepare to have your perspective on literature expanded in extraordinary ways.