Other books that might interest you

• 

  Dark Folklore

  Mark Norman, Tracey Norman

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  How did our ancestors use the concept of demons to explain sleep paralysis? Is that carving in the porch of your local church really what you think it is? And what’s that tapping noise on the roof of your car..? 
  The fields of folklore have never been more popular – a recent resurgence of interest in traditional beliefs and customs, coupled with morbid curiosities in folk horror, historic witchcraft cases and our superstitious past, have led to an intersection of ideas that is driving people to seek out more information. Tracey Norman (author of the acclaimed play WITCH) and Mark Norman (creator of The Folklore Podcast) lead you on an exploration of those more salubrious facets of our past, highlighting those aspects of our cultural beliefs and social history that are less ‘wicker basket’ and more ‘Wicker Man’.

  Show book

• 

  Starved for Light - The Long...

  Christian Warren

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  A wide-ranging history of rickets tracks the disease’s emergence, evolution, and eventual treatment—and exposes the backstory behind contemporary worries about vitamin D deficiency. Rickets, a childhood disorder that causes soft and misshapen bones, transformed from an ancient but infrequent threat to a common scourge during the Industrial Revolution. Factories, mills, and urban growth transformed the landscape. Malnutrition and insufficient exposure to sunlight led to severe cases of rickets across Europe and the United States, affecting children in a variety of settings: dim British cities and American slave labor camps, moneyed households and impoverished ones. By the late 1800s, it was one of the most common pediatric diseases, seemingly an intractable consequence of modern life. Starved for Light offers the first comprehensive history of this disorder. Tracing the efforts to understand, prevent, and treat rickets—first with the traditional remedy of cod liver oil, then with the application of a breakthrough corrective, industrially produced vitamin D supplements—Christian Warren places the disease at the center of a riveting medical history, one alert to the ways society shapes our views on illness. 
   
  
  Sweeping and engaging, Starved for Light illuminates the social conditions underpinning our cures and our choices, helping us to see history’s echoes in contemporary prescriptions.

  Show book

• 

  Empire of Purity - The History...

  Eva Payne

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Between the 1870s and 1930s, American social reformers, working closely with the US government, transformed sexual vice into an international political and humanitarian concern. As these activists worked to eradicate prostitution and trafficking, they promoted sexual self-control for both men and women as a cornerstone of civilization and a basis of American exceptionalism. Empire of Purity traces the history of these efforts, showing how the policing and penalization of sexuality was used to justify American interventions around the world. 
   
   
   
  Eva Payne describes how American reformers successfully pushed for international anti-trafficking agreements that mirrored US laws, calling for states to criminalize prostitution and restrict migration, and harming the very women they claimed to protect. She argues that Americans' ambitions to reshape global sexual morality and law advanced an ideology of racial hierarchy that viewed women of color, immigrants, and sexual minorities as dangerous vectors of disease. 
   
   
   
  Drawing on archives in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, Empire of Purity ties the war on sexual vice to American imperial ambitions and a politicization of sexuality that continues to govern both domestic and international policy today.

  Show book

• 

  The Bandwagon Effect - How...

  William Rands

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when people tend to align their opinions, behaviors, or preferences with the majority or popular opinion, often without critically evaluating the subject at hand. This effect is driven by the inherent desire to fit in, avoid conflict, and adhere to social norms. The term "bandwagon" originally emerged in the 19th century, with its roots in political campaigns where politicians would refer to a parade or vehicle that people would literally "jump onto" once it gained popularity. Over time, it evolved to describe the broader tendency to follow the crowd, especially in decision-making processes. 
  The bandwagon effect is grounded in the psychology of conformity, which has been extensively studied. Humans are social beings, and much of our behavior is influenced by the groups we belong to. From childhood, individuals learn to adopt behaviors and opinions based on what is seen as acceptable or desirable within their social circles. This need to belong can be so strong that individuals may forego independent thought in favor of adopting the views of others, even when these views may not align with their personal beliefs or values. 
  One of the primary drivers of the bandwagon effect is the desire for social approval. People often feel that aligning with popular opinion will grant them a sense of acceptance and belonging within a group. Additionally, there is a cognitive bias at play. When individuals perceive that a particular opinion or behavior is widely held, they may believe that it is correct or valid, simply because others hold it. This is closely related to the concept of social proof, where individuals look to others as a guide in uncertain situations. The more people who adopt a certain belief, the more likely others are to follow, creating a cycle of reinforcement.

  Show book

• 

  Ten Years On

  Noluthando Buthelezi

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  This amazingly unique compendium tells the story of the journey travelled since the launch of the Number 43 Legacy Events, dedicated principally to celebrating those who dared their lives for a total liberation of the people of South Africa. It is also, to document this history through the arts, for future generations to appreciate the invaluable power of simple and humble celebrations. Most importantly, it was to commemorate the passing of uMagogo in September of 2007. 
  There is no better way of preserving these memories, than use a youthful artist of today, to tell the stories through poetry. 
  The Masilela Family and the Extended Family of Number 43 are eternally grateful to this amazing interpretation and fitting contribution by Noluthando Buthelezi, of Soweto, who donated her time and intellect to interpret the story of Number 43 and craft 10 beautiful poems, to signify 10 Years of solid accomplishment.

  Show book

• 

  Princess Diana - The Tragic Fate...

  50 50minutes

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Keen to learn but short on time? Get to grips with the life of Princess Diana in next to no time with this concise guide.50Minutes.com provides a clear and engaging analysis of the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. Following her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981, she became a member of the British royal family, and from that moment on her private life became subject to intense media scrutiny. In the following years, accusations of adultery placed her marriage under increasing strain, even as her popularity with the British people grew because of her numerous commitments to charities and humanitarian organisations. She and Charles divorced in 1996, and just one year later, Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris. She remains one of the most beloved figures in recent British history.In just 50 minutes you will:• Learn about Diana's relationship with Prince Charles and their eventual divorce• Discover her philanthropic and humanitarian activities, particularly in raising awareness about AIDS and the dangers of landmines• Find out about the circumstances of her tragic death in a car accident in 1997ABOUT 50MINUTES.COM|History & Culture50MINUTES.COM will enable you to quickly understand the main events, people, conflicts and discoveries from world history that have shaped the world we live in today. Our publications present the key information on a wide variety of topics in a quick and accessible way that is guaranteed to save you time on your journey of discovery.

  Show book