Christopher Thorpe Books

Social theory is a crucial resource for the social sciences. It provides rich insights into how human beings think and act and how contemporary social life is constructed. But often the key ideas of social theorists are expressed in highly technical and difficult language that can hide more than it reveals. The new edition of this popular book continues to cut to the core of what social theory is about. Covering key themes from the classical thinkers onwards, including Marxism, post-structuralism, phenomenology, feminism and more, the second edition features a new chapter on Actor-Network Theory and enhanced discussion of postcolonial theory. Wide ranging in scope and coverage, the book is concise in presentation and free from jargon. Showing why social theory matters, and why it is of far-reaching social and political importance, the book is ideal for readers seeking a clear, crisp mapping of a complex but very rewarding area.

A thrilling sci-fi novel set in a believeable - and terrifying - near future... Hybrids is the winning entry to the HarperCollins nationwide new author competition with SAGA Magazine.

Focusing on the cultural representations of Italy in England and Britain, this analysis spans from the Italian Renaissance to contemporary times. It delves into the historical and sociological aspects that shape these representations, exploring how Italy has been perceived and portrayed in British culture over the centuries. The book offers insights into the evolving relationship between the two nations through art, literature, and social attitudes.

This book offers a clear and concise exploration of social theory, emphasizing its importance in understanding human behavior and contemporary social life. It covers key themes from classical theorists to modern perspectives, including a new chapter on Actor-Network Theory and enhanced discussions on postcolonial theory, all presented without jargon.

This handy pocket reference provides a wealth of practical information relating to solar energy and solar energy technologies. Topics covered include solar radiation and its detailed measurement, the emissivity and absorption properties of materials, solar thermal energy collection and storage, photovoltaics (both at all scales), solar cooling, and the use of solar energy for desalination and drying. The book also includes conversion factors, standards and constants and is peppered throughout with helpful illustrations, equations and explanations, as well as a chapter making the business case for solar power. Anyone with an interest in solar energy, including energy professionals and consultants, engineers, architects, academic researchers and students, will find a host of answers in this book - a practical assimilation of fundamentals, data, technologies and guidelines for application.

Kann soziale Ungerechtigkeit beseitigt werden? Wie hat das Internet unsere Beziehungen verändert? Wieso haben wir Angst vor dem Fremden? Soziologie fragt nach den Strukturen, die unser Zusammenleben prägen und untersucht ihren Wandel. Dieses Buch erklärt knapp 90 bedeutende Theorien einflussreicher Sozialwissenschaftler und zeigt spannend und anschaulich, was sie über uns und unsere Gesellschaft verraten. Übersichtliche Grafiken, Illustrationen und Chroniken veranschaulichen die Kernthesen und zentralen Gedankengänge auf leicht verständliche Art. Biografie-Kästen liefern Infos zu Leben und Werk der jeweiligen Denker. Jede Theorie wird durch übersichtliche Querverweise in einen historischen Zusammenhang gestellt und einer Ideenlehre zugeordnet. So entsteht eine spannende Einführung in die Soziologie und ihre unterschiedlichen Fachbereiche. Perfekt für Schüler, Studenten und alle Interessierten!

"Exploring more than 80 of the big ideas and key theories in the field of sociology in a clear and simple way, this is the perfect introduction to the study of how humans live and interact with each other. The Sociology Book offers a deep dive into a range of societal issues, ranging from government and gender identity to inequalities, globalization and even the ""Disneyfication"" of today's world. New globalizing forces make our world increasingly interconnected. Similar issues affect us all- discover the tension between the needs of the individual and society, the changing workplace, and the role of everything from government to mass culture in our lives. To explain each concept, The Sociology Book makes each topic crystal clear using quirky graphics, pithy quotes, and step-by-step summaries. It defines terms such as ""liquid modernity"" and ""communitarianism"", and explains the theories of seminal thinkers from Karl Marx and Auguste Comte to Sharon Zukin and Judith Butler. Examaning everything from antisocial behaviour to how the middle classes monopolise the best jobs, The Sociology Book is an unmissable read for students and anyone interested in human behaviour.