Very short introductions

"Albert Camus is one of the . . . philosophers of the twentieth century, as well as a . . . novelist. Active in the first half of the twentieth century, his views contributed to the rise of the philosophy known as absurdism, and his works have inspired numerous movies, and even pop songs, and are frequently referenced in contemporary politics. In this [book, the author] explores the life and work of a man full of contradictions, who occupied an ambiguous position in troubled and conflicted times. A fearless journalist who tirelessly investigated the terrible conditions of people in French-occupied Algeria in the 1930s, Camus also stated that the only salvation for France was to remain an 'Arab Power'. While he published articles during the German Occupation in a clandestine resistance newspaper, Camus also withdrew a chapter on Kafka to ensure that his philosophical treatise would pass the Nazi-controlled censorship. Over the course of his life he ranged from being strongly in favor of the death penalty to deploring it in his philosophy. Following a broad chronological framework, [the author] explores the major philosophical and literary works of Camus in the historical context in which they were written and published, and analyzes how the reception and popularity of these works are connected with contemporary political, social and cultural issues, shaping the ideological landscape that surrounds us"--Provided by publisher.

"Human beings naturally desire knowledge. But what is knowledge? Is it the same as having an opinion? Highlighting the major developments in the theory of knowledge from Ancient Greece to the present day, Jennifer Nagel uses a number of simple everyday examples to explore the key themes and current debates of epistemology"--OCLC.

An introduction to the science of sleep and dreaming, explaining how dreaming maintains and develops the mind, that we go crazy in our dreams in order to avoid doing so when we are awake, and that sleep is essential to life.

In this book, the author explores the arguments for atheism, and dispels some common myths, explaining how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral.

"In this book, Philip Moriarty introduces the key scientific themes and concepts underpinning the field, including interatomic and intermolecular forces, single atom imaging, quantum confinement, self-assembly, molecular machinery, and nanomagnetism. Moriarty includes results from ground-breaking scientific studies, such as scanning probe microscope images of atomic and molecular 'landscapes', providing visceral and intuitive insights into the nanoscopic world"--Provided by publisher.

"Here, [the author] tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire, and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and why we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates. This second edition of [this book] has revised and updated aspects of the original to reflect changing times and mores. It highlights the importance of an understanding of approaches to ethics and its foundations, confronted as we are with a fluid and uncertain world of eroding trust, swirling conspiracy theories, and a dismaying loss of respect in public discourse"--Provided by publisher.

"China today is never out of the news, with stories about international finance, population, and human rights controversies. From the contrast between its ancient heritage and emerging identity to the Chinese 'economic miracle', this Very Short Introduction addresses the themes, developments, and contradictions that have shaped Modern China. In this new edition Rana Mitter provides a contemporary view of the world's most populous nation, considering China's changing foreign policy, and its unique engagement with the internet. Giving an integrated picture of modern Chinese society, Mitter also addresses China's current global position, and analyses the country's growth in international significance"--Front flap.

"[This book] examines the legislative process, from committee assignments to floor procedures, and conference that reconcile disagreements. The contrasting rules of the two bodies require different strategies and tactics. Members of the larger House band together by party, state delegation, or caucuses, to increase their impact. Being able to filibuster, senators exert more individual influence. Legislation is shaped largely in committees but also by the floor leaders. This edition explains how Congress has evolved and adjusted to changes in American politics and society"--Provided by publisher.

A biography of the French emperor Napoleon, chronicling his rise as a leader and fall from power.

"The use of juries comes with challenges; societies must determine how to select jurors, what cases they should decide and by what rules, and how to inform jurors about the law and evidence. [The author] shows why and how societies around the world have used juries; including the spread of the twelve-person jury from England to the British colonies and beyond. She describes the benefits and limitations of juries and considers how innovations from non-English speaking countries may be key to the survival of lay participation"--Provided by publisher.