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An investigation of how we view and understand portraiture as a genre, and how portraits function as artworks within social and political networks.

In this book, Alan Rauch provides a comprehensive view of the dolphin, describing both its remarkable zoology and its social and cultural history.

In this book John Fletcher describes the evolution, species, habitats, behaviour and diet of the deer, as well as its portrayal in art and influence on popular culture, myth and song.

Wolf, a new account of an animal feared, reviled and revered, which has always evoked powerful emotions in humans, investigates the latest scientific understanding of the wolf, as well as its place in literature, history and folklore.

Award-winning writer Kim Todd explores the complex history, biology and literary tradition of the cheeky and ubiquitous sparrow, including coverage of the nineteenth-century 'Sparrow War' in the United States over the sparrow's introduction which led to decades of discussion about invasive species.

Providing a new philosophical understanding of sport, which defines what sport essentially is and means by setting out a complete grammar of sport, treating in turn its essential elements, A Philosophy of Sport will inform, surprise and delight those who have always thought sport should be taken more seriously.

Giving an account of the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history, May shows that although the Mongols were the most destructive force in the pre-modern world, they had a stabilizing effects on the social, cultural and economic life of the inhabitants of a vast territory and left a far-reaching legacy.

Chicken provides insight into the astonishing world of the chicken and contains many intriguing facts, including why the largest predator ever to walk the earth is considered the ancestor of the modern chicken and how mother hens communicate with their chicks while they're still in the egg.

The first attempt to survey in all its aspects the vast array of images produced in 16th-century China.

Jewish Art: A Modern History covers nearly two centuries of art made by the Jews across Europe, American and Israel. The book discusses many issues including the shifting Jewish identity, the effects of the diaspora, anti-Semitism and the distinctive character of images made within a Christian, and also secular, modern culture.

Vodka: A Global History describes vodka's complete history, from its emergence in Eastern Europe to its future as a global beverage. Attractively illustrated with photographs, paintings and graphic art, this title provides an engaging account of the rise of vodka.

Richard Foss chronicles the evolution of rum from a raw spirit concocted for slaves five hundred years ago, to a beverage savoured by connoisseurs. Rum: A Global History features recipes for sweet and savoury rum dishes, obscure but delicious rum drinks, and many unusual illustrations of rum memorabilia.

In Herbs, Gary Allen tells the story of these oft-overlooked plants, which have become such a staple in our lives. Allen's truly global history examines herbs in a way never seen before.

The Beatles in Hamburg is a detailed, objective analysis of the events and personalities that shaped the Beatles as performers, composers and musicians, and the role that Hamburg itself played in their remarkable story.

In this entertaining cultural history of British comic papers and magazines, James Chapman shows how comics were transformed in the early twentieth century from adult amusement to imaginative reading matter for children. Beginning with the first British comic, Ally Sloper--known as "A Selection, Side-splitting, Sentimental, and Serious, for the Benefit of Old Boys, Young Boys, Odd Boys generally, and even Girls"--British Comics goes on to describe the heyday of comics in the 1950s and '60s, when titles such as School Friend and Eagle sold a million copies a week. Chapman also analyzes the major genres, including schoolgirl fantasies and sports and war stories for boys; the development of a new breed of violent comics in the 1970s, including the controversial Action and 2000AD; and the attempt by American publisher, Marvel, to launch a new hero for the British market in the form of Captain Britain. Considering the work of important contemporary comic writers such as Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Ian Edginton, Warren Ellis, and Garth Ennis, Chapman's history comes right up to the present and takes in adult-oriented comics such as Warrior, Crisis, Deadline, and Revolver, and alternative comics such as Viz. Through a look at the changing structure of the comic publishing industry and how comic publishers, writers, and artists have responded to the tastes of their consumers, Chapman ultimately argues that British comics are distinctive and different from American, French, and Japanese comics. An invaluable reference for all comic collectors and fans in Britain and beyond, British Comics showcases the major role comics have played in the imaginative lives of readers young and old.

A succinct and engaging history of the olive from antiquity to the present day, this book describes the role that olive trees, olives and their oil have played in myths, legends and literature, as well as in the everyday lives of people living throughout the Mediterranean.

Apple explores the cultural and culinary importance of the apple. From the Garden of Eden and Homer's Odyssey to Johnny Appleseed, Wilhelm Tell and Apple Computer, readers will learn how apples became a universal source of sustenance, health and symbolism.

In A History of Diplomacy Black shows how a form of courtly negotiation and information-gathering developed through increasing globalization into a world-shaping force and shows the ever-changing phenomenon of diplomacy: its aims, its achievements, its successes and failures.

Examines the history of military aerospace power, discussing technical developments between both World Wars and the use of air power in specific wars in the latter part of the twentieth century, including the recent conflict with Iraq. This book analyses the military and civil applications of airpower in the contemporary world.

Hyena investigates this fascinating animal throughout history. Mikita Brottman offers an enlightening view to an often misunderstood animal, showing that the hyena is in fact a complex, intelligent and highly sociable creature.

In this richly illustrated account, James Hamilton explores the scientific and cultural history of the volcano. The book moves from Greek and Roman myth to the earliest-known wall painting of an erupting volcano in 6200 BC, to the distinctive colours of Andy Warhol, to Michael Sandle's exploding mountains of the 1980s.

In this unique, global account, Thor Gotaas offers many examples and anecdotes from running's long and diverse history, from earliest times to modern-day athletics meetings, World Championships and Olympic games.

A Philosophy of Discomfort anchors the idea of comfort and discomfort as an historical and philosophical concept. While instinct demands we avoid it, and habit tries to deny it, the author insists that we recognise the uncomfortable and the uneasy as central to our existence.

In John Cage, Rob Haskins outlines how the controversial artist contributed to twentieth-century music, literature and art. Haskins considers John Cage's life, art, ideas and work, evaluating the twin pillars of Cage's creative output and the ideas that lie behind it.

Baltic Facades presents a new history of the Baltic area, one that dispels the myth of a single, coherent regional identity. Aldis Purs describes the unique character of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whilst also examining the anxiety that these peoples feel about how others perceive them.

Now in a revised and expanded Second Edition, Geopolitics and Globalization in the Twentieth Century looks at the struggle between the processes of globalization and geopolitical forces over the last 150 years.

The Pleasure's All Mine explores the gamut of sexual activity that has been seen as strange, abnormal or deviant over the last 2,000 years. This first comprehensive history of sexual perversion examines an abundance of original sources and shows how, for ordinary people, different kinds of sex have always offered myriad different pleasures.

Just when you thought you knew everything about the humble noodle, Pasta and Noodles reveals little-known facts, tasty titbits and cultural lore about the history of pasta. Kantha Shelke takes you on a journey across five continents to trace the evolution of this highly adaptable foodstuff.

In Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora Paul Sullivan explores the evolution of Dub; the avant-garde verso of Reggae.