Handling the Hard Stuff: Conversations on the Philosophy of Alcohol provides students with a collection of articles that helps them consider the implications of living in an alcohol-saturated world. The anthology marries discussions on various styles of alcohol with readings on the nature of identity, responsibility, freedom, sex, gender, and virtue. Throughout, students are invited to explore a number of thought-provoking questions such as: Are humans evolutionarily programmed to desire the taste of fermenting fruit? Do we fundamentally change our identity when we are inebriated? How responsible, both legally and morally, are we for what we do while inebriated? What role does alcohol play in the dating ritual? What are the dangers of an addiction to alcohol? Each unit includes pre-reading questions and prompts to introduce key topics and prepare students for greater levels of engagement and questioning. Written to help students engage more thoughtfully, concertedly, and diligently with the concept of alcohol not just as a crutch or a treat -but as something that can offer philosophical investigation and discernment, Handling the Hard Stuff is an ideal resource for courses and programs in philosophy.

Dolly Perkins and Jack Larkin have grown up in the notorious gin palaces of Birmingham.It's a world of happiness and friendship, but also violence and poverty. Now that Dolly runs the Daydream Gin Palace on Gin Barrel Lane she can finally control her own destiny, but sometimes fate still plays its hand. Keen to expand her empire, Dolly and Jack take on a new pub, but they are in for a shock when a foul smell in one of the bedrooms turns out to come from a body hidden in the wall. As the police hunt for their suspect, rumours abound, spread by the local urchins - happy to be used as runners for a little bit of food and a coin or two. But rumours can be dangerous, and as one of the worst winters on record covers everything in snow, Dolly and Jack have to fight for the lives they have made for themselves, and for the urchins that they have come to think of as family. Will the arrival of a new baby on Gin Barrel Lane bring the promise of new hope, or will the long-awaited thaw uncover new secrets and new tragedies... The Queen of Black Country sagas is back on Gin Barrel Lane with a rip-roaring, heart-warming, page-turning story of family, friendship and beating the odds. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews. Praise for Lindsey Hutchinson: 'A great story with a great mix of characters, well written and keeps you hooked with each page turn!' Sarah Davies, NetGalley 'A wonderful read ... The author writes so well, it's a really hard novel to put down!' Grace Smith, NetGalley. 'Make sure to read this book where you won't be disturbed because once it gets going, you won't want to put it down' Andrea Ruiz, NetGalley 'A very poignant, feel-good-factor novel' Shelia Easson, NetGalley 'Excellent story!' Stephanie Collins, NetGalley 'The story will linger in your mind long after you finish it' The Avid Reader