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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions
'A beautiful and profound retelling' - Madeline Miller, author of
The Song of Achilles and Circe 'Gives the serpent-headed monster of
myth a powerful and haunting humanity' - Jennifer Saint, author of
Ariadne and Elektra _________________ If I told you that I'd killed
a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the
how, what happened next? Monster. Man-hater. Murderess. Forget
everything you've been told about Medusa. Internationally
bestselling author Jessie Burton flips the script in this
astonishing retelling of Greek myth, illuminating the woman behind
the legend at last. Exiled to a far-flung island after being abused
by powerful Gods, Medusa has little company other than the snakes
that adorn her head instead of hair. Haunted by the memories of a
life before everything was stolen from her, she has no choice but
to make peace with her present: Medusa the Monster. But when the
charmed and beautiful Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely
existence is blown apart, unleashing desire, love... and betrayal.
Adapted from the hardback illustrated by Olivia Lomenech-Gill, this
paperback edition is perfect for readers who loved Circe and
Ariadne, as Medusa comes alive in a new version of the story that
history set in stone long ago. _________________ '... a must-read
for women of all ages' - Red magazine 'Utterly transporting' -
Guardian Books of the Year '... an impressive addition to the
shelves of feminist retellings, balancing rage with beautiful
storytelling' - Irish Times
Social life is in a constant process of change, and sociology can
never stand still. As a result, sociology today is a theoretically
diverse enterprise, covering a huge range of subjects and drawing
on a broad array of research methods. Central to this endeavour is
the use of core concepts and ideas which allow sociologists to make
sense of societies, though our understanding of these concepts
necessarily evolves and changes. This clear and jargon-free book
introduces a careful selection of essential concepts that have
helped to shape sociology and others that continue to do so. Going
beyond brief, dictionary-style definitions, Anthony Giddens and
Philip W. Sutton provide an extended discussion of each concept
which sets it in historical and theoretical context, explores its
main meanings in use, introduces relevant criticisms, and points
readers to its ongoing development in contemporary research and
theorizing. Organized in ten thematic sections, the book offers a
portrait of sociology through its essential concepts, ranging from
capitalism, identity and deviance to globalization, the environment
and intersectionality. It will be essential reading for all those
new to sociology as well as anyone seeking a reliable route map for
a rapidly changing world.
In Frankenstein Was a Vegetarian: Essays on Food Choice, Identity,
and Symbolism, Michael Owen Jones tackles topics often overlooked
in foodways. At the outset he notes it was Victor Frankenstein's
"daemon" in Mary Shelley's novel that advocated vegetarianism, not
the scientist whose name has long been attributed to his creature.
Jones explains how we communicate through what we eat, the
connection between food choice and who we are or want to appear to
be, the ways that many of us self-medicate moods with foods, and
the nature of disgust. He presents fascinating case studies of
religious bigotry and political machinations triggered by rumored
bans on pork, the last meal requests of prisoners about to be
executed, and the Utopian vision of Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of
England's greatest poets, that was based on a vegetable diet like
the creature's meals in Frankenstein. Jones also scrutinizes how
food is used and abused on the campaign trail, how gender issues
arise when food meets politics, and how eating preferences reflect
the personalities and values of politicians, one of whom was
elected president and then impeached twice. Throughout the book,
Jones deals with food as symbol as well as analyzes the link
between food choice and multiple identities. Aesthetics, morality,
and politics likewise loom large in his inquiries. In the final two
chapters, Jones applies these concepts to overhauling penal
policies and practices that make food part of the pains of
imprisonment, and looks at transforming the counseling of diabetes
patients, who number in the millions.
In Cattle Lords and Clansmen, Nerys Patterson provides an analysis
of the social structure of medieval Ireland, focusing on the
pre-Norman period. By combining difficult, often fragmentary
primary sources with sociological and anthropological methods,
Patterson produces a unique approach to the study of early
Ireland-one that challenges previous scholarship. The second
edition includes a chapter on seasonal rhythm, material derived
from Patterson's post-1991 publications, and an updated
bibliography.
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