This book provides a long-term perspective on the opinions of the British public on foreign and defence policy in the post-war era. Thematically wide-ranging, it looks at the broader role of foreign and defence policy in British politics and elections, public opinion towards Britain's key international relationships and alliances (the United States, NATO, the EU and the Commonwealth), and public opinion towards the projection of 'soft power' (overseas aid) and 'hard power' (defence spending, nuclear weapons and military intervention). Assessing the main areas of change and continuity in the public's views, it also pays close attention to the dividing lines in wider society over foreign and defence policy. Analysing an extensive range of surveys and opinion polls, the book situates the analysis in the wider context of Britain's changing foreign policy role and priorities in the post-war era, as well as linking public opinion with the politics of British external policy - the post-war consensus on Britain's overseas role, historical and contemporary areas of inter-party debate, and enduring intra-party divides. This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of British politics, European politics, foreign policy analysis, public opinion, defence and security studies and more broadly to comparative politics and international relations.

This book provides a long-term perspective on the opinions of the British public on foreign and defence policy in the post-war era. Thematically wide-ranging, it looks at the broader role of foreign and defence policy in British politics and elections, public opinion towards Britain's key international relationships and alliances (the United States, NATO, the EU and the Commonwealth), and public opinion towards the projection of 'soft power' (overseas aid) and 'hard power' (defence spending, nuclear weapons and military intervention). Assessing the main areas of change and continuity in the public's views, it also pays close attention to the dividing lines in wider society over foreign and defence policy. Analysing an extensive range of surveys and opinion polls, the book situates the analysis in the wider context of Britain's changing foreign policy role and priorities in the post-war era, as well as linking public opinion with the politics of British external policy - the post-war consensus on Britain's overseas role, historical and contemporary areas of inter-party debate, and enduring intra-party divides. This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of British politics, European politics, foreign policy analysis, public opinion, defence and security studies and more broadly to comparative politics and international relations.

Catholics in Contemporary Britain showcases findings from a wide-ranging, empirical study of Catholics living in Britain. It offers a sociologically-informed study, placing the contemporary Catholic community in the wider contexts of their society and the global faith of which they are a part. The book has been animated by a set of compelling broader questions : Who are the Catholics in Britain? How do they engage with their faith and with the Church? What do they think about issue within, and the leadership of, their Church? What are their views on wider social issues and of the party-political landscape? The study is thematically broad in scope, focusing on demography, religiosity (addressing the three 'Bs' of 'believing', 'belonging', and 'behaving'), social-moral issues, church leadership and schooling, and party support and voting behaviour. The book presents a rich and fascinating demographic, religious, and attitudinal profile of Britain's Catholics in the 21st Century.

An extraordinary account of the life of unknown club boxer, Frank Steele, who sparred with legendary boxing greats like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Ernie Shavers. Impoverished from birth and poorly educated, Frank did the best he could to parlay his boxing prowess and brute strength into fame and fortune. Hired as Foreman's chief sparring partner to help prepare the champ for the Ali "Rumble in the Jungle" fight in Africa, he was fired after doing his job too well -- beating up Foreman and knocking his headgear into the audience. When Ali heard about the incident, he paid Frank $3,000 for the secret to defeating the unbeaten and seemingly invincible champion. This is the untold story of what lead to the greatest upset in boxing history.Ben Clement's research for this book included nine months of interviews with Frank Steele, researching boxing history, and speaking with one of Frank's promoters and the residents of Gary who remembered "The Man of Steel." Ben believes that Frank represents all of the nobodies out there whose lives lack notoriety or infamy, but still have dignity, value and importance nonetheless. He's inspired most by his parents, Fanny & Thestal Clement, and others in their generation who braved the dangers and indignities of racism and inequality while raising black children to become responsible, productive, successful, influential, and patriotic Americans. Ben grew up, and still lives, in Gary, Indiana.