Contemporary Spain provides an accessible introduction to the politics, economy, institutions media and cinema of contemporary Spain. This fully revised fourth edition includes new material that makes this the most comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date account of the situation in Spain at this juncture Key features include: accessible and authoritative background information ideal for the non-specialist language student each chapter contains a Spanish/English glossary giving guidance on the use of specialist terms in context along with further reading ideal starting point for more in-depth study. New to this edition: coverage brought up-to-date to include the current economic crisis, related austerity measures and social difficulties new section on the changing public perception of the Spanish monarchy and significant new cases of corruption several chapters expanded to include key topics such as the role of the Internet and social media, key economic issues currently facing the country, youth employment and civil discontent 'Spain in the Contemporary World' thoroughly revised to include a more comprehensive account of the relationship between Spain and the EU and other parts of the world new chapter on 'The Media and Film' covering covering the most relevant directors and films in contemporary Spanish cinema.. This chapter also includes a discussion on the regional differences and cultures of the various autonomous communities. Suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter. Contemporary Spain is an invaluable resource for all undergraduate students on Hispanic Studies courses. The authoritative background information provides a solid foundation and a springboard for further study.

Spain since 1812 is an ideal introduction to the history of Spain. The chapters are arranged chronologically and each begins with an overview of major events and movements in Europe as a whole. Emphasis is placed on understanding major developments, their causes, and the relationships between them. Spanish terms associated with key concepts and figures are introduced and explained throughout the text. Extracts from key Spanish texts, in Spanish and in translation, enable students to see, first hand, the mood of the time. Chapters end with topics for discussion to encourage critical thinking. This new edition has been revised and updated to take account of events since the Socialists' return to power in 2004. It looks at the new government's social reforms, its attempts to end ETA's violence and its response to Catalan demands for further autonomy. Also considered are changes in the country's political climate and external relationships, as well as the crisis facing Spain's economy. Written in an accessible style and assuming no prior knowledge, the books in this series address the specific needs of students on language courses, as well as anyone with an interest in modern history. Approaching the study of history via contemporary politics and society, each book offers a clear historical narrative and sets the country or region concerned in the context of the wider world.

Spain since 1812 is an ideal introduction to the history of Spain. The chapters are arranged chronologically and each begins with an overview of major events and movements in Europe as a whole. Emphasis is placed on understanding major developments, their causes, and the relationships between them. Spanish terms associated with key concepts and figures are introduced and explained throughout the text. Extracts from key Spanish texts, in Spanish and in translation, enable students to see, first hand, the mood of the time. Chapters end with topics for discussion to encourage critical thinking. This new edition has been revised and updated to take account of events since the Socialists' return to power in 2004. It looks at the new government's social reforms, its attempts to end ETA's violence and its response to Catalan demands for further autonomy. Also considered are changes in the country's political climate and external relationships, as well as the crisis facing Spain's economy. Written in an accessible style and assuming no prior knowledge, the books in this series address the specific needs of students on language courses, as well as anyone with an interest in modern history. Approaching the study of history via contemporary politics and society, each book offers a clear historical narrative and sets the country or region concerned in the context of the wider world.

Contemporary Spain provides an accessible introduction to the politics, economy, institutions media and cinema of contemporary Spain. This fully revised fourth edition includes new material that makes this the most comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date account of the situation in Spain at this juncture Key features include: accessible and authoritative background information ideal for the non-specialist language student each chapter contains a Spanish/English glossary giving guidance on the use of specialist terms in context along with further reading ideal starting point for more in-depth study. New to this edition: coverage brought up-to-date to include the current economic crisis, related austerity measures and social difficulties new section on the changing public perception of the Spanish monarchy and significant new cases of corruption several chapters expanded to include key topics such as the role of the Internet and social media, key economic issues currently facing the country, youth employment and civil discontent 'Spain in the Contemporary World' thoroughly revised to include a more comprehensive account of the relationship between Spain and the EU and other parts of the world new chapter on 'The Media and Film' covering covering the most relevant directors and films in contemporary Spanish cinema.. This chapter also includes a discussion on the regional differences and cultures of the various autonomous communities. Suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter. Contemporary Spain is an invaluable resource for all undergraduate students on Hispanic Studies courses. The authoritative background information provides a solid foundation and a springboard for further study.

When Christopher Ross put on a hi-visibility vest and joined London Underground as a station assistant, he discovered a Plato's cave of reflection and human comedy, populated by streakers, buskers, onanists and angry commuters. A meditation on life, a philosophical enquiry into human nature and a profoundly funny dissection of urban madness. Christopher Ross, philosopher and traveller, decided to cease his journeyings and go underground, working for a year as a station assistant on Platform 6 (northbound Victoria Line) at Oxford Circus. After training school, where he is taught how not to electrocute himself and always to look a member of the public in the eye as they are assaulting you, he faces up to his new duties with a mixture of curiosity and foreboding. 'Tunnel Visions' is a delightful mixture of lived experience in the sureal world of London's Underground and the more elevated ideas, thoughts and imaginings that experience provokes. Oxford Circus station, complete with its weeping wall, its streakers, buskers, onanists and cupboard containing one employee whose ideal working day was to sleep soundly 100 feet below ground, is a Plato's Cave of reflection and human comedy. Christopher Ross, a still point in the whirling stream of the bizarre and otherworldly life below ground, has written a profoundly funny book.

He is Risen. Rhapsodic, incantatory, and playful. A mish-mash of history; both real and imagined. An epic poem starring yoga aficionado George "Warshington" who turns both inward and towards a cast of characters who inspire his vision of leadership during the crucial year of 1776-77 in Valley of the Forge: his loyal, loving, and patient wife, Martha; the recovering, lovelorn, drunkard, "Mad" Anthony Wayne; his fellow yogi and personal assistant, Gibraltar and his wife, Rebekah; the mercurial turncoat, General Toothe; the alluring semi-widow, Mary Hughes Cooney; the gifted sculptor Joe and his muse, Felicia; the magical woods-witch, Miss Kitty, and, finally, local Indian Chief Maddywampus; the true spiritual centerpiece for the newly won territory of "America."

British drama based on the true story of a Jamaican baby who loses his parents and is subsequently adopted and raised by an elderly white couple in London. During his childhood Cass (Nonso Anozie) is forced to endure racist bullying, until one day he takes matters into his own hands and responds to the constant taunts with a violent outburst. Cass becomes addicted to the buzz of fighting and soon becomes one of the most feared and respected men in the city. Unfortunately, his new way of life eventually leads to an assassination attempt against him. Cass survives but is left with an important choice - to fully embrace the violence that has shaped his life or to make a completely new start.

On November 25, 1970, the world renowned Japanese writer Yukio Mishima committed "seppuku" with his own antique sword. Mishima's spectacular suicide has been called many things: a hankering for heroism; a beautiful, perverse drama; a political protest against Japan's emasculated postwar constitution; the epitaph of a mad genius. Part travelogue, part biography, and part philosophical treatise, "Mishima's Sword" is the story of Christopher Ross's journey to find a sword and maybe an understanding of Mishima's country. The cold trail the author follows inspires a tale of the most engaging-and occasionally bizarre-sort, with glimpses of the real Japan that is not seen by tourists, with digressions on, among other things, bushido and socks, mutineers and Noh ghosts, nosebleeds and metallurgy-and even how to dress for suicide.

Festive comedy starring Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall and Warwick Davis. When nine-year-old Tom (Kit Connor) discovers that Santa Claus (Broadbent) has crashed his sleigh into his parent's garden shed he tries to get his dad Steve (Spall) to help him get Santa home to Lapland in time for Christmas. There is just one problem: Santa's reindeer have escaped and are running wild through the streets of London. The cast also includes Jodie Whittaker, Stephen Graham and Nonso Anozie.

British drama based on the true story of a Jamaican baby who loses his parents and is subsequently adopted and raised by an elderly white couple in London. During his childhood Cass (Nonso Anozie) is forced to endure racist bullying, until one day he takes matters into his own hands and responds to the constant taunts with a violent outburst. Cass becomes addicted to the buzz of fighting and soon becomes one of the most feared and respected men in the city. Unfortunately, his new way of life eventually leads to an assassination attempt against him. Cass survives but is left with an important choice - to fully embrace the violence that has shaped his life or to make a completely new start.