Now that we know how widespread the failure to protect the vulnerable has been in schools and institutions, 'how could it have happened?' is the constant question. This novel explores that. Set in a private school a little in the past - at a time of turbulence following the death of the old headmaster - a sinister thread runs through the attempts to take the school forward, where issues of child protection risk being buried in the protection of profits. In this school examination, with few sources of light amidst the dark shadows, there is a slow reveal of events as the story unfolds. The outcome is uncertain - will things be swept under the carpet or will the rottenness at the heart of this particular academic establishment be exposed? Very close to crime fiction but not quite, this novel is written almost like a reconstruction of events. Characters' names are in effect redacted, with the resulting use of job titles serving in some cases to emphasise how individuals can hide behind their positions of authority and in other cases how victims can lose their precious personalities.

New essays by outstanding European and American medievalists on major aspects of the most enduring medieval epic. The legend of Tristan and Isolde -- the archetypal narrative about the turbulent effects of all-consuming, passionate love -- achieved its most complete and profound rendering in the German poet Gottfried von Strassburg's verse romance Tristan (ca. 1200-1210). Along with his great literary rival Wolfram von Eschenbach and his versatile predecessor Hartmann von Aue, Gottfried is considered one of three greatest poets produced by medieval Germany, andover the centuries his Tristan has lost none of its ability to attract with the beauty of its poetry and to challenge -- if not provoke -- with its sympathetic depiction of adulterous love. The essays, written by a dozen leading Gottfried specialists in Europe and North America, provide definitive treatments of significant aspects of this most important and challenging high medieval version of the Tristan legend. They examine aspects of Gottfried'sunparalleled narrative artistry; the important connections between Gottfried's Tristan and the socio-cultural situation in which it was composed; and the reception of Gottfried's challenging romance both by later poets inthe Middle Ages and by nineteenth- and twentieth-century authors, composers, and artists -- particularly Richard Wagner. The volume also contains new interpretations of significant figures, episodes, and elements (Riwalin and Blanscheflur, Isolde of the White Hands, the Love Potion, the performance of love, the female figures) in Gottfried's revolutionary romance, which provocatively elevates a sexual, human love to a summum bonum. Will Hasty is Professor of German at the University of Florida. He is the editor of Companion to Wolfram's "Parzival," (Camden House, 1999). Click here to view the introduction (PDF file 83KB)

One of the biggest problems facing wargamers is finding the time to actually play. Most commercially available sets of rules require several hours to set up and play to a conclusion; some can easily swallow up a whole day or weekend. For many gamers this means that their lavishly prepared miniature armies rarely get used at all. Apart from time, the other consideration is space, which further constrains the opportunities for a game. In One-hour Wargames, veteran gamer and rule-writer Neil Thomas has addressed both these problems. Now it is practical to play a game in around an hour on a normal dining table or living room floor. The book contains 8 (all-new) sets of very simple rules for various periods, from Ancient to WW2 and 30 scenarios which can be played using any of them, so you don t even have to take too much time thinking up a stimulating tactical situation and objectives. All the rules and scenarios are intended to be played on a 3ft x 3ft battlefield. The rules only require a small number of miniatures, so this really is an ideal way for new gamers, or veterans trying a new period, to get started with minimal investment of time and money. Also ideal for a quick game in the evening when a friend pops round. There are also sections on campaigns and solo games."

All Through the Night stakes a claim to be the first 'Welsh Western' and suggests that cowboys were as much invented in Wales as in Wyoming. This tale of Welsh drovers taking a large herd of cattle from the 'wild west' of North Wales to London in the 1790s and stakes a claim for these interesting characters to be the first cowboys. What happens in Westerns happened here to Welsh drovers on their cattle drives. Running through this Welsh Western, with its personalities, adventures and incidents, the story incorporates cultural, emotional and human elements that make Westerns so appealing. Written very much in the style of an old-fashioned Western, All Through the Night explores how people act in the drama of their own lives.

Re-fight some of the bloodiest battles of the ancient and medieval worlds! Seasoned wargamer and author Neil Thomas brings historical perspective to the hobby with a description and interpretation of significant military developments from 3,000BC to AD1500. Wargaming is the simulation of accurate historical battles using miniature figures to fight over three dimensional terrain, their movement and combat being regulated by clearly defined rules. Neil Thomas' new book provides specific coverage of ancient and medieval wargaming, thanks to its division into biblical, classical, Dark Age and medieval sections. Each section has its own set of rules and much expanded army lists. The wargamer gains additional perspective from data panels containing facts about weaponry, personalities and chroniclers, and quotations from original document sources. Useful suggestions for further reading are also included, while battle reports in each section provide tactical insights for both novice and veteran wargamers.

A fast-paced story of an ordinary man who becomes accidentally involved with villains in business and government in Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore. With a background of intrigue, corruption and tax avoidance, this intricate novel is set against events in the early 1980s in Britain's Hong Kong, the Manila of Marcos and Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore. A young publisher travelling through the East on business is confronted with personal greed, kleptocracy, espionage and murder as matters move, Eric Ambler style, out of his control. In Hong Kong, still British at that time, he first meets Jimmy Chan - a ruthless operator he is supposed to do business with - whose tentacles reach far and wide and prove tricky to escape. A side trip to the Philippines affords him no respite and his contact with the corruption of the Marcos regime only serves to make life more unpleasant as developments take a sinister turn. His brief time in Singapore does not offer the expected relief of a safe haven and the return to Hong Kong sees fresh trouble for him and his associates as the various strands of the plot come together in twists and turns. In this fast-paced story, an ordinary man, confronted with shady and unsavoury characters, becomes accidentally involved with villains in business and government in three different locations who operate according to a different moral code from his own.

Wargaming is concerned with simulating historical conflicts through the medium of miniature figures fighting battles over three dimensional terrain, their movement and combat being regulated by rules which create historically accurate battles. Since the 1950s, the hobby has grown exponentially and now enjoys a widespread following across the world. Although the rise in computerised wargaming has transformed some aspects of the hobby, the traditional table-based wargame continues to go from strength to strength. Neil Thomas, a seasoned wargamer himself, offers practical advice on how to collect and paint wargames armies, together with all the information and rules needed to fight wargames over a huge historical timespan. He offers simple, playable and realistic rules for a variety of historical periods, from ancient warfare to the Second World War. A selection of colour photographs serves to illustrate the historical periods covered and convey something of the colourful spectacle of wargaming.

Up-to-date criticism and commentary on the greatest of the German courtly epics. Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival expands and transforms the Arthurian tradition into a grand depiction of the medieval cosmos around 1200. Standing between clerical and chivalric cultures and articulating the interests andvalues of both, Wolfram produced the most popular vernacular work in medieval Germany and one of the most vibrant of the High Middle Ages. The brilliance, boldness, and astonishing originality of Parzival, along with the allure of its elusive author and his enigmatic grail, have continued to fascinate modern audiences since the nineteenth century. And in the late 20th century, as the study of literature becomes increasingly interdisciplinary, Wolfram's masterpiece continues to hold forth a seemingly inexhaustible supply of cultural knowledge and insights. The original essays in this volume provide a definitive treatment in English of significant aspects of Parzival (Wolfram's modes of narrative presentation, his relationship to his sources, his portrayal of the grail), and of some of the broader social and cultural issues it raises (the theology of the Fall, the status of chivalric self-assertion, the characterization of women, the modern reception of Parzival). These and other essays point in new directions for the future study of Parzival, and demonstrate that the poem deservedly occupies a central position in our understanding of the High Middle Ages.

Following the success of his previous publications Wargaming: an Introduction and Ancient and Medieval Wargaming, Neil Thomas presents a new volume devoted to the intricacies of Napoleonic wargaming. Thomas sets out his wargame rules, the principles behind them, extensive army lists, how to set up a game and a battle report describing a war game in progress. The appendices provide a full range of support material such as figure sizes. Napoleonic Wargaming also includes historical background and the art of Napoleonic warfare to provide essential contextual information for players. This book is an invaluable tool for wargamers and coincides with the bicentenary of the wars themselves.

"Poor communication is one of the prime causes of personal and business failure" When writing about communication, few authors share John Adair's wide experience of management and leadership development in both business and military spheres. Adair uses his experience to add rare depth and insight to hard-edged practical skills and techniques that you can put into practice. He covers important topics such as listening skills, effective reading and writing techniques, how to argue/discuss for the best outcomes, how to manage meetings both face to face and online, how to coach, give briefings and communicate to achieve the right results. John Adair's books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. This book encapsulates all his writing on the art and skills of effective communication. You will find it equally valuable whether you are beginning your career or looking for an expert refresher book.

New ideas are essential for industry - they are the lifeblood of successful organisations. Creative and innovative thinking, the means by which ideas are born and nurtured, are not products of clearly defined steps and can be widely encouraged. "Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game." Goethe The Concise Adair on Creativity and Innovation encapsulates all of John Adair's writing on how to enhance creativity within your organisation with a focus on team training, generation of ideas, communication and overcoming obstacles, the key characteristics of innovators and how to organise and use them to the best effect. Packed with practical advice and shrewd insight, leadership expert Adair summarises everything you need to know to understand the creative process and manage innovation effectively in this book. John Adair's books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. You will find this book equally valuable, whether you are beginning your career in management or looking for an expert refresher course.

There has been much speculation about the introduction of the contract culture in the public services and its consequences for those involved (including service users). This book, which is based on original research, sets out to examine the impact of contracts in three areas of the public service: health, social services, and other government activities. These findings are set in the context of policy development for the public sector as a whole. Detailed case studies in selected areas reveal the varying different patterns that have emerged. A study of the attitudes of those involved illuminates the different perspectives of participants. In the concluding chapters the authors review the policy implications of the study and identify likely future developments.

Two years of business school in one book This 3rd edition of The Shorter MBA is a unique distillation of two years of business school packaged into one easily accessible, practical book. A Masters in Business Administration course is an enormous investment in time, effort and money. Most people cannot devote two years of their life to study but the techniques that are taught on an MBA course are invaluable - and they're all included in this easily digestible book. Written by two highly successful entrepreneurs who have put their business school knowledge into practice, this book will give you a thorough understanding of everything you need to know to transform your career. From the basics of personal development to the nuances of management skills, HR, finance, competitive marketing strategies and so much more, this book distils the theory clearly and succinctly. Use this book to transform your knowledge and use the proven strategies and techniques from leading business schools to be successful in today's highly competitive and often challenging business environment. The Shorter MBA is designed for: * Busy executives who can't spare two years to study for an MBA * Experienced executives who'd like a refresher course that's expert and succinct but doesn't short change them on any of the essentials * Those thinking of doing an MBA in the future and wishing to get an impressive grounding in the level of skills and topics involved

"... without doubt one of the foremost thinkers on the subject in the world." Sir John Harvey-Jones As management fads come and go, John Adair's work remains a beacon of practical advice and shrewd insight. Using his vast experience he gives insights into valuable practical skills and techniques to enable you to hone your leadership potential and get the best out of your team. In this book Adair focuses on managing time, motivating teams, achieving goals through good decision-making, enhancing creativity and good communication techniques to achieve the right results. John Adair's books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. This book is a masterclass in the art and skills of leadership. You will find it equally valuable whether you are beginning your career or looking for an expert refresher book.

"Teambuilding and motivational skills are of crucial importance in business and the leadership role in particular." Described as "without doubt one of the foremost thinkers on the subject in the world" (Sir John Harvey-Jones), leadership expert John Adair combines depth and insight with hard-edged, practical techniques. Managers and leaders must be effective team builders and motivators to achieve their business aims and get the best out of people. The skills needed should be practiced and improved upon on a constant basis. This book encapsulates John Adair's writing on these critical elements of any truly successful organisation. It develops his classic theory on Team, Task and Individual, and summarises all his writing on leadership and motivation. John Adair's books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. You will find this book equally valuable, whether you are beginning your career in management or looking for an expert refresher course.

Set on the beguiling Atlantic Ocean island of Bermuda, this thriller reveals financial scams, deceit and crimes that lie beneath the surface of respectability. Owen Ash - Ash to his friends - runs a conference company, and is putting on a big event in partnership with a Bermudian firm. Not everyone is who they seem, and Ash can't avoid being drawn into a world of crooked professionals and their web of corruption. A local investigative journalist, corporate intelligence agents from London, the FBI and the local police are all drawn in to uncover and unravel the web of deceit and lies. But will everyone survive and emerge unscathed?

"You will build a truly successful career only if you manage your time effectively and plan your personal development properly." There are many books on time management and personal development but John Adair's experience of management development in the business, military and academic spheres adds a rare degree of insight, depth and context to his practical advice. This book encapsulates Adair's ideas on how to establish clear long-term goals and linking your daily action planning to their achievement. It provides you with the tools, techniques and framework needed for your continuing personal development. John Adair's books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. You will find this book equally valuable, whether you are beginning your career in management or looking for an expert refresher course.

Are you satisfied with the way your life is going - personally and financially? We often hear of people looking for an easy fix for their problems, but that's rarely the answer. Perhaps, like many others, you too are busy spending your time thinking about and working for other people - so what about yourself? Are you spending any time thinking about and planning your own future? In this inspiring book, authors Neil Thomas & Barrie Pearson provide life-coaching techniques you can use to build a successful, fulfilling life for yourself. Unlike most coaching books, which are written by coaches themselves, Life-coach Yourself to Success has been written by two highly successful entrepreneurs who've actually followed and tested the advice they preach. This book is a tool to help you learn how to put yourself first for a change, how to understand your strengths and weaknesses and how to build a blue-print for success in life that you can turn into a reality. You are the business you have inherited. You can be the best business you will ever get to manage.

An intriguing crime mystery, this is a book about the disappearance of an Englishman in France. Perfect for fans of Maigret. The focus is on the people and the setting of St Remy de Provence, Southern France in 2006, when an expat Englishman has gone missing. After a false start by the local police, Avignon's answer to Maigret, Commandant Ruppert, is brought in to pick up the investigation. The family back in England are pushing for answers - is this a missing person or a murder case? With no hard evidence or clues, Ruppert uses some unconventional police methods to uncover the truth. He encounters shady business dealings and interviews suspect local characters. Can Ruppert solve the mystery? What dark secrets are the local characters hiding?