Pity poor Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger). She's the 1990s British everywoman: single, weight-obsessed, and very probably drunk on mid-price white wine. Her life goes from middling to worse when she embarks on a doomed affair with silver-tongued boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).

In the background lurks a literal Mr Darcy (Colin Firth), a seemingly cold lawyer who keeps crossing Bridget's path but whose precise intentions seem hard for her to divine. All the while Bridget records her lurches across life's highway in the eponymous diary, as an attempt to take control of her tragi-comic life.

Social Networks, Drug Injectors' Lives, and HIV/AIDS recognizes HIV as a socially structured disease - its transmission usually requires intimate contact between individuals - and shows how social networks shape high-risk behaviors and the spread of HIV. The authors recount the groundbreaking use of social network methods, ethnographic direct-observation techniques, and in-depth interviews in their study of a drug-using community in Brooklyn, New York. They provide a detailed documentary of the lives of community members. They describe drug-use, the affects of poverty and homelessness, the acquisition of money and drugs, and social relationships within the group. Social Networks, Drug Injectors' Lives, and HIV/AIDS shows that social networks and contexts are of crucial importance in understanding and fighting the AIDS epidemic. These findings should revitalize prevention efforts and reshape social policy.

Pearson English Readers bring language learning to life through the joy of reading. Well-written stories entertain us, make us think, and keep our interest page after page. Pearson English Readers offer teenage and adult learners a huge range of titles, all featuring carefully graded language to make them accessible to learners of all abilities. Through the imagination of some of the world's greatest authors, the English language comes to life in pages of our Readers. Students have the pleasure and satisfaction of reading these stories in English, and at the same time develop a broader vocabulary, greater comprehension and reading fluency, improved grammar, and greater confidence and ability to express themselves. Find out more at english.com/readers

After the surprising publishing success of the so-called New Atheists it has become clear that there is a market for critical discussions about religion. A religion is much more complex than a set of beliefs which cannot be proven, as the New Atheists argue. There is, in fact, much more to religion and much more to the arguments about its truth claims. This book seeks to bring together a range of discussions, both critical and apologetic, each of which examines some part of religion and its functions. Half of the contributors are critical of some element of religion and the other half are apologetic in nature, seeking to defend or extend some particular religious argument. Covering a wide range of topics, including ethics, religious pluralism, the existence of God, and reasonableness of Islam, these pieces have in common arguments that are made in careful and scholarly ways they represent reasonable perspectives on a wide swath of contemporary religious debates, in contrast to the unreasonableness that creeps into discussions on religion in American society.

Communities are finding that the excess of low-level crime, such as soliciting prostitution, is affecting quality of life. New York City created The Midtown Community Court to combat these problems in an efficient and reasonable manner and to address the concerns and needs of citizens outside of the traditional court system. The Midtown Community Court is a pilot project implemented in New York by the National Center for Courts, the Center for Court Innovation, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice to identify how the court system could resolve many of the problems that plagued the Midtown community. This book shows the significant impact and success that can be accomplished when courts are designed to meet the needs of the community regardless of traditional proceedings. The presentation of this unique approach marks the way for courts and ancillary justice agencies of all sizes to work together to build community confidence and assure not only quality of life but quality of justice.

Pearson English Active Readers present stories carefully written and graded across five levels for teachers of English who want to activate their students' language through reading, . From original stories, classic and contemporary fiction, to film adaptations and nonfiction titles, an integrated skills approach consolidates vocabulary and develops language skills while learners experience the joy of reading. Find out more at english.com/readers

Social Networks, Drug Injectors' Lives, and HIV/AIDS recognizes HIV as a socially structured disease - its transmission usually requires intimate contact between individuals - and shows how social networks shape high-risk behaviors and the spread of HIV. The authors recount the groundbreaking use of social network methods, ethnographic direct-observation techniques, and in-depth interviews in their study of a drug-using community in Brooklyn, New York. They provide a detailed documentary of the lives of community members. They describe drug-use, the affects of poverty and homelessness, the acquisition of money and drugs, and social relationships within the group. Social Networks, Drug Injectors' Lives, and HIV/AIDS shows that social networks and contexts are of crucial importance in understanding and fighting the AIDS epidemic. These findings should revitalize prevention efforts and reshape social policy.

Charles Dickens' famous 'Christmas Carol' story told in the celebrated 'Blackadder' style. Ebeneezer Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) is the loveliest, kindest man in all of Christendom, until the Ghost of Christmas (Robbie Coltrane) pays him a visit and shows him the wicked ways of his ancestors. Among the many miscreants encountered in this parade of festive infamy, we meet Blackadder II, who plays a Christmas death warrant trick on Lord Melchett, and butler Edmund Blackadder, who attempts to con Prince George into giving him all his Christmas presents.

Steven Spielberg directs this drama based on Michael Morpurgo's novel about a boy who searches for his horse after it is taken away to serve in World War I. Growing up in Devon, Albert (Jeremy Irvine) trains his horse, Joey, and forms a strong bond with the animal. Joey is taken from his owner, however, when he is sold to the French as a war horse. Joey touches the hearts of those he meets as he serves in the cavalry. Too young to become a soldier himself, the determined Albert sets off on a journey in the hope that he can save his beloved horse from the horrors of war. Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis, Emily Watson and David Kross co-star.

Steven Spielberg directs this drama based on Michael Morpurgo's novel about a boy who searches for his horse after it is taken away to serve in World War I. Growing up in Devon, Albert (Jeremy Irvine) trains his horse, Joey, and forms a strong bond with the animal. Joey is taken from his owner, however, when he is sold to the French as a war horse. Joey touches the hearts of those he meets as he serves in the cavalry. Too young to become a soldier himself, the determined Albert sets off on a journey in the hope that he can save his beloved horse from the horrors of war. Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis, Emily Watson and David Kross co-star.

All six volumes of the animated series based on the popular British television comedy about the eccentric loner and his slapstick adventures, voiced by Rowan Atkinson. Episodes comprise 'In the Wild/Missing Teddy', 'No Parking/Bean's Bounty', 'Artful Bean/The Fly', 'Mime Games/Spring Clean', 'No Pets/Ray of Sunshine', 'Roadworks/The Sofa', 'Camping/Chocks Away', 'Royal Bean/Young Bean', 'In the Pink/Dinner for Two', 'The Ball/Toothache', 'Haircut/Neighbourly Bean', 'Nurse!/Dead Cat', 'Super Trolley/Magpie', 'Cat-Sitting/The Bottle', 'Goldfish/Inventor', 'Hot Date/Wanted', 'Art Thief/Scaredy Bean', 'Car Trouble/Restaurant', 'Gadget Kid/The Visitor', 'Big TV/Keyboard Capers', 'Bean in Love/Double Trouble', 'A Royal Makeover/SuperMarrow', 'Birthday Bear/The Mole', 'Birthday Bear/The Mole', 'Hopping Mad/A Grand Invitation' and 'A Running Battle/Egg and Bean'.

Collection of three British romantic comedies. In 'About Time' (2013), following yet another uneventful New Year's Eve Party, 21-year-old Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learns a life-changing secret from his father (Bill Nighy). It seems that the men in Tim's family possess the unique ability to travel in time by simply entering a dark space, clenching their fists, and imagining the place they want to be. Armed with this knowledge, Tim decides to leave rural Cornwall behind and move to London to become a lawyer, and in the process, find love. All seems to be going well when he meets and falls for the dazzling Mary (Rachel McAdams), using his newfound abilities to help win the day. But when a mishap in the time travelling manoeuvre threatens his future happiness, Tim soon comes to realise that, above all else, it's how you live your life in the present that really matters. In 'Love Actually' (2003), eight stories involving the love lives of more than a dozen characters are brought together over one Christmas and climax on Christmas Eve; from the recent widower Daniel (Liam Neeson), the failing marriage of Karen (Emma Thompson) and Harry (Alan Rickman), the aging rocker (Nighy) who just wants to get paid (and laid if possible), through to the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) falling for a member of Number 10's staff (Martine McCutcheon). In 'Notting Hill' (1999), Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) is the world's most famous movie star, whilst divorcee William Thacker (Grant) owns an ailing travel bookstore in his local neighbourhood of Notting Hill. One day Anna buys a book from William's shop and later collides messily with him on a street corner. She accompanies him home to clean herself up, and from there springs an unlikely romance. However, the path of true love is littered with obstacles, not least the media, the adoring fans and the differences in their lifestyles.

Pearson English Readers bring language learning to life through the joy of reading. Well-written stories entertain us, make us think, and keep our interest page after page. Pearson English Readers offer teenage and adult learners a huge range of titles, all featuring carefully graded language to make them accessible to learners of all abilities. Through the imagination of some of the world's greatest authors, the English language comes to life in pages of our Readers. Students have the pleasure and satisfaction of reading these stories in English, and at the same time develop a broader vocabulary, greater comprehension and reading fluency, improved grammar, and greater confidence and ability to express themselves. Find out more at english.com/readers

The Empty Stocking is a brilliantly funny Christmas story by Richard Curtis and Rebecca Cobb. In this fantastically funny and heartwarming story by Richard Curtis, scriptwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually, it's Christmas Eve and there's one very important question on everyone's mind - have YOU been good this year? For twins Sam and Charlie this is a big worry. Charlie has been especially naughty and everyone is sure that she won't get any presents AT ALL. But when Santa makes a mistake, it's up to Charlie to put things right... Richard Curtis is an award-winning and international film-director and scriptwriter, and the creator of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Notting Hill and Mr Bean. Award-winning illustrator Rebecca Cobb graduated from Falmouth College of Arts in 2004. She has collaborated with the Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Orange-Prize-winner Helen Dunmore.

From international film phenomenon, Richard Curtis, and awardwinnning illustrator, Rebecca Cobb, comes a heartwarming tale of a magical, unconventional Christmas. Christmas is the same every year, isn't it? Same food, same routine, same visiting the neighbours and going for a walk. Except for the year of That Christmas... Find out what happens when traditions are upturned, when chaos reigns, and what's really important when people come together... Richard Curtis is an award-winning and international film-director and script writer, and the creator of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Notting Hill, Yesterday and Mr Bean. Rebecca Cobb has collaborated with the Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Orange-Prize-winner Helen Dunmore, has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize and the prestigious Kate Greenaway Award multiple times.

The complete Blackadder scripts by Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Rowan Atkinson and John Lloyd. Twenty-six years ago, Edmund Blackadder made his first appearance on our screens. Comedy has never been the same since (nor indeed has history). Gathered here - in this twenty-sixth anniversary commemorative edition - are the complete scripts of Blackadder's adventures and, mostly, misadventures. Blackadder, Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth. Every word, every lie, every cunning plan and cock-up. From medieval nastiness, through Elizabethan and Regency glory, to the mud and sauteed rats of the First World War, Blackadder and his oafish underling Baldrick can be most definitely blamed for ruining England's reputation as a country with a great history. This historical record has been set down by Mr Richard Curtis, Mr Ben Elton, Mr Rowan Atkinson and Mr John Lloyd. Richard Curtis is the writer/director behind Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and The Boat That Rocked) and Ben Elton is the bestselling author and writer of The Young Ones, The Man From Auntie and The Thin Blue Line. The character of Blackadder was played by Rowan Atkinson, who is the star of the Mr Bean TV series and films, and Johnny English. The four Blackadder series, produced by John Lloyd, won numerous BAFTAs and also an EMMY.

This follow up book is packed with more bite sized hints and inspiration for dipping in and out of to help you through the perils and pitfalls that are parenting. Bringing you the latest thinking from the fields of neuroscience and psychology, you'll discover techniques and strategies that will inspire your parenting and help you tackle the day to day challenges of family life. WARNING The contents of this book are likely to seriously improve your family's life.

This is a new release of the original 1929 edition.