Bøger udgivet af Reaktion Books

Examines the history of military aerospace power, discussing technical developments between both World Wars and the use of air power in specific wars in the latter part of the twentieth century, including the recent conflict with Iraq. This book analyses the military and civil applications of airpower in the contemporary world.

Hyena investigates this fascinating animal throughout history. Mikita Brottman offers an enlightening view to an often misunderstood animal, showing that the hyena is in fact a complex, intelligent and highly sociable creature.

In this richly illustrated account, James Hamilton explores the scientific and cultural history of the volcano. The book moves from Greek and Roman myth to the earliest-known wall painting of an erupting volcano in 6200 BC, to the distinctive colours of Andy Warhol, to Michael Sandle's exploding mountains of the 1980s.

In this unique, global account, Thor Gotaas offers many examples and anecdotes from running's long and diverse history, from earliest times to modern-day athletics meetings, World Championships and Olympic games.

A Philosophy of Discomfort anchors the idea of comfort and discomfort as an historical and philosophical concept. While instinct demands we avoid it, and habit tries to deny it, the author insists that we recognise the uncomfortable and the uneasy as central to our existence.

In John Cage, Rob Haskins outlines how the controversial artist contributed to twentieth-century music, literature and art. Haskins considers John Cage's life, art, ideas and work, evaluating the twin pillars of Cage's creative output and the ideas that lie behind it.

Robert Bird traces Fyodor Dostoevsky's path from a political revolutionary to one who fought his battles through the printed word. The author describes how Dostoevsky's difficult background contributed to his highly acclaimed novels such as Crime and Punishment (1867) and The Brothers Karamazov.

Baltic Facades presents a new history of the Baltic area, one that dispels the myth of a single, coherent regional identity. Aldis Purs describes the unique character of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whilst also examining the anxiety that these peoples feel about how others perceive them.

Now in a revised and expanded Second Edition, Geopolitics and Globalization in the Twentieth Century looks at the struggle between the processes of globalization and geopolitical forces over the last 150 years.

The Pleasure's All Mine explores the gamut of sexual activity that has been seen as strange, abnormal or deviant over the last 2,000 years. This first comprehensive history of sexual perversion examines an abundance of original sources and shows how, for ordinary people, different kinds of sex have always offered myriad different pleasures.

In Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora Paul Sullivan explores the evolution of Dub; the avant-garde verso of Reggae.

Photography and Death reveals the beauty, meaning and significance of images once dismissed as disturbing, perverted or grotesque and charts changes in their stylistic treatment through the decades.

This book is an engaging presentation of the life and work of the legendary French philosopher, political activist and mystic Simone Weil. Palle Yourgrau assesses Weil's controversial critique of Judaism, and her radical re-imagination of Christianity; and analyses how Weil's personal struggles influenced her mature philosophy.

Lars T. Lih gives a non-partisan,vivid portrait and a striking new interpretation of a key revolutionary thinker and founder of the Soviet Union, Lenin, and shows that underneath the sharp polemics, Lenin was more a romantic enthusiast than a sour pragmatist.

Tea: A Global History is a well-illustrated, concise exploration of the rich and fascinating history of tea. Helen Saberi describes the many varieties of tea consumed around the world, from Indian chai to Burmese pickled lephet tea, and from brick tea to Taiwanese 'bubble tea' and looks at the economic and social uses of tea.

This second updated and expanded edition traces the storied past and rich culture of Myanmar over nearly three millennia, from the relics of its Neolithic civilization, through its encounters with British colonialism and the struggles for republic, to the changes that have taken place since the elections of 2010.

Pig is a richly illustrated and compelling look at the natural and cultural history of the pig, and the long, complicated relationship between humans and these highly intelligent, sociable animals.

Donkey follows the story of this faithful, hard-working animal, which despite its critical role in human history, has often received little respect and explores the animal's variety of social, cultural, religious and symbolic meanings, especially its representations in Western art and literature.

Richard J. King takes us on a journey through the history, biology, cuisine and culture of lobsters, and their economic and environmental status worldwide. He also explores how the animal has inspired numerous artists, writers and thinkers including Aristotle, Dickens, Thoreau, Dali and Woody Allen.

In Ice Cream: A Global History, Laura B. Weiss takes us on a vibrant trip through the history of ice cream from ancient China to modern-day Tokyo in order to tell the lively story of how this delicious indulgence became a global sensation.

Since 1984, Chinese cinema has been the most dramatic new entry on the international film scene. This text looks at contemporary Chinese cinema as a visual art and illustrates the many ways it has been shaped by centuries of Chinese visual and cultural traditions. Among its many concerns are the role of female gender in Chinese cinema, the use of allegory, the strategies of filmmakers in comping with state censorship, the translation of Chinese novels into film, the continuing attachment of filmmakers to melodramatic form, and the cinematic critiques of Maoism and post-Maoist Chinese culture. Illustrated with Chinese paintings as well as scenes from such internationally acclaimed films as "e;Yellow Earth"e;, "e;Red Sorghum"e;, "e;Raise the Red Lantern"e; and "e;Farewell My Concubine"e;, Jerome Silbergeld reveals a cinematic form that is at once excitingly new and yet deeply embedded in traditional Chinese visual culture.

Offers a subtle, yet uncompromising analysis of the iconic photographs of torture from the prison at Abu Ghraib.

William S. Burroughs (1914-1997) is an iconic figure of the Beat generation. In this revealing study Phil Baker investigates this cult writer's life and work, and his self-portrayal as an explorer of inner space, reporting back from the frontiers of experience.

Majestic, noble, brave lions, with their tawny coats and luminous eyes, have inspired countless stories, traditions and beliefs. Whether we are seduced by their beauty or drawn to danger, we want to be near them. This book draws on the scientific research, folklore, travel literature, and lion tamers' memoirs to guide readers on a cultural safari.

A distinct symbol of the desert and the Middle East, the camel was once unkindly described as half snake, half folding bedstead. But in the eyes of many the camel is a creature of great beauty. This book explores why the camel has fascinated so many cultures, including those in places where camels are not indigenous.

Outsider art is work produced outside the mainstream of modern art by self-taught visionaries, spiritualists, eccentrics, recluses, psychiatric patients, criminals and others beyond the perceived margins of society. This book sets out to challenge many of the received ideas in the field.

Beautifully illustrated with many captivating images of Paris design, dress, interiors, objects, art and media of the time, Ballets Russes Style is a much-needed account of how Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes influenced Parisian fashion, interior design, advertising and the decorative arts in the early twentieth century.

A comprehensive study of Iceland's social and historical development, from tiny fishing settlements to a global economic power. It is of interest to those studying this most enigmatic of islands, and also to those interested in cultural and social history as a whole.

A flavourful history of British food over the last 150 years, which shows how modern British cuisine is a product of the diversity of its society, in which people of differing ethnic groups readily sample and borrow from each other's food

Acknowledged as one of the major sculptors and avant-garde artists of the twentieth century, Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957) also remained one of the most elusive. This book looks beyond the mythology of the artist to show us Constantin the Romanian student, as well as Brancusi the celebrated artist.