A vibrant, diverse history of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in the age of RomanticismVesuvius is best known for its disastrous eruption of 79CE. But only after 1738, in the age of Enlightenment, did the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii reveal its full extent. In an era of groundbreaking scientific endeavour and violent revolution, Vesuvius became a focal point of strong emotions and political aspirations, an object of geological enquiry, and a powerful symbo...

The Pleasures of the Imagination examines the birth and development of English "high culture" in the eighteenth century. It charts the growth of a literary and artistic world fostered by publishers, theatrical and musical impresarios, picture dealers and auctioneers, and presented to th public in coffee-houses, concert halls, libraries, theatres and pleasure gardens. In 1660, there were few professional authors, musicians and painters, no public concert series, galleries, newspape...

How ungovernable were seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Englishmen? Certainly, the historical evidence attests to an unruly and contumacious populace: riot was widespread, such criminal activities as the counterfeiting of coin flourished, disorder pervaded even London’s gaols, and men at all levels of authority were often hard pressed to enforce the law. On the other hand, the ruling elite had a powerful instrument—the courts—for regulating not only crime but also numerous aspects of soc...

Renowned marathon expert and leading sports scientist Professor John Brewer reveals why many of the concepts surrounding marathon training and running are wrong - and suggests how the latest sports science research transforms the way marathons should be approached.Run Smart uses the latest scientific research to show how preparing for, and running, marathons can be made easier, and in doing so challenges many of the myths that surround marathon running. Th...

First published in 1989. `The book is a distinguished work - of importance to students of governmental development generally. It is written in a fluent, non-technical manner that should reach a wide audience.' American Historical Review.

Early Modern Conceptions of Property draws together distinguished academics from a variety of disciplines, including law, economics, politics, art history, social history and literature, in order to consider fundamental issues of property in the early modern period. Presenting diverse original historical and literary case studies in a sophisticated theoretical framework, it offers a challenge to conventional interpretations.

Over the last 10 years, the concept of value has emerged in both business and public life as part of an important process of measuring, benchmarking, and assuring the resources we invest and the outcomes we generate from our activities. In the context of public life, value is an important measure on the contribution to business and social good of activities for which strict financial measures are either inappropriate or fundamentally unsound.A systematic, interdisciplinary examinat...

The study of past society in terms of what it consumes rather than what it produces is - relatively speaking - a new development. The focus on consumption changes the whole emphasis and structure of historical enquiry. While human beings usually work within a single trade or industry as producers, as, say, farmers or industrial workers, as consumers they are active in many different markets or networks. And while history written from a production viewpoi...

On an April evening in 1779, a woman is shot on the steps of Covent Garden. Her murderer is a young soldier and Church of England minister; her lover, the Earl of Sandwich, one of the most powerful policians of the day. This compelling account of murder, love and intrigue brings Georgian London to life in a spellbinding historical masterpiece.On an April evening in 1779, Martha Ray, mistress of the Earl of Sandwich, was shot on the steps of Covent Garden by James Hackman, a young s...

Running can encompass the absolute extremes of human performance, from speed to endurance. Running Science uncovers the fundamental science that underpins this ubiquitous sport, bringing together the study of biomechanics, nutrition, psychology, health and injury prevention, and the technical development of shoes and running surfaces: it’s a complete reference.

Running is a deceptively simple sport. At its most basic, you need only shoes and comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting sweaty. Yet each time you lace up, all your body’s moving parts must work together to achieve a gait that will keep you injury-free. Many other factors also affect your performance, from the weather and the surface you run on to your shoes, your diet, and even your mental and emotional state. Science plays an important role in most, if not all, of these factors....

A vibrant, diverse history of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in the age of RomanticismVesuvius is best known for its disastrous eruption of 79CE. But only after 1738, in the age of Enlightenment, did the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii reveal its full extent. In an era of groundbreaking scientific endeavor and violent revolution, Vesuvius became a focal point of strong emotions and political aspirations, an object of geological enquiry, and a powerful symbol...