Fifty years after the publication of Eric Wolf’s celebrated Peasant Wars of the Twentieth Century, and forty years after the publication of his path-breaking Europe and the People Without History, this book offers a much-needed critical assessment and update of Wolf’s contribution to the study of the peasantry and its relationship to capitalism, the state, and imperialism.This book provides a comprehensive evaluation of Wolf’s premises, methodology, and understand...

Since well before Henry Morgan Stanley's fabled encounter with David Livingstone on the shore on Lake Tanganyika in the late 19th century and his subsequent collaboration with King Leopold of Belgium in looting the country of its mineral wealth, the Congo's history has been one of collaboration by a minority with, and struggle by the majority against, Western intervention.Before the colonial period, there were military struggles against annexation. During Belgian rule, charismatic ...

This invaluable Dictionary provides an essential guide to the politics and economics of the African continent. Each individual entry provides clear and concise information, and entries are fully cross-referenced to enhance the book's usability. Organizations listed include contact details wherever possible.Key features* Provides authoritative up-to-date information on a region that is changing fast, and for which reliable data is often hard to locate...

First Published in 1978. This book seeks to fill the gap of works in English that systematically deal with social and economic life in 'primitive', 'tribal' and 'peasant' societies - the main object of economic anthropology, as of any branch of anthropology - from a Marxist theoretical standpoint. Using such relevant texts as Marx himself, the Pre-Capitalist Economic Formations (which appeared in English in 1964 with an introduction by Eric Hobsbawm), and that of Engels, of which The Origi...

This reference volume is the definitive guide to the economics and politics of the Middle East. It provides clear definitions detailing terms, concepts, names and organizations used in relation to current economic or political affairs in the Middle East. Entries define, explain and give further relevant information on countries, regions, ethnic groups, political parties, organizations, policies and disputes.

Resourceful mum Shanice is persuaded by her next-door neighbour, Evie, to take up the bizarre sport of jelly wrestling to make ends meet in this BBC Radio 4 'Afternon Play'. Becky, AKA 'Azaria The Amazon', shows Shanice the ropes, and she is soon wowing the rowdy stag night audiences with her slams and smackdowns. By night she's bikini clad 'Alice Malice', by day she's mum to gymnastics-mad Alex and a devoted daughter to her disabled, ex-army dad. When these two worlds threaten to collide,...

A BBC Radio collection of full-cast dramatisations, radio plays and short stories by the bestselling crime writerAward-winning 'Queen of Crime' Val McDermid has sold over 17 million books worldwide, and been translated into over 40 languages. Her 'Wire in the Blood' series was adapted for TV, starring Robson Green and Hermione Norris, and ran for six seasons. Included here are full-cast adaptations of several of her acclaimed novels, as well as four tales specially...

A study of Albert Camus' life and works which draws together both dramatisations of his novels and documentaries about his life.One of postwar France’s most influential writers, Albert Camus was fêted for his masterful exploration of the absurdity of the human condition. Included here are adaptations of his three iconic existential novels – The Plague, The Outsider and The Fall – alongside four bonus pieces shining a light on the man and his work.La Peste –...

Sir Ian McKellen stars as Milton in this dramatised retelling of John Milton’s epic poem about the fall of Man"devilishly good... I urge you to give it a listen" The TelegraphMilton’s biblical masterpiece, first published in 1667, is one of English literature’s most seminal works. Straddling three worlds – Heaven, Hell and Earth – it tells the gripping story of fallen angel Satan’s rebellion against God, his temptation of Adam and Eve and their sub...

A pacy BBC Radio 4 comedy drama by Ali Taylor, lifting the lid on the ethics of publishing war-torn misery memoirs. Emma discovers a brilliant new talent in the unsolicited pile... Originally broadcast as the ‘Afternoon Play’ on 20 May 2010. When a heartbreaking memoir about life in war-torn Kabul lands on her desk, Emma thinks she's discovered a new literary sensation. Her colleagues, though, are deeply sceptical. ‘Cinders’ is a new comedy about drawing the line. Emma is played by Claudie...

Full cast BBC Radio productions of five of C. S. Forester’s classic novelsMost famous for his Hornblower series, iconic writer C. S. Forester tells tales of adventure like no other. This BBC radio collection features modern adaptations of five of his acclaimed novels, including The African Queen (famously adapted as an Oscar-winning film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn) and The Gun, which was turned into the hit Hollywood movie ...

A BBC Radio 4 science-fiction mystery by Martin Jameson, originally broadcast as the ‘Afternoon Play’ on 14 May 2010. A week after the election, Liz de Souza, a psychiatrist, examines a patient at a secure government research facility who's convinced that Tony Blair is still Prime Minister. Starring Amita Dhiri as Liz de Souza and Suzanna Hamilton as Sarah de Souza. Also included in the cast are Jude Akuwudike, Tony Bell, David Seddon and Christine Kavanagh. Directed by Jeremy Mortimer.