From Publishers Weekly

In this nervy, self-conscious debut novel, British writer Thirlwell airs the unspoken anxieties and confusions of two lovers, crafting a talky deconstruction of a relationship. Moshe is a character actor, “the sketchy one, the sardonic one, the oddball cool”; Nana is an architecture student, “tall, thin, pale, blonde, breasty.” It is the off-stage narrator, however, who is the book’s most notable presence, with his countless digressions, “simple” theories, lengthy explanations and bossy directives. Despite his repeated assertions that the book is not about sex (“sex isn’t everything”; “sometimes I think that this book is an attack on sex”), Moshe and Nana are constantly experimenting (“oral sex, use of alternative personae, lesbianism, undinism”), though their experiments usually end in failure. This is true of their biggest experiment, a three-way affair involving Anjali, an Anglo-Indian actor friend of Moshe’s. Reading Thirlwell’s novel is simil (more…)

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Amazon.com Review

Hardball, first published in 1988, is like a modern version of Machiavelli’s The Prince, only much more richly illustrated, with anecdotes drawn from talk-show host Chris Matthews’s stint as a congressional staffer (where he worked for, among others, renowned Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill). Discussing such basic principles as “It’s not who you know; it’s who you get to know” and “Don’t get mad, don’t get even–get ahead,” Matthews not only dishes out choice Washington insider info, he has over the years inspired many readers to apply his principles for political success to their own professional lives.

From Publishers Weekly

A former Senate aide, presidential speech writer and assistant to Tip O’Neill, Matthews here offers an entertaining view of Washington politics. He covers much the same ground as Hedrick Smith’s The Power Game but writes more informally and with amused tolerance of “the true believers in the power of poli (more…)

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Review

‘Politics is simply the best introductory guide available for the subject. Andrew Heywood defines the theory and practice of politics in a rigorous, lively and highly accessible way. This book is indispensable for any student of politics and a “must” for introductory reading lists for politics tutors.’ – Professor Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool, UK and Chair of the Political Studies Association of the UK ‘In addition to Heywood’s accessible style of writing, the book certainly benefits from many of the pedagogical features incorporated into the text. The sets of questions, outlining of key concepts, mini biographical profiles of specific philosophers and important people, focus boxes, diagrammatic representations and suggestions for further reading are all valuable, informative features and aide-memoires.’ – Dr Jacqui Briggs, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Lincoln, UK ‘I have enjoyed using Politics and find it a font of knowledge at my finger (more…)

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