Profile Books

Lost, Stolen or Shredded: Stories of Missing Works of Art and Literature

Gekoski Rick, 2014

Like Sherlock Holmes' dog in the night time, sometimes the true significance of things lies in their absence. Rick Gekoski tells the very human stories that lie behind some of the greatest losses to artistic culture — and addresses the questions such disappearances raise. Some of the items are stolen (the Mona Lisa), some destroyed (like Philip Larkin's diaries) and some were lost before they even existed, like the career of the brilliant art deco architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, which floundered amid a lack of cash — but behind all of them lies an often surprising story which reveals a lot about what art means to us. Gekoski explores the greater questions these tremendous losses raise — such as the rights artists and authors have over their own work, the importance of the search for perfection in creativity, and what motivated people to queue to see the empty space where the Mona Lisa once hung in the Louvre. Подробнее

Acts of Union and Disunion

Colley Linda, 2014

The United Kingdom; Great Britain; the British Isles; the Home Nations: such a wealth of different names implies uncertainty and contention — and an ability to invent and adjust. In a year that sees a Scottish referendum on independence, Linda Colley analyses some of the forces that have unified Britain in the past. She examines the mythology of Britishness, and how far — and why — it has faded. She discusses the Acts of Union with Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and their limitations, while scrutinizing England's own fractures. And she demonstrates how the UK has been shaped by movement: of British people to other countries and continents, and of people, ideas and influences arriving from elsewhere. As acts of union and disunion again become increasingly relevant to our daily lives and politics, Colley considers how — if at all — the pieces might be put together anew, and what this might mean. Based on a 15-part BBC Radio 4 series. Подробнее

Nijinsky: A Life

Moore Lucy, 2014

He achieves the miraculous, the sculptor Auguste Rodin wrote of dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. He embodies all the beauty of classical frescoes and statues. Like so many since, Rodin recognised that in Nijinsky classical ballet had one of the greatest and most original artists of the twentieth century, in any genre. Immersed in the world of dance from his childhood, he found his natural home in the Imperial Theatre and the Ballets Russes, he had a powerful sponsor in Sergei Diaghilev — until a dramatic and public failure ended his career and set him on a route to madness. As a dancer, he was acclaimed as godlike for his extraordinary grace and elevation, but the opening of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring saw furious brawls between admirers of his radically unballetic choreography and horrified traditionalists. Nijinsky's story has lost none of its power to shock, fascinate and move. Adored and reviled in his lifetime, his phenomenal talent was shadowed by schizophrenia and an intense but destructive relationship with his lover, Diaghilev. I am alive he wrote in his diary, and so I suffer. In the first biography for forty years, Lucy Moore examines a career defined by two forces — inspired performance and an equally headline-grabbing talent for controversy, which tells us much about both genius and madness. This is the full story of one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century, comparable to the work of Rosamund Bartlett or Sjeng Scheijen. Подробнее

Being Mortal

Gawande Atul, 2014

In Being Mortal, Gawande examines his experiences as a surgeon, as he confronts the realities of aging and dying in his patients and in his family, as well as the limits of what he can do. And he emerges with story that crosses the globe and history, exploring questions that range from the curious to the profound: What happens to people's teeth as they get old? Did human beings really commit senecide, the sacrifice of the elderly? Why do the aged so dread nursing homes and hospitals? How should someone give another person the dreadful news that they will die? This is a story told only as Atul Gawande can — penetrating people's lives and also the systems that have evolved to govern our mortality. Those systems, he observes, routinely fail to serve — or even acknowledge — people's needs and priorities beyond mere survival. And the consequences are devastating lives, families, and even whole economies. But, as he reveals, it doesn't have to be this way. Atul Gawande has delivered an engrossing tale of science, history and remarkable characters in the vein of Oliver Sacks. Подробнее

Secret Affairs: Britain's Collusion with Radical Islam

Curtis Mark, 2015

The updated edition of Secret Affairs covers the momentous events of the past year in the Middle East. It reveals the unreported attempts by Britain to cultivate relations with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt after the fall of Mubarak, the military intervention on the side of Libyan rebel forces which include pro-al-Qaeda elements, and the ongoing reliance on the region's ultimate fundamentalist state, Saudi Arabia, to safeguard its interest in the Middle East. In this ground-breaking book, Mark Curtis reveals the covert history of British collusion with radical Islamic and terrorist groups. Secret Affairs shows how governments since the 1940s have connived with militant forces to control oil resources and overthrow governments. The story of how Britain has helped nurture the rise of global terrorism has never been told. Подробнее

The Unwritten Laws of Business

W.J. King, 2008

In the summer of 2005, the magazine Business 2.0 published a cover story on a self-published management pamphlet by William Swanson, CEO of American aerospace contractor Raytheon. Lauded by chief executives including Jack Welch and Warren Buffett, it became a quiet phenomenon, and more than 300,000 people wrote in to the magazine to ask for a copy. But much of the pamphlet drew from a business book of 1944 – which Profile are now reissuing, revised and updated, as The Unwritten Laws of Business. Filled with sage advice and written in a clear, engaging style, it offers insights on working with others, reporting to a boss, running meetings, advancing your career, and much, much more: If you have no intention of using someone’s opinion, don’t ask for it; It’s natural enough to ‘look out for Number One’, but your associates won’t look out for you; If you take care of your present job well, the future will take care of itself. And more – all of which has also stood the test of time. Refreshingly free of the latest business jargon, The Unwritten Laws of Business is wise, ethical and insightful, capturing and distilling the timeless truths and principles that underlie management and business the world over. Подробнее

How to Fossilise Your Hamster and Other Amazing Experiments for the Armchair Scientist How can you measure the speed of light with chocolate and a microwave? Why do yo-yos yo-yo? Why does urine smell so peculiar after eating asparagus (includes helpful recipe)? How long does it take to digest different types of food? What is going on when you drop mentos in to cola? 100 wonderful, intriguing and entertaining scientific experiments which show scientific principles first hand – this is science at its most popular. Подробнее

Incidences

Daniil Kharms, 2006

This wonderfully inventive collection of stories presents the writing of Russian absurdist Daniil Kharms at its vibrant, perplexing best. The book is composed of short miniatures: strange, funny, dream-like fragments — many of which the author called 'incidents' — that tend to feature accidents, falling, chance violence and sudden death. An outlaw classic banned by Soviet censors until the 1980s, «Incidences» vividly conveys the precarious nature of life in Stalin's Russia. Writing in the 1920s as one of a group called the Society for Real Art, Kharms was first arrested in 1931, and told that he could only publish writing for children. Irrepressible, he was sent to the gulag in 1941 and died of starvation in a prison hospital a year later. With this new edition of «Incidences», we can rediscover a Russian writer whose bold writing and tragic death are an urgent reminder of the deranged spirit of his times. Подробнее

48 Laws of Power (Concise Edition)

Robert Greene, 2012

Drawn from 3,000 years of the history of power, this is the definitive guide to help readers achieve for themselves what Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, Louis XIV and Machiavelli learnt the hard way. Law 1: Never outshine the master Law 2: Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies Law 3: Conceal your intentions Law 4: Always say less than necessary The text is bold and elegant, laid out in black and red throughout and replete with fables and unique word sculptures. The 48 laws are illustrated through the tactics, triumphs and failures of great figures from the past who have wielded — or been victimised by — power. Подробнее

Gannibal: The Moor of Petersburg

Hugh Barnes, 2006

A truly amazing 18th century life restored to history – Tsar’s godson and nobleman, Russian Bluebeard, engineer of genius – who began life in an African village. When Major-General Gannibal died in 1781 in his eighties, he could look back on a long and successful life. He was the godson of Peter the Great, the Empress Elizabeth had given him nobility, thousands of acres, villages of serfs. His French education and a natural gift for mathematics had led him to fame as a fireworks expert and the architect of a string of fortifications from the Arctic Circle to China. As a husband he was a provincial Bluebeard, but his descendants would include the great poet Pushkin and a bevy of British aristocrats. Yet Abram Petrovich Gannibal had been born in very different circumstances. He was a black African, perhaps from Ethiopia, perhaps from modern Chad, sold as a child into slavery. In a brilliant biography Hugh Barnes who has tracked Gannibal’s footsteps across three continents restores an extraordinary life to history. Подробнее

Tactics: The Art and Science of Success

Edward de Bono, 2007

This book is based upon 50 interviews with men and women – eg Chris Bonington, Mark McCormack, Terence Conran and Malcolm Forbes – who have been outstandingly successful in a variety of fields. With his usual perceptiveness, Edward de Bono analyses their different paths to success, revealing that underneath their different styles and their greatly different personal qualities are a few characteristics which are common to all successful people. De Bono provides the lessons for anyone seeking success in their lives. Подробнее

Economics: Making Sense of the Modern Economy Very substantially revised edition of previously successful title that, with typical Economist style and clarity, provides expert analysis of different aspects of the modern economy. Aimed at those in business and professions and with a special paperback edition aimed at students, it includes sections on: 1 — Globalisation – how and why it has gathered pace, and how its critics’ views are understandable but often misguided 2 — The phoney recovery and America’s imbalances – why the US’s quick recovery from recession is mere respite, not escape, and how the country’s appetite for debt is dangerous. 3 — China’s rise — and what it presages for the world economy. 4 — Underachievers – analysis of the problems that previous economic giants such as Japan and Germany have run into trouble. 5 — The arteries of capitalism – the financial markets, central banks and global capital 6 — Economic facts and fallacies, which spells out basic economic truths and exposes some economic canards. Подробнее

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Al Ries, 1994

Al Ries and Jack Trout, two of the world's most successful marketing strategists, call upon over 40 years of marketing experise to identify the definitive rules that govern the world of marketing. Combining a wide-ranging historical overview with a keen eye for the future, the authors bring to light 22 superlative tools and innovative techniques for the international marketplace. The authors examine marketing campaigns that have succeeded and others that have failed, why good ideas didn't live up to expectations, and offer their own ideas on what would have worked better. The real-life examples, commonsense suggestions and killer instincts contained are nothing less than rules by which companies will flourish or fail. Подробнее

The Concise Art of Seduction

Robert Greene, 2012

This is the companion book to the bestselling «Concise 48 Laws of Power». Amoral, ruthless, clever and cunning, this is the essential guide to the art of seduction. Подробнее

Trolley Wars: The Battle of Supermarkets

Judi Bevan, 2006

The story of how Tesco came from brash beginnings to challenge and finally overtake the patrician Sainsbury as the market leader in 1995 stunned the retailing world, and raised the curtain on the dramatic rise of supermarket chains in the second half of the 20th century. Behind the bare statistics of roller coaster profits and changing market shares lies a deeper tale of social change, increasing power and clashes with Government and pressure groups. The huge buying power of the supermarket chains, and the growth of edge of town shopping with vast car parking, has destroyed many small high streets along with traditional butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers. Yet their growth has been fuelled by the increase in the numbers of working women who no longer have the time or inclination to shop by foot at small outlets. The result is a love/hate relationship with their customers. The fever of competition engendered by the heads of these companies cannot be underestimated. This book goes behind the checkout till and into the boardroom to discover the true story and show what will happen next. Подробнее

The Art of Seduction (Royal Edition)

Robert Greene, 2004

Which sort of seducer could you be: Siren? Rake? Cold Coquette? Star? Comedian? Charismatic? or Saint? This book will show you which. Charm, persuasion, the ability to create illusions: these are some of the many dazzling gifts of the Seducer, the compelling figure who is able to manipulate, mislead and give pleasure all at once. When raised to the level of art, seduction, and indirect and subtle form of power, has toppled empires, won elections and enslaved great minds. In this beautiful, sensually designed book, Greene unearths the two sides of seduction: the characters and the process. Discover who you, or your pursuer, most resembles. Learn, too, the pitfalls of the anti-Seducer. In part II, immerse yourself in the twenty four manoeuvres and strategies of the seductive process, the ritual by which a seducer gains mastery over their target. Understand how to 'Choose the Right Victim', 'Appear to Be an Object of Desire' and 'Confuse Desire and Reality'. In addition, Greene provides instruction on how to identify victims by type. Each fascinating character and each cunning tactic demonstrates a fundamental truth about who we are, and the targets we've become — or hope to win over. «The Art of Seduction» is an indispensable primer on the essence of one of history's greatest weapons and the ultimate power trip. Подробнее

The Blue-eyed Salaryman: From World Traveller to Lifer at Mitsubishi

Niall Murtagh, 2006

Why on earth would anyone give up a life on the open road for the regimen of a vast Japanese conglomerate? And is it really so different in Japan from everywhere else? Niall Murtagh spent years as a world traveller — hitchhiking to Istanbul, bussing to Kathmandu and crossing the Atlantic in a home-built yacht. In 1986 he closed the door on his adventurous life and settled down in Japan, eventually joining Mitsubishi as a Salaryman – a man in a shiny suit with a shiny attaché case in a conglomerate with 100,000 employees. And what happens when you give up the Salaryman life? The book follows life after the corporation, giving fresh perspectives on the nature of Japanese business culture and the problems faced by outsiders in Japan. Подробнее

Why Don't Penguins Feet Freeze and 114 Other Questions What time is it at the North Pole? Should you pickle your conkers? Why does my aubergine look like Elvis? Plus 111 other questions answered. «Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?» is the latest compilation of readers' answers to the questions in the «Last Word» column of «New Scientist», the world's best-selling science weekly. Following the phenomenal success of «Does Anything Eat Wasps?» — the Christmas 2005 surprise bestseller — this new collection includes recent answers never before published in book form, and also old favourites from the column's early days. Yet again, many seemingly simple questions turn out to have complex answers. And some that seem difficult have a very simple explanation. «New Scientist»'s «Last Word» is regularly voted the magazine's most popular section as it celebrates all questions — the trivial, idiosyncratic, baffling and strange. This new selection of the best is popular science at its most entertaining and enlightening. Подробнее

After the Neocons: America at the Crossroads

Francis Fukuyama, 2007

Francis Fukuyama used to regard himself as a ‘neocon’. But, attacking the right-wing policymakers he had previously worked with, he argues here that the Bush administration, in the war in Iraq, has wrongly applied the principles of neoconservatism – a philosophy that is vital to the arguments about Iraq, but rarely explored, and whose history he carefully untangles. He explains why the US did not realize how much foreign hostility there would be towards the war, or how difficult reconstruction would be. Showing that there is no established tradition in international relations theory that can help guide American foreign policy today, he then outlines a new approach, in his usual clear and penetrating style. Подробнее

Jesus: The unauthorised version

Mian Ridge, 2006

The Da Vinci Code asserts that the Holy Grail is a two-thousand-year-old secret – that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus and had his child, whose descendants live in France. There have been countless references to their union and these have been explored endlessly by modern historians. Yet it is not mentioned in the Bible. Much of Jesus’s biography was written out of the New Testament by the Church. In the years after his death numerous accounts of his life and teachings circulated amongst his followers. Over time, many of these texts were deemed heretical, and banished. Some were destroyed or lost; others hidden away for centuries. Thus the Bible only represents a tiny proportion of what was written about Jesus in the early years of the church. Some of these gospels survive and are among the earliest Christian records. Here is Jesus’s life story, as told through these gospels and other early Christian writings. It uncovers the truth about Mary Magdalene and goes to the very heart of Christian beliefs, challenging assumptions underlying western civilisation. Подробнее

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