Books in the Very Short Introductions series

In this Very Short Introduction, John Hendry provides a lively introduction to the nature and principles of management. Tracing its development over the past century, Hendry looks not only at the jobs managers do today and their place in the culture of work, but also provides an insight into modern management theory.

In this Very Short Introduction, David Ford provides a balanced survey, for both believers and non-believers, to the central questions of contemporary theology. In this new edition, Ford includes updates to a number of areas, including theology between faiths, theological responses to science, and the effect of globalization and technology.

In this Very Short Introduction, Katherine Blundell looks at the seemingly paradoxical, mysterious, and intriguing phenomena of astrophysical black holes. Outlining what a black hole actually is and how they are characterised, she separates the scientific fact from science fiction, and demonstrates the interesting role they play in the cosmos.

Psychology influences the way we think about everything, from education and intelligence to relationships and advertising. This updated Very Short Introduction by Gillian Butler and Freda McManus provides an exploration of the leadings ideas and theories of psychology for anyone interested in understanding the human mind.

In this Very Short Introduction Jamie Woodward examines the environmental shifts that took place during the Great Ice Age of the Quaternary Period. Looking at evidence from the continents, the oceans, and the ice core records, he explores the evolution of ideas about our geological past, the great debates, and the human stories behind it all.

The issues of microeconomics - including individuals' financial choices and firms' decisions about hiring and firing - have a large impact on the economic world, arguably as much, if not more than, macroeconomics. In this Very Short Introduction Avinash Dixit clearly explains what microeconomics is by using examples from around the world.

This Very Short Introduction invites readers to revisit algebra and appreciate the elegance and power of equations and inequalities. Offering a clear explanation of algebra through theory and example, Higgins shows how equations lead to complex numbers, matrices, groups, rings, and fields.

Fascism is notoriously hard to define. In the new edition of this Very Short Introduction, Kevin Passmore unravels the paradoxes of one of the most important phenomena in the modern world, to make sense of its ideology and place in the modern world.

What are our human rights? What are their philosophical justifications and historical origins? Focusing on highly topical issues such as torture, arbitrary detention, privacy, and discrimination, this Very Short Introduction discusses the controversies and complexities behind these vitally relevant issues.

In this Very Short Introduction, the eminent scholar Gerhard L. Weinberg explores one of the most important events in history. Examining the origins, course, and impact of the World War II - through both the soldiers and the ordinary citizens who lived through it - he considers the long-lasting impact it continues to have around the world.

Hormones are vital to the workings of the body, and while many people are aware of what hormones do, few have an appreciation of the nature and importance of the endocrine system. In this Very Short Introduction, Martin Luck explains what hormones are, what they do, where they come from, and how they work.

There is much conflicting information about diet and health; with issues such as obesity and food allergies increasing worldwide despite healthy eating campaigns such as 'five-a-day'. In this Very Short Introduction, David Bender provides a simple but authoritative guide to the main principles of human nutrition and a healthy diet.

In this new edition of the Very Short Introduction to Journalism, Ian Hargreaves considers the role and place of journalism in our constantly evolving digital world. Exploring issues relating to privacy, democracy, the entertainment industry, and global social media, Hargreaves explores the shape and influence of journalism in years to come.

In this Very Short Introduction Normon Soloman explores Judaism as a religion and as a way of life, including its festivals, prayers, customs, and sects. Exploring both how it has developed through the centuries and what defines it as a religion, Solomon explores the key issues and debates of contemporary Judaism in the twenty first century.

In this Very Short Introduction, Christopher Hall shows how material science combines physics, chemistry, and biology with engineering to understand and exploit materials and create new ones, often with extraordinary optical and electrical properties.

In this Very Short Introduction Christina Riggs explores the visual arts produced in Egypt over a span of some 4,000 years. Describing the context and stories behind the objects that fill our museums and galleries, from sculpture and magical implements to whole buildings, Riggs explores the relationship between the ancient world and our own.

The Earth contains a vast array of minerals, many with highly complex arrangements of atoms of several elements. In this Very Short Introduction David Vaughan explores the structure of minerals, the conditions under which they form and transform, their properties, and their interaction with microbes, as well as their importance in human health.

Electronic surveillance, biometrics, CCTV, ID cards, online security, the monitoring of employees, the uses of DNA - to name a few - all raise fundamental questions about our right to privacy. In the new edition of this Very Short Introduction, Raymond Wacks includes a number of recent changes and considers the future of privacy in society.

In this Very Short Introduction Ali Ansari provides a radical reinterpretation of Iranian history and politics, placing the Islamic Revolution in the context of a century of political change and social transformation, to gain a fuller understanding of Iran's identity, culture, and politics.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) represents the social accountability a company holds for society. This Very Short Introductions looks at how and why it developed, how it is implemented in practice, and the benefits and controversies it raises for companies, governments, and society worldwide.

In this Very Short Introduction, Steven Beller explores the historical and political intricacies of Antisemitism, an issue which has been a worryingly persistent presence in the last millennium, and one that continues to provoke debate and discussion.

In this Very Short Introduction Julian V. Roberts identifies the principal objectives of the criminal justice system and the way in which it works around the world. Analysing a number of case studies about a wide variety of issues, including court processes, sentencing, and prison life, he draws upon the latest research and practice.

Around 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water. In this Very Short Introduction John Finney explores the science of water, its structure and remarkable properties, and its vital role for life on Earth.

This Very Short Introduction introduces the reader to the international world of banking. Offering a brief survey of the essential characteristics of the banking and financial systems of both developed and emerging countries and regions, it considers the future of banking after the recent global crises.

This Very Short Introduction explores the history of the 18th-century Enlightenment movement. Considering its intellectual commitments, Robertson then turns to their impact on society, and the ways in which Enlightenment thinkers sought to further the goal of human betterment, by promoting economic improvement and civil and political justice.

In this Very Short Introduction, Peter Adamson sheds light on the philosophical ideas that emerged in the Islamic world. From the beginnings of the tradition to the twenty first century, he traces the history of philosophy among those living in Islamic lands, highlighting its key themes and ongoing relevance to contemporary concerns.

In this Very Short Introduction, Martin Price addresses the role of mountains in global ecosystems and within human culture. Considering the global effects of melting glaciers, and the conservation of mountain regions and peoples, he discusses the future of mountainous regions and the implications for all of us.

This Very Short Introduction corrects the prevalent view of Epicureanism that often conjures up ideas of tasty delights and hedonism. Wilson explains the philosophical and scientific ideas of Epicurus and his followers and the legacy of Epicureanism on later European thought.