Books published by Arena Books

A comprehensive illustrated guide to understanding the history, structure, and purpose of England's cathedrals.

A story of the author's childhood and that of her family leading up to and following the Soviet invasion of Eastern Poland in September 1939, a political move made in conjunction with the simultaneous Nazi invasion of the country from the West.

An account of one of the most notorious Soviet spy episodes during the Cold War period of the mid-1960s that took place in Scandinavia.

Is western civilisation based on a mistaken understanding of humanity? Fundamental to any society is its comprehension of human nature. It shapes attitudes and policies on a whole range of issues: interpersonal relations, child-rearing, discipline and punishment, economics and welfare. For millennia western societies were based on the idea that human nature is flawed. This was turned upside down 300 years ago during the Enlightenment by writers such as Rousseau, who argued that we are born good and later warped by parents and society; a liberal view of human nature which is now being challenged by scientific discoveries in the fields of the mind, the brain, and genetics (including the Human Genome), evolutionary psychology, and anthropology.This fundamental change has had profound effects. If we are essentially good then we can safely maximize freedom and abandon morality, religion and tradition. Many aspects of life have been liberalised - sexual behaviour, alcohol consumption, censorship, gambling, divorce laws and economic activity. Economic liberals thought free markets were rational and good and favoured minimal government interference and light-touch regulations. This led to the credit crunch and the greatest financial crisis since World War Two.Many parents now hesitate to discipline their own children. The belief that we are essentially good but corrupted by society has also influenced penal policy. Liberals see criminals as victims, not as wrongdoers; because surely no-one would choose to do something wrong. This is a world far removed from the self-sacrifice and fraternity shown during World War Two. It has not brought happiness but rather more alienated individuals. The outcome of egalitarian aims or methods has often missed its mark: e.g., in education it has led to the dumbing down of academic standards, grade inflation and a decline in social mobility. Egalitarian regimes from the French Revolution to the Soviet era have been amongst the most bigoted, brutal and bloody in history. The drive for greater social justice and fairness must remain an essential objective. There is, therefore, an urgent need to separate out the positive from the negative aspects of liberal thought and practice, as otherwise there is the risk of descent into moral anarchy and social disintegration.

This illuminating broad-based political and cultural study presents the definitive account of the campaign to abolish capital punishment in the period 1955-69. It comprises a work of contemporary history exploring the theme from a number of angles, both pro and contra, which have not been covered so extensively before.From the sphere of governmental and parliamentary politics, to the relevant pressure groups, to the role of the mass media, to the significance of the different churches, and the influence of professional bodies, such as those representing the police and prison officers, the book skilfully identifies their interaction with one another. It examines the effect on the campaign of fluctuations in public opinion, and of controversial murder cases such as those of Timothy Evans, Derek Bentley, Ruth Ellis and James Hanratty, which in turn often informed the state of public opinionThe work sets the campaign in the context of the social and cultural ferment of the era (the advent of the permissive society), and contrasts the fortunes of the movement with those of other "e;conscience issues,"e; such as the legalisation of abortion, homosexual law reform, divorce liberalisation and the abolition of theatre censorship. It seeks to account for the success of the campaign within a relatively short time span in the face of intense public antipathy and a concerted effort by various elements of the establishment to thwart its fulfilment.It asks why the campaign succeeded when so many others facing lesser institutional obstacles failed, and it asks why it succeeded when it did and in the way it did, and considers whether the success of the campaign can be accounted for by the Zeitgeist. On one level it is a study of the politics of social reform, but at a deeper level it is a study of the way in which social trends feed through into political action at the parliamentary level, and illustrates the process of policy formation in the area of private members legislation and free votes where "e;party"e; has voluntarily taken a back seat.

The story of a young Australian adventurer, Edward Presgrave, who enlisted in an irregular unit in the Boer War and stayed on in the Northern part of the Cape Colony to fight alongside Jakob Morengo and the Nama peoples in their epic guerrilla war against the Germans in German Southwest Africa, or present day Namibia. It records the adventure, sacrifice, deception and betrayal touching on major themes dominating the history of Southern Africa in the early years of the 20th century.The book vividly describes the Herero and Nama rebellions against the Germans in the years 1903-1907, and the shattering aftermath of concentration, death and work camps and the German policy of genocide. It also details the full cost of the war in human terms to both the Herero and Nama peoples as well as to the German occupiers.Little was known about Edward Presgrave until the present author engaged in his long and painstaking research through a host of differing sources, and the tracing of family contacts. On reconstructing the real events of what really happened during those years of hidden imperial conflict between the major powers, the author uncovers the attempts of their governments to conceal what might have resulted in public controversy and the undermining of international relations.There is an investigation of the social, economic and political aspects of life in German Southwest Africa as well as life along the German/Cape Colony border with its gun running, cattle raiding and support for the rebels. It discusses German public opinion of their colony in Southern Africa and the debates the Herero and Nama rebellions engendered in The Reichstag.

Democracy understood as people power, which is the only proper definition of the word, is put forward in this book as the panacea for resolving the most pressing issues of our time. But democracy as a practicable system hinges on many conditions which are seldom appreciated by our world leaders, international institutions, or relevant bodies of learning.The evolution of democracy as a system of government and way of life, and the problems to which the former gives rise is broadly discussed by the author. Of most significance are those situations, in both East and West, when democracy is ideologically used as a cover for ulterior purposes.It is powerfully argued that the left/right divide which for 200 years has served as the rationale for advancing social progress in sustaining democracy is now destroying it, as partly witnessed through the collapse of both party memberships and voting figures in most advanced industrial economies. This has occurred through the transformation of society and the world of work over the past 60 years, and has left our parliamentary representatives trapped in a time-warp of the past in their inability to meet the actuality of contemporary issues.It is clearly shown, through a variety of reasons, that democracy as an all-inclusive system of government is only workable within the nation state. This partly explains the crises of the EU, and the shortcomings of the UN's Security Council. The greatest threat to democracy, since it limits the power of the nation state to carry through electoral promises, is international finance and transnational corporations, which are unaccountable to any responsible authority and liable to bring economic catastrophe in their wake.This is a book which seeks to empower our national politicians, irrespective of party, so they may more effectively represent the interests of their electorates. A way must be found for our politicians to resolve their predicament, even though it may entail a shift in their attitudes and ideals.

This is a moving tale about mid-19th century Poland, based on the experiences of the author's forebears, during the time when her country was under the yoke of Tsarist oppression. The story is about a young noblewoman, Kamila, in the struggle to retain her inheritance, following the arrest and deportation of her parents to Siberia following their involvement in the struggle for Poland's freedom.The novel opens in the Eastern half of the country with the execution of her two brothers during that year of European revolutions of 1848. With the deportation of her parents two years later - and from whom she was never to hear again - her aunt marries her off to an only surviving son, Karol, on his deathbed, to ensure that her property would not also be confiscated.On the death of Karol from consumption, Kamila, who is still in her teens, is obliged to take over the management of the estate, and when shortly thereafter her aunt dies also, she is left without relatives for the guidance of her life ahead.The story then follows her trials and tribulations, including the malice of a dismissed employee who makes an attempt on her life. She is forced to learn quickly about the ways of the world, and through the support of old and new friendships, she triumphs over adversity, and the fact-based story concludes with a happy ending. The book presents a vivid picture of provincial Poland in the 19th century, and is a gripping read for enthusiasts of the realistic-romantic genre.

Taking a multi-purpose and inter-denominational approach, this is a book addressed to all Christians, who in this sceptical age, may be experiencing a religious crisis or doubts as to their commitment to Christ's teaching and Revelation. Whilst this book is written from the basis of conviction, it insists on demonstrating factual evidence. Nothing is presented which is contrary to the reason of the ordinary man or woman in arguing the basis of religious truth. With this in mind, the reader is taken through the Bible, from the book of Genesis onwards, and answers are offered for many of those difficult questions which usually arouse anxiety in the minds of the faithful from time to time. In addition, the book offers questions and discussion topics at the conclusion of each chapter. This is an ideal handbook which religious teachers and ministers of all denominations will find helpful, written by a fully-qualified scholar holding a doctorate in theological studies.

Social science

Attempt on Hitler's life

Critique of socialism

New capitallism

Changes in society

Dangers of populism

Political change

Future of religion

Medieval mystery drama

A moving political love story

Class changes