Books published by Reaktion Books

The Beatles in Hamburg is a detailed, objective analysis of the events and personalities that shaped the Beatles as performers, composers and musicians, and the role that Hamburg itself played in their remarkable story.

Apple explores the cultural and culinary importance of the apple. From the Garden of Eden and Homer's Odyssey to Johnny Appleseed, Wilhelm Tell and Apple Computer, readers will learn how apples became a universal source of sustenance, health and symbolism.

In A History of Diplomacy Black shows how a form of courtly negotiation and information-gathering developed through increasing globalization into a world-shaping force and shows the ever-changing phenomenon of diplomacy: its aims, its achievements, its successes and failures.

Examines the history of military aerospace power, discussing technical developments between both World Wars and the use of air power in specific wars in the latter part of the twentieth century, including the recent conflict with Iraq. This book analyses the military and civil applications of airpower in the contemporary world.

Hyena investigates this fascinating animal throughout history. Mikita Brottman offers an enlightening view to an often misunderstood animal, showing that the hyena is in fact a complex, intelligent and highly sociable creature.

In this unique, global account, Thor Gotaas offers many examples and anecdotes from running's long and diverse history, from earliest times to modern-day athletics meetings, World Championships and Olympic games.

A Philosophy of Discomfort anchors the idea of comfort and discomfort as an historical and philosophical concept. While instinct demands we avoid it, and habit tries to deny it, the author insists that we recognise the uncomfortable and the uneasy as central to our existence.

Baltic Facades presents a new history of the Baltic area, one that dispels the myth of a single, coherent regional identity. Aldis Purs describes the unique character of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whilst also examining the anxiety that these peoples feel about how others perceive them.

Now in a revised and expanded Second Edition, Geopolitics and Globalization in the Twentieth Century looks at the struggle between the processes of globalization and geopolitical forces over the last 150 years.

The Pleasure's All Mine explores the gamut of sexual activity that has been seen as strange, abnormal or deviant over the last 2,000 years. This first comprehensive history of sexual perversion examines an abundance of original sources and shows how, for ordinary people, different kinds of sex have always offered myriad different pleasures.

In Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora Paul Sullivan explores the evolution of Dub; the avant-garde verso of Reggae.

Photography and Anthropology is a highly illustrated, provocative analysis of anthropologists' use of photography from the 1840s to the present.

This book is an engaging presentation of the life and work of the legendary French philosopher, political activist and mystic Simone Weil. Palle Yourgrau assesses Weil's controversial critique of Judaism, and her radical re-imagination of Christianity; and analyses how Weil's personal struggles influenced her mature philosophy.

Lars T. Lih gives a non-partisan,vivid portrait and a striking new interpretation of a key revolutionary thinker and founder of the Soviet Union, Lenin, and shows that underneath the sharp polemics, Lenin was more a romantic enthusiast than a sour pragmatist.

This second updated and expanded edition traces the storied past and rich culture of Myanmar over nearly three millennia, from the relics of its Neolithic civilization, through its encounters with British colonialism and the struggles for republic, to the changes that have taken place since the elections of 2010.

Pig is a richly illustrated and compelling look at the natural and cultural history of the pig, and the long, complicated relationship between humans and these highly intelligent, sociable animals.

Donkey follows the story of this faithful, hard-working animal, which despite its critical role in human history, has often received little respect and explores the animal's variety of social, cultural, religious and symbolic meanings, especially its representations in Western art and literature.

In Ice Cream: A Global History, Laura B. Weiss takes us on a vibrant trip through the history of ice cream from ancient China to modern-day Tokyo in order to tell the lively story of how this delicious indulgence became a global sensation.

Since 1984, Chinese cinema has been the most dramatic new entry on the international film scene. This text looks at contemporary Chinese cinema as a visual art and illustrates the many ways it has been shaped by centuries of Chinese visual and cultural traditions. Among its many concerns are the role of female gender in Chinese cinema, the use of allegory, the strategies of filmmakers in comping with state censorship, the translation of Chinese novels into film, the continuing attachment of filmmakers to melodramatic form, and the cinematic critiques of Maoism and post-Maoist Chinese culture. Illustrated with Chinese paintings as well as scenes from such internationally acclaimed films as "e;Yellow Earth"e;, "e;Red Sorghum"e;, "e;Raise the Red Lantern"e; and "e;Farewell My Concubine"e;, Jerome Silbergeld reveals a cinematic form that is at once excitingly new and yet deeply embedded in traditional Chinese visual culture.

Marta Braun's new biography of Eadweard Muybridge traces the sensational events of Muybridge's life against his personal reinventions as artist, photographer, high-minded researcher and showman.

Majestic, noble, brave lions, with their tawny coats and luminous eyes, have inspired countless stories, traditions and beliefs. Whether we are seduced by their beauty or drawn to danger, we want to be near them. This book draws on the scientific research, folklore, travel literature, and lion tamers' memoirs to guide readers on a cultural safari.