I went on a jolly day trip to Paris, and if someone had told me I wouldn’t be seeing England again for over a year, I’d have laughed. If they told me in less than forty-eight hours I’d be sitting in Santé Prison in Paris, facing a one-year prison sentence … But that, in just two months, I’d be in the South of France dining with Picasso, I would have called them mad…From accompanying violent thugs around the East End to cleaning an oven in a Parisian prison while painting for its doctor, Alan Aldridge’s life was full of strange adventures and fascinating encounters even before his career as an artist took off. In Pipe Dreams, Aldridge presents a gripping, often hilarious and at times even horrifying account of some of his early experiences on the road to success.
* What are the strengths and limitations of social surveys? * How can the principles of surveying be put into practice? * How are findings analysed and results presented? The survey has become a widely used technique for gathering information and opinions from individuals, organizations, and other groups. In Surveying the Social World, Aldridge and Levine begin by examining the contemporary state of surveys within society and social science methodology, explaining the potential of the survey method and the ways it can be used effectively when resources are limited. They then take the reader systematically through the process of conducting survey research covering in turn, the role of theory, the planning and design of projects, pilot work, access to informants, ethical issues, sampling methods, the preparation of questionnaires, interviewing, the use of computer packages, processing responses, statistical methods of data analysis, and the presentation of findings. Unlike some rival texts that stress complications and difficulties of conducting social surveys, this book adopts a consciously 'can-do' approach, emphasizing strategies and practical tips. Written in a direct style with a clear structure, each chapter begins with a list of key elements and concludes with summary points, points for reflection and suggestions for further reading. As well as examples of techniques and good practice from a variety of surveys, the authors use their own Travel Survey throughout the book to illustrate the decisions that need to be taken at each stage of the survey process. For the technical topics, there is a glossary containing over 130 technical terms that are highlighted in the text. The result is an essential guide to conducting social surveys for students in the social sciences, and for others who need to carry out a community or organizational survey but who may have no previous training in social research methods or experience of survey work.
Ever since Adam Smith suggested his concept of the 'invisible hand', advocates of the market have argued that social cohension, material prosperity and political vitality have been best served by a policy of non-intervention. This book guides the reader through the complex field of social theorizing based on the capital market.
Examines the complex realities of religious belief, practice and institutions, ranging from the high growth rates of successful minority religious movements such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, to the phenomenal rise of Pentecostalism, the challenge of 'fundamentalism' and the apparent turn from religion to spirituality.
In the new edition of this widely praised text, Alan Aldridge examines the complex realities of religious belief, practice and institutions. Religion is a powerful and controversial force in the contemporary world, even in supposedly secular societies. Almost all societies seek to cultivate religions and faith communities as sources of social stability and engines of social progress. They also try to combat real and imagined abuses and excess, regulating cults that brainwash vulnerable people, containing fundamentalism that threatens democracy and the progress of science, and identifying terrorists who threaten atrocities in the name of religion. The third edition has been carefully revised to make sure it is fully up to date with recent developments and debates. Major themes in the revised edition include the recently erupted ‘culture war’ between progressive secularists and conservative believers, the diverse manifestations of ‘fundamentalism’ and their impact on the wider society, new individual forms of religious expression in opposition to traditional structures of authority, and the backlash against ‘multiculturalism’ with its controversial implications for the social integration of ethnic and religious minority communities. Impressive in its scholarly analysis of a vibrant and challenging aspect of human societies, the third edition will appeal strongly to students taking courses in the sociology of religion and religious studies, as well as to everyone interested in the place of religion in the contemporary world.
The Beatles: Illustrated Lyrics is the only major collection of illustrated The Beatles: Illustrated Lyrics is the only major collection of illustrated The Beatles lyrics available. Originally published in 1969, this book has become a symbol of an era, a must-have for Beatles fans and a brilliant tribute to the band that changed a generation. Quotes from John, Paul, George and Ringo provide candid, witty, insightful commentary on the songs and their origins. Clarification of controversial lyrics is offered by the only true authorities, The Beatles themselves. All the famous songs are included – from Can’t Buy Me Love and A Hard Day’s Night to Rocky Raccoon, Revolver and Yellow Submarine. Lavish full colour illustrations by internationally famous artists and specially commissioned photographs reflect the psychedelic world The Beatles lived in and the whole generation and pop culture they influenced.
This book provides a clear and concise introduction to the concept of consumption and to the wide-ranging debates about the nature and consequences of consumer society. Community and social class appear to be in irreversible decline. Job insecurity has grown, and fewer people see work as giving meaning to their lives. Instead they turn to consumption for social standing, a sense of identity, and personal fulfilment. We appear to be living through a profound transition from a society based on production to a new social order, the consumer society, from which there is little chance of escape. The book analyses the relationship between the rise of consumerism and the transformation of the world of work, including the new demands for ‘emotional labour’. It concludes by examining the limitations of consumer organizations and consumer protection in a promotional culture dominated by global brands and saturated with advertising, corporate sponsorship and product placement. This lively book will be essential reading for students and researchers in sociology and cultural studies.
Previous winner of the Whitbread Children's Book Award, this latest edition introduces the fantastical world of the insect's ball to a whole new generation.
In the turbulent years from 1922 to 1952, Australia witnessed a chilling toll as twenty-two dedicated police officers sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Others fell with them. Emerging from the shadows of World War I, the nation, newly minted and resilient, navigated through The Great Depression's pall, only to confront the re-emergence of war. During World War II, police officers, though deterred from enlistment, were released for service, or seconded for intelligence work, thrusting expanded responsibilities onto those who remained. Operating in an unspoken battleground, law enforcers met their demise at the hands of dangerous criminals – murderous men driven by madness or consumed by hatred, most to cover crimes of little worth. Their stories unfold in gun battles, investigations gone wrong, opportunistic killings, and the disturbing murder of two police officers dismembered and burnt by petty thieves. This collection of stories is more than sensational; they are the tales of lives cut short. Each story stands testament to the indomitable spirit of those who faced duty's relentless call during an era when greed held sway over decency.
Shows that the government's strategy to stimulate learning in the workplace, based solidly on improving the qualifications of the UK workforce, has failed to change workers' learning preferences. This book reports that the youngest and oldest adult learners are less enthusiastic about training courses than people in their thirties and forties.
This year's survey of adult participation in learning tells a complicated tale. While participation has fallen since 2001, the data shows an overall trend of rising participation in the last six years, while also showing that progress has reinforced the gap between the learning-haves and the learning-have-nots. Adults in professional and managerial groups are more than twice as likely to learn as the poorest, least skilled and retired. The young participate in far greater numbers than the old, and those with jobs are more likely to have access to learning that those without. The survey suggests that there is a need for sustained policies to stimulate demand if we are to create a learning society for all. Launched during Adult Learners' Week 2002, Two steps forward, one step back builds on NIACE's previous surveys of participation in adult learning (The Learning Divide, Sargant et al, 1997, NIACE, ISBN 1 86201 016 1, £20.00 and The Learning Divide Revisited, Sargant, 2000, NIACE, ISBN 1 86201 088 9, £22.95; Winners and losers in an expanding system, Aldridge and Tuckett, 2001, NIACE, ISBN 1 86201 125 7, £6.00)
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.