July 2020 - Celebrating our Alumni authors

Take a look at the latest books available from our alumni authors:

Richard Bustin (Geography, 2005) has recently published Geography Education's potential and the capability approach: GeoCapabilities and schools

This book explores the pivotal role that geography as a school subject plays in helping every young person achieve their educational potential. Expressed as ‘GeoCapabilities’, this concept draws on the capabilities approach developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum applied to curriculum thinking in schools. While traditional subjects have often been deemed irrelevant and outdated in an overcrowded secondary school curriculum, subjects like geography have often been lost or combined with others to fulfil a broad skills agenda. More recent talk of a ‘knowledge led’ curriculum can often lead to the recitation of facts at the expense of developing deeper understanding. 

This book is available online.

Adrian C. Laing (Law, 1978) has recently published the sixth edition of The Media and Business Contracts Handbook

The book provides the tools for the user to construct a contract in a logical format and draft the terms in language that both parties can easily understand and put into practice and the accompanying digital download reduces administration time in the office.

This book is available online.

Anna de Lange (History and Archaeology, 1971) has recently published PORTLANDS WORKS: Stainless Steel Cutlery

Stainless steel was invented in the arms race for the first World War. An offshoot was a metal that was suitable for cutlery, and the manufacture of ‘stainless’ cutlery was pioneered at Portland Works. It transformed modern-day kitchens and dining rooms. This new book traces the history of Portland Works, right from its construction by successful cutlery maker Robert F Mosley as an innovative integrated cutlery factory. It has been saved from conversion into flats by a community organisation of over 500 people. Anna has been intrigued by the history of Portland Works since she became involved in the campaign to save it. 

This book is available to buy online.

Professor Mick Dumper (PhD, 1993) has recently published Power, Piety and People: The Politics of Holy Cities in the 21st Century

Conflicts in cities that have particular religious significance often become intense, protracted, and violent. Why are holy cities so frequently contested, and how can these conflicts be mediated and resolved? In Power, Piety, and People, Michael Dumper explores the causes and consequences of contemporary conflicts in holy cities. He explains how common features of holy cities, such as powerful and autonomous religious hierarchies, income from religious endowments, the presence of sacred sites, and the performance of ritual activities that affect other communities, can combine to create tension.

This book is available to buy online.

Sarah Ingle (Social Studies - Geography, 1972) has recently published the second edition of William Ince - Cabinet Maker

This book contains a detailed family history of William Ince and the life of John Mayhew, partners in the important 18th century cabinet making firm Ince & Mayhew. Their antique furniture is on display in a number of museums and stately homes around the world.   The postscript describes the intriguing adventures of William’s son Frederick in 1830s Virginia.

This book is available to buy online.

Basirat Razaq-Shuaib (MSc Finance and Investment, 2009) has recently published her second children's picture boook titled Dragons can Sing anf her first children's book titled I am not naughty- I really really mean it! was selected as a finalist for the 2020 British Council ELTons Innovation Awards. 

In Dragons can Sing: Dra just wanted to fly and breathe fire like every other dragon but he didn't realise that his royal red wings and green spikes were not all he needed. In a kingdom where only the strongest survive, will Dra survive the caves? Will the bully dragons get to him and make him give up? Basirat writes children's picture books which promote disability and neurodiversity inclusion while remaining culturally relevant for the black community. She believes it is important to talk to children about inclusion in a friendly way using characters they can relate to so that they understand the message and grow into adults who are inclusive.

Find out more and buy a copy online.

Kate Riordan (MA, 2000) has recently published an ebook called The Heatwave with the paperback version due this September

In Provence, under a sweltering sun, Sylvie returns to the crumbling family home of La Reverie. In her hand is the letter that summoned her, and by her side is Emma, her youngest daughter. Yet every corner of the house is haunted by the spectre of Elodie, her first child. Beautiful, manipulative Elodie, whose long-ago death the villagers still whisper about. Sylvie has tried to put the past behind her. But like the spreading forest fires, memories of Elodie seem to be creeping ever closer. Because there's a secret Sylvie has concealed about what happened to Elodie all those summers ago . . .

This book is available to buy or pre-order online.