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BLOOMSBURY ACADEMIC KEY TITLES SPRING 2027

CONTENTS Spring 2027 Highlighted Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Business and Economics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 History �� 29 Philosophy �� 41 Political Science �� 45 Literary Criticism �� 50 Music �� 54 Performing Arts �� 65 Religion �� 82 Social Science �� 85 Self-Help �� 88 Sports and Recreation �� 90 True Crime �� 97 Family and Relationships �� 101 Young Adult �� 109

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HISTORY

Spies, Scientists, and Cold War Fictions Joshua A. Sanborn

During the Cold War, science and spy fiction moved from the cultural margins to reach new heights of popularity. Spies, Scientists, and Cold War Fictions explores how these genres didn’t just reflect the era – they shaped the diplomatic, military, and scientific realities of the day. Joshua A. Sanborn traces the relationship between adventure narratives, the emerging roles of scientists and spies, and the superpower rivalry. Drawing on works like Ian Fleming’s From Russia With Love, Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October, and the Soviet classic Andromeda Nebula, Sanborn shows how real events, from the rise of Soviet 'science cities' to the development of the U-2 spy plane, often felt torn from the very pages of these novels. Blending cultural history with literary analysis, this book offers a guided tour through the Cold War imagination, revealing how fiction and fact intertwined in shaping a world on the brink of annihilation. January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 384 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 30 bw illus 9781350425514 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Joshua A. Sanborn is David M. '70 and Linda Roth Professor of History at Lafayette College, USA. He is the author of Imperial Apocalypse: The Great War and the Destruction of the Russian Empire (2014) and Drafting the Russian Nation: Military Conscription, Total War, and Mass Politics, 1905-1925 (2003).

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Reviving the American Dream

How Balancing Opportunity with Responsibility Can Unite a Divided Nation Isabel V. Sawhill

What was once the land of opportunity is shrinking for three reasons: the economy, evolving norms, and dysfunctional politics. At the heart of our current divisions is not just our failure to address these wrongs but our tendency to blame our ills on the “other.” We need fewer scapegoats, more respect for one another, and more understanding of the power of individual agency and of acting together as one nation. Blending serious policy debates with personal stories spanning decades in Washington and various administrations, celebrated economist Isabel Sawhill documents the importance of both opportunity and personal responsibility to outline a new social compact that would help bring a divided nation together around new policies to expand opportunity. February 4, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 9780815754169 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Brookings Institution Press

At the heart of Reviving the American Dream are questions Sawhill has grappled for decades: how much are people responsible for their lives and how much are they victims of their individual circumstances? How much should government do to compensate for peoples' different circumstances in order to equalize opportunity? She argues we have spent too much time analyzing the effects of various individual policies, and exaggerating what government by itself can accomplish, and too little time thinking about how to create a politically sustainable policy framework built on a foundation of broadly-shared public values. Isabel V. Sawhill is a senior fellow emeritus in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution. She served as vice president and director of the Economic Studies program from 2003 to 2006. Prior to joining Brookings, Dr. Sawhill served as an associate director at the Office of Management and Budget from 1993 to 1995. She is the Frances Perkins Fellow of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, a recipient of the Academy’s Moynihan award (2016), past president of the American Association of Public Policy and Management, and a recipient of their Exemplar award (2014). She was also named a distinguished fellow of the American Economic Association (2017).

MUSIC

Don't Leave Me This Way

The Memoir of a Motown Legend Thelma Houston

The Grammy Award-winning Motown artist behind the #1 hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way” shares her touching life story and remarkable music career. Thelma Houston – the first solo female artist at Motown to win a Grammy, for “Best R&B Female Vocal Performance” – is an indelible force whose #1 hit is considered among the best disco recordings of all time. But behind this artistry is a woman with a complex story and career. For the first time, Thelma dives deeply into details of her life and music cherished by countless listeners across generations. She was born in 1943 to a family of poor sharecroppers who picked cotton in Mississippi and was raised by a single mother. After working at local clubs for $25 a night, her career started to take off when she signed to Capitol Records, releasing 2 singles. Then, at Dunhill, she released her acclaimed debut album Sunshower (1969), produced by Jimmy Webb, and eventually, executive Suzanne de Passe wanted her for Motown. May 13, 2027 Hardcover • 224 Pages • 6 x 9 25 b/w photos 9798216395690 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Backbeat

From performing at the official Human Rights Campaign inauguration dinner the day before Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony to her decades-long support of the LGBTQ+ community, Thelma has crossed paths with stars like Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Morrissey, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, Jimmy Sommerville, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Danny Glover, and Shelly Duvall. Thelma reflects, “I’m really blessed because I never stopped working, and I truly love what I do. Sometimes, it feels like I’m just getting started.”

Thelma Houston is a Grammy Award-winning musical legend best known for her #1 international hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” giving her the distinction of being the first solo female artist at Motown to win the Grammy Award for “Best R&B Female Vocal Performance.” In addition to her many records and albums, she competed in season 11 of The Masked Singer as “The Clock,” and her third studio album I’ve Got the Music in Me was inducted to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2025. Thelma is also known for her charitable causes and was one of the first outspoken advocates in the battle against AIDS. She lives in Southern California. Fred Bronson is the author / co-author of seven music books, including Rockin' the Kremlin (Rowman & Littlefield 2024), The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook (2011), The Jacksons: Legacy with the Jacksons (2017), Dick Clark’s American Bandstand with Dick Clark (1997), and The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (2004). He created “Smokey's Place,” a series for Smokey Robinson's Smokey’s Soul Town channel. He has guest-starred as an expert on music on American Idol four times and has written the annual television specials the American Music Awards and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. He is a regular contributor to Billboard and has written for Rolling Stone, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter. He lives in Southern California.

MUSIC

Someone Counts to Four and Then You Start Playing How to Disturb the Universe with the Power of Rock’n’Roll Mike Edison

Someone Counts to Four and Then You Start Playing is about that moment when you let go and realize perfection isn’t the goal, excitement is. Someone Counts to Four and Then You Start Playing is a bold call to return to the fundamentals of rock’n’roll — Rhythm, Rebellion, Sex, and Soul. It is seductive, subversive, dangerously wry, and radically authentic. It encourages curiosity, adventure, imagination, protest, and a little bit of trouble. It is all about creating possibilities. Someone Counts to Four and Then You Start Playing puts the dirt and grime back in rock’n’roll music by putting the people back in power. It offers raw insights for aspiring April 15, 2027

musicians looking for an uncorrupted worldview with hard-fought lessons in blues and punk

Paperback • 224 Pages • 6 x 9

rock. It exposes the tyranny of taste, talent, and technique, and rips the sheets off of

15 B/W Images

traditional music theory.

9798765188460 US $22.95 • CAN $33.95

Someone Counts to Four and Then You Start Playing tears a path from Little Richard and

Backbeat

Bo Diddley through the Sex Pistols, Nirvana, and the White Stripes, and along the way celebrates the New York Dolls, the Stooges, the Cramps, and America’s rich tradition of juvenile delinquency. It is a love letter with a happy ending, a self-empowering, life-changing book for anyone who wants to disturb the universe by opening up their hearts and having an unapologetic good time. Author Mike Edison dances freely with anarchy and existentialism, quantum physics, and cheap pyrotechnics. This isn’t just a book about rock’n’roll, it is the thing itself, a rock’n’roll manifesto that should be nailed to the front door of the local music school—and the local bar.

Mike Edison is a celebrated author and musician who has seen the world from behind the drums, opening for such diverse bands as Soundgarden, Sonic Youth, and the Ramones. His most recent book, Sympathy for the Drummer, Why Charlie Watts Matters, was named Book of the Year by Americana Highways. He has written extensive liner notes for, among others, Iggy Pop, and was the editor and publisher of outlaw magazine High Times. He is currently a teaching artist at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and continues to perform with his long-running blues-punk and garage experiment, the Edison Rocket Train. Edison lives in Barryville, New York.

PERFORMING ARTS

Dancing Through Life

A Broadway Memoir of Luck and Talent Larry Fuller

Dancing Through Life is an intimate, electrifying memoir that pulls back the curtain on Broadway’s most dazzling decades—told by a man who didn’t just witness history, but helped create it. From his modest beginnings in Missouri to the bright lights of New York’s most celebrated stages, Larry Fuller’s journey is one of grit, instinct, and relentless reinvention. With disarming honesty and sharp wit, Fuller charts his evolution from chorus dancer to sought-after choreographer, working alongside legends like Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, and Nathan Lane. He offers a rare insider’s view of iconic productions including West Side Story and The Music Man, capturing the artistry, ego, and pressure that defined a golden age of musical theatre.

May 13, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 304 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350672789 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Methuen Drama

More than just a backstage chronicle, this is a deeply personal story of identity and survival. As a gay man navigating mid-20th-century America, Fuller reveals the quiet negotiations required to live authentically in a world that often demanded silence. At its emotional core are his previously unspoken relationships with two titans of Broadway— Hal Prince and Michael Bennett—shedding new light on the complex intersections of power, creativity, and intimacy behind the scenes. Rich with revelation, warmth, and hard-won insight, Dancing Through Life preserves a vanishing era through the eyes of one of its last living witnesses. It is both a love letter to the theatre and a testament to the courage it takes to claim your place within it. Larry Fuller is an American dancer, choreographer, and director whose career spans Broadway, the West End, major European stages, film, and television. He began as a performer in landmark productions including West Side Story, Carousel, The Music Man, and Funny Girl, working alongside influential artists such as Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse. These early experiences grounded him in the golden-age musical tradition and shaped his evolution into a leading creative force in the theater. He lives in Palm Springs, California. Kergan Edwards-Stout is an award-winning author whose work explores identity, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. His memoir, Never Turn Your Back on the Tide (Or, How I Married a Lying, Psychopathic, Wannabe Murderer and Kinda Lived to Tell), was recognized as a top indie book of the year by Shelf Unbound and received an IndieReader Discovery Award. His debut novel, Songs for the New Depression, won the Next Generation Indie Book Award in the LGBTQ category and received a starred review from Library Journal. His short story collection, Gifts Not Yet Given, was also a Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist. His essays and fiction have appeared in publications including the Huffington Post and American Short Fiction. He lives in Palm Springs, California, with his husband and their two sons.

PERFORMING ARTS

The Annie Phenomenon

Rags to Riches Making of a Broadway Classic Mark Cabaniss

Before the red curls, before the Tony Awards, and long before "Tomorrow" became a Broadway anthem, there was a dream, and a risky one at that. The Annie Phenomenon is the compelling behind-the-scenes story of how a scrappy comic strip orphan made an unlikely leap from the Sunday funnies to the Great White Way, becoming a staple of theatre communities, high schools, a successful film and a global phenomenon in the process. As the musical celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2027, this book details the creation of one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals. From composer Charles Strouse, whose previous triumphs included Bye Bye Birdie and Applause, to lyricist and visionary Martin Charnin, who saw a musical in Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie where no one else did, to book writer Thomas Meehan, a first-time librettist with a flair for humor and heart, this is the story of three men chasing a Broadway long shot. April 1, 2027 Hardcover • 208 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350620650 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Methuen Drama

With tryouts that nearly derailed the show, producers who took a leap of faith, and a search for just the right little girl in red, Annie’s road to Broadway was anything but smooth. Yet against the odds, it became a theatrical phenomenon. Filled with insight, humor, and rarely and never-before-told anecdotes, this book is a love letter to the art of making musicals— and a tribute to the tenacity it takes to make a little girl’s song about “Tomorrow” echo for generations. Mark Cabaniss is a music publisher, writer, producer, broadcaster, and speaker. He is President/CEO of global music publisher Jubilate Music Group and the author of four books.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

The TV MBA

Business Lessons from Popular Culture Rhymer Rigby

What can CEOs learn from The Sopranos? Can you use Bridget Jones' Diary as a guide to career development? And what is Breaking Bad if not the ultimate manual for side hustlers? Referencing hundreds of well-loved scenes, characters and plot lines in pop culture, the book pulls out key management, careers and leadership lessons that can be enjoyed and absorbed by everyone – from graduate trainees and CEOs, to pop culture enthusiasts and cinephiles. Tackling themes ranging from emotional intelligence, teamwork dynamics, and climbing the corporate ladder to disrupting markets, crisis management, and toxic cultures, Rhymer Rigby offers a unique blend of entertainment and business wisdom. January 7, 2027 Paperback • 224 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350601703 US $26.95 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Business

Whether it's Patrick Bateman's personal branding in American Psycho, Mulder and Scully's working relationship in The X-Files, Hagrid’s induction process in Harry Potter, or the fundamental failures of risk management in the Alien franchise, The TV MBA casts an eye over celebrated characters and scenes, pulling out lessons and insights that apply to the real-world business environment. Rhymer Rigby is a journalist and author based in the United Kingdom. He has written columns for the Financial Times and the Times and contributed to titles ranging from GQ and Conde Nast Traveller to the Guardian and Management Today. Whilst he mainly covers business, he has also written on topics ranging from spending three days trapped in a blizzard in the Andes with no loo roll to eating deep fried tarantulas in Cambodia.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Collaborate to Compete

A Roadmap to Stronger Leaders, Happier Teams, and Big Results Tricia Cerrone and Edward J. Van Luinen

Two former Walt Disney Imagineering leaders take on a major gap in team leadership: the lack of a reliable method for collaboration that consistently drives success, innovation, and problem-solving. At Disney, Tricia Cerrone and Edward J. Van Luinen were tasked with co-leading a global high-stakes, multi-year initiative across 120+ disciplines. In the process of uniting creative, technical, and operational teams around shared outcomes, they developed and later refined a method of collaboration that consistently improved results. Inspired by their success and wanting to help leaders in any industry, on any team, Cerrone and Van Luinen wrote Collaborate to Compete: A Roadmap to Stronger Leaders, Happier March 4, 2027 Hardcover • 312 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 9798765166482 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Bloomsbury Academic

Teams, and Big Results. Their simple, human approach centers on five everyday behaviors: generosity, resourcefulness, co-creation, action, and gratitude, directed toward a noble purpose. The result is a clear, step-by-step way to build trust, unlock ideas, move faster, and sustain energy without new software, restructures, or big budgets. In Collaborate to Compete you will find: - A repeatable method that fits any leadership style or team structure - Stories and examples from Disney and beyond that show the method in action - Immediate techniques for safer teams, better brainstorms, quicker pilots, and meaningful recognition - A plan to scale collaboration and overcome common barriers like ego, silos, and burnout The ripple effects of this method are powerful: greater innovation, faster decisions, healthier culture, organic professional growth, more resilient people, stronger ROI, and higher engagement. It’s a practical approach leaders can apply in any business, right away, with lasting impact.

Tricia Cerrone is a leadership consultant, podcaster of Innovation Hackers, and an awardwinning author. She is a former Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering where she specialized in experience design, storytelling, and blue sky thinking. Tricia lives in Tallahassee, Florida. Edward J. Van Luinen, EdD, is CEO and Board Advisor at Global Talent Builders, a worldwide recruiting, change, and workforce development company. He is a former talent development leader at Walt Disney Imagineering and lives in Pasadena, California.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

The Ballpark

25 Innovations That Shaped Today's Baseball Stadiums Travis Parker Smith

A fun, fascinating exploration of the evolution of baseball’s stadiums and gameday experiences A baseball game at one ballpark is not the same at another. Players must learn to navigate the short porch of Yankee Stadium, the deep outfield of Coors Field, and the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field. Fans enjoy bat chandeliers in Seattle, fountains in Kansas City, and modern art in Miami. But how did we get here? How did we go from playing ball in public parks to futuristic stadiums with retractable roofs? In The Ballpark: 25 Innovations That Shaped Today's Baseball Stadiums, ballpark guru Travis Parker Smith explores the evolution of baseball’s stadiums and fan experience February 18, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 34 b/w photos 9798881803599 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

through 25 key developments. From the early days of open fields and wooden grandstands to today’s slick stadiums and gourmet food options, Parker Smith takes readers through the ballpark’s ever-changing architecture and gameday flair. The desire for track and field in New York incidentally resulted in the first warning track. The Cincinnati Reds’ near bankruptcy in the 1930s is the reason we have Sunday Night Baseball. The U.S. Military’s wish for better recruits led to the creation of AstroTurf. The Ballpark brings it all together for a fun, quirky, and unique perspective of the beloved buildings that host America’s pastime. Travis Parker Smith is a writer based in Washington, DC. While his primary work focuses on international affairs and European culture, beyond the office walls he is heralded as a “ballpark guru,” having published a memoir (Touch 'Em All), launched a podcast exploring the history and uniqueness of the current MLB stadiums (Ballpark Banter), and started the @MarinerMuse Twitter/X channel dedicated to the Seattle Mariners.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Pancho

The Triumph and Tragedy of Tennis Legend Pancho Gonzales Tony Castro

The definitive biography of American tennis legend Pancho Gonzales, whose historic back-to-back U.S. National Championships in 1948 and 1949 shattered barriers in a predominantly white sport before he went on to reign as the world’s top professional player for much of the following decade. That thunderbolt of a serve. That chip on his shoulder the size of the sport itself. A fiery, misunderstood genius. . . Pancho Gonzales may have been the greatest tennis player of all time, rising from the hard-scrabble streets of a Los Angeles immigrant barrio to rule the tennis world in an era that wasn’t ready for a working-class Mexican American champion. In Pancho: The Triumph and Tragedy of Tennis Legend Pancho Gonzales, veteran June 10, 2027 Hardcover • 256 Pages • 6 x 9 11 bw images 9798216378778 US $28.00 • CAN $40.95 Rowman & Littlefield

journalist and historian Tony Castro offers a deeply personal, culturally resonant portrait of one of the most complicated figures in sports history. Gonzales was not only an athletic icon but a symbol of something larger: the fierce, often invisible war waged by Latinos to claim their place in the American dream. Castro details Pancho’s youth growing up in a segregated Los Angeles where he was barred from most tennis courts because of the color of his skin and the sound of his name. With no coaching, no formal training, and no country club pedigree, he became world champion. Then he did it again. And again. And again--for eight years straight. Pancho goes beyond the trophies and tantrums to explore the man behind the myth. Through dozens of interviews with Pancho, Castro investigates the cycles of rage and alienation that followed Gonzales throughout his life and examines his legacy--as a pathbreaker, a Chicano icon before the term existed, and a painful reminder of what happens when greatness collides with a country that insists on respectability over revolution. Tony Castro is a critically-acclaimed journalist, historian, and author. His works include a New York Times bestseller, an NPR Best Book of the Year, and multiple highly-praised books on Mickey Mantle. His bylines have appeared in the Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and the Texas Observer. He lives in Los Angeles.

LITERARY CRITICISM

Doctor Doom

The Making of Marvel's Greatest Villain Bryan Stratton

Explore the Stories Behind the Legends Genius. Monarch. Sorcerer. God. Since the birth of the Marvel Universe, Doctor Doom has left scars across it as indelible as the ones he hides beneath his cold iron mask. Victor von Doom is one of Marvel’s most popular villains, having menaced just about every Marvel hero since 1962. He’s a dark sorcerer who fights the devil every Midsummer's Eve for his mother’s soul, as well as a mad scientist with an inexhaustible supply of robot duplicates and the coolest time machine ever invented. This entry in MARVEL AGE OF COMICS chronicles why this fascinating fiend has remained a compelling character for seven decades and counting, from his first appearance in Fantastic Four #5 to his conquest of the Marvel Universe in One World Under Doom. December 17, 2026 Paperback • 176 Pages • 5 x 7¾ 42 color illus

Beautifully illustrated with full-color artwork, this is a must-have for both die-hard fans already familiar with dozens of Doom’s nefarious schemes, as well as the Doom-curious.

9798216453970 US $14.95 • CAN $21.95

Bryan Stratton is the creator and co-host of the Marvel by the Month podcast, which

Marvel Age of Comics

covers the history of Marvel Comics – and the events that shaped them – one month at a

Bloomsbury Academic

time. A writer, strategist, educator, and game designer, he has worked with some of the world’s most universally recognized entertainment brands, from Nintendo to WWE. In 2024, he was awarded one of the last remaining Marvel No-Prizes for “meritorious service to the cause of Marveldom.” He is based in Portland, Oregon.

LITERARY CRITICISM

An A-Z of J. R. R. Tolkien Adam Roberts

From his fiction set in the world of Middle-earth to his influential scholarship on Beowulf and fairy stories, J. R. R. Tolkien is the father of fantasy literature. Tropes, character-types and his own personal history have inspired the fantasy genre for generations but the sheer size of his legendarium and the studies surrounding his work are monumental. Using a lively A-Z structure, Adam Roberts provides 26 essays that offer stimulating fresh takes and engaging entry points into Tolkien’s life and works. With entries such as ‘A is for Ainulindalë’ and ‘D is for Dragon’, digging into Middle-earth’s lore and creatures, ‘G is for Gandalf’ and ‘W is for Women’ exploring the importance of his characters and their thematic significance, entries such as ‘I is for Inklings’ and ‘S is for Somme’, trace the influences and experiences of the man himself. Drawing upon the entirety of Tolkien and his son Christopher Tolkien’s oeuvre as well as popular adaptations such as Peter Jackson’s trilogies and Amazon’s The Rings of Power, An A-Z of Tolkien’s essays pull our marvels from the text that launch fascinating discussions alert to key concepts discussed by fans and Tolkien scholars alike. January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 176 Pages • 5½ x 8½

Thought-provoking and rewarding on each new page, this lexicon of the ideas and creations

9781350536845

of one of our most celebrated writers invites renewed appreciation of a mind, world and

US $61.00 • CAN $89.50

mythology as complex, though infinitely more magical, than our own.

Bloomsbury Academic Adam Roberts is a writer, critic and scholar. He is the author of 12 science fiction novels and stories, which have been nominated for and won numerous awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke award, The British Science Fiction Association award, the John W. Campbell award and the Kitschies Red Tentacle, and he has written for The Guardian and The Times. Professor in Nineteenth Century Literature and Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, he has also published a rang of scholarly works such as The History of Science Fiction (2016), The Riddles of the Hobbit (2013) and Fantasy: A Short History (Bloomsbury, 2025).

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

Legendary

The Many Lives of The Legend of Zelda Eric Betts

A witty and insightful deep-dive into the most beloved videogame franchise of all time. Mario may be the most recognizable game character in the world, but no series is more beloved nor has inspired more devoted fans than The Legend of Zelda. For four decades, Zelda games have pushed and perfected what is possible in the medium, becoming lodestars for generations of players. In Legendary, journalist and lifelong fan Eric Betts traces the franchise across eighteen core installments, exploring what has made it an enduring cultural icon. In covering the Zeldaverse game by game, Legendary touches on topics that are central to modern popular entertainments: navigating sprawling multiverses, appeasing young and old audiences, balancing nostalgia and innovation. Betts provides an entertaining account of the franchise’s evolution, from its phenomenally successful 1987 US launch through April 1, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 256 Pages • 6 x 9 20 b/w images 9798216471509 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Bloomsbury Academic

continued reimaginings and boundary-pushing. Melding personal reminiscence, industry history, and insightful “close readings,” Betts offers up plenty of goodies for devotees: capturing the essence of a good Zelda dungeon, comparing different installments’ approaches to combat, and mounting a quixotic defense of the franchise’s black sheep, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The result is a fascinating case study in gaming history and an affectionate tribute to some of the most acclaimed games of all time. Eric Betts has been a regular contributor at Slate for nearly a decade. He has written about The Legend of Zelda for The Cleveland Review of Books and The Sixth Axis, about the spiritual connection between Super Mario and Michael Jordan for The Curator, and about pop culture and literature for Tor.com/Reactor, The Millions, Slate, Bridge Eight, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Fansided, and many more.

SCIENCE

Before and After the DNA Test

A Practical Guide to Genetic Privacy, Medical Risks, and Family Secrets Maria Leonard Olsen

An invaluable resource for anyone who has taken or is considering taking a consumer DNA test At age 53, attorney Maria Leonard Olsen learned from a DNA test that the father who raised her is not her biological father. Her world was upended. As she sought out resources and support groups, Maria discovered she was far from alone. About one in seven adults in the U.S. have used consumer DNA tests. These numbers are only expected to grow—and the fallout for many will be significant. In the meantime, people are left without guidance or resources on how to protect themselves. Few consumers today understand the possible consequences of taking a consumer DNA February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216270560 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

test. In Before and After the DNA Test, Maria Leonard Olsen brings legal expertise, personal experience, and research involving hundreds of interviews with others impacted by surprise DNA test results to help you navigate this new terrain. Learn what you need to know before you take the test and what you need to do to protect yourself afterwards—as well as advice and support for how to handle surprising results—in this practical, wideranging, and accessible guide. Maria Leonard Olsen practices law as a commercial litigator in Washington, DC. She is the author of 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, podcaster of “Becoming Your Best Version,” journalist, TEDx speaker, and recovery mentor. Maria served as a political appointee in the Clinton Justice Department and on numerous boards. She writes for women in midlife publications, including AARP’s The Ethel, and is a frequent public speaker.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Always Wanting More

Love, Sex, and the Lives of Highly Sexual Women Alicia M. Walker

Women are told they should be sex-positive, yet they are still policed for embracing desire on their own terms. Women who embrace their sexuality—who take charge of their desires without apology—are still met with scrutiny, judgment, and even shame. Conversations about female sexuality have evolved, yet outdated expectations persist, reinforcing the idea that “good” women don’t prioritize their own sexual pleasure. Meanwhile, purity culture is rebranding itself in the form of “body count” discourse, sex shaming on social media, and narratives that still tie female sexuality to morality.

May 13, 2027

Always Wanting More is a bold, necessary intervention in this conversation. It centers the voices of women who refuse to apologize for their desire, challenging cultural norms and redefining what it means to be a sexual woman today. These women push back against the idea that female sexuality should be constrained, sanitized, or policed. Their stories—complex, messy, unapologetic—offer a new way to think about sexual autonomy and pleasure. Weaving together case studies, cultural commentary, and sociological analysis, Always Wanting More offers a fresh perspective on gender, desire, and the way sexual scripts shape women’s lives.

Hardcover with dust jacket • 256 Pages • 6 x 9 9781350588981 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Alicia M. Walker is an associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University and the author of The Secret Life of the Cheating Wife: Power, Pragmatism, and Pleasure in Women’s Infidelity and Chasing Masculinity: Men, Validation, and Infidelity. Her work has appeared in Redbook, CNN, New York Times, The Cut, Daily Mail, Bustle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Men’s Health, USA Today, Psychology Today, The Independent, The Sun, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, The Sun, and Business Insider.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Preparing for and Dealing with Cyber Threats A Non-Technical Guide to Navigating a Cyber Attack Stephen Dunn

With frequent and rapid advancements in technology, businesses are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyber attacks. This accessible guide provides small business owners and non-technical managers with a framework for responding to cyber attacks in real time. Designed as a practical incident response for businesses without dedicated IT security teams, Preparing for and Dealing with Cyber Threats can be used during an actual crisis. From recognizing the early warning signs, through to recovering and building long-term resilience for your business, Stephen Dunn guides you through the complete incident response journey and demonstrates how readers can transfer these skills into other areas April 27, 2027 Paperback • 192 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350623415 US $26.95 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Business

of their business. Each chapter provides actionable templates, checklists and decision-making frameworks that are designed to work when readers are under extreme stress. With templates and geography-specific information provided in appendices, this is your one-stop resource for preparing your business to tackle cyber attacks, and to provide your team with the skills to prevent them going forward.

Stephen Dunn is a cybersecurity and technology leader who has spent his career translating complex technical challenges into clear business solutions, working with boards, senior leadership teams, and non-technical managers across a range of industries. A full member of the Chartered Institute of Information Security and CISSP certified, Stephen is a regular speaker on cybersecurity topics and a STEM Ambassador. Preparing for and Dealing with Cyber Threats is his first book.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Psychology at Work

The 50 Traits and Trends that are Shaping our Professional Lives Adrian Furnham

An informative and entertaining guide to the latest psychological issues that are shaping who we are and how we work – from general differences and corporate cultures, to assessing candidates and handling elite performers. Psychology at Work examines some of the key issues that, in every modern workplace, are impacting our lives, shaping our interactions with colleagues, and even impacting our chances of promotion. Psychological issues have always played a part at work, but in our hybrid, disconnected offices, with colleagues who could be on the next continent or in the next room, new and challenging conditions are making themselves known.

January 21, 2027 Paperback • 304 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350592001 US $26.95 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Business

The language of psychology offers clear descriptions and explanations for all sort of phenomena, including many more modern conditions. Knowing more about how these conditions manifest themselves and how they can be treated can help people to feel happier, and better able to identify and realize their full potential. Adrian Furnham takes a deep dive into 50 of the most common issues facing everyone in the workplace – from the seemingly innocuous (such as competitiveness and gossip) to the downright dangerous (such as leadership derailment or passive-aggressive bureaucrats). Understanding how these forces shape behavior in the workplace will allow you to tackle hidden stresses at work and ultimately to build the most positive and rewarding work-life balance. Adrian Furnham was a Lecturer in Psychology at Pembroke College Oxford, and Professor of Psychology at UCL, and is a renowned speaker on psychology issues in the workplace. He is currently at the Norwegian Business School in Oslo. He is the author of over 95 books and 1500 peer reviewed papers.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

How Fintech Founders Win

Eight Startups, Six Continents, One Framework Paul Christensen and Gary Dushnitsky

The next era of finance is being built by founders. How Fintech Founders Win tells the story of eight category-defining fintech startups across six continents, and the founders who changed how money moves, is saved, borrowed, invested and managed. Money shapes almost every part of modern life: how people are paid, how businesses grow, how savings become security, and how bold ideas become global businesses. In every generation, the way money works is remade by entrepreneurs who see old systems differently. Drawing on original interviews and primary research, Paul Christensen and Gary Dushnitsky go inside the companies that reshaped payments, banking, data, identity and wealth: Airwallex, Alloy, Flutterwave, IHS Markit, Nubank, PensionBee, PhonePe and January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 272 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781399434263 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Business

Revolut. The book reveals the strategic patterns behind their success: how great fintech founders build trust, find distribution, navigate regulation, raise capital and scale through uncertainty. At its centre is the GRID (Growth through Innovation and Distribution), a new framework that the authors developed for understanding how innovation becomes impact; it explains why innovation is only the starting point, and provides you with a set of insights that any builder, investor or leader can apply. Part biography, part playbook, How Fintech Founders Win is essential reading for entrepreneurs, investors, financial services leaders and anyone fascinated by how human ingenuity turns bold ideas into world-changing companies. Eight startups. Six continents. One framework for turning innovation into impact.

Paul Christensen is a 25-year fintech veteran, entrepreneur and former Global Co-Head of Fintech at Goldman Sachs. Paul has built, backed and advised fintech companies across multiple financial cycles, from the dot-com era and the global financial crisis to AI and embedded finance. He has served on the boards of leading fintech companies including Tradeweb and IHS Markit, and is the Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Previse. Gary Dushnitsky is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Deputy Dean at London Business School, and Senior Fellow at Wharton’s Mack Institute for Innovation Management. Gary is a leading authority on entrepreneurial finance and innovation, with research published in top academic journals and senior editorial roles at Organization Science and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

The Future of B2B Marketing

Harnessing AI to Unlock Smarter Decisions Luan Wise

B2B marketers face unique challenges, including non-linear buyer journeys, multiple decision-makers, and long sales cycles, alongside the (mis)perception of their work being boring and lacking in creativity. Written by a seasoned industry practitioner, The Future of B2B Marketing offers original insights and guidance into the evolving B2B landscape, showing how artificial intelligence can be applied at every stage of the buying journey – from capturing awareness from the right audience and generating quality engagement through to optimizing measurement and performance. It serves to both guide experienced professionals while also supporting those new to the industry, offering reminders, confidence-building, and practical approaches for navigating the everyday complexities of B2B marketing. January 26, 2027 Hardcover • 264 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781399429948 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95

Combining research, frameworks, case studies, and career-focused advice, this book helps marketers embrace new technologies and learn how to put AI into practice, using their own judgement and expertise to act effectively – and ultimately make smarter decisions.

Bloomsbury Business Luan Wise has over 25 years of agency, client-side, and consultancy experience. She is a chartered marketer, fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), and is currently pursuing a PhD by Portfolio at the University of Lancashire. Alongside consultancy projects, Luan delivers industry talks and training workshops for professional bodies, university business schools, and organizations across the world.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

The Golden Pitch

How Celebrities and Influencers Shape the Way We Think, Feel, and Act Martha Laham

How do today’s celebrities have the enormous power and influence to be able to push products and change minds? The dizzying proliferation of platforms, channels, and content formats in today’s digital world has fed a ravenous market for celebrity culture. Companies fork out billions each year to hire celebrities and influencers to endorse products, brands, political figures, and charitable causes--because the right celebrity endorsement is worth its weight in gold. In The Golden Pitch, Martha Laham reveals how celebrities leverage their fame to drive consumer choices and sway opinions, and how companies harness this star power to move products and engage audiences. Through a vivid array of historical and contemporary January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 296 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216197447 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Bloomsbury Academic

examples and stories, she delves into the history of celebrity, society’s fascination with fame, the use of influencer endorsements, the rise of the microcelebrity, and the future of fame and celebrity in the digital age. This in-depth look at the persuasive power of celebrities and influencers uncovers the roots of celebrity worship and illustrates the significant role that the media has played in fueling today’s celebrity culture. With a thoughtful consideration of the next stage in the evolution of celebrity and influence, The Golden Pitch also charts the future of fame and how it will influence brands, advertising, politics, and more in the years to come. Martha Laham is a professor at Diablo Valley College, where she has taught business, marketing, and advertising for more than thirty years. She has authored college textbooks in marketing and selling, developed instructional materials for educational publishers, and contributed to HuffPost. Laham is the author of Made Up: How the Beauty Industry Manipulates Consumers, Preys on Women’s Insecurities, and Promotes Unattainable Beauty Standards. She lives in Oakland, California.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

The Reality of Relationships

The Art of Navigating Interdependence with Others, at Home and at Work Randall S. Peterson

Landing a dream job, a devastating breakup, or quitting a toxic boss – these are the things that make movies, fill advice columns, and fuel gossip sessions. Less attention, however, is paid to the hard work bit in the middle of established relationships: skills to grow and deepen relationships, navigate conflicts, and set healthy boundaries. The Reality of Relationships shows you how to do that well. Relationships are often difficult because we interact with people whose priorities differ from our own, and we cannot always choose who they are. Bosses and co-workers, parents, and teachers all tend to have a significant impact on us, yet we do not get a say in who they are. To get the best from these key relationships it's important to understand not only the specific relationships, but also the network of connections around them in order to find practical and effective paths forward. January 21, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 176

Given the interconnected nature of our relationships, it is not always feasible to terminate

Pages • 6¼ x 9¼

one that is challenging – choosing not to interact with a co-worker, for example. Therefore,

9781350629677

we need to focus on how we can effectively manage and shape our interactions with these

US $27.00 • CAN $39.50

individuals. The Reality of Relationships helps you identify better relationship options by

Bloomsbury Business

offering six key relationship interdependence questions to ask yourself, as well as practical tips for facilitating change in your most difficult relationships. No matter your place in life, The Reality of Relationships offers a proven framework for improving your relationships with others. Randall S. Peterson and Kristin J. Behfar, worldclass experts on building teams and relationships, offer advice based on decades of research and consulting helping others to build better relationships at work, home, and in life.

Dr. Randall S. Peterson is Professor of Organizational Behaviour and founding director of the London Business School Leadership Institute. His work has featured in The Economist, Financial Times, BBC, Forbes, MSNBC, and The New Yorker. Dr. Kristin J. Behfar transitioned to work for United States Army War College following a distinguished 20-year career as an award-winning business school professor. Postretirement, her pioneering research on team conflict and multi-cultural teams remains routinely cited across corporate media platforms.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Start Now

The Essential Guide to Jobs, Money and Making it Happen Hannah Williams

Start Now is a straight-talking, reassuring guide for anyone at the very beginning of their career, whether you’re looking for a Saturday job, an internship, a first role after university, or are simply trying to figure out what comes next. There’s no single ‘right’ way to start your career anymore. The world of work has changed and most people won’t follow a neat path from one job to another. You might study and work at the same time. You might try different things, switch direction, or build multiple income streams along the way.

March 30, 2027 Paperback • 240 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350608719 US $22.95 • CAN $33.95 Bloomsbury Business

Blending practical advice with real-life stories, Start Now covers everything from getting your first job and managing your money, to understanding how modern careers actually work – including how technology and AI are changing the workplace, the hiring process, and how you can use them to your advantage. You’ll learn how to: · Get your first job; · Build confidence, independence and real world skills; · Balance work, study and everything else going on in your life (without burning out); · Understand pay, rights, and how to handle workplace challenges; and · Explore different ways of working - from part-time jobs to starting something of your own. With the tone of a big sibling and the clarity of a great mentor, Start Now meets you exactly where you are: at the start. Because you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to begin. Hannah Williams knows what it’s like to start from scratch. She began her working life as a shop assistant and a waitress; in her twenties, she trained as a financial adviser, worked as a PA in luxury retail and taught in China. Later, she launched the UK’s first review site for renters, Rental Raters, as a side hustle while working full time. Hannah spent 15 years working in PR with some of the biggest names in tech and now runs her own content and communications consultancy. She’s been hired and fired (more than once), built teams, managed people, and knows today’s workplace inside-out – while staying connected to how the future of work is evolving.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Demystifying Government Contracting A Practical Guide to Building and Scaling Businesses in the Federal Marketplace Curtis A. Merriweather Jr.

The federal government spends more than a trillion dollars annually on goods and services. Most contractors enter that market chasing contracts. The ones who build lasting enterprises enter it with a fundamentally different objective. Demystifying Government Contracting is the practical guide for entrepreneurs who want to build, scale, and ultimately own a durable business inside the federal marketplace--not just win individual awards. Built around the Four Stages of Government Contracting framework, the book walks readers through the full arc of enterprise development: - How to structure, register, and launch a credible contracting operation - How to identify federal buyers, develop a competitive position, and execute a capture April 1, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 464 Pages • 6 x 9 9798765162491 US $38.00 • CAN $55.50 Bloomsbury Academic

strategy - How to price work, build teams, and manage compliance without career-ending mistakes - How to attract private equity, position for acquisition, and convert years of execution into enterprise value Unlike other books on government contracting, this book begins before the proposal and ends after the contract. It’s for the first-time contractor navigating SAM.gov registration, the established firm preparing for full and open competition, or the owner building toward an exit, delivering the strategic architecture the federal marketplace rarely teaches and most practitioners learn too late. Curtis A. Merriweather Jr., PhD, is a private equity investor and value creation professional. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management, he is the founder and CEO of Emergent Inc., a defense and government technology firm with more than $1 billion in cumulative federal contract awards. He lives in Summerville, SC.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Leadersmithing in Real Life

Real-World Advice For Senior Leaders

Eve Poole

An examination of how the leadership principles covered in Leadersmithing actually work in challenging real-life situations. What would you do if you found yourself marooned in the ocean, with only the blueprints for a boat? Or in the middle of the jungle, with only a wildlife manual for help? How does advice you've only read about actually work in the real world? Especially when that world is challenging, fast-moving and unpredictable... Suddenly, this was a real-time stress-test for Leadersmithing. Could the award-winning book work in two very different business contexts, and in the midst of a global health crisis? Would the theory translate into effective practice? This is the searingly honest and messy account of applying leadership lessons to real-life senior roles, played out under pressure and in the public eye, and what lessons it can teach us about the realities of leadership. April 13, 2027 Paperback • 216 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350608917 US $26.95 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Business

Using real-life examples from her own work, as well as commentary and lessons from other experienced leaders, Leadersmithing in Real Life looks again at key leadership issues – from delegation and managing ambiguity, to motivating and influencing others – to create a highly practical manual for anyone looking to bring positive momentum to their leadership or management role. Dr Eve Poole, OBE, chairs the Woodard Corporation. She was Interim CEO of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland (2023-2024) and the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2022); Third Church Estates Commissioner (2018-2021); and Chairman of Gordonstoun (2015-2021). She has degrees from Durham (BA), Edinburgh (MBA), and Cambridge (PhD). She is the author of two books published by Bloomsbury Business: Capitalism's Toxic Assumptions (2015) and Leadersmithing (2017).

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

How to Afford Your Midlife Crisis

A Fearless Financial Guide for Women Who Won't Settle Kimberly Palmer

Learn to navigate your midlife crisis through vetted financial guidance and personal stories of reinvention. Whether it’s job loss, divorce, a dire medical diagnosis, dealing with aging parents, or burning out in a dead-end career, almost all of us will experience some kind of crisis at the rough midpoint of life. And most of us are not financially ready to deal with it. In How to Afford Your Midlife Crisis: A Fearless Financial Guide for Women Who Won’t Settle, financial expert Kimberly Palmer uses facts and advice, humor and real-world stories, and a huge amount of financial savvy to show that you can survive a midlife crisis— and in fact, come out better for it. Each chapter’s takeaways and tips make it easy for May 13, 2027 Paperback • 256 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 9798216389477 US $24.95 • CAN $36.50 Bloomsbury Academic

readers to apply the lessons to their own lives, while personal stories from women who found ways to reinvent themselves after career shifts, job loss, divorce, and financial hardship provide the inspiration we all need. Whether a midlife crisis is precipitated by internal factors like wanting something new or external ones like job loss, the economic ramifications are significant. And the tough reality is that in this day and age, women are hitting midlife at a time of extreme economic uncertainty. But with the right planning, you can turn the classic midlife “moment” into an opportunity, even if it includes unexpected turns along the way. Kimberly Palmer is a journalist, syndicated personal finance columnist, and host of the NerdWallet book club. She has written for the Associated Press, AARP The Magazine, and US News & World Report and her work has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, and USA Today. Palmer is the author of three personal finance books: Generation Earn, The Economy of You, and Smart Mom, Rich Mom. She lives in the Washington, DC, area.

EDUCATION

Who We Welcome

International Students and the Future of US Higher Education George F. Kacenga

What does it mean to welcome international students—and what happens when that welcome is withdrawn? Confronting the growing instability that now shapes higher education in the United States, this book explains how the U.S. became a global destination for education and why that position can no longer be taken for granted. It reveals how policy volatility, weakened public confidence, and global competition are shifting conditions faster than many institutions are prepared to acknowledge. The book traces the historical and structural forces that built the current system and shows how easily its strengths can be undermined when political signals turn inward. Through January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 264 Pages • 6 x 9 20 B/W Figures 9798216440048 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Bloomsbury Academic

interviews conducted with former students recruited from around the world, the book revisits the promises made to them by U.S. higher education and examines which were honored and which fell short. It gives voice to individuals who navigated uncertainty, separation, and shifting rules while studying in the United States. Their stories reveal both the strain they endured and the remarkable contributions they now make in communities, industries, and research environments across the country and around the world. The book argues that the future of international education in the United States depends on steadier leadership, responsible policy, and a renewed understanding that talent from abroad strengthens the nation in ways that extend far beyond enrollment counts. It warns that inaction carries consequences that will outlast today’s debates. George F. Kacenga, Ph.D. is a leading voice in international enrollment management, with nearly 25 years of experience across public and private institutions. He currently serves as Vice President for Enrollment Management at William Paterson University. He is a Fulbright International Education Administrators award recipient and a recognized leader in international enrollment management, having served in leadership roles with organizations including NAFSA, AIRC (President, 2019), TAICEP, and the Fund for Education Abroad. He is based in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

HISTORY

When War Is the Answer

The Rational Case for Conflict, and Why Leaders Don't Always Choose Peace Collin J. Meisel

Through an investigation of political leaders' decision-making on the path to war, this timely book addresses one of the most important and misunderstood issues of our time: the preference for war over peace. “Suicide for fear of death” is how the first chancellor of the German empire Otto von Bismarck described a leader’s choice to start a war. In the lead up to World War I, the phrase “‘The Germans are dangerous, but they are not maniacs" is how people assured one another they were safe. Indeed, beyond immediate self-defense against an obviously imminent attack, the decision to start a war may seem to most of us to be utterly irrational given its exorbitant costs—human, financial, psychological, moral, and otherwise. Why, then, have many leaders decided that war is the answer to their questions of how best to January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 272 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216451600 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Bloomsbury Academic

achieve their personal and policy objectives? What drives leaders to choose war in the future? How can we deter them? Security and military expert Collin Meisel addresses these perplexing questions, offering a theory of war and testing it across five cases studies. Rather than try to predict, this book seeks to explain and understand these rationales, guiding readers through leaders’ decision-making on the path toward war and gleaning lessons for the future. When we better understand why leaders make such drastic choices against far less bloody alternatives, we may be able to better understand how to shape choices in the future, perhaps reducing the frequency (if not bringing about the long-desired end) of war. Collin J. Meisel is the director of analysis at the University of Denver’s Pardee Institute for International Futures at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He is a nonresident senior fellow at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, a nonresident fellow at The Henry L. Stimson Center, and a term member of the Council on Foreign Relation, and provided policy analysis for The Atlantic Council and The Stimson Center. Collin has a master’s in public policy from Georgetown University.

HISTORY

The Things They Left Behind An American Military History Robert J. Kodosky

Bringing military history to life through the objects veterans carried into war The commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary offers a chance to engage with the stories of those who made wartime sacrifices throughout the nation's history. Since the creation of the all-volunteer force in the early 1970s, a decreasing number of Americans serve in the military. This results in an unprecedented disconnect between veterans and civilians that renders it difficult for many individuals transitioning from the military back into society. Increased rates of post-traumatic stress and suicides for post 9/11 veterans attest to the need for Americans to understand the consequences of war for the ones that serve and ensure the support they need. This book helps bridge that gap between the front lines and the homefront by telling the stories of the people inside the uniforms. There exists an intimacy between those who January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 288 Pages • 6 x 9 32 bw illustrations 9798765152423 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 American Association for State and Local History Bloomsbury Academic

experienced wartime and the things that they held onto. These objects retain the tales of heroism and sacrifice, of triumph and of loss, they offer timeless insights into our human condition. They link us to our past by providing a tangible connection to the humanity that constructed our nation’s history. Military history is central to America’s past. Focusing on the specifications of weapons or battlefield details and statistics loses sight of the individuals who confronted duress with dignity. This project uses personal artifacts as a means to render military history accessible by revealing it through the eyes of the ordinary Americans who shaped it. Robert Kodosky is a professor of history at West Chester University and author of The Nile Swim Club of Yeadon: A History; Tuskegee in Philadelphia: Rising to the Challenge; and Psychological Operations American Style.

HISTORY

Burn New York

Confederate Terrorism in the Heart of America’s Greatest City J. Furman Daniel III

The fascinating true story of the plot by Confederate terrorists to burn down New York City on November 25, 1864. Despite extensive coverage in the press and the terrifying parallels to the September 11th attacks, the incident has been largely forgotten. By retelling this captivating tale, this book will introduce readers to a little-known chapter of Civil War history and will expose how the increasingly desperate Confederate government turned to terrorism as a strategy during the final months of the conflict. Furman Daniel weaves together the details of this complex Civil War-era spy thriller from the development of the initial plot, an international investigation after the incident, and the January 20, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 264 Pages • 6 x 9

trial and execution of a key Confederate plotter. The result is a thrilling true crime adventure set in the streets of New York City.

9781538189184 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

J. Furman Daniel, III is a prolific scholar, world traveler, former intelligence officer, and raconteur. He has authored dozens of publications spanning topics such as international relations theory, the influence of fiction on foreign policy decision-making, Edmund Burke, Carl von Clausewitz, General George Patton, Winston Churchill, technology diffusion, space colonization, and even home-field advantage in Major League Baseball. He has appeared on BBC, NPR, CSPAN, XM Radio, and dozens of other media outlets. Burn New York is his sixth book.

HISTORY

Hamas

An Anatomy of Terror Magnus Ranstorp

Shortly before October 7, 2023, Magnus Ranstorp, one of the world’s foremost experts on terrorism and violent extremism, travelled to Israel for a high-level conference on the region’s security. Senior politicians gathered with representatives from the UN, EU, Mossad and the IDF. The focus was Hezbollah. Hamas was barely mentioned. Weeks later, that blind spot would have catastrophic consequences. In this book, Ranstorp tells the gripping and deeply personal story of Hamas, from its founding in 1987 to the aftermath of October 7 attack. He traces how a movement rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood grew into a powerful political and military force in Gaza and the West Bank, responsible for decades of terrorism and violence that have claimed thousands of lives. Drawing on decades of research and encounters with senior Hamas leaders, Ranstorp January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 248 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216393023

takes readers inside the organisation—its ideology, strategy, leadership and networks—and reveals how Hamas became one of the most consequential and controversial forces in the Middle East.

US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Magnus Ranstorp is a renowned authority on counterterrorism and countering violent extremism. He currently serves as Strategic Adviser at the Centre for Societal Security at the Swedish Defence University, Sweden.

HISTORY

Long Distance Runners

Black Women Radicals and the Struggle for Liberation Tionne Alliyah Parris

Tells the extraordinary story of a network of pioneering Black radical women – Claudia Jones, Shirley Graham Du Bois, Vicki Garvin, Louise Thompson Patterson and Eslanda Robeson - whose fearless activism reshaped the 20th-century fight for Black liberation. This book explores their enduring influence, revealing how their transnational networks and strategies laid the groundwork for subsequent movements. They were exiled not only from the frontlines of U.S. activism but from our memory of Black radical activism. By bringing their overlooked contributions back into focus, this book redefines our understanding of the Civil Rights and Black Power eras, showcasing these women as unseen architects in the global struggle for liberation. The strategies these women developed – anti-war activism, February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 248 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216441748 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Bloomsbury Academic

transnational approaches, grassroots organizing, and working-class solidarity – are just as relevant today as global conflicts escalate and movements for justice face increasing repression. Tionne Parris is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the David Bruce Centre for the Study of the Americas, hosted at the University of Keele, UK. She specializes in 20th century Black radicalism.

HISTORY

City of Refuge

A History of Istanbul Through Eight Neighborhoods Evan Pheiffer

Its life on the fault line, Istanbul bears its contradictions proudly. Ancient cosmopolitan port anchored to a hard, nationalist hinterland. Secular multiethnic metropolis pinned to a soi-disant monolingual Muslim ethnostate. Binder of continents and pillar of Pangaea, a string of broken pearls strung together by the great human traditions of solidarity and local self-government. This vivid portrait of one of the world’s greatest cities introduces readers to eight emblematic neighborhoods from both sides of the iconic Bosporus strait. From staunchly secular Besiktas to hyper-liberal Kadiköy, the multikulti proletarian melee of Aksaray to resolutely religious Çarsamba, each embodies a critical aspect of modern Turkey’s social, political, economic, and religious history. Woven through are the stories of ordinary Istanbullus of all walks of life whose reflections reveal that, if far from perfect, each neighborhood offers sanctuary of a kind, a partial haven from the many cruelties of history, February 18, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 336 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼

class, geography, and creed. Little loci of autonomy that refuse to harden into a single form, each offers its residents a fighting chance of dignity and freedom. Not only do they embody the history of Istanbul. They also hold this city of refuge together.

9780755660476 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Evan Pheiffer is a journalist based in Istanbul, Turkey. He has previously reported from Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and the former USSR.

HISTORY

A Student’s History of Harvard College Zachary Nowak

To understand Harvard, one must first see it through the eyes of its students. This sweeping new history of Harvard and Radcliffe colleges takes the reader into the candle-lit rooms of eighteenth-century Harvard Hall, where students plotted pranks against their tutors and created a “shadow curriculum” to debate life’s greatest questions. Going beyond iconic presidents and famous alums, the book recounts the contributions of everyone else who made Harvard what it was and what it is today. In addition to narrating student life, it tells the stories of the enslaved persons who constructed some of Harvard’s iconic buildings, women who kept dining halls running and the dorm rooms clean, and the working-class people who made their living off students’ wealth. Ultimately, this is the story of Harvard from the ground up—an unvarnished look at the people, politics, and daily realities that truly shaped America's oldest university. Stretching back to the college’s founding, the book reveals Harvard’s early flirtation with the education of Native Americans and dark legacy of racial pseudoscience. It explores the March 4, 2027

complex politics of admissions and financial aid, changing gender dynamics, and student

Hardcover • 272 Pages • 6 x 9

clubs and societies. The book even traces the origins of modern American football to what

49 B/W images

was a perennially-damp field next to the Charles River, before the first steel-reinforced

9798216468547

concrete stadium in the world was built there.

US $38.00 • CAN $55.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Featuring over four dozen archival photos—most of which have never before been published—this history offers a rare glimpse into the rich tapestry of lives and events that defined Harvard from the colonial era to the modern day. Zachary Nowak received his doctorate in American Studies from Harvard University and is the Director of The Umbra Institute in the central Italian city of Perugia. He has taught a course on the history of Harvard for both Harvard College and the Harvard University Division of Continuing Education. He lives in Rochester, New York.

HISTORY

William Wells Brown

Apostle of Racial Advancement in the Age of Abolition Raymond Krohn

After Frederick Douglass, no other formerly enslaved person than William Wells Brown had so skillfully contested racial slavery in the United States and the anti-Black prejudices underlying and outlasting its existence. Born into slavery in Lexington, Kentucky, Brown escaped captivity and eventually settled in Boston, the northern epicenter of organized abolitionism. He emerged as a prominent reformer and race leader whose printed essays, speeches, and correspondence reinforced an overarching quest to advance African Americans individually and collectively throughout the Civil War era. As a lifelong memoirist, he probed the story of himself in creative and no less challenging ways. And, as a published novelist, playwright, and travel writer, Brown achieved pathbreaking firsts for a person of color in the United States.

April 29, 2027 Hardcover • 224 Pages • 6 x 9 5 BW Illustrations 9798881803308 US $44.00 • CAN $64.50 Library of African American Biography Bloomsbury Academic

Historian Raymond Krohn surveys Brown’s remarkable activism and extraordinary career. He situates Brown's career within prevailing antiabolitionist and anti-Black contexts, thereby affording readers a unique opportunity to follow his lifelong quest on behalf of racial advancement. He will especially consider the political, social, cultural, and intellectual environments that Brown had worked in and against. Raymond James Krohn is assistant professor of history at Boise State University and the author of Abolitionist Twilights: History, Meaning, and the Fate of Racial Egalitarianism, 1865-1909 (2023). He specializes in slavery and abolition, social movements, and political, intellectual, and cultural history.

HISTORY

Everything Must Go

Thatcher and the Fall of Labour Britain Anthony Broxton

Thirty years on from New Labour’s historic 1997 general election victory, Everything Must Go tells the story of the profound social, cultural and economic change which shook Labour to its core in the 80s and 90s. As the working men’s clubs closed and the shopping malls opened in the wake of the Thatcher years, many came to believe there was no future in representing the old industrial working class. Drawing on high politics and low culture, this book examines what really happened to the Old Labour world as working class culture changed and the party had to change with it. It recounts the politics of the age via the chat shows, the tabloids, the sitcoms and the soaps which shaped the way that people understood the world that was changing around them. Cover Not Final June 10, 2027 Hardcover • 320 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 30 bw illus 9781350585669 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Anthony Broxton looks at the places which once made up Labour Britain but fell away as industries closed. He uses local newspapers to tell these stories and shows how Labour politics was resisting, responding and changing as a result of societal change. At the same time, he examines wider cultural forces, from home ownership and privatisation to the rise of supermarkets, Sky Sports and breakfast TV, to show how new jobs, assumptions and ways of thinking emerged to create a new type of Britain, one that New Labour was responding to in the 1990s. Goodbye Labour Britain brings the whole story back to life as a social history which still shapes the world we live in today. Anthony Broxton is a writer and historian best known for his work on the UK Labour Party. As the editor of the Tides of History project, he has developed a supporter base of over 50,000 followers where he has analysed the party’s history on a daily basis for almost a decade on various platforms. He has written regularly for national publications such as The Times, Unherd, The I, Tribune, Prospect and The Critic on the Labour Party and British culture in the 1980s and 1990s. He has appeared regularly on television and radio as a political commentator via BBC Five Live, Times Radio as well as political podcasts such as The Bunker and Oh God What Now? His first book, Hope and Glory (2023), was a Daily Telegraph book of the year and was long listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year prize.

HISTORY

The Woman Who Interviewed Hitler Dorothy Thompson John Klima

This book tells the story of Dorothy Thompson, the first American reporter to be granted an interview with Hitler. This was among her many "firsts" as a reporter. By following Dorothy's career as a journalist from 1920-1940, including her documentation of the rise of fascism in Europe, the author explains why she was uniquely positioned to write her unpublished 1940 memo, "The Nazi Set-Up in America." This memo, which was not taken seriously at the time, shed light on how the Nazis attempted to interfere in the 1940 US election. Dorothy's letters, and an unprecedented amount of hard to find documents, including government documents, newspapers, propaganda, and rare books come together to tell the story of how fascism could work behind the scenes and in front of the American public's faces. John Klima began his writing career inside the Los Angeles Times newsroom while still in high school, before graduating with a degree in cultural anthropology from Cal State University, Northridge. He wrote as a staff writer, columnist and freelancer for several L.A. newspapers, culminating in coverage of major league baseball and freelance appearances May 27, 2027 Hardcover • 272 Pages • 6 x 9 10 b&w images 9798216556824 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

in The New York Times.

HISTORY

Hollow Victory

How Northerners Lost the Battle to Remember the Civil War Robert J. Cook

Hollow Victory offers the first comprehensive account of how the Union Cause—once celebrated as a triumph of democracy and racial justice—was gradually eclipsed in American memory. Drawing on extensive research, Robert J. Cook traces how Union veterans, African Americans, and Republican politicians fought to preserve the legacy of the Civil War as a righteous struggle against slavery and rebellion and how their efforts were undermined by political fragmentation, cultural reconciliation with the South, and the rise of Jim Crow.

June 10, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216450795 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

From Memorial Day rituals and Union monuments to the erasure of Black contributions and the repurposing of Unionist rhetoric for imperialist ends, Cook reveals how the victors lost control of the war’s narrative. By the early 20th century, the Union’s moral clarity had faded into a sentimental tale of white brotherhood, leaving behind a legacy of forgotten justice. Timely and provocative, Hollow Victory speaks directly to today’s debates over historical memory, racial equity, and the meaning of patriotism. Robert J. Cook is Emeritus Professor of American History at the University of Sussex, UK. He has authored six highly regarded books on 19th- and 20th-century U.S. history, including Troubled Commemoration: The American Civil War Centennial, 1961–1965 (2011), which was shortlisted for the Lincoln Prize. Cook has also published extensively in academic journals such as Civil War History and the Journal of Southern History, as well as contributing to popular outlets like BBC History Magazine.

HISTORY

Caratacus

Great King of Britain Miles Russell

Caratacus is one of Britain’s greatest kings. Not only did this Iron Age war leader single-handedly direct armed resistance against the Roman legions for eight years across southern England and Wales, but his name, deeds and exploits later resonated down through history. In the first detailed biography of Caratacus, Miles Russell deploys new research, placing the king in an archaeological and historical context, explaining his pivotal role in the early years of Roman Britain before looking at his literary legacy and reception in modern politics. Russell provides an accessible overview of the local power structures in late Iron Age and early Roman Britain, using the most up-to-date archaeological evidence, before forensically examining the images on Caratacus’ coins and identifying the fields of conflict, while also reassessing his life and deeds as they appear in ancient sources, such as Tacitus and Cassius Dio. January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 256 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 50 bw illus 9781350477902 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Bloomsbury Academic

Russell also studies the relationships between Caratacus and other British leaders of the time, such as Boudicca, Verica, Cartimandua and Togodumnus. In the second part, the book’s focus shifts to the legacy of Caratacus and his influence on medieval literature, especially with the legend of King Arthur, as well as his later use as a figure in Welsh nationalism and as a recruiting tool in the First World War. This multidisciplinary study brings back to life a forgotten king of British history and places him at the very heart of archaeological and historical debate. Miles Russell is Principal Academic in Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology and Director of Archaeological Fieldwork at Bournemouth University, UK. He directs Bournemouth University’s archaeology fieldwork programme and the Durotriges Project, researching the Iron Age/Roman transition. He is the author of 15 books including Piltdown Man: The Secret Life of Charles Dawson (2003), Roman Sussex (2006), Bloodline: the Celtic Kings of Roman Britain (2010: Amberley), UnRoman Britain (2010), The Piltdown Man Hoax: Case Closed (2012) and Arthur and the Kings of Britain (2017).

PHILOSOPHY

Conundrums

An Invitation to Philosophical Thinking Steven M. Cahn

Conundrums invites readers into the world of philosophy through a series of captivating thought experiments and real-world dilemmas that present philosophy not just as something to read, but something to do. The book explores timeless questions that have challenged thinkers for centuries: Do we truly have free will, or are our actions determined? Can an all-powerful, all-good God coexist with evil? What makes a life worth living? Should we sacrifice one person to save many? Would you choose a simulated life of perfect happiness over reality? Each chapter presents a puzzle designed to spark critical thinking and reasoned debate. Topics range from freedom and determinism, fatalism, and theodicy to moral responsibility, altruism, democracy, and the nature of art. Along the way, readers encounter various philosophical positions such as hard determinism, soft determinism, and libertarianism, as January 21, 2027 Trade Paperback • 128 Pages • 5¼ x 7¾ 9781350634671 US $14.95 • CAN $21.95 Bloomsbury Academic

well as provocative scenarios like the trolley problem and Nozick’s experience machine. Accessible and engaging, Conundrums is ideal for anyone curious about life’s fundamental questions. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to live well, why evil exists, or whether worship is warranted, this book is a stimulating guide to philosophical inquiry. Steven M. Cahn is Professor of Philosophy at The City University of New York Graduate Center, USA. He is the author or editor of more than sixty books, including Philosophical Adventures (2019), Inside Academia: Professors, Politics, and Policies (2019), Teaching Philosophy: A Guide (2018), Exploring Ethics, 5th Edition (2020), Exploring Philosophy, 6th Edition (2018), The World of Philosophy, 2nd Edition (2019), and Political Philosophy: The Essential Texts, Third Edition (2015).

PHILOSOPHY

Thinking with Machines

Margaret Masterman and the Discovery of AI Peter de Bolla

Sixty-five years ago a small group of maverick thinkers gathered in a converted Buddhist museum on the outskirts of Cambridge, convinced that language held the key to unlocking artificial intelligence. Their leader was the extraordinary and eccentric Margaret Masterman – linguist, logician, philosopher, religious devotee, and forgotten prophet of AI. With the discovery of an archive that had remained unopened for nearly forty years, Peter de Bolla has pieced together the remarkable story of Masterman’s creation and direction of the Cambridge Language Research Unit (CLRU). Working on the fringes of the university, dismissed as an amateur and constrained by structural sexism, Margaret Masterman and the CLRU worked at an extraordinary pace to crack the problem of machine translation. Taking Turing’s theoretical proposal of an ‘electronic brain’ and running furiously with it, they built the first machine that could think – a machine capable of engaging with human minds, January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 264 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350642980 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

and even, in Masterman’s prophesised future, of doing philosophy alongside them. Her audacious claim that a machine could generate meaning, not merely manipulate symbols made – and still makes – her both a prophetic voice and a heretic. Blending biography, intellectual history, the drama of scientific revolution, and the exhilarating discovery of AI, this book reveals how Masterman and her collaborators – from philosophers, linguists and botanists to quantum theorists – came to formulate a theory of language and mind that we are only now beginning to see in action in the large language models shaping our world today. Peter de Bolla is Professor of Cultural History and Aesthetics at the University of Cambridge, UK. Between 2014–2018 he was Director of the Cambridge Concept Lab. He is the author of numerous academic works ranging from Wordsworth to American History, the sublime to human rights. He was a founding editor of Granta magazine and has written regularly for Granta, The LRB and other literary periodicals and magazines.

PHILOSOPHY

Strange Friends

The Lives and Letters of Benjamin, Scholem and Adorno Howard Eiland

Early in his life, Walter Benjamin committed himself to a typically paradoxical idea: Die Freundschaft der fremden Freunde - the friendship of friends who remain strange to each other even in their closeness. Such strangeness in the midst of intimacy forms the heart of this foray into the lives and friendships of Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin and Gershom Scholem. Drawing on archival letters (some of which are translated here for the first time), Howard Eiland reconfigures these enduring 20th-century thinkers in the context of their mutual entanglement – tracing their intellectual interdependence from the 1920s to the late 1960s. From Benjamin's individual friendships with Scholem and Adorno to the brotherly February 4, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 208 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 9781350547704 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Walter Benjamin Studies Bloomsbury Academic

relationship born of their shared concern with preserving Benjamin's post-humous legacy, Eiland’s rendering of this relational triangle moves deftly between its moments of strain, reconciliation and ambivalence. Political and theoretical tensions provide fascinating insights into the characters of these men, and the threads of other connections are spun out: from the presence of Benjamin’s first wife, Dora – instrumental in the friendship between Benjamin and Scholem, to the enduring influence of Hannah Arendt. Hovering between biography, theory and love letter, Strange Friends is a meditation on the weird affinities, ruptures and collaborations that constitute a friendship. Howard Eiland is an editor and translator of Walter Benjamin’s writings based in the USA. Formerly Lecturer in Literature at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, his previous titles include Walter Benjamin: A Critical Life (2016).

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophical Physics

Realism, Instrumentalism, and Positivism in History Manuel DeLanda

Philosophical Physics is the latest instalment in Manuel DeLanda’s intervention in the philosophy of science. Rejecting the traditional empiricist vocabulary of “Theory,” “Observation,” and “Physical Law,” DeLanda argues that the objective content of physics is better understood through equations, measurements, instruments, and the evolving practices of scientific communities. Against monolithic accounts of scientific development, the book presents physics as a dynamic field composed of three interacting elements: domains of phenomena, communities of practitioners, and the material techniques that connect the two. Through detailed historical studies of mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, and relativity, DeLanda traces how new phenomena were created, Cover Not Final February 4, 2027

stabilized, measured, and mathematically represented.

Paperback • 304 Pages • 5½ x 8½

Central to the book is a novel account of realism. Drawing on the work of physicists,

9781350656437 US $29.95 • CAN $43.95 Bloomsbury Academic

engineers, instrument makers, and mathematicians, DeLanda develops a framework that combines causal realism – focused on mechanisms and interventions – with modal realism, which emphasizes the objective structures of possibility revealed by mathematical models. From Newton’s celestial mechanics and Carnot’s heat engines to Maxwell’s fields and Einstein’s spacetime, physics emerges as a heterogeneous and evolving practice shaped by experiment, calculation, invention, and abstraction. Philosophical Physics is essential reading for philosophers of science, historians of science, and scholars interested in realism, scientific practice, and the conceptual foundations of modern physics. Manuel DeLanda is a distinguished writer, artist and philosopher, based in NYC, USA. He began his career in experimental film, later becoming a computer artist and programmer. He is Gilles Deleuze Chair and Professor of Philosophy at The European Graduate School, Switzerland, and lecturer in Architecture at Princeton University, USA. He is the author of Philosophy and Simulation (Bloomsbury, 2011) Philosophical Chemistry (Bloomsbury, 2015), A New Philosophy of Society (Bloomsbury, 2019), and Materialist Philosophy (Bloomsbury, 2021).

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Big Tech Dynasties

Rethinking the Power, Spectacle, and Downfall of Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon Joanne E. Gray

Blending personal narrative with critical analysis, Big Tech Dynasties reckons with the place of Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon in modern life. It argues that while each company may be a product of platform capitalism, each is also historically familiar; Big Tech is familiar because it is dynastic—and because it is dynastic, Big Tech is inherently undemocratic. Drawing on political economy, law, media studies, and historical analysis, Big Tech Dynasties explains how, like the many of the dynasties of history, the Big Tech companies sustain their positions of dominance through three interlocking forces: economic management, mythology, and succession. Big Tech rules economically by governing global trade and communication networks and controlling the critical resources of our time—data, February 18, 2027 Hardcover • 216 Pages • 6 x 9 9798765137796 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Bloomsbury Academic

platforms, and cloud computing. It legitimates its authority through founder stories and an ideology of innovation that frames private power as moral and inevitable, and democratic constraint as unwise and unnecessary. And it works to preserve its power across generations, leadership changes, and technological shifts. Big Tech Dynasties considers how we arrived at this moment and the growing democratic threat Big Tech poses. It also explains how democracies are beginning—unevenly and imperfectly—to push back, drawing particular attention to Australia’s emergence as an unlikely leader in democratic oversight of Big Tech. The book presents an agenda for more nations to reclaim democratic control in the digital era, starting, the book suggests, with everyone becoming a little more Australian about it. Joanne E. Gray is a lecturer in Digital Cultures at the University of Sydney, Australia, Chief Investigator at the International Digital Policy Observatory, and an editor of the journal Policy & Internet. She is an interdisciplinary academic working at the intersection of political economy, law, and media and communications. Her monograph, Google Rules (2020), explains how a convergence of legal, political, and ideological conditions facilitated Google’s essentially unfettered rise to power in the digital environment. She has also led studies investigating critical platform policy and governance issues on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

The Great American Retirement Fraud How Congress Betrayed America’s Workers Michael Doran

Demystifies contemporary U.S. retirement policy by revealing how legislative changes over the past thirty years have exacerbated wealth inequalities. For more than three decades, lobbyists for higher-income earners, financial institutions, and retirement consultants have persuaded Congress to expand tax subsidies for workplace retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Congress spends more than $500 billion each year on these subsidies, most of it merely pumping up the accounts of 401(k) millionaires and almost none of it helping those who face genuine retirement insecurity. This book tells the story of how lobbyists and legislators hijacked retirement policy to line the pockets of affluent workers, financial institutions, and retirement consultants; it demonstrates the resulting growth in wealth inequalities by class, gender, race, and ethnicity; and it sets out a program of sensible policy reform. March 4, 2027

Michael Doran is professor of law at the University of Virginia School of Law, USA. He is

Hardcover • 272 Pages • 6 x 9

an elected member of the American Law Institute and has published in journals such as the

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University of Chicago Law Review, the Virginia Law Review, and Law & Contemporary

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Problems. He previously worked at the Treasury Department, where he was frequently

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sought out by media for quotes and expertise, including Mother Jones and Politico.

Bloomsbury Academic

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Putin's World War

Russia's Covert Operations to Destroy the West Jessikka Aro

Russia is threatening the West with World War III, even though it has already been waging it for years. As its weapons, the Kremlin uses agents of chaos, a covert operation, fake priests spreading hate speech, hackers recruited from prison, and a public’s gullibility. Jessikka Aro’s new book about the Kremlin’s global war presents the secret operations of Putin’s intelligence services in detail. The book takes the reader on a breath-taking journey from the lobby of the Helsinki Courts of Appeal to the controversial Bronze Soldier statue in Tallinn, from the media center run by the Russian military intelligence from Berlin to the Russian troll factory that operated in Ghana in West Africa. At the heart of this book is the story of a Polish flight that crashed in Smolensk, Russia, in 2010, killing all onboard, including the Polish president and his wife, and many other highFebruary 18, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 16 B&W images 9798216376804 US $33.00 • CAN $48.50 Bloomsbury Academic

ranking members of the Polish government, the details of which are obscured by a successful wave of Kremlin-launched information operations. At the time, there was no public awareness of Russia’s practice of information-psychological warfare, nor knowledge about special service operations abroad with the aim of gaining political influence. Anyone trying to address such phenomenon in 2010 would have been labeled as an alarmist and a conspiracy theorist. But today, such activities are seen in a different light. Through Aro’s persistent investigations, readers will gain new understanding of Russia’s hybrid war, a series of relentless attacks to undermine the West.

Jessikka Aro is an award-winning reporter with Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, specializing in Russia, extremism and information warfare. In 2014 and 2015, she published a series of articles on pro-Kremlin social media trolls and their influence outside of Russia’s borders. Due to her investigations, Jessikka became the target of a severe and still ongoing international propaganda and hate speech campaign, which she recounts in Putin’s Trolls, sold in 16 territories worldwide. Jessikka lives in Helsinki, Finland.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Ten Myths about American Politics

Debunking Nine Myths on American Politics George C. Edwards III

In this book, George C. Edwards III dispels many popular misconceptions about American politics and public policy, challenging what many people hold to be self-evident. Edwards starts by outlining common, often prevailing understandings of crucial issues--such as who pays taxes, how much we spend on foreign aid, or how free speech actually is--then shows readers how these views are inaccurate and harmful. Appealing to the widespread fascination with debunking myths, this engaging book arms readers with important information on key issues in American political life that will last them a lifetime. George C. Edwards III is University Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Jordan Chair in Presidential Studies Emeritus at Texas A&M University. He is also a leading scholar of the presidency, and has written or edited twenty-seven books on American politics. He was also the editor of Presidential Studies Quarterly for 24 years and general editor of the Oxford Handbook of American Politics series. Professor Edwards has served as president of the Presidency Research Section of the American Political Science February 18, 2027 Hardcover • 256 Pages • 6 x 9 15 figures, 39 tables 9798216367987 US $29.00 • CAN $42.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Association, which has named its annual dissertation prize in his honor and awarded him its Career Service Award.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Unprincipled

How the Roberts Court Uses History and Deception to Disempower Americans Frank S. Ravitch

With deft, accessible prose, judicial expert Frank Ravitch guides readers through major cases decided by the Court since 2020, urgently focused on the significant impact they will have on every person in the United States. We are living at a time when the U.S. Supreme Court is pursuing its ideals without regard for precedent or principle. The Court has abandoned separation of church and state, overturned Roe v. Wade, taken power away from experts in administrative agencies and given it to the courts, expanded presidential power beyond anything supportable by law or history, and limited states’ ability to protect their citizens from the impact of a pandemic and from gun crime. Professor and legal expert Frank S. Ravitch tells the story of how the post2020 Roberts Court remade the law in its own image by mandating that “history and March 4, 2027 Hardcover • 224 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216486794 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Bloomsbury Academic

tradition” determine legal outcomes, while misusing and misunderstanding that same history and tradition in numerous cases. Most Americans, including policymakers, underestimate the ways in which the Court's rampant overturning of long-standing precedent and legal norms disempowers Americans. Through numerous landmark cases, Unprincipled spells out how the Court’s behavior reflects a view of the world that is at odds with nearly every principle of judicial behavior, and examines the perilous decision-making of the Supreme Court to posit a path forward that could restore balance to the Court and America. Frank S. Ravitch is the Walter H. Stowers Chair in Law and Religion at the Michigan State University College of Law. He also directs the College of Law’s Japan Program. Ravitch is a world-renowned authority on law, religion and judicial interpretation. He is the author of twelve books, and has written or been a signatory to more than ten amicus briefs to the United States Supreme Court. In 2001, Ravitch was awarded a Fulbright at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.

LITERARY CRITICISM

Wallpaper Marc Olivier

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. We live with wallpaper not only indoors, but also in art, cinema, fashion, video games, and in our desktops and smart phones. A papered wall can represent a kind of unrelenting screen time, an inescapable ambience that plays on our minds. Paper, plastic, or pixels, wallpaper always exceeds the medium in which it expresses itself. Its materials, colors, dimensions, and motifs have been characterized over the centuries as nurturing and edifying or harmful and even deadly. Wallpaper is divided into two halves: the first half looks at conventional interior wallpaper and its influence on us, including its role in parenting and its impact on mental and physical health. The second half moves into other spaces: city streets, where swaths of posters and street art become urban wallpaper; museums, where fine art elevates wallpaper’s status; the runway, where wallpaper meets couture; and the digital realm, where wallpaper February 4, 2027

decorates computer screens and videogame environments. Wallpaper peels back the

Paperback • 160 Pages • 4¾ x 6½

layers of a pervasive medium designed to fade into the background.

10 b&w illustrations 9798765125977 US $14.95 • CAN $21.95 Object Lessons Bloomsbury Academic

Marc Olivier is Professor of French and International Cinema at Brigham Young University, USA.

LITERARY CRITICISM

Uncanny X-Men

The Chris Claremont Era Alex Segura

Explore the Stories Behind the Legends Beginning in the mid-1970s, Chris Claremont’s run on X-Men – including the storylines "Dark Phoenix Saga," "Days of Future Past," "Inferno," "Mutant Massacre," "Fall of the Mutants," and "X-Tinction Agenda" – catapulted the mutant heroes to the top of the sales chart and to endless critical acclaim. Spurred by sweeping, soap-operatic plots, Uncanny X-Men introduced readers to a complicated, character-driven saga about people who happen to have powers. Claremont’s work on the comic was a great example of the craft and a genre-defying and progressive style of storytelling that pushed the medium forward. Beautifully illustrated with full-color artwork, this entry into MARVEL AGE OF COMICS digs June 10, 2027

into Chris Claremont’s historic 16-year run as writer of Marvel’s flagship title.

Paperback • 160 Pages • 5 x 7¾ 50 color illus 9798216454298

Alex Segura is the bestselling and award-winning author of Secret Identity (2022), winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller, a New York Times Editor’s Choice

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and an NPR Best Mystery of the Year. He’s also the author of the acclaimed Pete

Marvel Age of Comics

Fernandez series, the YA Spider-Verse adventure, Araña/Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow

Bloomsbury Academic

(2023), the Daredevil crime novel Enemy of my Enemy (2026), and the Star Wars novel, Poe Dameron: Free Fall (2020), as well as many others. He lives in New York City with his family.

LITERARY CRITICISM

Three Deaths That Shocked Comics Killing Jean Grey, Elektra, and Mar-Vell Robert Jeschonek

Explore the Stories Behind the Legends The unforgettable and unexpected deaths of three indelible heroes in the early 1980s shattered the status quo and shook the Marvel Universe to its core. In this age of relentless online spoilers, there may never again be comics events of such powerful shock value and emotional impact. The deaths of Jean Grey, Mar-Vell, and Elektra remain creative high water marks that have yet to be surpassed in terms of artful originality, poetic scope, and the way they ambushed readers, setting the stage for new creative challenges and a new approach to death in sequential storytelling. Beautifully illustrated with full-color artwork, this entry in the MARVEL AGE OF COMICS scrutinizes the demise of these characters in all their jaw-dropping detail and underscores April 15, 2027

how their deaths influenced the treatment of high-stakes events in the comics that followed.

Paperback • 160 Pages • 5 x 7¾ 50 color illus 9798216475781

Robert Jeschonek is a USA Today-bestselling author based in Steve Ditko's hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He has scripted comics for DC, AHOY and he regularly writes

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about aspects of comics and popular culture for Back Issue and Retro-Fan magazines,

Marvel Age of Comics

among others. Recently, he edited Legends of Indie Comics: Words Only, Volume 1 and

Bloomsbury Academic

Volume 2 and he is the author of official Star Trek and Doctor Who fiction.

LITERARY CRITICISM

Misty Knight

Iconic and Bionic Angélique Roché

Explore the Stories Behind the Legends In the mid-1970s, Misty Knight burst onto the pages of Marvel Comics. Before Storm, Shuri, or Riri, Misty opened the doors of comics as Marvel’s first Black woman super hero. A detective and martial artist with a bionic arm that gives her heroic strength, Misty personified the uncurrent of independent Black media and the budding post-soul culture. First appearing 1975, she broke down stereotypes to become one of the backbone characters of the Marvel Universe. Illustrated with full-color art, Angélique Roché’s entry in the MARVEL AGE OF COMICS takes a deep dive into the development of Misty Knight’s character and how she paved the way for future heroes. May 13, 2027 Paperback • 160 Pages • 5 x 7¾ 86 color illustrations

Angélique Roché is a journalist, producer, author, and professional host from New Orleans, LA. She has been seen/heard on various outlets and platforms, including Harper’s

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Bazaar, NBC News, NBCBLK, MSNBC, AMC/BBC, SyfyWire, Disney, Marvel Studios,

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ESPN, and Paramount+. She has hosted and produced series such as Brave New Pod,

Marvel Age of Comics

Geeksplain, Roles Ranked, SyFy Wire Rewind, and New York Public Radio’s (WNYC) Very

Bloomsbury Academic

Biggest Questions. She is the co-author of My Super Hero is Black (2025) and her graphic novel Trinity City #1 (2023). She is currently the Harvard Divinity School’s Religion and Public Life Fellow for Arts and Pop Culture.

MUSIC

Time Lines

The Life and Music of Andrew Hill Michael J. West

Andrew Hill occupies a unique niche in jazz history: Too iconoclastic to be part of the mainstream, he was initially marketed as part of the “second wave” avant-garde in the 1960s, yet he was too structured and anchored in the tradition to fit comfortably there. He often found himself on the periphery of the jazz world, only properly recognized and honored in the late 1990s. Notwithstanding his significance for modern jazz, much about Hill’s life has been obscured by his exaggerations and outright lies. His fabulism has long frustrated attempts to piece together his background. Born in Chicago, he insisted for decades that he was a native of Haiti and consistently lied about his age. Some falsehoods—like his claim that he studied under Paul Hindemith—went undetected and persist even now. Time Lines: The Life and Music of Andrew Hill provides as full and accurate an account of January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 384 Pages • 6 x 9 20 B/W Run-Ins 9798765162828 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50

Hill’s life as possible, while also closely examining the music he created as a composer and performer. Featuring memories and insights from a long list of Hill’s collaborators, peers, associates, students, and protégés, as well as subject matter experts, eyewitnesses, and journalists, this is the definitive account of one of the most perplexing, elusive, and endlessly inventive figures in modern jazz.

Backbeat Michael J. West has been a music journalist and jazz critic for almost 20 years. He is the reviews editor at DownBeat magazine and was previously reviews editor and interim editorin-chief at JazzTimes. He writes a monthly column about local jazz for Washington City Paper and is a regular contributor to DownBeat, The Washington Post, Bandcamp Daily, and NPR Music. His work has also appeared in Jazziz, The Village Voice, TIDAL, and Slate. In 2024, West received the Berger-Carter-Berger Fellowship grant from Rutgers University’s Institute of Jazz Studies to conduct research in the Institute’s Andrew Hill collection.

MUSIC

God Make Me Funky

Confessions of a Headhunter and Bad-Ass Buddhist Drummer Mike Clark and Bill Milkowski

Whether or not you know Mike Clark’s name, you’ve heard his drumming. His sound is everywhere, whether in his voluminous jazz discography or the classic beats he laid down with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, which have been sampled by Dr. Dre, Grandmaster Flash, and countless other rap artists. Widely regarded as one of the foremost living jazz and funk drummers, Clark has spent an eight-decade career at the crossroads of American music, working with pioneers and living legends across jazz, hip-hop, and rock ‘n’ roll. From the age of four, he was sitting in and gigging with bands across the South, backing blues legend Albert King while still in high school. Over time, he parlayed his prodigious talent and soaring reputation into increasingly impressive gigs. Along with Herbie Hancock, his collaborators have ranged from pop stars like Phil Collins to jazz royalty like Woody Shaw and Chet Baker. February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 280 Pages • 6 x 9 47 Images 9798216378914 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Backbeat

Told in Clark’s inimitable voice and co-written with American jazz journalist and author Bill Milkowski, this is a story of musical redemption: as a white man in a field dominated by black musicians yet controlled by white industry magnates, he witnessed discriminatory decisions from both sides, but Buddhism and a bottomless well of creativity enabled him to transcend generational bitterness and devote himself single-mindedly to the center of his universe—his music.

Mike Clark is considered one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers. His incisive playing on Herbie Hancock’s “Actual Proof,” on Herbie Hancock’s 1974 record Thrust, created an international cult following and influenced generations of drummers throughout the world. His drumming can also be heard on the perennial Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving soundtrack, among countless others. He lives in Harlem, NY. Bill Milkowski is an American jazz critic, journalist, and author who has been writing about music since 1980. A recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association’s Robert Palmer–Helen Oakley Dance Award for Excellence in Magazine Writing and the JJA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, he is the author of seven books, most recently Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times of Michael Brecker. He lives in West Hartford.

MUSIC

Bill Withers

From Coal Miner’s Son to Musical Legend Alex S. Avitabile and James Shipp

The remarkable story of the revered singer-songwriter, looking at his unlikely rise, unique career, surprising exit from the spotlight, resurgence, and enduring legacy. “Lovely Day,” “Lean On Me,” “Just the Two of Us” – these are just a few Bill Withers songs that have become household staples. But who would have thought that a shy young stutterer, born a coal miner’s son in hardscrabble country West Virginia, could come out of nowhere to become a unique musical talent revered by generations? This biography covers Bill Withers’s life and career within the context of larger historical, societal, and cultural trends and taps into new and rare sources to reexamine major events and his legacy, including his failed marriage to Denise Nicholas, the demise of Sussex Records, the Zaire ’74 Music Festival, his sudden departure, and surprising resurgence on the music scene. After a stint in the navy and working jobs ranging from milkman to factory worker, a 33-yearApril 1, 2027 Hardcover • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 10 b/w photos 9798216454847 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

old Withers shocked the industry by reaching the top of the charts with “Ain’t No Sunshine” in 1971. More hits like “Lean on Me” and “Use Me” follow, and Withers is acknowledged as a major star. But soon thereafter, he is buffeted by personal and professional issues – a failed marriage, the financial implosion of his record label, the breakup of his band – and certain external forces such as the rise of disco and the economic cycles of the music industry. The impaired arc of his career is made worse by Columbia Records executives interfering with his songs, and he abruptly ends his music career in 1985. Despite this, interest and appreciation for his catalogue persist, and he is duly acknowledged as a musical giant who appeals to and inspires music lovers everywhere.

Alex S. Avitabile is a retired attorney and has published articles in America, Commonweal, and Brooklyn Law Review. He is the author of 2 novels and passionate about old school soul and R&B music. While now living in Queens, NY, Alex’s mind and heart remain based in Brooklyn, NY. James Shipp is an independent researcher and a passionate music enthusiast based in Brooklyn, NY. His expertise focuses on the evolution of Black popular music in America, as well as key trends that have influenced the constantly evolving music industry.

MUSIC

On Listening & Not Listening Living in the Age of Noise Thomas Larson

A reflection on how to listen and pay attention amid the constant noise that saturates our public and private lives. From podcasts sounding through earbuds to talk shows blaring from televisions, from the continuous stream of social media on our phones to doctors’ waiting rooms with pumped-in music, we face different sounds, soothing and alarming. Some are welcome, some are not, but all demand our attention, often to distraction. Whether we’re at home or out and about, someone or something is broadcasting—hoping to be heard. How do we navigate a culture, a society, like this? Through musical, literary, and cinematic examples—Stevie Wonder and David Bryne, James Joyce’s “The Dead,” John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place films, Don DeLillo’s The Silence, measured against Trumpspeak and a raging nation of podcasters and posters—Thomas Larson traces the dwindling influence of the artist’s voice, and its chaotic replacement, everyone talking at once and very few listening. April 15, 2027 Hardcover • 192 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 9798216447870 US $24.00 • CAN $35.50 Bloomsbury Academic

This multipart critique of our current audiosphere, its public nuisance and its private rapture, further explores the control our favored platforms and the unshutupable media have instilled, forcing us to adapt and fight back. On Listening & Not Listening: Living in the Age of Noise asks how we can manage the sound overload and indulge its joyful strains wisely. Thomas Larson is a journalist, book and music critic, and memoirist. He is the author of Spirituality and the Writer: A Personal Inquiry (2019), The Sanctuary of Illness: A Memoir of Heart Disease (2014),The Saddest Music Ever Written: The Story of Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ (2010), and The Memoir and the Memoirist: Reading and Writing Personal Narrative (2007). He is a 25-year staff writer of longform and investigative journalism for the San Diego Reader, a former faculty member in the Ashland (Ohio) University MFA Program, and an editor at Wandering Aengus Press.

MUSIC

The Gift of John Prine

His Humanity, Family Roots, and the Spirit of Kentucky Storytelling Dave Hoekstra

A deep exploration of the humanity and cultural roots of one of the greatest songwriters, with never-before-seen interview material with Prine, his family, and friends. With songs like “Angel from Montgomery,” “Illegal Smile,” “Hello in There,” “Paradise,” and “I Remember Everything,” John Prine transformed American songwriting and created simple yet profound statements on issues like war, religion, and our own humanity. His music was deeply influenced by his Kentucky roots, belief in family, spirituality, and a commitment to rural storytelling, shared by all 3 of his brothers. Chicago-based journalist Dave Hoekstra provides a unique portrait of this figure based on his long friendship with John Prine and Prine’s family and decades of oral histories with a wide cast of people, as well as insights May 13, 2027 Hardcover • 264 Pages • 6 x 9 25 b/w photos 9798216553038 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Bloomsbury Academic

into Kentucky storytelling traditions, local histories of the land (including Kentucky, Maywood/Chicago, and Nashville), and the Prine family’s dreams. Developed in consultation with the last surviving brother Billy Prine and members of the Prine family and including a foreword by Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, this book explores the cultural origins of Prine, his family, and their humanistic views. The tones are plain speak, as John was. Discover fresh views on the beloved singer-songwriter, his songs, and his enduring legacy. Dave Hoekstra was a columnist critic at the Chicago Sun-Times from 1985-2014 where he was recipient of the 2013 Studs Terkel Community Media Award. He wrote and coproduced the Chicago PBS film The Staple Singers and the Civil Rights Movement which was nominated for a Chicago Emmy for a Documentary Program – Cultural Significance. He has 216 bylined Prine stories from his 30 years at the Chicago Sun-Times and was a guest contributor to Prine on Prine: Interviews and Encounters with John Prine, edited by Holly Gleason. He is based in the Chicago area.

MUSIC

Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols Mark Goodall

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols, released in 1977, ‘changed everything’. The LP was not the first punk album but remains certainly the most influential punk record of all time. Without Never Mind the Bollocks, there would be no Slits, no Joy Division, no Cure, no Smiths and no Nirvana. The Sex Pistols inspired a generation of young people to form bands, create art and write their own magazines. The ‘punk spirit’ was synonymous with rebellion and revolution promoting a new consciousness and challenging to the societal norms of gender, class and race. But behind these lofty achievements the Sex Pistols were an incredibly exciting and powerful rock band and Never Mind the Bollocks captures that essence, a milestone recording that still holds up today. Each song on the perfectly crafted LP tells a story, the June 10, 2027

tale of the Sex Pistols incredible insurrection.

Paperback • 152 Pages • 4¾ x 6½ 9798216370000 US $14.95 • CAN $21.95 33 1/3 Bloomsbury Academic

Mark Goodall is Associate Professor in Film at the University of Bradford, UK. He has published books on the Beatles (‘The Beatles’ or ‘The White Album’, 2018), indie record labels (Bright Young Things: the art and philosophy of él records, 2025), music and the occult (Gathering of the Tribe: Music and Heavy Conscious Creation, 2013/2022) and shock cinema of the 1960s (Sweet and Savage: The World Through the Mondo Film Lens, 2018). He has written for The Guardian, The Independent, The New European and Shindig! In the past he has worked as a community artist, film programmer, bookseller and cheesemonger.

MUSIC

Pet Shop Boys' Actually Sumit Paul-Choudhury

Not many musical acts have been as successful or as enduring as Pet Shop Boys. Not many have been as unconventional or as paradoxical, either. Today, they’re simultaneously feted as pop godfathers and perpetual eccentrics, praised for both sophisticated lyrics and slamming basslines. Their songs are beloved by millions and recognised by many millions more. But it wasn’t always that way. Their non-conformism almost saw them become “one-and-ahalf-hit wonders” – until a stunning run of chart-topping singles and a hit album, Actually, turned their fortunes around. For a few years in the late Eighties, almost everything they touched seemed to turn to pop gold. Singer Neil Tennant later memorably described this as their “imperial phase”. But despite their apparent sang-froid, their imperial phase had many ingredients. This book reveals them, including their auteur-style control over their branding and presentation; the convergence of culture and commerce in the pop charts; the mainstreaming of gay culture; June 10, 2027

and ideas about authenticity and value in pop, dance and rock music – all told in candid

Paperback • 152 Pages • 4¾ x 6½

first-person style by an admirer who’s followed them since the beginning.

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Sumit Paul-Choudhury is a UK-based journalist who has written for publications ranging from the New Musical Express to The Wall Street Journal, and all points in between. He is former editor-in-chief of New Scientist, one of the world’s biggest science publishing and events brands, and currently runs Alternity, a creative studio dedicated to alternate histories, social experiments and speculative futures. He is the author of Bright Side (2025).

MUSIC

The Hold Steady's Separation Sunday Keegan Bradford and Levi Bradford

A show-and-tell style look at the legacy of Separation Sunday by the Hold Steady that is half obsessively researched fan project and half examination of the album’s legacy, asking what it is about this album and this band that fosters obsessive fandom, what it means to co-create meaning, and how sing-along songs become our scripture. For decades now, people have found community under the umbrella of the Hold Steady. This is a history of the Hold Steady and the creation of Separation Sunday that explores what it means to be a fan, and how passionate fan communities have formed around this band. But it's also a loving product of the authors' own fandom--an annotated guide that connects plot points, elucidating themes and self-referential humor, and explaining the dense web of references ranging from the Christian scriptures to Bones Brigade videos.

June 10, 2027 Paperback • 152 Pages • 4¾ x 6½ 9798216370499 US $14.95 • CAN $21.95 33 1/3 Bloomsbury Academic

Keegan Bradford is a copywriter and marketer by day, and a freelance music writer the rest of the time. He has been published in Spin, Stereogum, Paste Magazine, and Bandcamp Daily, among others. He is a guitar player and songwriter in the band Camp Trash. He lives in Portland, Oregon. Levi Bradford is an attorney with the Public Justice Center’s Education Stability Project. Levi writes and plays music in the bands Camp Trash, Leevy Skeevy, Poblano, and buggin. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

MUSIC

Midwest Emo Will Hagle

Celebrating a subgenre that came out of flyover country but connected with the world, Midwest Emo traces modern emo's ubiquitousness back to its origins in Illinois, Wisconsin, and surrounding Midwestern states through more than 50 original interviews with members of formative bands like Cap'n Jazz, The Promise Ring, American Football, Braid, Rainer Maria and Gauge (plus Steve Aoki). Over the course of one haunted night at The American Football House—the actual Urbana, IL home depicted on American Football’s legendary 1999 album cover—a writer preserves the collective memory of “Midwest Emo”: a genre that doesn’t really exist, except as a placeless descriptor applied decades later. Midwest Emo is a documentation of 1990s Midwestern DIY music, but also a meditation on nostalgia, community, and the irrelevance of labels. It’s about the relationship between music and place: the basements, living rooms, and cornfield highways of physical location, and the ethereal elsewhere songs transport us. April 15, 2027 Paperback • 208 Pages • 5 x 7¾ 9798765119587 US $19.95 • CAN $29.50 Genre: A 33 1/3 Series Bloomsbury Academic

Will Hagle is a writer from Champaign, Illinois living in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of Madvillain’s Madvillainy (Bloomsbury 2023). His non-fiction has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Ringer, Complex, Passion of the Weiss, Lyrics as Poetry, and more and his fiction has appeared in Across the Margin and Flash Fiction Magazine.

MUSIC

Alterlatino

Javier A. Rodríguez-Camacho Latin American alternative rock found its identity in the combination of popular music genres like cumbia and son, traditional folk, ska, hip hop, and punk. The artists leading those fusions formed the Alterlatino movement, a coalition involving musicians from across the continent who had decided to do something revolutionary: start a genuinely Latin American avant-garde. This book chronicles the movement's origins with the advent of punk in the 1980s, its commercial and creative pinnacle in the 1990s, and the transformations it faced due to the music industry crisis in the 2000s. It connects Alterlatino with the pioneering mixture of rock and traditional music in the 1970s and projects its influence into the indie scene that emerged in the 2010s, opening a door to the last great Latin American revolt. Café Tacvba, Manu Chao, La Maldita Vecindad, Aterciopelados, and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are the head figures of the movement, embodying a blend of popular sounds and a shared countercultural discourse that remained strong despite their enormous June 10, 2027

mainstream success. Alterlatino crystalized the worldview of the Latin American youth that

Paperback • 160 Pages • 5 x 7¾

came of age after democracy had returned to their countries and who aspired to transform

9798765123485

the world.

US $19.95 • CAN $29.50 Genre: A 33 1/3 Series Bloomsbury Academic

Javier A. Rodríguez-Camacho is a Bolivian music writer. He has been active as a podcaster, journalist, and critic since 2006. In 2009 he was named “The Next Great Rock Critic” by Crawdaddy! magazine. His work has appeared in print and digital media from Bolivia, Spain, Colombia, and the US. Between 2014 and 2020 he was a staff writer at Tiny Mix Tapes. He is the author of Testigos del Fin Del Mundo (2023) a retrospective of Latin independent music in the 2010s. He produced and hosted La Música que Escuchan Todos (2006 – 2008), the first Bolivian podcast, and Radioactividad (2012 – 2015). He is a professor at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia.

MUSIC

Noise Music Natalie Marlin

Pushing the limits of static, hiss, and high-pitched whines, noise music seeks to find expression just beyond the boundaries of general listener comfort and demonstrate how anyone can learn to love noise. But it’s frequently one of the most misunderstood genres of music, often dismissed by unacquainted passersby as too inaccessible or abrasive for their liking, or too formless to have meaning. Contrary to this misconception, noise music was birthed by experimenting on the traditions of some of the most formative music in history—namely rock, pop, and classical music—and possesses an immense variety, inclusivity, and capacity for purging the rawest emotions, ranging from the harshest crunches of distortion to the eroded samples littering outside rap. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the many concurrent forms noise music can possibly take, from Lou Reed’s derided Metal Machine Music to the switchblade June 10, 2027

cheerleader pop of Sleigh Bells’ Treats, and the appeal that the genre holds for enthusiasts

Paperback • 160 Pages • 5 x 7¾

and curious listeners alike.

9798765119242 US $19.95 • CAN $29.50 Genre: A 33 1/3 Series Bloomsbury Academic

Natalie Marlin is a freelance music/film/games writer whose work has been featured in Stereogum, Bandcamp Daily, Paste Magazine, Pitchfork, FLOOD Magazine, SPIN, Little White Lies, and more. Her work focuses on everything from extensive interviews to critical and personal essays, often drawn from her perspective as a queer trans writer. She currently lives near Minneapolis, MN, USA.

PERFORMING ARTS

George Peppard A Life

Jerry Roberts A fascinating retrospective on the life and career of one of Hollywood's most enigmatic actors, George Peppard. In George Peppard: A Life, Jerry Roberts offers the definitive biography of one of Hollywood’s most intriguing yet forgotten players, an A-list star known for his enduring performances in such essential touchstone films as Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), How the West Was Won (1963), and The Carpetbaggers (1964). A self-assured original whose individuality precipitated a fall from Hollywood grace, he achieved a career revival with the television show The A-Team (1983-87). Press-shy and tough to pin down Peppard was known for his loyalty and work ethic, as a ladies’ man and prodigious drinker, and as a loner who didn’t fit anyone’s idea of a Hollywood joiner or glad-hander, and as a family man who shielded his children from the limelight. January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 344 Pages • 6 x 9 10 bw images 9798216381860 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Peppard was famously difficult to work with, distrusting producers, rewriting scripts, and offering unsolicited advice to directors. His leading ladies shared unfavorable opinions of him, and yet one of them married him—twice. In fact, Peppard married five times, and the alimony payments and other debts, plus increased drinking, sent him to rock-bottom in 1978, from where he believed dinner theatre might be his final chapter. Featuring exclusive interviews and filled with behind-the-scenes stories including contretemps on Breakfast at Tiffany’s; when the director of How the West Was Won was nearly fired and the final train shoot-out abandoned until Peppard threatened to walk off the picture; and a virtually unknown episode where actors were almost killed in a train accident and Peppard’s stunt double lost a leg and an eye, cinephiles and fans are sure to be entertained and to learn something new about one of Hollywood’s most authentic icons. Jerry Roberts is a former film critic and columnist who has written for outlets including Daily Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and DGA Magazine. He is the author of 20 books, including Mitchum: In His Own Words, The Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors, and The Complete History of American Film Criticism. He was formerly a member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. He and his wife Joanne live in Carson, CA.

PERFORMING ARTS

Deafiant

My Journey in Theatre Jenny Sealey

Jenny Sealey has spent her career to date championing the work of Deaf and Disabled artists and the importance of having their stories on our stages and screens. Now, she shares her own experience as a Deaf theatre-maker and advocate in a highly personal book. In this book, she discusses running disabled-led Graeae theatre company for the past 30 years. She reveals her passionate and long-standing commitment to inclusivity and equality within the arts and how she and Graeae have made strides in the area, including the creative integration of sign language, captioning and audio description in performance. Irreverent, frank and profound, Sealey is an inspiring spokesperson for disabled artists' rights, the importance of theatre within our cultural ecosystem and the power of performance to find connections and make positive change in the world. January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 248 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 9781350534957 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Methuen Drama

The stories she shares in this book of growing up in a family where she suffered abuse and shame amongst her peers and teachers for her deafness are not easy to read, but they're crucial in understanding the unjust struggles that have accompanied Sealey on her remarkable journey. Jenny Sealey OBE has been Graeae’s Artistic Director since 1997. She has pioneered a new theatrical language entitled ‘aesthetics of artistic access’, embedding BSL (British Sign Language) and English, pre-recorded BSL, creative captioning and in-ear/live audio description into the heart of all productions. She co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony alongside Bradley Hemmings and has won the Liberty Human Rights Arts Award and appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. She is an honorary fellow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Middlesex University, University of Kent, Nottingham Trent University and Rose Bruford College. She received an MBE in 2009 for her contributions to disability arts and an OBE in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours.

PERFORMING ARTS

Chasing Speedy Gonzales

The Secret History of the World's Fastest Cartoon Mouse Stephen Andes

A zippy, illuminating tour through the career and complicated legacy of Speedy Gonzalez. A plucky hero able to outrun and outsmart his enemies, Speedy Gonzales is one of Warner Bros.’ oldest cartoon characters, having first debuted in 1953 during the “Golden Age” of Looney Tunes. Over the years many observers have criticized Speedy as a stereotype of Mexicans and Latin Americans more broadly, pointing to his large yellow sombrero, broken English, and childlike excitability. Yet others have hailed him as a revolutionary cultural icon who subverted white audiences’ expectations by being the hero of his own stories. Drawing on interviews, research, and new archival sources, Chasing Speedy Gonzales briskly burrows into the history of American animation to explain the influences of racial January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 328 Pages • 6 x 9 41 Images; incl 8-page 4CP spread 9798765142769 US $36.00 • CAN $52.95 Bloomsbury Academic

stereotypes in popular media that still linger today and reveals the impact that Latino animators and audiences have had in Speedy’s creation and development. As the character’s image and perceptions of him have evolved over the years, author Stephen Andes shows how Speedy has been a recurrent flashpoint in history and culture, one that simultaneously represents a racist past and a hopeful future with positive cultural icons. Stephen Andes is Professor of History at Bushnell University and the author of several books and numerous scholarly articles. His research and teaching fields include Latin American history (especially Mexico and Chile), global studies, and the history of Christianity. His most recent narrative nonfiction, Zorro’s Shadow: How a Mexican Legend Became America's First Superhero (Chicago Review Press, 2020) was named among the "Best Non-Western and POC Fantasy Books of 2020" by Den of Geek.

PERFORMING ARTS

Text Transfusion

How Actors Can Unlock the Memory Connection and Achieve Embodied Performance Scott Miller

A groundbreaking guide showing how actors can seize the power and potential of memory. It’s one of the most frustrating challenges that actors face: no matter how much you work on a piece of text, it still feels wrong coming out of your mouth. Compared to everyday conversation, the lines sound inauthentic, awkward, and inauthentic—in a word, rehearsed. The problem, as Scott Miller explains in this revelatory guide for actors, isn’t one of acting technique in the usual sense. Rather, it lies in how actors learn their lines. Too often, memorization is thought of as a routine task preceding the creative work of researching and developing your character. But memorization is not something separate from an actor’s February 4, 2027 Paperback • 240 Pages • 6 x 9 N/A 9798216488057 US $24.95 • CAN $36.50 Bloomsbury Academic

process—it is the process. If you’re bored, or anxious, or tired while working on your lines, you’re going to memorize those feelings right along with the words on the page. Text Transfusion shares Miller's groundbreaking method for grounding preparation in memory. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience and cognitive research with decades of experience coaching performers, Miller's comprehensive approach shows how to engage with the text in an embodied and organic way that reflects how memory actually works. Whether you are a performer, a presenter, or just someone panicking over the speech you’re giving at your best friend’s wedding, Text Transfusion grounds you in authenticity and presence, helping you craft natural, powerful, and emotionally rich performances. Scott Miller is a coach, trainer, and teacher blending multidisciplinary innovation and academic excellence into his work with others. As a a Professor at NYU/Tisch’s elite Graduate Acting Program, Scott has emerged as one of the most highly regarded teachers for actors, leaders, and performers. He has trained a wide range of professionals, from boardroom executives and managers at Fortune 500 companies to Oscar/Tony/Emmy Award winners and nominees. His company, Scott Miller Enterprise Inc. (SaME), focuses on disseminating its research on attention, memory, and presence and their impact in the sphere of performance and communication.

PERFORMING ARTS

Musical Makeovers

Suggestions for Renovating Broadway’s Biggest Flops (and Hits) Peter Filichia

An irreverent but insightful look at how Broadway's biggest mistakes could have been avoided From Big to Carrie, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark to Merrily We Roll Along, musical history is littered with extravagant, expensive flops. Most of these were doomed to be terminal cases. But what if we had a time machine and could go back to fix their most glaring flaws before they were unleashed upon the world? Thus mended and fortified, might they have better survived in the wilds of Broadway's marketplace? Critic Peter Filichia undertakes just such an experiment in Play Doctor, charting these shows' deficits with forensic precision and prescribing courses of treatment that could have February 4, 2027 Paperback • 216 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216374534 US $24.95 • CAN $36.50 Bloomsbury Academic

brought them back from the brink. In addition to such misbegotten musicals as 13 and Rodgers & Hammerstein's little-loved Allegro, Filichia is not afraid to diagnose issues with the classics, either, whether The Music Man's lack of an opening number or the confusing plotting of Miss Saigon. The result is a witty compendium of all manner of dramatic ailments--and a wealth of ideas and prompts for writers and directors looking to avoid similar misfires in the future. Peter Filichia has written about theater for The Star-Ledger, TheaterWeek, Playbill, Theatermania, Broadway Select, Encore, and Masterworks Broadway. The author of seven books on theater, this four-term president of the Drama Desk Awards serves on its current nominating committee as well as those for the Lucille Lortel Awards and Theatre World Awards, whose ceremony he writes and emcees. He’s been a National Endowment for the Arts assessor and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music critic-in-residence, and currently is the musical theater judge for ASCAP’s awards and a Broadway Radio commentator.

PERFORMING ARTS

Disturbing the Force

Making Space for Race in Star Wars Frederick Gooding Jr.

A humorous and necessary exploration of the role that race plays in one of the biggest film franchises of all time: Star Wars. Talking about race can be awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. We often restrict ourselves from fully participating in these necessary conversations because of a profound fear of “saying the wrong thing.” In Disturbing the Force: Making Space for Race in Star Wars, Frederick Gooding Jr. guides readers through understanding how race is leveraged through an idealistic fantasy space. If Star Wars transpired “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” then theoretically it should be unencumbered by any racial frictions that we know within our current society, right? Yet, tensions and assumptions surrounding race relations within America remain manifest and present. Gooding Jr. explores how these tensions are hidden in plain sight in the media we consume February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 224 Pages • 6 x 9 1 bw image 9798881804190 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Bloomsbury Academic

and asks readers to reconsider and think critically about both the quantity—and quality—of nonwhite images circulated throughout the Star Wars films by deconstructing the roles played by characters such as Lando Calrissian, Mace Windu, Finn, Poe, and Rose. When it comes to race relations and Star Wars, there is no need for to “force” the issue. Readers will learn and appreciate that similar to the force, the topic of race is also an “energy between all things, a tension, a balance that binds” us together, whether for better or for worse. Frederick Gooding Jr. is an African American historian and the author of Black Oscars; Black Statues, Monuments and Public Memory in Washington, DC; Race and Media Literacy, Explained; and Double Crossed.

PERFORMING ARTS

The Untouchables

The Making of a Classic Film Michael C. Sullivan

A fun and nostalgic deep dive into the making of The Untouchables to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary. The Untouchables marks one of the high points of modern cinema: a film at the forefront of a new wellspring for studio-driven filmmaking and boasting some of the biggest names in Hollywood, both behind the camera—Brian De Palma, David Mamet, and Ennio Morricone —and in front—Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Andy Garcia, and Robert De Niro. Yet, no one has written the definitive history of the film. Michael C. Sullivan changes that with The Untouchables: The Making of a Classic Film, a sweeping deep-dive into the film’s genesis and production. Featuring behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews, Sullivan covers everything from the real Prohibition-era struggle between lawman Eliot Ness and criminal Al Capone to the popular TV series of the February 18, 2027 Hardcover • 352 Pages • 6 x 9 30 bw photos 9798881842604 US $38.00 • CAN $55.50

same name from the 1950s and 1960s starring Robert Stack, before diving into the development, writing, casting, production, postproduction, release, and ongoing legacy of the 1987 film. Whether new to The Untouchables and looking to enhance your viewing experience or a long-time fan eager to learn more about your favorite film, this is a mustread for movie buffs and casual viewers alike.

Bloomsbury Academic Michael C. Sullivan is an award-winning filmmaker, editor, writer, and college professor. His writing has appeared in Creative Screenwriting, The Independent, Imagine Magazine, New Hampshire Magazine, Videomaker, Post Magazine, and more. He lives just outside Boston, MA.

PERFORMING ARTS

The Disney Cartoon

An Animated History from 1919 to Today Darl Larsen

A fun and timely look at the evolution of Disney animation from the early days of Mickey Mouse to the box office struggles of recent films. Since 1919, Disney has produced hundreds of animated shorts and almost seventy feature animated cartoons, growing from humble beginnings. In 1923 Walt Disney went hat-in-hand from distributor to distributor, twice losing almost everything before Mickey’s success. In fact, prior to 1928, Disney was one of the smaller animation studios and labored in relative obscurity. Across the 1930s the studio expanded, experimented, reinvested profits, and led the way in new technologies. By 1937, the animation world would change forever with Disney’s Snow White, the studio becoming the name in all animation, where it remains today. Combining historical research with playful tidbits, The Disney Cartoon explores one iconic February 18, 2027 Hardcover • 312 Pages • 6 x 9 33 bw images 9798881804800 US $40.00 • CAN $58.50 Bloomsbury Academic

studio’s animation across time. Darl Larsen highlights the films that served as stepping stones to mark Disney’s artistic, technological, cultural, and economic progress in theatrical cartoons across more than a century of filmmaking. He examines the Disney journey from bankruptcy in Kansas City to Snow White and the golden age of animation; from hard learned lessons through hard won plaudits; from the nadir of the 1970s to the heights of The Little Mermaid, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and The Lion King; and from the blockbuster Frozen through the expensive misfires Lightyear and Strange World. The state of modern feature animation is in an anxious flux, and both Pixar and Disney are wobbling, despite their industry dominance. The Disney Cartoon is a fun and thoughtful journey through how the famous animation studio got here as they look to the future in a time of uncertainty and seek to reestablish their foothold in animation. This is a must-read for fans and students of Disney and animation alike. Darl Larsen is program director and professor of film and animation studies at Brigham Young University, Media Arts Department, and affiliated with the Center for Animation at BYU. He is the author of Moving Pictures: A History of American Animation from Gertie to Pixar and Beyond, which received praise in Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and several Monty Python encyclopedias. He resides in Orem, UT.

PERFORMING ARTS

100 Queer Films Before Stonewall Alex Davidson

100 Queer Films identifies 100 films that shaped the trajectory of queer cinema, connected with larger movements, and showcased the artistry of queer filmmaking. In addition to those films that already hold significant places in queer film canons, this volume examines often-overlooked titles. By highlighting hidden gems alongside well known classics, this book makes a valuable, accessible contribution to queer film studies. While queer films have existed since the beginning of cinema, this book focuses on films released after the Stonewall uprising in 1969. Stonewall is considered a turning point for queer politics and representation, and the 50 years since that event have generated an explosion of queer creativity.

March 4, 2027

The book describes significant formal elements of each film and connects them to their interrelated contexts. By moving in chronological order, it introduces a contemporary history of queer film and provides an overview of major developments in LGBTQ communities, cultures, and politics. This volume presents a framework for understanding the value of queer film.

Hardcover with dust jacket • 232 Pages • 8¼ x 7½ 100 colour illus 9781839027277 US $90.00 • CAN $131.50 BFI Screen Guides British Film Institute

Alex Davidson is a cinema curator at the Barbican Centre, UK. He has previously worked as a film programmer at JW3 and a curator at the BFI National Archive. He is a regular contributor to Sight & Sound and has written on film for numerous publications including The Guardian, Time Out, Gay Star News and Total Film.

PERFORMING ARTS

100 Apocalypse Films David Christopher

100 Apocalypse Films explores one of cinema’s most enduring and revealing narrative genres through 100 key movies from around the world. From killer viruses and alien invasions to zombie plagues, nuclear war, and even mutant plants, apocalypse films imagine the end of the world in terrifying and spectacular ways. David Christopher explores how these depictions have changed in response to shifting global concerns. Alongside cult classics like Godzilla (Japan, 1954), Dawn of the Dead (USA, 1978), and 28 Days Later (UK, 2002), the book also highlights lesser-known films such as Go Goa Gone (India, 2008), Crumbs (Ethiopia, 2015), and The Unthinkable (Sweden, 2018), offering a rich, global perspective on a genre often dominated by Hollywood.

September 2, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 232 Pages • 1¼ x 8¼ 100 colour illus 9781805750635 US $90.00 • CAN $131.50 BFI Screen Guides British Film Institute

In his introduction, Christopher traces the genre's history, explaining why it is particularly relevant to our contemporary moment — an era increasingly shaped by anxieties around war, climate change, global pandemics, and evolving technologies. He provides clear, engaging commentaries on each film’s narrative and aesthetic strategies, while tracing their evolution across decades and cultures. In doing so, he shows how end-of-the-world narratives have become one of cinema’s most adaptable and revealing forms. David Christopher is Lecturer in Popular Screen Cultures at Leicester University, UK. He is author of Toronto New Wave Cinema and the Anarchist Apocalypse (2025).

PERFORMING ARTS

The Red Balloon Cynthia Felando

Albert Lamorisse’s The Red Balloon (1956) follows five-year-old Pascal, who lives in the working-class district of Ménilmontant in Paris and discovers a red balloon that becomes his companion and loyal friend until a gang of bullies destroys it. In a surprise ending, Pascal is saved when all of Paris’s balloons band together to carry him away into the sky. Made on a modest budget and running just 34 minutes, the film has remained in circulation for nearly seventy years and is widely regarded as one of the defining works of short-form cinema. In her study of the film, Cynthia Felando examines how Lamorisse creates meaning through image, movement, and colour, rather than dialogue. She places the film within the context of post-war French cinema, exploring Lamorisse’s use of location shooting, small-scale production methods and non-professional performers. She also considers the place of the short film in mid-century film culture, when shorts were commonly screened alongside feature films. April 1, 2027 Paperback • 104 Pages • 5¼ x 7½ 60 colour illus 9781805751052 US $17.95 • CAN $26.50 BFI Film Classics British Film Institute

Felando reads The Red Balloon as a film open to different interpretations. It can be approached as a children’s film, a story about friendship and loss, a portrait of post-war Paris, or a work that sits between realism and fantasy. By tracing these possibilities, she shows why the film continues to attract audiences and invites a broader consideration of the short film as a distinctive cinematic form. Cynthia Felando is Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Film and Media studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. She is editor of Short Film Studies, a peer-reviewed academic journal. She is also the author of Discovering Short Films: The History and Style of Live-Action Fiction Shorts (2015) and has contributed to several edited collections including The Bloomsbury Handbook to Sofia Coppola (Bloomsbury Academic, 2022), The Films of Spike Jonze (2019), and The Routledge Companion to World Cinema (forthcoming).

PERFORMING ARTS

The Girls (Flickorna) Anna Westerstahl Stenport

Mai Zetterling's 1968 drama, The Girls (Flickorna), follows the lives of three actresses performing in a touring production of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. As the film progresses, their personal lives become increasingly intertwined with the roles they play, blurring the boundaries between their real and imagined selves. The film received a mixed response upon its release, considered too experimental in its style and too radical in its messaging, but has since become a landmark of feminist filmmaking, screening continuously at festivals and special programs for nearly seventy years. Drawing on previously unpublished materials from the Swedish Film Institute, Anna Stenport and Mariah Larsson explore the film’s formal and aesthetic experimentations, highlighting Zetterling’s seamless blending of Scandinavian design elements with the whimsical pop-art trends characteristic of London during the Swinging Sixties. They analyse the contributions of cinematographer Rune Ericson, editor Wic’ Kjellin, and costume designer Ulla-Britt Söderlund, as well as the lead performances by national icons Bibi May 13, 2027

Andersson, Harriet Andersson, and Gunnel Lindblom.

Paperback • 104 Pages • 5¼ x 7½ 60 bw illus

They also consider the film within Zetterling's long transnational career, exploring how

9781805750420

international cinematic movements and cultural trends influenced both the film’s style and

US $17.95 • CAN $26.50

its lukewarm initial reception. They contrast this against the film's rediscovery as a feminist

BFI Film Classics

classic, one that has inspired influential filmmakers like Chantal Akerman and Marguerite

British Film Institute

Duras.

Anna Stenport is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Georgia, USA. Her books include New Arctic Cinemas: Media Sovereignty and the Climate Crisis (with Scott MacKenzie)(2023) and Nordic Film Classics: ‘Show Me Love’ by Lukas Moodysson (2012). She is co-editor of Nordic Film Cultures and Cinemas of Elsewhere (with Arne Lunde) (2019) and Arctic Cinemas and the Documentary Ethos (with Lilya Kaganovsky and Scott MacKenzie) (2019). Mariah Larsson is Professor of Film Studies at Linnaeus University, Sweden. Her books include The Swedish Porn Scene: Exhibition Contexts, 8mm Pornography and the Sex Film (2017) and (co-edited with Elisabet Björklund) A Visual History of HIV/AIDS: Exploring the Face of AIDS Film Archive (2019).

PERFORMING ARTS

The 'Three Colours' Trilogy Geoff Andrew

Krzysztof Kieslowski's trilogy of films Three Colours: Blue (1993), White (1994), and Red (1994) is widely regarded as a highpoint of European art cinema. An examination of how the ideals of the French Revolution - liberty, equality and fraternity - have meaning in modern life, the trilogy combines visual elegance, narrative complexity, and virtuoso performances to extraordinary effect. In this insightful appreciation of the trilogy, Geoff Andrew analyses how Kieslowski used his command of the cinema to portray his characters' experience of loss and grief, betrayal, relationship breakdown, love and desire, and to chart the way in which their lives are ruled by unseen forces. For Andrew, the trilogy is a poignant, thrilling hymn to the resilience of compassion in the face of adversity. Tracing the links between the trilogy and Kieslowski's earlier work, he argues that the three films are the summation of Kieslowski's art. This book, which concludes with one of the last interviews Kieslowski ever gave, is a tribute to an exceptional filmmaker.

June 10, 2027 Paperback • 104 Pages • 5¼ x 7½ 60 colour illus 9781805751489 US $17.95 • CAN $26.50 BFI Film Classics British Film Institute

In his afterword to this new edition, Andrew discusses discuss how responses to the films have developed since their release, their enduring relevance, and also considers changes in the status of the 'art movie' and the auteur director. Geoff Andrew is a writer and lecturer on film. He has worked as a programmer for BFI Southbank and the London Film Festival, is a regular contributor to Sight & Sound magazine, and was for many years Film Editor of Time Out and Consultant Editor of the Time Out Film Guide. In addition to editing several books and contributing to numerous anthologies, Geoff has written, among others, a BFI Film Classic on Kiarostami's 10 (2021) a study of the films of Nicholas Ray, and two critical dictionaries, The Film Handbook and Film Directors A-Z – The Art of the World’s Greatest Film-makers. In 2009 the French government made him a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

PERFORMING ARTS

Dance, Girl, Dance Matthew Solomon

Women’s work, ambition and desire take centre stage in Dorothy Arzner’s Dance, Girl, Dance (1940), a rare classic Hollywood film directed by an openly queer woman. Starring Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball as performers pursuing contrasting ambitions, it offers a sharp perspective on entertainment, sexuality and marriage. Drawing on previously unexplored archives, Matthew Solomon uncovers the film’s complex production history and the overlooked contributions of its women filmmakers. Exploring its stars’ screen images and its irreverent take on the comedy of remarriage, he reveals how Arzner navigated the studio system and censorship to bring her distinctive vision to the screen. Matthew Solomon is Professor of Film, Television, and Media at the University of Michigan, USA. His books include the award-winning Disappearing Tricks: Silent Film, Houdini, and the New Magic of the Twentieth Century (2010), the BFI Film Classic The Gold June 10, 2027 Paperback • 104 Pages • 5¼ x 7½ 60 bw illus 9781839028861 US $17.95 • CAN $26.50 BFI Film Classics British Film Institute

Rush (2015) and Méliès Boots (2022).

PERFORMING ARTS

Bonnie and Clyde Lester D. Friedman

Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde (1967) was the prototype of the 1970s 'New Hollywood': anti-authority, candid about sex, and morally neutral, it scandalised mainstream opinion on its release. Part of an emerging youth and protest movement, its graphic and balletic violence was highly subversive in the context of the war in Vietnam. It spoke directly to younger audiences, who were already pitted against their more conservative elders and easily identified with the Warren Beatty's Clyde and Faye Dunaway's Bonnie. Lester D. Friedman's compelling study traces how Bonnie and Clyde changed not only Hollywood film style but also critical attitudes, with its stylistic innovations and ambiguous morality defended by a new generation of critics, such as the then little-known Pauline Kael. Recognising Bonnie and Clyde's distinctive position in American culture and cinema history, Friedman explores the film's cultural framework, examines the contributions of its creative team and provides a detailed visual and thematic analysis. In his afterword to this new edition, he considers Bonnie and Clyde's continuing cultural and cinematic impact, from the stylized violence that influenced directors from Peckinpah to Tarantino, to its genre-defying June 10, 2027

portrayal of crime, sexuality, and gender roles and its influence on fashion, popular music

Paperback • 104 Pages • 5¼ x 7½ 60

and videogames.

colour illus 9781805751441 US $17.95 • CAN $26.50 BFI Film Classics British Film Institute

Lester D. Friedman is Emeritus Professor of Media and Society at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, USA. His books include, as co-editor The Routledge Handbook of Health and Media (2022); as author, Citizen Spielberg (2nd Edition, 2022), The Sport Film (2020); and, as co-author Tough Ain’t Enough: New Perspectives on Clint Eastwood (2018) and Monstrous Progeny: A History of the Frankenstein Narratives (2016).

PERFORMING ARTS

Native Narratives

Indigenous Representation on Screen from The Lone Ranger to Rez Ball Michael Hilger

A thoughtful look at the progress—or lack there of—that Hollywood has made in moving away from negative stereotypes of Indigenous populations on screen. With a growing commitment from Hollywood to support Indigenous films and filmmakers, particularly writers, directors, and actors, it is important to assess just how far the industry has come. As the racist depictions seen in classic Westerns like The Last of the Mohicans and Dances with Wolves become less common, movies and shows like Reservation Dogs and Killers of the Flower Moon are receiving national attention on unprecedented levels. Lily Gladstone’s nomination for an Academy Award is a further example of how Indigenous creatives are breaking through industry barriers to boost Native American representation.

May 13, 2027 Hardcover • 176 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216371748 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Bloomsbury Academic

In Native Narratives: Indigenous Representation on Screen from The Lone Ranger to Rez Ball, Michael Hilger traces the evolution of often negative images and stereotypes of earlier depictions of Indigenous peoples to the more positive and inclusive movies and shows of today. He not only illustrates the “good, the bad, and the ugly,” but also points to the growing trend of Indigenous filmmakers telling their own stories and highlights how representation varies across genres ranging from romances and action films to coming-ofage stories and comedies. The book further reflects on where Hollywood still has room for improvement and where Indigenous creatives have found the most success. This is an important and timely reference for film fans and scholars seeking to better understand the history of Indigenous representation on screen. Michael Hilger is the author of The American Indian in Film, From Savage to Nobleman, and Native Americans in the Movies. He has worked extensively with an Ojibwe tribe in northern Wisconsin and produced video documentaries on the oral history and folk stories of the Lac Court Oreilles Chippewa Band. He resides in the Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin.

PERFORMING ARTS

The Rise and Fall of the American Action Film

How Hollywood's Defining Genre Lost Its Way Philip M. Napoli

Traces the evolution of action movies from their origins to their heyday in the 80s and explores why today’s blockbusters just don’t compare. The history of the American action film reveals a glorious past of cinematic high points ranging from The General to The Wild Bunch to The French Connection. These, and many more landmark movies, demonstrate how the genre can be a vibrant and ambitious form of cinematic expression. Yet, even as action films reign supreme at the box office, they are repeatedly dismissed and disparaged as lacking artistic merit. In The Rise and Fall of the American Action Film, Philip M. Napoli gives the genre its due, exploring how the action movie came to dominate the American film industry and the global June 24, 2027 Hardcover • 224 Pages • 6 x 9 19 bw photos 9798216200956 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

box office, as well as critiquing how recent films have lost their way, diminished in quality, and became ever more focused on spectacle over substance. Drawing from a range of examples across the history of American action cinema, from well-known masterpieces like Terminator and The Matrix to forgotten gems and abject failures, Napoli charts the definitive evolution from the action movie’s origins to today. This is the tale of how the definitive American film genre reached its peak in the 1980s before ultimately falling victim to its own spotlight, losing its defining qualities in favor of CGI and superheroes. Despite their massive budgets and elaborate special effects, Napoli argues today’s action films are a shadow of what they once were at their artistic peak. Whether reminiscing on a favorite or discovering a new classic, cinephiles will appreciate this insightful and passionate tribute to an iconic genre. Philip M. Napoli is the James R. Shepley Professor of Public Policy, Director of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy, and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research for the Sanford School at Duke University. He also serves as a Docent at the University of Helsinki and is the author of four books. He resides in Durham, North Carolina.

RELIGION

If Women’s Lives Were Sacred

Christianity, Human Rights, and the Struggle for Equal Justice Allyson McKinney Timm

A Christian feminist human rights lawyer exposes global and domestic gender-based oppression, calling the Church to confront suffering it too often ignores. Drawing on decades of work across Africa and the United States, McKinney Timm reveals how child marriage, lethal violence, rape, and the mistreatment of widows devastate communities. Through survivor stories, she shows how these harms transcend borders— and how Americans overlook similar injustices at home. Her critique of white saviorism underscores the need for an honest reckoning with how church and state perpetuate gendered and racialized violence. Rooted in biblical insight and Christian ethical reasoning, the book argues that securing February 18, 2027 Hardcover • 280 Pages • 6 x 9 9781538193525 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 T&T Clark

women's human rights is the most faithful way to advance scriptural commitments to safety, inclusion, provision, and equity. McKinney Timm highlights how American democracy and dominant church institutions have failed this mandate, pointing to prophetic voices past and present who illuminate a more just path. She affirms equality under the law as a principle honoring Christian convictions about human dignity. True equality, she stresses, safeguards persons of every identity—including LGBTQ+ siblings facing profound discrimination. Human equality before the law is essential to any vision of gender and racial justice aligned with beloved community. In the United States, this begins with the Equal Rights Amendment, a hard-won reform with redemptive potential for righting systemic wrongs. Combining the precision of a lawyer with the moral imagination of a pastor, McKinney Timm offers analytic clarity and spiritual depth. She gives a compelling account of how greater gender equality can nurture the flourishing of women, girls, and the communities they sustain. Allyson McKinney Timm is a human rights lawyer, scholar, and faith leader with two decades of experience defending the dignity and rights of those on the margins, in the United States and globally. After founding Justice Revival in 2017, a Christian nonprofit focused on advancing human rights in the United States, Allyson was named “one of ten faith leaders to watch” by the Center for American Progress. Her writing has appeared in The Christian Century, Sojourners, California Lawyer, The Independent, USA Today, and others.

RELIGION

The Fourth Wife

Telling Ajatasattu’s Story Vanessa R. Sasson

Vanessa Sasson brings early Buddhist history to life in this captivating retelling of Ajatasattu, the Magadhan king infamous for having imprisoned his father to take the throne and who later confesses to the Buddha, hoping for some reprieve from his now ongoing nightmares and regret. Drawing on her deep knowledge of Buddhist sources, Sasson presents Ajatasattu’s story as a great human tragedy that reflects the fundamental teachings of the Buddhist Dharma. She tells Ajatasattu’s story through the eyes of a fictional fourth wife, a vantage point that also enables the reader to imagine what women’s lives may have been like during the time of the historical Buddha. Sasson confronts the reader with painfully contemporary questions of how to live with tyranny, how to reckon with intergenerational trauma, and how to face the inevitability of karma. Her prose renders the ancient world with vivid emotional depth. February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 304 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 1 bw illus 9781350648401 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95

The book opens with a short introduction focused on the role of storytelling in Buddhist history. It then follows with the narrative retelling of Ajatasattu’s story, and ends with extensive endnotes that provide readers with a window into how Sasson drew on the classical sources, how the sources relate to each other, and give readers the tools required to reconstruct a story that belongs to ancient India.

Bloomsbury Academic Vanessa R. Sasson is Professor of Religious Studies in the Liberal and Creative Arts Department of Marianopolis College, Canada. Her publications include Yasodhara and the Buddha (Bloomsbury, 2021).

RELIGION

Four Paths to Persia

Ending America’s Long Conflict with Iran Seyed Hossein Mousavian

Provides an insider's account of the most significant attempt to resolve the IranAmerica crisis—and why it failed. Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Iran's chief spokesman during the critical 2003-2005 negotiations and a senior figure in Iranian foreign policy for over three decades, provides the first comprehensive Iranian account of these diplomatic struggles. With unprecedented access to Iran's decision-making apparatus and working relationships with many of the personalities who shaped these negotiations, Mousavian reveals the internal deliberations, miscalculations, and missed opportunities that have marked these talks. This book goes beyond the technical aspects of nuclear negotiations to explore the deeper cultural, political, and strategic forces that have shaped Iranian foreign policy since the 1979 Revolution. Mousavian draws on his unique perspective as both an insider who participated in key decisions and a scholar at Princeton University analyzing and commenting on these events. May 13, 2027 Hardcover • 352 Pages • 6 x 9

The result is an essential work for understanding not only Iran's nuclear program but the broader challenges of diplomacy between Washington and Teheran.

9798216465317 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Seyed Hossein Mousavian is a Middle East Security and Nuclear Policy Specialist at Princeton University and former spokesman for Iran's nuclear negotiators. He served as Iran's Ambassador to Germany, Head of the Foreign Relations Committee of Iran's National Security Council, and Spokesman for Iran in its nuclear negotiations with the international community. His career includes roles as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Vice President of the Center for Strategic Research for International Affairs.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Skins in the Game

The Radical World of Video Game Fashion Tracy Greenan

Explores the evolution of fashion in video games from the origin of Mario to recent partnerships by luxury brands to create in-game skins. Did you know that Mario’s iconic overall look was born out of necessity due to the limitations of 8-bit animation? Or that Link, the hero of 1986’s Legend of Zelda, utilized a Peter Panesque design to add a sense of familiarity for those who had grown up with the Walt Disney film? As gaming has grown, so has the importance of its fashion. With today’s unexpected trendsetters like Fortnite and Roblox, avatar fashion has become gaming’s language of status, a multi-billion-dollar market attracting brands from Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga to Coach and Zara. Skins in the Game explores fashion’s evolution in gaming, tracing its history from the inception of the first avatar to the pivotal moment when video games became fashion February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 240 Pages • 6 x 9 31 photos 9798216367505 US $45.00 • CAN $65.95 Bloomsbury Academic

influencers and the obstacles and challenges along the way. Tracy Greenan and Fija Dahlia investigate how gaming aesthetics have been influenced by art, literature, and film, scrutinize their successes and failures, and deconstruct the complex narrative of character design and historical sexism throughout the industry. They also feature exclusive interviews with top creative minds in costume, game, and character design to untangle major distinctions between the physical and digital clothing worlds and illuminate how brands utilize these differences. By looking at how community and fandom play crucial roles in shaping gaming fashion, the authors further reveal the importance of these in-game connections for growing and sustaining a game’s momentum, legacy, and style. Ultimately, Skins in the Game offers invaluable insights, fascinating data, thought-provoking interviews, and an avalanche of helpful imagery and practical pointers to ignite the imagination of fashion and videogame fans alike. Readers will discover this ever-evolving landscape, where fashion and technology spectacularly merge.

Tracy Greenan is a writer and a fashion-tech/gaming entrepreneur based in New York and Marbella, Spain. She built A.U.R.A., a fashion-in-gaming brand, cocreated the Fashion in Gaming Awards, and founded the nonprofit Gamers over Guns. Fija Dahlia is a writer, fashion designer, and illustrator based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She is cofounder of Game-Changing Style and the Fashion in Gaming Awards.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Green Dreams

Why Technology Can't Save the World Tanner Mirrlees

Electric cars, smart apps, green AI, carbon capture, solar panels—everywhere we turn, we’re told technology will save the planet. Green Dreams shows why that promise is so compelling, and why it keeps us chasing solutions that leave the real causes of the climate crisis untouched. Blending cultural criticism, political analysis, and environmental history, Green Dreams traces the rise of green techno-optimism from postwar fantasies of progress to Silicon Valley manifestos, EV marketing, Big Tech sustainability campaigns, and Hollywood ecofutures. Along the way, it exposes the hidden costs of supposedly “clean” technologies: extractive mining, exploding energy demand, ecological destruction, and the preservation of systems built on endless growth and consumption. Rather than rejecting technology outright, Tanner Mirrlees and Imre Szeman argue that technological solutions can matter only if paired with deeper social, political, and economic transformation. Provocative, February 4, 2027 Hardcover • 240 Pages • 5½ x 8½

accessible, and sharply argued, Green Dreams offers a powerful critique of one of the defining ideologies of our time.

9781350443174 US $27.00 • CAN $39.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Tanner Mirrlees is Professor of Communication and Digital Media Studies at Ontario Tech University, Canada. Imre Szeman is the inaugural Director of the Institute for Environment, Culture and Society and Professor of Human Geography at the University of Toronto Scarborough, Canada.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

The Fall Line

Surviving Georgia’s Maternal Health Crisis Heidi M. Altman

When someone plans to have a child, should they have to worry about dying? In Georgia they do. In Georgia, women die from pregnancy-related causes at a rate that’s roughly twice the national average, and 85% of those deaths are preventable. The state has introduced waves of clinical interventions and improvements in insurance in recent years, so why have the number of deaths not budged? Medical anthropologist Heidi Altman tells the stories of the women in Georgia who know, personally, the state of maternity care. Their problem isn’t a statistical one that has a solution through insurance, hospital protocols, or public policy. As these women recount their pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum years, what becomes clear is that the death rate is woven into the social fabric of the state, and as women’s agency is chipped away, June 10, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 240 Pages • 6 x 9 9798765158647 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95

they are left without the information or will to advocate for themselves. The Fall Line is an intimate and eye-opening work that lays bare the conditions in the American south and acts as a warning for the rest of the country.

Bloomsbury Academic Heidi M. Altman is a medical anthropologist and professor of anthropology at Georgia Southern University.

SELF-HELP

Think Like a Scientist

A Toolkit for Tackling Life's Overwhelming Questions and Making Great Decisions Jennifer Steele

Change your way of thinking to help you better navigate real life Have you ever looked at your life and said, “How do I fix this mess?” We’ve all seen books that claim they have the answers and that those answers are “backed by science.” But what does that even mean? Facing limited time and high stakes, how do we know which advice to believe? In Think Like a Scientist, research methodologist Jennifer Steele harnesses lessons from teaching scientific methods to skeptics and applies them to everyday life. With vivid personal stories, she shows how to unpack research evidence in order to handle conflicting medical advice, learn hard skills, manage disease risk, decide on fulfilling colleges and January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 272 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216375920 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Rowman & Littlefield

careers, find healthy love, save for the future, and navigate messy emotions. Scientific thinking, Steele argues, is uncommon in everyday life not because it’s rigid or narrow but because most of us simply weren’t taught how to use it. Still, science offers a powerful toolkit for managing uncertainty and making peace with past mistakes. Blending scientific principles with practical wisdom, Think Like a Scientist provides strategies each of us can use to gain an edge in figuring out our lives. Jennifer Steele is a professor at the Linda A. and H. Kent Baker School of Education at American University. She has taught science-based decision making to policymakers, worked as a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, and served as a fellow at the Madrid Institute for Advanced Study. Her writing has appeared in Salon, The Washington Post, The Hill, The Conversation, and Education Week, and she has been a commentator for NBC, CBS, and CGTN. She resides outside Washington, DC.

SELF-HELP

Till Sex Do Us Part

Surviving Purity Culture and Saving Our Marriage Ryan Clark

A poignant memoir unveiling the unforeseen consequences of purity culture Ryan and Cindy Clark were among the millions of adolescents who made “Purity Pledges” as part of the purity movement of the 1990s, where youth promised their church and God to abstain from premarital sex. A lifetime of blissful marital sex was the promised reward, but for too many couples, years of sexual dysfunction and shame proved to be the more likely outcome. In Till Sex Do Us Part, Ryan Clark shares the tragic consequences purity culture had on his own marriage, consequences that have reverberated in marriages across the country but are too often hidden or unrecognized. Through his own story, readers are made aware of how the shame-based black-and-white thinking of the purity movement gaslighted a generation and demonized sexual development, attraction, and identity. Clark also reveals March 4, 2027 Hardcover • 240 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216386933 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Rowman & Littlefield

the key insights he learned from his own relationship and through counseling that helped save his marriage, in order to help others who find themselves struggling with similar shame and confusion. Clark’s moving memoir shows the very personal, intense toll the purity culture movement had on his marriage. But his story doesn’t end in disaster. With raw honesty, Clark shows how he and his wife learned to build an authentic, vulnerable relationship based not on shame and punishment, but on honesty, openness, and trust. Ryan Clark is a writer, speaker, and researcher with a doctorate degree from Columbia Theological Seminary. His writing spans academic scholarship, popular publications, and practical resources for leaders and faith communities. As cohost of the Touch: Conversations of Spirit and Body podcast, Ryan is known for pairing thoughtful insight with a generous sense of humor. He currently serves as Director of Partner Engagement at Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. Ryan lives in Decatur, Georgia.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

The Biggest Fight of His Life

Joe Louis and the Battle to Integrate Golf H. David Stone

A unique exploration of heavyweight champion Joe Louis, his impact on Black golfers, and his fight against the PGA Joe Louis Barrow was born in the Deep South and rose from the depths of poverty to become one of the most beloved sports figures of the mid-twentieth century. Although he is best known as a world heavyweight boxing champion, few people know of Joe Louis’s profound impact on African-American golf or the part he played in the transformation of the Professional Golfers Association. In The Biggest Fight of His Life, H. David Stone chronicles the incredibly powerful role Joe Louis played in elevating and supporting Black golfers during a time when they were banned from competing in PGA tournaments. Stone reveals how Louis leveraged his celebrity status to enhance golf’s visibility in the African American community, financially January 21, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 312 Pages • 6 x 9 19 bw images 9798216443469 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Rowman & Littlefield

support Black pros and amateurs, and showcase the talent of Black golfers. Louis battled Jim Crow laws while serving in the Army during World War II, and Stone shows how Louis continued his fight against discrimination after his discharge, taking on the PGA’s “Caucasian Only Clause” and calling it the “biggest fight of my life.” This singular biography not only chronicles the life and career of Joe Louis, who was himself an accomplished amateur golfer, but also serves as a tribute to pioneering Black golfers—men like Ted Rhodes, Bill Spiller, Charlie Sifford, and Lee Elder. Their journeys and Louis’s reveal a lasting legacy that deserve their place in the annals of golf history. H. David Stone is the author of Vital Rails: The Charleston & Savannah Railroad and the Civil War in Coastal South Carolina. A lifelong golfer with a passion for history, Dr. Stone writes feature articles on golf’s storied past, is a board member of South Carolina Humanities, and holds memberships in the Carolinas Golf Association, the United States Golf Association, and the South Carolina Historical Society. He resides in Florence, South Carolina.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Acts of Courage

A Guide to Understanding Mental Health in Female Athletes Joan Steidinger

An invaluable resource to erase the stigma of women’s mental health struggles from sports Only in recent years have the mental health struggles of athletes begun to be realized, especially for women. With star athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles speaking up about their mental wellbeing, a light is finally being shone on this critical issue. Yet, despite the increasing number of pro athletes speaking out, negative stereotypes and a lack of understanding continues at all levels of sport today. In Acts of Courage: A Guide to Understanding Mental Health in Female Athletes, Joan Steidinger addresses the very real and incapacitating mental health challenges experienced February 4, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 208 Pages • 6 x 9 15 bw images, 15 sidebars 9798216378815 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

by female athletes. She corrects misconceptions about mental health struggles, illustrates signs and symptoms gatekeepers--parents, coaches, teachers, therapists, and teammates-should be vigilant about, and suggests action steps that these gatekeepers should take to support their athletes’ mental health. Throughout, Steidinger also shares firsthand accounts collected from interviews she has conducted with mental health practitioners, female athletes, and coaches. Covering a wide range of topics--including the susceptibility of teenage and elite female athletes to depression, the impact of burnout and injuries on mental health, and more--Acts of Courage provides the professional insight, actionable advice, and invaluable resources that gatekeepers need to support and advocate for their female athletes. By erasing the stigma of mental health from athletics, we can finally create an environment in which all female athletes, regardless of their individual challenges, can thrive. Joan Steidinger, PhD, is a licensed clinical and sports psychologist and award-winning author. She is designated as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant Emeriti by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and was on the United States Olympic Committee’s Registry of Sports Psychology. Her books include Sisterhood in Sports: How Female Athletes Collaborate and Compete and Stand Up and Shout Out: Women’s Fights for Equal Pay, Equal Rights, and Equal Opportunities in Sports. Steidinger lives in Sebastopol, California.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Cardboard Treasures

The Stories Behind the Most Coveted Baseball Cards of All Time Jonathan Weeks

A fascinating deep-dive into 50 of the most valuable baseball cards in history In July of 2000, a rare Honus Wagner trading card became the first to net more than $1 million at auction. The transaction signified a dramatic shift within the world of sports collectibles. What had once been considered a casual pastime had grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. In Cardboard Treasures: The Stories Behind the Most Coveted Baseball Cards of All Time, Jonathan Weeks provides an in-depth exploration of the most sought-after baseball cards in history. Beginning with a general history of the origin of baseball cards and an introduction into how cards are appraised, Weeks then digs into the stories of the cards and the players February 4, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 296 Pages • 6 x 9 51 bw images 9798216389293 US $36.00 • CAN $52.95 Rowman & Littlefield

themselves. Ranging from the 1887-1890 Cap Anson N172 card to the Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle, Cardboard Treasures features fascinating stories and unique details that will captivate collectors and non-collectors alike. Jonathan Weeks is the author of several sports histories and two novels. His baseball books include Shocktober: The Biggest Upsets in World Series History, Baseball’s Dynasties and the Players Who Built Them, and the Yankee Icon Trilogy (Lore of the Bambino, The Legend of the Mick, and Tales of the Yankee Clipper). He lives in northern New York.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream The Story of Rollicking Lou Novikoff Gaylon H. White

The colorful biography of Lou Novikoff, one of the most fascinating characters in baseball history. For baseball fans today, the name Lou Novikoff may not ring a bell--but he was the most publicized rookie in National League history when he joined the Cubs in 1941. In fact, he charmed and captivated sports enthusiasts throughout the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War with his power hitting and oddball antics. In Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream, Gaylon White recounts for the first time the life of Lou Novikoff, bringing him back in the limelight where he always belonged. The son of Russian immigrants, Novikoff emerged from obscurity to become the king of March 4, 2027 Hardcover • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 43 bw images, 1 table 9798216472735 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Rowman & Littlefield

softball in the 1930s and baseball’s hard-hitting and hilarious Mad Russian during World War II. Once described as a combination of Babe Ruth, Hank Greenberg, and the Marx brothers, White details how the eccentric Novikoff enthralled baseball fans, sang like a pro, played a mean harmonica, and clowned around on the field, providing much-needed joy and laughter to a nation beaten down by the Great Depression and the war. The Mad Russian oozed with color, but soon after World War II, he returned to the minors and eventually fast-pitch softball where he first achieved fame. Baseball forgot him, but now, decades later, Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream finally brings his vibrant story to life. Gaylon H. White is the author of multiple books, including Coach of a Lifetime; The Best Little Baseball Town in the World; Left on Base in the Bush Leagues; Singles and Smiles; and The Bilko Athletic Club. He is also the co-author with Ransom Jackson of Handsome Ransom Jackson: Accidental Big Leaguer. White was a sportswriter for the Denver Post, Arizona Republic, and Oklahoma Journal before working nearly 40 years in the corporate world. He resides in Kingsport, Tennessee.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

The Doherty Silk Sox

The Lost History of Baseball’s Maverick Independent Team Jack DeVries

The fascinating, little-known story of an independent team that refused to conform to organized baseball and played by its own rules. The Doherty Oval is filled with nearly double its 6,500 capacity. Fans stand jammed together in the outfield grass behind a rope, filling the space between the players and outfield wall. At the plate, the great Babe Ruth waits. The pitch streaks in and the Bambino smacks the baseball high and far over not one but two fences. All hell breaks loose. In The Doherty Silk Sox, Jack DeVries tells the captivating story of the independent baseball team that took on legends like Ruth and the New York Yankees… and won. Founded in 1916, the Silk Sox would go 399-236-15 against major league, Negro League, March 4, 2027 Hardcover • 320 Pages • 6 x 9 21 bw images 9798216379041 US $36.00 • CAN $52.95 Rowman & Littlefield

and independent teams during twelve seasons. Featuring players who refused to have their salary, schedule, and future dictated by major or minor league owners, Harry Doherty and his Silk Sox created their own alternate baseball universe, facing all comers without regard for league, location, or race. Taking place during one of America’s most dynamic and memorable time periods, The Doherty Silk Sox follows the team through a deadly pandemic, the Great War, Prohibition, and the Roaring Twenties, until their demise at decade’s end. Drawing on meticulous research and interviews, DeVries provides deep insight into this talented Silk Sox team and the players who turned their backs on organized baseball – and chose instead to play the game on their terms. Jack DeVries is a sportswriter and author. He has written often for USA Today Baseball Weekly, authored a weekly sports column for the Herald News, and written for Beckett Tribute, New Jersey Monthly, and The Record of northern New Jersey. His first book was Indians Baseball – 100 Years of Memories, the official 100th anniversary book of the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians). DeVries resides in Roxbury, NJ.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Big Apple Baseball

A Cultural History of the National Pastime in New York City David Krell

A fascinating and unique exploration of New York City baseball. New York City has often found itself as the focus of baseball and American history. Babe Ruth reviving the sport in the 1920s after the Black Sox scandal, Jackie Robinson breaking the color line, and the Miracle Mets are a few examples of New York City’s immense influence not only on baseball but the culture at large. In Big Apple Baseball: A Cultural History of the National Pastime in New York City, David Krell reveals with wonderful detail the impact of an incredible range of moments and men that helped define New York City’s cultural legacy on the diamond and beyond. From primetime TV to Broadway, from Rusty Staub’s selflessness in fundraising for first April 1, 2027 Hardcover • 256 Pages • 6 x 9 7 bw photos 9798881842611 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Rowman & Littlefield

responders to President Bush’s inspiring first pitch in the World Series after the 9/11 attacks, Krell provides a fresh examination of the city’s outstanding baseball heritage and underscores that baseball is more than a game--it’s a symbol for American culture with New York City at the center. David Krell is an author and frequent speaker for the Society for American Baseball Research and the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture. His articles have appeared in SABR’s Baseball Research Journal, The National Pastime, and Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal. Krell’s books include The Fenway Effect: A Cultural History of the Boston Red Sox, and Do You Believe in Magic? Baseball and America in the Groundbreaking Year of 1966. He lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Strikeout King

The Life and Legend of Nolan Ryan Bob Batchelor

A captivating, immersive look into the extraordinary life of an iconic Hall of Fame pitcher From the heart of small-town Texas to the glamour of the major leagues, Nolan Ryan’s name is etched in baseball and sports mythology. He is a true American legend, achieving feats on the mound that transcend the boundaries of sports history. In Strikeout King: The Life and Legend of Nolan Ryan, award-winning cultural historian Bob Batchelor delves deep into the life and career of this Hall of Fame pitcher whose name is synonymous with the fastball. Relive the adrenaline of Nolan Ryan’s seven no-hitters, each a compelling tale in its own right. Feel the excitement of 5,714 batters falling victim to the “Ryan Express,” a contemporary record that seems set in stone. In a game where records are made to be broken, the legend’s strikeout and no-hitter feats are destined to stand the April 1, 2027 Hardcover • 288 Pages • 6 x 9 11 bw images 9781538199138 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

test of time. Beyond simply recounting Ryan’s many pitching records, Strikeout King is an exploration of the relentless effort and determination that propelled Ryan to greatness. His life and times offer a window into contemporary history, while his personal story reveals what can happen when unparalleled grit meets extraordinary talent. It’s the story of a player whose remarkable career still resonates with fans across the ages. Bob Batchelor is a cultural historian and noted expert on contemporary American culture, history, and biography. His recent books include Stan Lee: A Life and Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties. He is a three-time winner of the IPA Book Award. Batchelor’s work has been featured by the New York Times, Cincinnati Enquirer, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and Time. He is an assistant professor at Coastal Carolina University and resides in Conway, SC.

TRUE CRIME

Taking Naomi

A Sociopath’s Midlife Crisis Leads to Murder Doug Kari

The true story of the shocking, random abduction of a teenage girl by a stranger in a parking lot that gripped the nation. When 18-year-old Naomi Irion failed to return home from work, her family became alarmed. She was an inspired young woman who’d traveled the world and spoke four languages. What happened to her? Surveillance video would reveal that before dawn on Saturday, March 12, 2022, as Naomi waited in a Walmart parking lot, a shadowy stranger forced his way into her car and drove off with her. It was the last time she would be seen alive. In Taking Naomi, Doug Kari reveals the chilling truth behind Naomi’s abduction and murder. He details the investigation by sheriff’s officials and the FBI, as well as how the case went viral, drawing national attention as thousands joined the search for Naomi, on the ground and online.A must-read for true crime fans, this terrifying exposé uncovers how a February 4, 2027

sociopath’s midlife crisis led to every woman’s worst nightmare.

Hardcover with dust jacket • 256 Pages • 6¼ x 9¼ 3 bw images

Doug Kari is an attorney and journalist focusing on law and crime. He is the author of The Berman Murders: Unraveling the Mojave Desert's Most Mysterious Unsolved Crime and has

9798216440512

written articles for Las Vegas Review-Journal, LA Weekly, LA Times, and other respected

US $32.00 • CAN $46.95

outlets. Kari splits his time between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rowman & Littlefield

TRUE CRIME

The Madame Restell Cases

The Stories and Abortions of Five Women in Nineteenth-Century New York Sharon DeBartolo Carmack

In the aftermath of the overturning of Roe V. Wade by the Supreme Court in 2022, the history of abortion in America is more poignant now than ever and must be remembered. Women facing restrictions to their reproductive freedom historically sought out underground abortions at a terrible cost—criminal charges and even death. In the mid-nineteenth century, without pregnancy prevention or reproductive rights, these desperate women turned to New York City’s most notorious abortionist: Madame Restell. The Madame Restell Cases is a collective biography featuring five patients: Ann Maria Purdy and Eliza Merritt, married women who did not want to bear additional children for their husbands; Eliza Ann Munson, a young woman seduced by her boyfriend, who encouraged her to have an abortion and then abandoned her; Maria Bodine, an unmarried February 18, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 264 Pages • 6 x 9 7 bw photos 9798216277385 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Rowman & Littlefield

servant impregnated by her employer; and, Cordelia A. Grant, a wealthy man’s mistress who endured five abortions. Compiling firsthand depositions and testimonies, coroner’s inquests, court records, and newspapers, Sharon DeBartolo Carmack gives a voice to the untold stories of these women who risked their lives for access to abortion. A window into reproductive control in the Victorian era, this book chronicles the experiences of ordinary women at the mercy of the time period, the lack of reliable birth control methods, and the disregard for women’s reproductive rights. The Madame Restell Cases is not only an essential look at women’s reproductive issues of the past, but a warning as history threatens to repeat itself. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack is on the adjunct English faculty of Southern New Hampshire University and serves on the editorial board of Steinbeck Review. She is the author of twenty-nine books, including Telling Her Story: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Women of the Past. She resides in Utah.

TRUE CRIME

Saints, Sinners, and Cyanide The 1916 Chicago Poison Murders Alec Banks

The electrifying true story of two simultaneous poisonings in 1916 Chicago—one a cold-blooded killing, the other an audacious mass assassination attempt. Found lifeless in a frozen forest preserve, dual sets of footprints nearby, a question lingered like a ghost in the pines: Did 18-year-old Marion Lambert die by suicide, murder, or something more diabolical? Did she take her own life in despair, believing herself pregnant and without escape? Or did William Orpet—her high school sweetheart—slip her the poison to silence a scandal? As the trial unspooled in a suffocating courtroom packed with socialites and ghoulish pressmen, the line between victim and villain blurred. That same winter, a saboteur calling himself Jean Crones infiltrated a lavish banquet at the University Club, where Chicago’s most powerful men gathered to honor the newly appointed Archbishop, George Mundelein, the rising star of American Catholicism. As wine April 15, 2027 Hardcover • 256 Pages • 6 x 9 10 bw photos 9798216395362 US $34.00 • CAN $49.95 Rowman & Littlefield

flowed and toasts rose, Crones poisoned the soup intended for the Archbishop. Authorities insisted no one died, but the truth was much darker: Mundelein may have escaped, but Jean Crones was a serial killer who left a trail of bodies in his wake. In Saints, Sinners, and Cyanide: The 1916 Chicago Poison Murders, Alec Banks weaves these entwined fates into a pulse-pounding narrative of jealousy, forbidden love, anarchist fury, and public spectacle—reviving a true crime saga eerily modern in its obsessions with scandal, class warfare, and the corrosive allure of power. Detailed, vivid, and fast paced, this is a gripping tale that uncovers the dark secrets behind two mysterious poisonings in 1916 Chicago, where intrigue and betrayal collided in the shadow of a bustling city. Alec Banks is an accomplished journalist and author. He is the coauthor of Poison for Rats: Six Kilos that Changed Everything, named one of the best Narratively Magazine stories of 2023, and The Streets Win: 50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness. He resides with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, California.

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TRUE CRIME

Unraveling the American Mafia

Angelo Lonardo, Carmen Zagaria, and the Beginning of the End in Cleveland Tim Gill

The shocking true story of the highest-ranking Mafia Boss in history to betray the organization and strike a deal with federal authorities, ending the Mafia’s reign. After his conviction in 1983, Cleveland Mafia Boss Angelo Lonardo became the highestranking Mafia Boss to betray his legacy organization and cooperate with federal authorities, aiding in the collapse of the Mafia nationwide. Facing a life-sentence and certain death behind bars, Lonardo’s desertion marked the most stunning and consequential turn of state evidence in history. In Unraveling the American Mafia: Angelo Lonardo, Carmen Zagaria, and the Beginning of the End in Cleveland, Timothy M. Gill reveals how Lonardo was born into the organization, June 24, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 304 Pages • 6 x 9 20 B/W photos 9798216384465 US $36.00 • CAN $52.95 Bloomsbury Academic

ascended the ranks of the hierarchy, and ultimately burned it all to the ground. As Mafia royalty, he had long-standing knowledge of the crime families in Cleveland, Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and New York City. His wealth of information on the inner-workings of the Mafia across the country would become central to the destruction of Mafia organizations nationwide. Drawing from interviews with FBI agents, prosecutors, and the families and associates of the mob, as well as never-before-heard interviews with Carmen Zagaria—the gang leader who climbed the ranks in the chaos of Lonardo’s betrayal—Gill unveils the shocking details behind the downfall of not only the Cleveland Mafia, but also the crippling of Mafia leadership throughout America. Timothy M. Gill is associate professor of sociology at the University of Tennessee. He is the author of several books and has written for outlets such as the Washington Post, The Nation, Cleveland Scene, and Cleveland Plain Dealer. Gill is a native Clevelander.

FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

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Empowering Parents of Children in Special Education A Guide to Rights and Services Matthew T. Collier and Mitchell L. Yell

Your go-to guide for becoming a confident, effective advocate at every stage of your child’s special education journey. Navigating special education can feel overwhelming, filled with unfamiliar terminology, complex procedures, and high-pressure decisions that impact your child's future. This supportive resource breaks down the process into clear, manageable steps, giving you the right tools to participate fully and advocate successfully for your child. With clarity and compassion, this book shows you how special education works—from making sense of school evaluations to building a strong IEP. You'll discover what services your child is entitled to, how to protect their rights, and how to plan for life after graduation. January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 280 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216375364 US $35.00 • CAN $51.50 Bloomsbury Academic

Just as importantly, you'll learn how to build productive partnerships with your child's teachers. Whether you are just beginning the special education process or seeking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this roadmap will give you the confidence to make informed choices, champion your child's success, and ensure their unique needs are always met.

Matthew Collier, PhD, is associate professor of education at Lander University in South Carolina. He lives in Taylors, South Carolina. Mitchell L. Yell, PhD, is professor of special education at the University of South Carolina. He lives in West Columbia, South Carolina.

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FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Say It Out Loud

How to Have Honest Conversations Between Parents and Grandparents Pam Siegel and Leslie Zinberg

The go-to guide for improving communication and connection between parents and grandparents From the thrilling moment a baby is born, family roles shift dramatically. While new parents and grandparents have the best of intentions, these intergenerational relationships can be emotionally charged and tricky. Things left unsaid can create distance, tensions, and misunderstanding. It’s important to navigate these complex dynamics with love, openness, and empathy. But how? In Say It Out Loud: How to Have Honest Conversations Between Parents and Grandparents, Pam Siegel and Leslie Zinberg help families communicate productively, February 4, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 328 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 9798216277309 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

leading to deeper understanding, collaboration, and connection between generations. They tackle the most relevant issues facing both generations today—including holidays, screen time, favoritism, discipline, changing roles, in-laws, religion, and estrangement—and provide concrete tools and exercises for each generation to practice and implement within their own family. Filled with perspectives from parents and grandparents, key concepts, and expert insight, Say It Out Loud offers invaluable guidance for supporting loved ones respectfully and compassionately without overstepping. And when communication is open between generations, it sets an example for young grandchildren that can have a positive impact for years to come.

Pam Siegel, MPH, MFT, is a licensed marriage family therapist with over 22 years in private practice. She is the coauthor of Grandparenting: Renew, Relive, Rejoice with Leslie Zinberg. She resides in Los Angeles. Leslie Zinberg is a published author and co-founder of the grandparent website www.thegrandparentvillage.com. She is the co-author of The Pink and Blue Baby Pages, The Pink and Blue Toddler Pages, and Grandparenting (with Siegel). Zinberg lives in Los Angeles.

FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

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Connection

A Year of Great Conversations with Your Teen Nicholas Alchin

An insightful guide for parents to cultivate meaningful conversations and connections with their children. When today’s world, and certainly tomorrow’s world, looks so different from the world we grew up in, as parents we grapple with complex and urgent questions: How do we talk with our children so that we nurture resilience in an age of uncertainty? How do we prepare young people for an uncertain future while grounding them in a strong sense of purpose and values? How can we help our teenagers flourish and stay strong mentally when so many are struggling? In Connection: A Year of Great Conversations with Your Teen, Nicholas Alchin helps parents reflect on and talk about these matters with their kids, especially pre-teens and teenagers. It bridges the gap between mundane realities (kids going to school, being on March 4, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 296 Pages • 6 x 9 2 bw images, 5 tables 9798216464143 US $28.00 • CAN $40.95 Rowman & Littlefield

social media, arguing with parents, falling out with friends) and timeless philosophical inquiries (who we are, who we aspire to be, how we find happiness and fulfilment), while challenging parents to reflect on their role in shaping their children’s values, growth, and futures. With an inquiring, philosophical stance on growing up, parenting, wellbeing, achievement, and careers, Alchin offers specific, practical guidance to support parents in their journey to finding a deeper connection with their kids through intentional conversation. Open-hearted discussions can invigorate any relationship. But especially during the preteen and teenage years, being able to discuss the rocky parts of growing up is particularly impactful. Connection is born of this need, offering a map of ideas, conversations, and tools that enable families to have deep, meaningful conversations together. Nicholas Alchin is the Head of College at the United World College of SE Asia, the largest international school of its type in the world. He has previously worked at established international schools of excellence and local public community schools. He has served as International Baccalaureate Chief Assessor for Theory of Knowledge and Vice Chair of the IB Examining Board. Nick is also a textbook author, IB examiner, workshop leader, speaker and strategic consultant. He resides in Singapore.

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FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Controlled Chaos

A Survival Guide for Neurodivergent Parents Daniel M. Jones

A groundbreaking guide written by an autistic dad that empowers neurodivergent parents and their families to thrive. In Controlled Chaos: A Survival Guide for Neurodivergent Parents, Daniel M. Jones, a respected voice in the autistic community, offers authentic advice, expert insight, real-life stories, and actionable strategies to help neurodivergent parents navigate the unique joys and challenges of raising children. He explores what it really means to be a neurodivergent parent--from understanding your own neurodivergence to building a home life that works for your nervous system instead of against it--and emphasizes the importance of building support networks and self-advocacy, ensuring that parents don’t feel isolated in their journey. Covering sensory-friendly spaces, routines and structure, emotional regulation, March 18, 2027 Hardcover • 192 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 9798216455622 US $26.00 • CAN $37.95 Rowman & Littlefield

communication with children, advocacy in schools and healthcare, managing overload, meltdowns, daily responsibilities, bonding with your child, and more, Daniel shares simple systems, practical tools, and honest insight to help parents stay regulated, present, and connected. One of the first books to support neurodivergent parents whose experiences are often underrepresented and misunderstood, Controlled Chaos is a timely and essential resource that celebrates the strengths of neurodivergent families, reminding parents that they can build a family life that is loving, stable, and true to who they are. Daniel M. Jones is an international bestselling author, autism advocate, and creator of The Aspie World, a platform that provides autism awareness, advice, and support. His first book, Autism for Adults, has resonated worldwide. He draws on his lived experience as an autistic dad with ADHD and OCD to create practical resources, training, and content to help people better understand neurodiversity. Daniel has been featured on BBC, Netflix, VidCon, and MIT. He lives in Wales on the Isle of Anglesey.

FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

105

The LGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Postpartum Guide

Inclusive Support from the First Trimester Through Early Parenthood Marea Goodman

An essential, inclusive pregnancy and postpartum guide for LGBTQ+ families The world needs a pregnancy guide for pregnant people who don’t fit into society’s traditional gender and relationship norms, one that reflects their full authenticity. Enter The LGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Postpartum Guide: Inclusive Support from the First Trimester Through Early Parenthood, the first-of-its-kind resource focused on the LGBTQ+ experience. Marea Goodman, queer midwife and founder of the PregnantTogether Community, combines evidence-based information with practical tools, tips, and real-life stories to May 13, 2027

support LGBTQ+ families during pregnancy and postpartum. Beginning in the first trimester

Paperback • 224 Pages • 5½ x 8½

of pregnancy and ending in early parenthood, Goodman covers how to find affirming

16 illustrations, 26 textboxes/sidebars

providers, important medical information for all pregnant people, reflection prompts, best

9798216446798

practices, and essential advice for surviving and thriving the challenges of pregnancy and

US $22.95 • CAN $33.95

parenting in a society that doesn’t center LGBTQ+ people and families.

Rowman & Littlefield Featuring the personal stories from LGBTQ+ parents who have gone through their own pregnancies and were generous enough to share their journeys, The LGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Postpartum Guide is essential for all pregnant people who don’t often see their experiences reflected in mainstream pregnancy resources. It’s a breath of fresh air for all pregnant people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, offering consistent awareness of their unique family-building journey. Marea Goodman, LM, CPM (they/them), is a licensed midwife, published author, and queer parent passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community throughout conception, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. They are the co-author of Baby Making for Everybody: Fertility and Family Building for LGBTQ+ and Solo Parents and founder of PregnantTogether, the virtual queer family building community. Goodman’s work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Vogue, USA Today, Huffington Post, ParentData.org, and others. They reside in the Bay Area.

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FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

The Anxious Parent's Guide to AI

Helping Our Children Through AI’s Promises and Pitfalls Mhairi Aitken

A much-needed resource to help families make informed, safe choices around AI technologies Parents and caregivers are being bombarded with claims about the impacts of AI on children and young people. On the one hand, they’re marketed AI-enabled products are being urged not to let their children miss out on the opportunities AI presents. On the other hand, they are facing substantial pressure to protect their children from the growing number of risks posed by AI. The Anxious Parent's Guide to AI is the book that is urgently needed to support parents and caregivers. It cuts through the noise and sensationalism to provide evidence-based June 10, 2027 Paperback • 224 Pages • 6 x 9 1 bw image 9798216467632 US $24.95 • CAN $36.50 Rowman & Littlefield

accounts of the ways children and young people actually interact with AI. In straightforward language it sets out both the risks and opportunities AI presents and provides parents with expertise, practical tips, key considerations, and suggested conversation starters to help the young people in their lives make safe choices around how they use AI. Written in an open and accessible style, with examples and stories to illustrate the AI technologies and issues discussed, The Anxious Parent's Guide to AI does not preach any particular viewpoint on AI, but rather provides parents with evidence and insights so that they can confidently make their own informed decisions. Dr. Mhairi Aitken is an internationally recognized expert in AI ethics and responsible innovation. She was included in the international list of “100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics” and is a co-founder and director of Our AI Collective. Aitken was Senior Ethics Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute, where she led a groundbreaking program of research on children and AI, including collaborations with UNICEF. She lives in the Scottish Borders.

FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

107

Different Minds

How We Can Help Our Autistic School Children Thrive Pete Wharmby

If you have an autistic child in school, you may be painfully aware that mainstream education wasn’t built with them in mind. In this book, a neurodivergence campaigner and former teacher shines a light on what it’s really like to be autistic in school today and why so many children are misunderstood. Through a blend of storytelling, polemic, and empathetic advice, the author exposes the inadequacies of the current system, explains how differences have been mislabeled as ‘challenging behavior’, and provides a blueprint for understanding and supporting young autistic minds Galvanizing and compassionate, this book empowers parents, teachers, and caregivers to June 24, 2027 Hardcover with dust jacket • 240 Pages • 6 x 9 9798216465980 US $32.00 • CAN $46.95 Bloomsbury Academic

take a stand for our autistic schoolchildren and create the conditions they need to truly thrive. Pete Wharmby is a neurodivergence campaigner and former teacher who was diagnosed autistic at age 34. He is also a father to an autistic child. Shocked by the statistics around depression, anxiety, and life expectancy for autistic people, Pete has immersed himself in working to improve neurodiversity awareness and acceptance. He has written two books on autistic experience: What I Want to Talk About: How Autistic Special Interests Shape a Life (2022) and Untypical (2023).

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Small Bites

How to Teach Kids to Eat and Love Healthy Food Maja Berlic

In a world grappling with rising childhood obesity and poor eating habits, Small Bites stands as a beacon of hope for parents. Early eating habits, formed during the critical preschool years, are the foundation for lifelong health. But with busy schedules, conflicting advice, and strong food marketing aimed at children, many parents feel unsure of where to start. In Small Bites, nutritionist Maja Berlic offers a unique combination of storytelling and actionable, no-pressure strategies for families to take on the challenge of healthy eating together. Each chapter begins with a child-friendly story for parents and preschool-aged children, sparking curiosity and enabling meaningful, age-appropriate conversations about food and health. These stories naturally transition into practical guidance for parents, helping them navigate everyday challenges like meal planning, smart grocery shopping, January 7, 2027 Hardcover • 248 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 4 bw images, 16 tables, 28 textboxes 9798216370277 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

picky eating, and fostering a positive food culture at home. Small Bites also addresses often-overlooked topics such as the influence of grandparents on children’s eating habits, managing food allergies, promoting hydration, and reducing food waste, making it a uniquely valuable resource for families. By integrating evidencebased advice with relatable real-life scenarios, Small Bites equips families with sustainable strategies to create healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Maja Berlic, PhD, is a distinguished nutritionist with over 20 years of experience in preschool nutrition. Her work focuses on improving dietary practices during the formative early years of life. Berlic has published in esteemed journals, including Food Chemistry, Nutrients, and the European Journal of Pediatrics, contributing to the field of child nutrition. She regularly presents at national and international conferences and workshops. Berlic resides in Slovenia.

YOUNG ADULT

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The People Rising

William Parker and the Freedom Fighters of the Christiana Resistance Robert H. Mayer

The fascinating story of the Christiana Resistance--an act of bravery by freedom fighters defending the Black community--told for young adult readers.

In the mid-1800s, a formerly enslaved man named William Parker organized his neighbors in Southern Pennsylvania into a group that worked day and night to foil enslavers looking to reclaim people escaping slavery. Their work culminated in a battle that came to be known as the “Christiana Resistance,” when they stood their ground in defiance of the Fugitive Slave Law and moved the nation one step closer to civil war. In The People Rising: William Parker and the Freedom Fighters of the Christiana January 21, 2027 Hardcover • 240 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 21 bw images, 15 sidebars 9798216376163 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

Resistance, Robert H. Mayer takes readers deep into the history of this defining moment for a nation on the brink of war. Mayer brings William Parker to life with fascinating detail, sharing Parker’s early days as an enslaved person, his harrowing escape, and how he became a community leader who inspired the Christiana Resistance. In addition, Mayer provides important insight into the battle of words occurring simultaneously in Congress, where people brawled, literally, on the floor of both houses over the question of slavery. Featuring captivating photos and the actual words of historical figures, The People Rising reveals a vital piece of history for teen readers fighting similar battles today. At a time when the teaching of Black history is being challenged, this book offers an important perspective that reveals the essential role the Black community played in shaping American democracy. Robert H. Mayer is the award-winning author of In the Name of Emmett Till: How the Children of the Mississippi Freedom Struggle Showed Us Tomorrow and When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. He has written for Cobblestone Magazine, Social Education, Magazine of History, and The Social Studies. Mayer was a teacher for forty-one years and won the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2009. He lives in Pennsylvania.

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YOUNG ADULT

Genius

50 Women Who Changed the World F.R. Brady

The gripping true stories of fifty extraordinary women—from scientists and spies to athletes and artists—whose bold decisions reshaped history and continue to inspire teens today. In Genius: 50 Women Who Changed the World, F.R. Brady offers a lively and inspiring collection of the stories of women who reshaped science, politics, art, sports, civil rights, and more. From the woman who helped invent Wi-Fi, to spies, survivors, and entrepreneurs, these are tales of strategy, strength, and smarts. Packed with historical images and little-known narratives, each chapter of Genius focuses on a decisive moment—when a woman faced the odds, made a bold choice, and changed what was possible for those who followed. Readers will follow spy Virginia Hall through the Pyrenees as she escapes the Nazis, writer Mary Wollstonecraft on her journey to becoming February 18, 2027 Hardcover • 288 Pages • 6 x 9 50 bw images 9798216446835 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

one of the founding feminist philosophers, and mathematician Katherine Johnson as her calculations send astronauts to space. With a mix of well-known names and unsung heroes, Genius celebrates the clever, the cunning, and the unstoppable. It redefines what it means to be brilliant, and shows teen readers that the world changes when someone dares to act. F.R. Brady is an award-winning copywriter and creative director who has worked with music legends, sports greats, and iconic entertainers. A former Mensa member and Dale Carnegie graduate, Brady has lectured at Cornell University, the University of Rochester, and Syracuse University. Genius was inspired by Brady's granddaughter. Brady lives in Englewood, Florida.

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A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them The Real Dangers Behind Your Favorite Fiction A.J. Van Belle

A fascinating examination of the real-world possibilities behind famous YA dystopian fiction, and what teens can do to stop them from actually happening. Could the countries of North America collapse in the wake of a series of environmental disasters, as they did in the world of The Hunger Games? It might happen if we don’t correct course and reduce carbon emissions. Will we fall prey to a fungal infection like in The Last of Us? Maybe—but we could also take steps to minimize the chances of a not-sofriendly fungi takeover. In A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them, A.J. Van Belle dives into twelve dystopian fiction scenarios that have gripped our collective interest, the real science of how those notApril 1, 2027 Hardcover • 256 Pages • 5½ x 8½ 12 bw images, 39 textboxes 9798216395140 US $30.00 • CAN $43.95 Rowman & Littlefield

so-desirable futures could come about, and what we can do to prevent them from happening. Each chapter features relevant current events and lively explorations of related environmental science and cutting-edge technology. With discussions of some of YA literature’s most beloved dystopian novels and thoughtful interviews with well-known authors, including Lois Lowry and Scott Westerfeld, A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them is as gripping as our favorite futuristic fiction, with an added dose of grounded, science-informed hope. A.J. Van Belle is an author and scientist with a PhD in biology. Their research has appeared in FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Fungal Ecology, and New Phytologist. They’ve taught courses on climate change, evolution, and the interactions between climate and human health at Boston University and Babson College. Van Belle is a BSFA finalist, Rhysling finalist, Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction-recognized author, and Best of the Net nominee. They live in Victoria, BC, Canada.

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