for beginners 2009 catalog

For Beginners® books are a documentary, graphic

non-fiction series. Every book in the series serves

one purpose: to present to the reader in a straight-

forward, accessible manner the works of great

thinkers and subjects alike. With subjects ranging

from philosophy, to politics, to art and beyond, the

For Beginners® series covers a range of familiar

concepts in a humorous comic book-style, and takes

a readily comprehensible approach that’s respective

of the intelligence of its audience. This series is for

those who want to know more about a subject, but

don’t want to get bogged down in dry facts. Each

book is painstakingly researched, written and

illustrated in a style that best suits the subject.

Dedicated to Glenn Thompson, the inventor and the

inspiration for the series.

►Graphic Nonfiction

►Subjects Ranging from Anarchism to Zen

New Titles 2009

And Complete Backlist

ON SALE NOW ON SALE NOW

GLOBAL WARMING FOR BEGINNERS (Printed on 100% Recycled Paper)

Author: Dean Goodwin, Ph.D.

Illustrator: Joe Lee

6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 144 Pages B/W Illlustrations Throughout

$14.95 ($16.95 Canadian)

ISBN: 978-1-934389-27-0

Ebook Also Available: Ebook ISBN:978-1-934389-43-0

Environmental Science

The science is in: Global warming is for real. But what does it all really mean, and

what can or should we do about it? This clear, fluid narrative by a leading scientist

and educator takes a scrupulously balanced approach in explaining for the reader

the history of global climate monitoring and change, and the who’s, how’s,

what’s, when’s, where’s and why’s of the interaction between human activity and

recent trends in the Earth’s climate. Global Warming For Beginners is organized into five compelling sections:

Global Warming, An Introduction, The Cause, The Consequences, The Solutions,

What Steps Can I Take? Working from the premise that no one can do everything but everyone can do

something, Goodwin challenges readers with experiments they can conduct to

gain a better understanding of the science underlying the problems facing our

planet, and concludes with a list of fifty easy actions people can choose from to

start doing their part in the effort to slow or stop global warming. As with all For Beginners titles, this volume is illustrated throughout with

entertaining drawings that help readers understand and retain the information in

Goodwin’s lively and comprehensive text.

• * * * * * * * * * * Author, DEAN GOODWIN, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Center for Inquiry-

Based Education. He is also director of marine and environmental education and teaches

at Christchurch School in Virginia. Dr. Goodwin is a national recognized environmental

educator with an honors degrees in biochemistry, a post-graduate certificate in science

education, and a Ph.D. in mechanistic organic photochemistry. He has more than twenty-

five years teaching experience at both the college and secondary level.

With all the talk about “democracy” these days, it’s surprising how little time

is spent concentrating on the very idea of democracy itself – the history of this

political institution and the justification for it as a political institution.

Democracy For Beginners looks at the history and concept of democracy as

well as some challenges that democracy faces today.

Beginning with the rise of Democracy in 5th Century Athens and ending with

the notion of “e-democracy” and the possibility of democratic practice across

national boundaries, Democracy For Beginners traces the evolution of

democracy as a political concept and addresses some of its main critics (from

Plato to contemporary social choice theory).

Democracy For Beginners is the perfect introduction to the foundation on

which our country stands.

* * * * * * * * * *

Robert Cavalier received his BA from New York University and a Ph.D. in

Philosophy from Duquesne University. In 1987 he joined the staff at Carnegie

Mellon's Center for Design of Educational Computing, where he became

Executive Director in 1991. Dr. Cavalier was Director of CMU's Center for the

Advancement of Applied Ethics and Political Philosophy from 2005-2007. He is

currently co-Director of Southwestern Pennsylvania Program for Deliberative

Democracy.

DEMOCRACY FOR BEGINNERS

Author: Robert Cavalier Illustrator: Reuben Negrón 6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 128 Pages B/W Illlustrations Throughout $14.95 ($16.95 Canadian)

ISBN: 978-1-934389-36-2 History/Politics

ON SALE AUGUST 11, 2009 ON SALE JUNE 9, 2009 (REVISED EDITION)

BARACK OBAMA FOR BEGINNERS: AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE

Author: Bob Neer Illustrator: Joe Lee

6 X 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 128 Pages

B/W Illlustrations Throughout

$12.95 ($15.99 Canadian)

ISBN:978-1-934389-44-7

Ebook Also Available:

Ebook ISBN:978-1-934389-45-4

Current Events/Political Biography

Barack Obama For Beginners: An Essential Guide is the most

concise and reliable short biography available on the 44th President of

the United States — from his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, edu-

cation at Columbia and Harvard, work as a community organizer,

writer, teacher, lawyer, and politician in Illinois, to his historic

nomination for President. Barack Obama For Beginners keeps the fo-

cus on the man and his record — accomplishments and missteps, praise

and criticism — to allow readers to gain a balanced understanding of

President Obama as they follow his rise to the White House.

Entertaining illustrations enliven the reading experience and highlight

important details.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bob Neer is writing his dissertation to complete his Ph.D. in U.S. history at

Columbia University. He received a M. Phil. in U.S. history in 2007, and a J.D.

and M.A. in U.S. history in 1991, all from Columbia. He graduated magna cum

laude from Harvard College in 1986. He is a co-founder and co-editor of

BlueMassGroup.com, the most widely read political blog in New England.

Ayn Rand, author of the best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas

Shrugged, is beloved by millions of readers. Her writings and her revolutionary

philosophy of Objectivism have acquired a world-wide following. But until now,

there has been no simple, easy-to-read introduction to her books and ideas. Ayn

Rand For Beginners is that book.

In clear, down-to-earth language, it helps longtime fans and readers newly

discovering her works alike understand and appreciate the depth and richness of

her compelling stories and illuminating ideas about human nature and society

* * * * * * * Andrew Bernstein has published on a wide variety of philosophical and literary issues

based on Ayn Rand’s philosophies including Objectivism In One Lesson: An

Introduction to the Philosophy Of Ayn Rand. Dr. Bernstein lectures regularly at

American universities, speaking on a broad range of intellectual topics. A popular

lecturer and guest, he appears frequently on the radio on shows in Boston, Northern

California, St. Louis, and Detroit among others, and has been a talk-radio guest host in

Los Angeles. Discussions include such topics as the role of values in human life, the

need for heroes in our society, the nature of a proper curriculum for our schools, and

the application of philosophical principles to a broad array of cultural/political topics.

Dr. Bernstein is a Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Marist College; he also teaches

at SUNY Purchase (which selected him Outstanding Teacher for 2004)--and formerly

at Pace University, and Marymount College (which selected him Outstanding Teacher

for 1995). He has taught at Hunter College, Long Island University, and many other

New York-area colleges. He lectures frequently at philosophy conferences all over the

United States; additionally in Canada, England, Belgium, Norway, Hong Kong and

Bermuda.

AYN RAND FOR BEGINNERS Author: Andrew Bernstein Illustrator: Owen Brozman 6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 176 Pages (est)

B/W Illlustrations Throughout $14.99 ($18.95 Canadian)

ISBN: 978-1-934389-37-9 Philosophy

ON SALE AUGUST 25, 2009 ON SALE AUGUST 18, 2009

LACAN FOR BEGINNERS

Author: Philip Hill Illustrator: David Leach 6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 176 Pages B/W Illlustrations Throughout $14.99 ($18.95 Canadian)

ISBN: 978-1-934389-39-3 Psychology & Psychiatry—Psychoanalysis

Jacques Lacan is probably the most influential psychoanalyst since Freud (of the

roughly 20,000 psychoanalysts in the world, about half are ‘Lacanians’) yet most

people know nothing about him. The 10,000 analysts who use Lacan’s ideas,

work mostly in France, Spain, Italy, and South America. To the rest of the world,

including England and America, Lacan is a genius-in-waiting, due to be

‘discovered’ any day now. Despite (or because of) his brilliance, Lacan is incredibly difficult to understand.

He wrote with an obscure, almost impenetrable style that casually refers to

philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, etc.—and to make matters worse, his ideas

changed over the years. (At this point, any rational person must be wondering,

‘What good is Lacan’s brilliance if I can’t understand his ideas?’) Lacan For Beginners by Philip Hill addresses that question with great clarity

without oversimplifying Lacan’s ideas. Hill introduces the reader to Lacan’s

theories and their relation to clinical practice in twelve elegantly structured

chapters, designed around tantalizing questions that serve to clarify Lacan’s ideas. Lacan For Beginners is written with clarity, insight, and wit and illustrated with

examples from popular culture and cinema. The artwork is humorous and

informative, and works with the text. So don’t you think it is about time you be-

come familiar with his work? * * * * * * * * * *

Philip Hill is a registered psychoanalyst, writer and teacher with over 16 years clinical experi-

ence. Philip trained with UK's first Lacanian training organization, the Centre for Freudian

Analysis and Research (CFAR) and is a now member. Additionally, he is a member of the UK

Council for Psychotherapy. He is the author of two books on Lacan and psychoanalysis and is

currently working on two more. Additionally Philip lectures in the UK and internationally.

Philip studied Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Warwick.

Zinn For Beginners describes the life and work of the most vital historian of our time.

Howard Zinn led a revolution in the writing of history by telling the story not from the

standpoint of conquerors and rulers, but from the side of the ordinary people who al-

ways bear the brunt of the ambitions of tyrants. Zinn tells the story of Columbus’ discovery of America from the standpoint of the

native people whose hands Columbus cut off to terrorize them into giving him gold.

He tells the story of the Civil War not from the point of view of the great generals

who directed the slaughter, but from that of the slaves and from the ordinary people

who gave up their lives in the struggle. It tells of the Spanish-American War from the

point of view of Mark Twain, who wrote, “When the smoke was over, the dead

buried, and the cost of the war came back to the people … it suddenly dawned on us

that the cause of the Spanish-American war was the price of sugar … that the lives,

blood, and money of the American people were used to protect the interest of the

American capitalists.” Howard Zinn’s fresh look at history has earned him a devoted following. Zinn For

Beginners tells the story of where Zinn came from, what events shaped his life, and

walks through the main points of his major works.

* * * * * * * * * * David Cogswell is a writer based in Hoboken, N.J. He has written thousands of articles on busi-

ness, travel, politics, and the arts for various print and online publications, including Online

Journal, Democratic Underground, Bushwatch, Indymedia.org, Fortune.com, Travel Weekly,

the Hudson Current and the Jersey Journal. He’s the author of Chomsky For Beginners and

Existentialism For Beginners, and has contributed pieces to a number of political books,

including Fortunate Son: The Making of an American President, by J.H. Hatfield; Ambushed:

The Hidden History of the Bush Family by Toby Rogers; and America’s Autopsy Report, by

John Kaminski. He is currently working on a book about corporatism.

ZINN FOR BEGINNERS

Author: David Cogswell

Illustrator: Joe Lee

6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 176 Pages (est)


ISBN: 978-1-934389-40-9

Psychology & Psychiatry—Psychoanalysis

ON SALE NOVEMBER 3, 2009 ON SALE SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

ART THEORY FOR BEGINNERS

Author: Richard Osborne

Illustrator: Natalie Turner

6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 192 Pages B/W Illlustrations Throughout

$14.99 ($18.95 Canadian)

ISBN: 978-1-934389-47-8

Art/Reference

Art Theory For Beginners delivers what it promises: a complete survey

of all the historical and current debates on art. From paleolithic

cave-painting to modern art, this concise and entertaining introduction

offers the beginner a survey of all the debates that stem from the idea of

art. The contributions of philosophers, theorists and artists are included

to show how theory and practice have interacted and developed histori-

cally to produce the current situation.

* * * * * * * * * Richard Osborne is a philosopher and writer with special interests in Art, Technology

and contemporary culture.

He is the author of several internationally best-selling works including Philosophy For

Beginners, Freud For Beginners, Introducing Sociology and Megawords, a cultural

dictionary for the humanities. He has also written extensively on Philosophy and

culture in a wide range of journals from Oslo to Osaka, including work on Art and the

Mass Media; and also penned The Universe, a history of scientific thinking of ideas of

the Universe, which was published in the UK and America.

His two most recent books are Philosophy in Art (Zidane Press) 2006 and AES+F.

Last Riot 2. A study of the work of the celebrated Russian art group who have been

exhibited in many countries.

Richard currently teaches at the University of the Arts in London.

The search for simplicity and consistency with experimental observations coupled

with more and better observations allowed mankind to overthrow deeply held

prior convictions about the structure of the universe. The struggle against the

human bias continues to this day. As we have expanded our horizons to see things

vastly smaller/faster/larger/farther than ever before, we have been forced to

confront preconceptions born of the human experience and create wholly new

ways of looking at the world around us. There is nothing quite as strange and

exciting as the reality show of our universe.

Relativity and Quantum Physics For Beginners describes the revolutionary

theories of relativity and quantum physics and shows how these ideas have led to

amazing advances in our understanding of the universe. Steven Manly is a leading

research physicist, highly respected in his field, who is also well known for his

lively classroom lectures, and his special talent for elucidating complex ideas.

* * * * * * * * Steve Manly graduated from Pfeiffer College with a triple major in mathematics, physics and

chemistry in 1982. He also earned a Ph.D. in experimental high energy physics from Columbia

University in 1989. He was on the faculty at Yale University before moving to the University of

Rochester in 1998. Professor Manly's teaching efforts have focused on improving the student

experience in large introductory physics courses. Outside of the formal teaching in the

classroom, he is a frequent speaker on particle physics, cosmology and relativity to non-experts.

These events have ranged from alumni symposia at colleges to high school and middle school

science programs and career days. He was named the NY State Professor of the Year in 2003 by

the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and was honored as the Mercer

Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Rochester from 2002-2005. Most

recently, Manly was named the recipient of the 2007 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Award by the American Association of Physics Teachers.

RELATIVITY AND QUANTUM PHYSICS FOR BEGINNERS Author: Steven L. Manly Illustrator: Steven Fournier 6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 176 Pages (est)


ISBN: 978-1-934389-42-3 Science/Physics

Complete Backlist ON SALE JANUARY 19, 2010

African History

For Beginners By Herb Boyd

Illustrated: Shey Wolvek-Pfister

African History For

Beginners provides striking

visuals and fascinating text

which bring to life this con-

tinent of cultural riches and

wonders. Discover the glory

of the Pharaohs, the Towers

of Zimbabwe, the cosmology of the Yoruba,

and the courage of the Masai.

Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 128 pages

B/W Illustrations Throughout

African American Studies/History

ISBN: 978-1-934389-18-8 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Arabs & Israel

For Beginners By Ron David

Illustrated: Susan David

With dramatic events hap-pening almost every day in the Israeli-Palestinian re-gion, and the US govern-ment increasingly becoming involved, the American public deserves to hear both

sides. Arabs & Israel for Beginners provides an intelligent, in-depth, perspective on the struggle between the two nations. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 224 pages


Middle Eastern Studies/History

ISBN: 978-1-934389-16-4 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Black History

For Beginners By Denise Dennis

Illustrated: Susan Willmarth

The only way to help abol-ish racial stereotypes of black people throughout history. Black History For Beginners covers an often ignored history of the black struggle from capture and

enslavement in Africa through the Civil Rights movement and the struggles that black people face today. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 192 pages



ISBN: 978-1-934389-19-5 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Anarchism

For Beginners By Marcos Mayer

Illustrated: Sanyú

Anarchism For Beginners

covers the history and influ-

ence of Anarchism through

its contradictions and mis-

steps, as well as its notable

creativity and indefatigable

fighting spirit of the intel-

lectuals such as Michel Foucault, Noam Chom-

sky and Murray Bookchin.



Political Science

ISBN: 978-1-934389-32-4 ● $14.95 ($16.95 CAN)

Astronomy

For Beginners By Jeff Becan

Illustrated: Sarah Becan

Astronomy For Beginners explains the patterns of the heavens, the equinoxes and the solstices, the major me-teor showers, and the solar and lunar eclipses. It’s an entertaining guided tour of

the solar system and explains how the way we measure time itself is intimately related to ce-lestial phenomena. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 160 pages


Science/Astronomy

ISBN: 978-1-934389-25-6 ● $14.95 ($16.95 CAN)

The Black Holocaust

For Beginners By S.E. Anderson

Illustrated: Vanessa Holley

The Black Holocaust, a trav-esty that killed millions of Africans from the start of the European slave trade (c.1500) to the Civil War (1865) is the most underreported major event in history. The Black

Holocaust For Beginners—part documented chronicle, part engaging narrative—puts this tragic event in plain sight where it belongs. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 192 pages



ISBN: 978-1-934389-03-4 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

POETRY FOR BEGINNERS

Authors: Margaret Chapman

& Kathleen A. Welton Illustrator: Reuben Negrón

6 x 9 ● Trade Paperback ● 176 Pages (est)


ISBN: 978-1-934389-46-1

Poetry/Reference

A fun, lively, humorous and accessible guide to the world of poetry that will expand

readers' appreciation and understanding of poetry through all ages, and its relevance to

our everyday lives. As with all For Beginners titles, vivid illustrations and characters

brought to life on the pages will be used throughout to help tell the story.

Why do some people have a hard time connecting with poetry while for others a

"poem is like a painting"? What makes a poem good or bad? Why does poetry matter?

From ancient Greece to the present, Poetry For Beginners traces the wonders of the

written word and shows how to enjoy poetry and how it is relevant to daily life.

* * * * * * *

Margaret Chapman is a poet, fiction writer and educator. She has worked for four years through

the Poetry Center of Chicago as Poet-in-Residence in the Chicago Public Schools. She has held

nine year-long residences in five elementary and high schools, and has taught reading and

writing poetry to hundreds of public school students. In 2008 she was awarded the Poetry

Center of Chicago's Gwendolyn Brooks Award for excellence in teaching. She leads training

workshops on integrating poetry into the class room and currently teaches in the English

department at Columbia College Chicago.

Kathleen A. Welton is a veteran publishing executive with 30 years of experience in the book

publishing field, her duties varied from editorial to sales and marketing, strategic planning, to

the role of publisher. She was instrumental in the creation of many bestselling and award

winning books and series, as well as many major organizational websites. She was also in-

volved in the start-up and publication of more than 150 books in the For Dummies series. She is

an active member in many major poetry and literacy related organizations and will assume

editorial duties for the Emily Dickenson International Society Bulletin. She is also the co-editor

of 100 Essential Modern Poems by Women.

-7-

Complete Backlist Complete Backlist

Black Woman

For Beginners By S. Pearl Sharp

Illustrated: Beverly Hawkins Hall

Black Women For Beginners chronicles the trials and triumphs of Black Women from antiquity to the present, reflecting with wit and humor the chal-lenges they have faced and

the fortitude and strength that have sustained Black Women and patterned history with a diversity of excellence. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 192 pages


African American Studies/Women’s Studies

ISBN: 978-1-934389-20-1 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Dada & Surrealism

For Beginners

By Elsa Bethanis & Peter Bethanis

Illustrated: Joe Lee Who puts a moustache on the Mona Lisa? Enters a urinal in an art competition? Declares their own independent repub-lic? Dadas! In Dada and Surre-alism For Beginners you’ll gain an understanding of their

long-term (and current) influences on contemporary art and culture—everything from performance to pop art. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 128 pages


Art/Philosophy

ISBN: 978-1-934389-00-3 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Derrida

For Beginners By Jim Powell

Illustrated: Van Howell

Derrida is one of those an-

noying geniuses you can

take a class on, read half-a-

dozen books by and still

have no idea what he’s talk-

ing about. Derrida For

Beginners is the clearest

explanation of Derrida and deconstruction

presently available in our solar system. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 192 pages


Philosophy/Biography

ISBN: 978-1-934389-11-9 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Chomsky

For Beginners By David Cogswell

Illustrated: Paul Gordon

Noam Chomsky’s message is very simple: Huge corpo-rations run our country, the world, both political parties, and the major media. Chomsky For Beginners fill you in on the man, the myth,

the legend, in a humorous and insightful presen-tation. As a bonus, the author has included an exclusive interview with the maverick genius.



Political Science

ISBN: 978-1-934389-17-1 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Deconstruction For Beginners By Jim Powell

Illustrated: Joe Lee When Jacques Derrida, father of deconstruction, uses buzz-words such as “phallo-gocentrism” and “trans-cendental signified,” humani-ties students and aspiring philosophers may get weak in the knees. Deconstruction For

Beginners is an irreverent romp through decon-structive domains, offering lucid explanations of the most important deconstructive ideas and texts as well as lesser-known works. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 168 pages B/W Illustrations Throughout Western Philosophy/History ISBN: 978-1-934389-26-3 ● $14.95 ($16.95 CAN)

Eastern Philosophy


Illustrated: Joe Lee

The spiritual rewards and in-

tellectual challenges of Eastern

philosophy are revealed in this

visually stunning book. All the

major philosophies of India,

China, Tibet and Japan are

explained and everyone, from

beginner to expert, will find Eastern Philosophy

For Beginners an insightful overview.



Eastern Philosophy/Reference

ISBN: 978-1-934389-07-2 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Existentialism

For Beginners By David Cogswell


With dazzling, gritty illustra-

tions Existentialism For

Beginners takes an affection-

ate look at a style of thinking

that has often been seen as

obscure, difficult, cryptic

and dark. It helps to draw the

movement’s diverse elements together to create

a palatable introduction and an enjoyable his-

torical review. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 192 pages B/W Illustrations Throughout Philosophy/Existentialism

ISBN: 978-1-934389-21-8 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Heidegger

For Beginners By Eric Lemay & Jennifer A. Pitts

Illustrated: Paul Gordon

The ideas of German philoso-

pher Martin Heidegger have

been described as an intellec-

tual time bomb, as some of

the most revolutionary

thought in western

history. Heidegger For

Beginners serves as an entry into the ideas of one

of the 20th century’s most important thinkers. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 128 pages


Art/Philosophy

ISBN: 978-1-934389-13-3 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Kierkegaard

For Beginners By Donald D. Palmer

Illustrated: Donald D. Palmer

Søren Kierkegaard was the

“bridge” that led from Hegel

to Existentialism.

Kierkegaard For Beginners

explains the great Danish

thinker’s obsession with the

particularity of human exis-

tence as well as his demonstration of how the

creation of an authentic new kind of individual

is possible. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 160 pages



ISBN: 978-1-934389-14-0 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Foucault

For Beginners By Lydia Alix Fillingham

Illustrated: Moshe Susser

Foucault For Beginners exam-ines Michel Foucault’s work noting that it has profoundly affected the teaching of such diverse disciplines as literary criticism, criminology, and gender studies. Arguing that definitions of abnormal behav-

ior are culturally constructed, Foucault explored the unfair divisions between those who meet and those who deviate from social norms. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 160 pages


Philosophy/Reference

ISBN: 978-1-934389-12-6 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Islam For Beginners By M.I. Matar

Illustrated: Haitham Haddad

Starting with the life of

Prophet Mohammad, Islam

For Beginners details the

historic beginnings of Islam

and its spread throughout the

Middle East and Africa on to

the European and American

continents, and covers the

major achievements and influence the Muslim

community has made on other cultures

worldwide. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 216 pages


Religion/Islam

ISBN: 978-1-934389-01-0 ● $14.95 ($16.95 CAN)

Linguistics

For Beginners By W. Terrence Gordon

Illustrated: Susan Willmarth Linguistics For Beginners is the first book to make the arcane labors of linguistics accessible to general readers. The reader will learn about language acquisition, ancient languages, little-known lan-guages, linguistic engineer-

ing, structuralism, language origins, the anthro-pological approach to linguistics, kinship seman-tics, geographical linguistics, and much more! Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 128 pages


Linguistics/Philosophy

ISBN: 978-1-934389-28-7 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Complete Backlist Complete Backlist

Malcolm X

For Beginners By Bernard Aquina Doctor

Illustrated: Bernard Aquina Doctor

Malcolm X For Beginners

reveals the teacher, the

leader, and the revolutionary

voice of change that Mal-

colm X was, and continues

to be. Powerful narrative

and graphics tell the story of

Malcolm X’s life, including little-known facts,

evolution of his ideologies and philosophies, and

his impact on an era.




ISBN: 978-1-934389-04-1 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

The Olympics

For Beginners By Brandon Toropov


The Olympics for Beginners

provides concise and amus-

ing assessments of the key

elements of the Games,

looks at the original Greek

Olympics, leads you on a

brisk tour of the history of

the modern Olympic movement, and shines a

spotlight on the many dazzling high points of

the competition.



Sports & Recreation/Olympics

ISBN: 978-1-934389-33-1 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Plato For Beginners By Robert Cavalier

Illustrated: Eric Lurio

All philosophy is a footnote

to Plato. Plato’s questions

remain as real for us today as

they were 2500 years

ago: What is Justice? What

is Truth? What is Beauty?

Plato For Beginners covers

the history of Greece as well

as the life and ideas of this great philosopher and

his influence over time, from early Christianity

to the present. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 160 pages



ISBN: 978-1-934389-08-9 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Nietzsche For Beginners By Marc Sautet

Illustrated: Patrick Boussignac

The unorthodox life and

ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche

come alive in this documen-

tary history. Nietzsche For

Beginners presents

Nietzsche’s famous love

affairs, his theories of the

Superman, the Antichrist and

nihilism, as well as his impact on Twentieth

Century thinking. Discover why this great

thinker defiantly declared, “God is Dead.”




ISBN: 978-1-934389-05-8 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Philosophy

For Beginners By Richard Osborne

Illustrated: Ralph Edney

The ABCs of philosophy–

easy to understand but never

simplistic. Beginning with

basic questions posed by the

ancient Greeks - What is

knowledge? What is good

and evil? – Philosophy For

Beginners traces the answers given by western

philosophy over the last 2,500 years. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 216 pages



ISBN: 978-1-934389-02-7 ● $14.95 ($16.95 CAN)

Postmodernism


Illustrated: Joe Lee Postmodernism For Beginners features the thoughts of Foucault on power and knowledge, Jameson on mapping the post-modern, Baudrillard on the media, Derrida on deconstruc-tion and Deleuze and Guattari

on rhizomes. The book also discusses postmod-ern artifacts such as Madonna, cyberpunk sci-fi, Buddhist ecology and teledildonics.




ISBN: 978-1-934389-09-6 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Sartre For Beginners By Donald D. Palmer

Illustrated: Donald D. Palmer

Sartre For Beginners is an

accessible, yet sophisticated

introduction to the life and

works of the famous French

philosopher, Jean Paul Sar-

tre. Sartre was a member of

the French underground

during World War II, a

novelist, a playwright, and a major influence in

French political and intellectual life.




ISBN: 978-1-934389-15-7● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Structuralism & Poststructuralism For Beginners By Donald D. Palmer Structuralism and Poststructuralism For Beginners is an illustrated tour through the mysterious landscape of these two theo-ries. The book’s starting point is the linguistic theory of Ferdinand de Saussure,

and concludes by examining the postmodern obsession with language and with the radical claim of the disappearance of the individual—obsessions that unite the work of all of these theorists.




ISBN: 978-1-934389-10-2 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Shakespeare

For Beginners By Brandon Toropov


Shakespeare For Beginners offers clear descriptions and plot summaries of each play; it lists key phrases and im-portant themes, explains the main ideas behind each work and features excerptz of im-portant passages (with ex-

planatory notes on tough words.) And it is the only ‘entry level’ book available outside Great

Britain that covers all of Shakespeare’s plays. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 224 pages B/W Illustrations Throughout Drama/Shakespeare ISBN: 978-1-934389-29-4 ● $14.95 ($21.00 CAN)

Zen For Beginners By Judith Blackstone &

Zoran Josipovic

Illustrated: Naomi Rosenblatt

Zen For Beginners uses an

engaging mix of clear, in-

formative writing and de-

lightful illustrations to docu-

ment the story of Zen from

its impact on Chinese and

Japanese culture to its influ-

ence on American writers such as Ginsberg and

Kerouac. Trade Paperback 6 x 9 ● 176 pages


Science/Astronomy

ISBN: 978-1-934389-06-5 ● $14.95 ($16.95 CAN)

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for beginners 2009 catalog

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