Social Sciences

This book is an enthralling journey through the year and the pageants, parades, festivals and fairs which have played a huge part in Scottish life. It introduces the customs, traditions, lore and crafts associated with them, making it the ideal companion for anyone interested in this fascinating and rich aspect of Scotland’s cultural story.

From the voyages of the first Mesolithic colonisers to the present day, the island of Ireland has seen many new arrivals coming for many different reasons. Archaeology can provide unique insights into...

Paddy Reid spent thirty years working in some of the poorest communities in the United States – mainly in the Deep South – as a handyman, prison visitor and outreach worker. He recounts his encounters with some of the remarkable people he met along the way – and their resilience in the face of grinding poverty.

This book traces the roots and traditions of Scottish folklore and introduces all its key parts, combining a huge range of material from gypsy-lore and Arthurian legend to tales of magical beasts, demons and witches and lore associated with the natural world. A-Z of locations throughout the country and the folklore associated with each place.

If leprechauns are all you can think of when it comes to Ireland's mythical creatures, think again!Irish mythology is bursting with fantastical creatures and Mark Joyce’s beautifully designed trilogy...

A treasury of entertaining snippets with a sprinkling of folk tales which will be of interest to all who wish to know more about their folk traditions, especially in the field of Welsh Folk Dance.

This critical history of Doctor Who covers the series 60 years, from the creation of the show to its triumph as Britain's number one TV drama. Opening with an in-depth account of the creation of the series within the BBC of the early 1960s, each decade of the show is tackled through a unique political and pop cultural historical viewpoint.

Web of Liesis a fascinating examination of the rising threat of far-right extremist thought in Ireland and internationally. It examines how these movements utilize the online world to spread disinformation, polarizing society in the process.

In 1801, some five years after Robert Burns’ death, nine of his friends sat down to dinner in what is now known as Burns Cottage in Alloway to celebrate his extraordinary life and to give thanks for...

This book explores the causes of gambling, its consequences for individuals, families, and society, and the ways that problem gamblers can access treatment and rebuild their lives. It also includes real world case studies and practical self-assessment tests.