Bloomsbury Master Series – serie

Containing all the information and analysis needed to understand the British system of Government and politics, Mastering British Politics is an essential text. This fifth edition has been fully revised and updated to reflect the results of and developments since the 2005 General Election.

The third edition of this leading text provides a comprehensive guide to literary study. Emphasis has been placed on contextualizing literature and this updated version takes these changes into account by incorporating more material on historical and cultural contexts as well as in-depth discussions on novels, drama and poetry.

This book will help students improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It will give an understanding of the importance of good communication skills for their personal development and career. It is relevant to a variety of courses: HE, FE, Professional, Open University, A-level and International Baccalaureate.

The first academic textbook covering European retail fashion buying and merchandising. It provides a unique insight into best practice across the fashion industry.

This book will help students improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It will give an understanding of the importance of good communication skills for their personal development and career. It is relevant to a variety of courses: HE, FE, Professional, Open University, A-level and International Baccalaureate.

Now in its second edition, this engaging text introduces readers to all the key developments in American history between 1900 and 2000. Combining factual coverage with an analysis of professional historians’ most recent interpretations of major domestic and foreign affairs, it fully explores dramatic events such as the Wall Street Crash, Pearl Harbor, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Watergate Scandal. Chapters are enriched by presidential profiles and supported by stimulating source material and exam-style questions to reinforce learning.This text will be essential reading for students undertaking courses in American History at college, foundation and undergraduate level. It is also the ideal companion for anyone with a general interest in the American history of the twentieth century.New to this Edition:- Two brand-new chapters on African-American History- A new ‘American Lives’ feature which gives insight into a wide range of cultural figures including the Wright Brothers, Rachel Carson, J.D. Salinger and Muhammed Ali

Personal financial planning is a life skill that involves both knowledge of theory and the ability to apply this theory to practice. Personal Finance aims to equip you with the competence needed to confidently navigate your way around the complex world of finance and make your money work for you.

Mastering Counselling Theory provides comprehensive coverage of all the major concepts and ideas integral to the theory of counselling from behavioural to existential to psychodynamic studies. Fully explaining complicated terms and theories, the book includes an extensive glossary, making this complex area of study easy to understand. Exploring popular areas such as Freud, Jung, and Cognitive Counselling, this is an invaluable guide to counselling theory for students, lecturers and the general reader alike.

Mastering English Grammar is a start-at-the-basics, no-nonsense English Grammar book, not only for students of English, but also for those studying modern languages, business people and secretaries - in fact anyone who has forgotten/never known the simple rules of the language they speak.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of book-keeping and accounting. Throughout the text, real-life case studies are used to illustrate principles. There are many practical exercises (with answers) and activities included. A section of GCSE questions is given at the end of the book.

A complete self-contained course for individual study or classroom use, with no previous knowledge of the subject required. Mastering Electrical Engineering is suitable for all GCSE, A-level, GNVQ and BTEC courses and provides a modern practical approach to the subject.

Mastering Theology provides an introduction to the main themes in Christian theology. It is aimed at undergraduates and those training for the ministry at theological colleges of all denominations throughout the English speaking world.Assuming no previous knowledge, this book takes a simplified look at basic issues in the Christian faith. It introduces the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament and surveys the development of Christianity from its infancy right through to major themes in ethics and modern theology.

Ideal for A/AS-level, BTEC, Further and Adult Education courses, Introduction to degrees. This comprehensive book covers a rapidly changing subject and provides the basis for understanding both the theories and practical aspects of the subject. This second edition has been fully revised to incorporate guidance on presenting practical work, the psychology of work and the use of statistics in psychology.

Mastering Modern European History traces the development of Europe from the French Revolution to the present day. Political, diplomatic and socio-economic strands are woven together and supported by a wide range of pictures, maps, graphs and questions. Documentary extracts are included throughout to encourage the reader to question the nature and value of various types of historical evidence. The second edition brings us fully up to the present day. Chapters on European Decolonisation, Communist Europe 1985-9, and European Unity and Discord have been added, and others have been substantially rewritten. An even wider range of illustrations and documentary source questions are included. The book is presented in a readable and well ordered format and is an ideal reference text for students.

The third edition of this highly successful book covers all the essential information needed to master statistics.- Fully revised to match examination and course developments- Clear calculations, diagrams and accessible explanations- Up-to-date sections on all aspects of statistics, including probability, vital statistics, market research, experiments and scaling- Includes a section on how to pass statistics examinations.

Mastering Biology 3rd edition has been fully revised and updated to provide the information required for today's syllabuses. The book provides an interactive element where the readers can focus on the learning objectives, find them easily in each chapter, check their knowledge and understanding by answering the wide-ranging questions and revise their work using the end of chapter summaries. Mastering Biology can be a useful primer for students beginning A Level Biology after studying an integrated course at GCSE. It will also appeal to further education students.

The second edition of this popular book has been fully revised. Geoff Buckwell combines a practical approach with a clear straightforward style.- A complete, self-contained course for individual study or classroom use- Investigations to help you explore topics in a more practical way- Problems at the end of chapters to consolidate what you have learned- Explains pencil and paper techniques in full- Illustrations and revision materials for enjoyable learning

Mastering Electronics is a complete, self-contained course for individual study or classroom use, which covers the subject from first principles in an accessible style. The fourth edition has been brought fully up-to-date with current new technology. It has been thoroughly re-organised to fit in with today's modular teaching, and to make it even easier to follow as a self-study book. The book contains new or completely re-written sections on Computer Simulation of Circuits and Systems, Mobile Telephone Technology, Modern Battery Technology and Computers. Much of the text has been re-written to improve the clarity of the explanations still further. An even wider range of illustrations and an extended glossary of terms are also included.

This second edition of Mastering Cobol Programming is a comprehensive guide to good programming practice, program design and code. It contains two new chapters, on Intrinsic Functions and Program Errors, Testing and Debugging. Each chapter has been revised to make full use of the COBOL 85 Standard. The book discusses the different groups of modules that comprise the COBOL language, and each chapter ends with practical exercises. It is suitable for undergraduate and diploma students on commercial computing and business courses, and is a valuable reference for professionals in data processing. It is a complete self-study COBOL text.

In one book, all the essential information to learn about six of the main religions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.- A complete, self-contained, well illustrated course for individual study or classroom use- Help for students to pass exams - suitable for GCSE and as an introduction to A-Level- Ideal general reading for anyone who wants to understand the basic beliefs and practices of the religions featured- Ideal for liberal and general studies courses, and for multicultural education- Includes material on items of human interest to help enthuse and inspire the reader

Mastering Visual Basic is an ideal introduction to the most popular Windows programming language. The book focuses on the essential skills needed to produce fully-functional applications using Microsoft Visual Basic. It is written in an easy to follow style, illustrated throughout with actual screen shots and contains many practical exercises and projects. New users need only a basic knowledge of the Windows environment to start creating exciting visual applications. The book is suitable for individual study or classroom use and will be of value to those new to programming and to existing programmers wishing to make the switch to Visual Basic.

This new edition of Mastering Physics has been completely updated and rewritten to give all the information needed to learn and master the essentials of physics. It is a self-contained, clearly explained course for individual study or classroom use which requires no prior knowledge. The book is highly illustrated throughout to show the importance of physics in the natural world, as well as in such fields as athletics, engineering, medicine and music. Questions and examples are also included throughout covering a broad range of topics such as environmental issues, motor racing and space flight.

Mastering Poetry is a practical book with wide-ranging examples, detailed commentaries and frameworks for analysis. Whether you are studying or reading poetry for pleasure, it will help you to move beyond your first response to an analytical understanding of the relationship between content, language, structure and style.

If you design to publish on a computer, in print or digital media, then this book is an essential resource. Both the quality and effectiveness of your work will improve through focus on design.This easy-to-follow book describes processes and tools available for successful desktop publishing (DTP), backed up with over two hundred illustrations. It reveals the tricks, secrets and magic ingredients for design in desktop publishing.Recommended for 'in-house' DTP and those studying:- Communications- Media - Business - Marketing- Design - Desktop publishingMastering Desktop Publishing offers the reader techniques, skills and strategies to achieve effective results in publishing.

Fashion is a very popular subject among young people. Any course with fashion as a prefix attracts lots of students. Despite this, many prospective students and people have little idea what jobs in the fashion industry entail.Fashion Styling is one of the least well researched areas in fashion colleges. The emphasis is put on the end result, i.e. visual imagery, rather than the process of creating it. This 'how to' book provides an insight into the processes you have to follow to work in this area, be it editorial, commercial or show styling. It includes an eight-week introductory programme to the subject and projects whereby students can simulate professional practice and learn the techniques and skills necessary for a career in styling. At the end of the book there is a source directory, a glossary of terms, and a bibliography which provide reference points for further research and study.

The fifth edition of Mastering Economics has been completely revised and updated. It takes the student through the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy, the role of the government in the economy and the UK's relationship with the European Union especially with regard to adopting the single currency. Care has been taken in selecting and explaining such economic theory considered essential to policy decisions. Each chapter is introduced with a summary of objectives and ends with self-test questions with answers given at the end of the book.

Mastering Social Welfare provides a comprehensive introduction to social issues and welfare in Britain, and is written for all caring, welfare, social work and nursery nurse courses. It describes and analyses contemporary social issues such as unemployment, homelessness and disability, providing vivid illustrations of the impact of these issues on people's lives. The book also provides a historical context and up-to-date information and analysis of all aspects of provision of social welfare. Areas covered include social security, education and health care.

Mastering Philosophy introduces the beginner to all the main areas of this fascinating subject. A wide range of problems are investigated within a generally historical framework from the Ancient Greeks through to the present day. The book provides guided answers and comments to encourage the reader to engage in philosophical 'dialogue', and contains extensive suggestions for further reading. In this second, comprehensively revised edition, attention has been paid to recent developments in continental philosophy. New chapters on critical thinking and oriental philosophy have also been included.

The first academic textbook covering European retail fashion buying and merchandising. It provides a unique insight into best practice across the fashion industry.