Oneworld Publications - Böcker

A curious history of the strange, wonderful and sometimes terrifying worlds created by our minds.‘An utterly engrossing book.' ZOE WILLIAMSFor centuries we’ve dismissed delusions as something for doctors to sort out behind locked doors. But delusions are more than just bizarre quirks – they hold the key to collective anxieties and traumas.In this groundbreaking history, Victoria Shepherd uncovers stories of delusions from medieval times to the present day and implores us to identify reason in apparent madness.Discover how the King of France – thinking he was made of glass – was terrified he might shatter... and he wasn’t alone...Uncover the peculiar case of the dozens of Victorian women who tried to convince their physicians that they were, in fact, dead.And learn how after the Emperor met his end at the Battle of Waterloo, an epidemic of 'Napoleons' piled into France’s asylums.

Let us take a look back over three decades of outrageous political mishaps – with a new introduction from Sir Ivor Crewe covering Brexitblunder /ˈblʌndə(r)/, n.A gross mistake; an error due to stupidity or carelessness.There are a handful of cock-ups that we remember all too well, from the poll tax to the Millennium Dome. However, the list is longer than most of us realize – and it’s growing. With unrivalled political savvy and a keen sense of irony, distinguished political scientists Anthony King and Ivor Crewe open our eyes to the worst government horror stories and explain why the British political system is quite so prone to appalling mistakes.Groupthink, constantly rotating ministers and a weak parliament all contribute to wasted billions and illogical policy. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Informed by years of research, this razor-sharp diagnosis of flawed government with its spirited prescriptions for more fool-proof policymaking is required reading for every UK citizen.