General non-fiction
We publish serious non-fiction social commentary and debate for a wide audience. These high quality books are written by academics, professionals and other experts in an accessible way bringing key issues of social, political and cultural significance to a wide readership. These books have an impact: advancing knowledge, raising awareness and encouraging social change.
Getting By
Estates, Class and Culture in Austerity Britain
Lisa Mckenzie lived on the notorious St Ann’s estate in Nottingham for more than 20 years. Her ‘insider’ status enables us to hear the stories of its residents, often wary of outsiders, to give a unique account of life in poor communities in contemporary Britain.
The Authoritarian Century
China's Rise and the Demise of the Liberal International Order
Chris Ogden argues that, as the world capitulates to China’s preferred authoritarian order, other world powers are moving to this as a dominant global phenomenon, which will transform global institutions, human rights and political systems.
The Education Debate
This extensively updated fourth edition by the key author in the field will maintain its place as the most important text on education policy and makes essential reading for all students and anyone interested in education policy more generally.
It's Basic Income
The Global Debate
Contributors including Brian Eno, Demos Helsinki, California’s Y Combinator Research and prominent academics explore the impact Universal Basic Income could have on work, welfare and inequality in the 21st century.
Making Sense of Brexit
Democracy, Europe and Uncertain Futures
What can we learn about our society and the need to listen to each other in order to make sense of Brexit within a wider world? This accessible book addresses the causes and implications of Brexit, exploring the anger against political elites as people felt estranged from a political process that no longer expressed their will.
Broken Benefits
What's Gone Wrong with Welfare Reform
In Broken Benefits, Sam Royston argues that social security isn’t working, and without a change in direction, it will be even less fair in the future.
He provides an introductory guide to social security, correcting misunderstandings and presents practical ideas of how benefits should be reformed.
Father and Daughter
Patriarchy, Gender and Social Science
Father and daughter provides an unique ‘insider perspective’ on two key figures in twentieth-century British social science, combining biography of Richard Titmuss and autobiography by his daughter Ann Oakley.
Voyage to Utopias
a fictional guide through social philosophy
This fascinating fictional account introduces key ideas in social and political philosophy in a funny, informative and entertaining way. The reader will learn about freedom, responsibility, justice and fairness and see how these are played out in the different utopian futures of a range of socio-political regimes.
Taking Power Back
Putting People in Charge of Politics
This important book asks where should power and governance lie in our democracy? Simon Parker, a leading expert on public services and government, claims the answer is to give power away. He offers policy recommendations and practical ideas for creating a new kind of politics focused on unleashing society's creative potential.
The Story of Baby P
Setting the Record Straight
This book is the first to tell what happened to 'Baby P', how the story was told by the media and its considerable impact on the child protection system in England. It makes a crucial contribution to the topic.
Fracture
Adventures of a broken body
Fracturing her arm in the grounds of a hotel in the USA leads Ann Oakley on a journey into some critical themes of modern Western culture.
Hunger Pains
Life inside Foodbank Britain
We know the statistics, but what does it feel like to be forced to turn to foodbanks for help? What does it take to get emergency food, and what's in the food parcel? This is a powerful insight into the harsh reality of foodbank use from the inside.