The crisis of modernity has found in Zygmunt Bauman a reliable witness and interpreter. Besides the intuition of liquidity, he uses the idea of "interregnum", according to Gramsci's meaning of an unexpected break of continuity with the past. This collection of articles published by Social Europe between 2011 and 2016 demonstrates Bauman's extraordinary ability to understand the complexity of social change taking place and makes it comprehensible to everyone."--Back cover

"The crisis of modernity has found in Zygmunt Bauman a reliable witness and interpreter. Besides the intuition of liquidity, he uses the idea of "interregnum", according to Gramsci's meaning of an unexpected break of continuity with the past. This collection of articles published by Social Europe between 2011 and 2016 demonstrates Bauman's extraordinary ability to understand the complexity of social change taking place and makes it comprehensible to everyone."--Back cover.

In 1983 Tom Sutherland, a professor at Colorado State University, accepted the position of Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Two years later, on June 9, 1985, he was kidnapped by gunmen from the Islamic Jihad. That day would be the first of 2,354 - nearly six and a half years of captivity - the second longest period of any western hostage in Lebanon. At Your Own Risk is the passionate chronicle of Tom and his wife Jean's remarkable experience in Lebanon before, during, and after the hostage years. Tom's story of captivity alternates with Jean's, who stayed in Beirut teaching and working for Tom's release. Their voices are interwoven throughout the book, providing a riveting look at a time and place in history that even today few Americans understand. The story of their extraordinary return to Lebanon after Tom's release reaffirms their commitment to and hope for a resolution of the ongoing conflict between Islam and the western world.

Into the Storm: Chronicle of a Year in Crisis is an in-depth look at the critical events of a year that opened a new chapter in the crisis of leadership affecting the Catholic Church. This on-the-ground analysis details bishops' ongoing inability to address the rot within their own leadership culture. Written by a journalist with many years experience at the Vatican, Into the Storm takes readers through the events of the tumultuous year 2018, with the kind of insight that only a keen observer of human nature and ecclesiastical politics can offer. Into the Storm will inform readers' understanding of the twisted logic of action that unfolded throughout the year and has brought us to where we are in the life of the Church.

'Pluchinsky's first volume focusing on anti-American terrorism is a densely packed and comprehensive look at one of the most complex US national security challenges our nation faces. It reflects the evolving nature of terrorism that has changed with the politics, technology, and media during this tumultuous period in US history. The book is also a thorough accounting of how US policymakers attempt to find solutions to address this dynamic issue. A broad spectrum of terrorism experts, policymakers, and casual reads will undoubtedly find noteworthy facts about terrorist attacks that targeted US interest abroad and at home in this volume. Pluchinsky's level of detail and strong qualitative methodology makes this work an essential desk reference for any serious terrorism scholar.'Studies in Intelligence 'This is a truly magisterial work of scholarship. By pulling all this material together in one place, and by organizing it so accessibly, Pluchinsky has performed an invaluable service for researchers and counter-terrorism practitioners alike … the real selling point is the factual content. Pluchinsky has written the definitive contextual history of US counter-terrorism policy and these volumes, and I confidently expect the two companion volumes still to come, deserve a place in every serious library of terrorism.'Critical Studies on TerrorismOne of the major international security concerns that surfaced in the post-World War II period was the emergence and evolution of international terrorism. The dominant theme in the evolution of this threat has been anti-American terrorism. No other country in the world has had its overseas interests subjected to the level, lethality, diversity, and geographic scope of international terrorist activity than the United States. This four-volume work recounts the development of this threat through 12 US presidential administrations over a 70-year period. It assesses the terrorist threat in the US and overseas and how the government has responded with counter-terrorism policies, strategies, programs, organizations, legislation, international conventions, executive orders, special operations units, and actions. The evolution of the field of terrorism in academia, think tanks, institutes, and the private sector over these 12 administrations is also chronicled.

"History of War and Conflict: A Chronicle of Human Struggle" is an insightful and comprehensive exploration of the enduring phenomenon of human conflict. Spanning across centuries and continents, this book delves into the causes, impact, and legacy of warfare, offering a compelling narrative of pivotal battles, strategies, and the evolution of military technology. From ancient empires to modern warfare, the book examines the complex interplay of political, social, and cultural forces that have shaped the course of history through conflict. With vivid storytelling and in-depth analysis, it illuminates the profound and often tragic human experience of war, providing a nuanced understanding of its deep-seated roots in the human condition. This compelling chronicle offers a profound perspective on the relentless struggle for power, resources, and ideological supremacy that has shaped the world we live in today.