Most accidents happen within the home, but how can you avoid them? Well, help is now at hand with The Indoor Survival Guide. Find out how to survive nuclear bombs, murderous cadavers, wild cats, viruses, and Chinese Hopping vampires... You can find out how life first began, and maybe even learn how to live forever...

The Indoor Survival Guide

Literature & Fiction

Vobitch, Igor

Humor & Satire

Punked Books

Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' was the most anticipated novel of 2009, and was the literary event of the year. Alex Carmine examines all the themes in depth, and provides a chapter-by-chapter analysis of 'The Lost Symbol'. From Alex's assessment of the novel, it is very much apparent that Dan Brown has not only been adhering to his own formula, but that he has also been following Joseph Campbell's concept of the hero's journey. We know that Dan Brown likes to play with the names of his characters, so Alex explores these in great detail. In this way, Alex reveals the name of the real American family upon whom the Solomons are based. Alex also shows that, following its development within 'The Da Vinci Code', Dan Brown's still very much in tune with his 'sacred feminine' side, with his stunning representation of womb envy. Dan Brown's fascinating depiction of masculinity within this novel is studied too. In addition to this, Alex explores the literary devices that Dan Brown employs, and the magical sleights of hand that he uses to make the reader look the wrong way. Indeed, one of the main arguments in this book is that Dan Brown has hidden much of the true meaning of 'The Lost Symbol' behind various veils of allegory, much as the Masons do with regards to their secrets, and like the Symbologist Robert Langdon, Alex reveals these meanings to you. However, Dan Brown is an author who also likes to reward his readers, so Alex examines the clues about the novel that he disseminated prior to publication via Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, Alex considers the various Masonic practices depicted within the novel, and bring to the fore the conspiracy theories that surround this mysterious fraternity. Alex Carmine's very close reading of the novel literally leaves no stone uncovered, and will transform your own interpretation of the text.

Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol": The Ultimate Unauthorized and Independent Reading Guide

Carmine, Alex

History & Criticism

The Metarevolution is a revolutionary manifesto about revolutions. It is both a theory about the nature of change throughout history, and a prescription of what to do about it. The touchstone idea for The Metarevolution is that no matter how well thought-out any ideology may be to start with, there are always limitations which only become clear as its ideals are applied. History shows that radical changes too often lead to disaster or to corruption as these limitations are revealed, or as thinking stagnates when it needs to change. How can we overcome these limitations for present and future revolutions? And how can we overcome the failure to ultimately progress which this basic cycle of history demonstrates? By looking at the 'hypothetical' example of a coming global ecological revolution, and many examples from history, The Metarevolution analyses what goes wrong with cultures in following their ideals, and reveals the metarevolutionary response. This is to create a subculture which pursues an on-going deep critique of ideology, the aim of which is for humanity to continually evolve its ideals. In following this metarevolutionary programme we will continually redirect ourselves towards the best world we can create for ourselves. So a metarevolution is the most intelligent thing the human race can do for itself... and The Metarevolution needs you.

The Metarevolution

Politics & Social Sciences

Bartley, Grant

Philosophy

Avatar is the most successful movie of all time, surpassing the record held by James Cameron's previous monster hit, Titanic. It is also the most expensive movie ever. With its adoption of modern 3D techniques, Avatar is arguably the most spectacular film of all time. Kevin Patrick Mahoney explores how Avatar has reached this pinnacle of success. The film has not been universally praised; some critics have pointed to an overly simple plot and dialogue. However, Kevin reveals that there are many complex themes that lie behind such apparent simplicity. This book begins with a thorough review of events as they happen on screen, including the many scenes deleted from the film, and then proceeds to explore some of the most interesting themes in more depth. Kevin examines how James Cameron has adapted Joseph Campbell's theory of the Hero's Journey in Avatar. The Na'vi's planet, Pandora, is very paradisiacal, so this book discusses how it's related to the Biblical Garden of Eden. In addition to this, Kevin dissects Avatar's rather confused politics, the controversial depiction of the US Marine Corps, and the accusations of racism that have been hurled at the film. Since Jake Sully is introduced to us in a wheelchair, Kevin examines the representation of disabled people in Avatar and other science fiction dramas. Some of Avatar's subtle depictions of sexuality seemed to be mainly directed at adolescent boys, so this book also dissects some of the more 'blue' aspects of the movie. Moreover, Kevin Patrick Mahoney reveals how Avatar relates to James Cameron's previous blockbuster movies.

The Ultimate Fan's Guide to Avatar, James Cameron's epic movie (Unauthorized)

Humor & Entertainment

Mahoney, Kevin Patrick

Movies

Have you ever had a secret? One so important that it feels as if it will tear you in two? Stephen's got one. He's also got a great job, beautiful wife and an adorable son. Outwardly his life seems perfect but it means nothing without Alice. Read 'Without Alice' and meet a man who you will love to hate until you learn to love him.

Without Alice

Romance

Kirkby, D. J.

Paranormal

A tale of small town teenage life in the mid-nineties. Just before the summer holidays Colin disappears. His best friend Chambers is desperate to find out why but unable to come to terms with the devastating truth. Surrounded by the distractions of drink, drugs and girls he soon finds himself in a downward spiral that puts him in danger of not only losing his mind but questioning his own existence.

English Slacker

Morton, Chris

Literary

At over 75,000 words, this is the most comprehensive analysis of Doctor Who series 5 produced so far. Steven Moffat's first series as showrunner for Doctor Who deserves such a thorough examination, as it is arguably the most intricate ever produced. Indeed, there were many innovations in 2010, with the successful introduction of the youngest Doctor ever (Matt Smith), and the contentious redesign of both the Daleks and the Tardis. Steven Cooper and Kevin Mahoney discuss both these developments and the complex plotting in depth, drawing on their many years of Doctor Who knowledge. Their aim has been to provide constructive criticism of the 2010 series, giving praise where it is due while also pointing out the less successful aspects of the production. In addition to this, they examine the controversies surrounding the series, such as the complaints about the 'sexiness' of the Doctor's new companion, Amy Pond, in the British media. They also critique 'A Christmas Carol', and Russell T Davies' take on the Eleventh Doctor in The Sarah Jane Adventures. So much happened during series 5, with the overall threat posed by the cracks in the universe, that you really do need this indispensable guide to fully grasp the implications of all the events, and to discover the many obscure details that the authors bring to light.

Steven Moffat's Doctor Who 2010: The Critical Fan's Guide to Matt Smith's First Series (Unauthorized)

Cooper, Steven

Television

At over 90,000 words, this is the most comprehensive guide yet published to the 2011 season of Doctor Who. This series of Doctor Who had the greatest ambition yet, as Steven Moffat created the most complex Doctor Who story arc ever. The apparent death of the Doctor in the very first episode set the groundwork for a series full of other shocks and revelations (such as River Song's identity), which ended with a return to the essential mystery that has always underpinned the programme. The format of this book is the same as the one that we laid out in our previous guide to Matt Smith's first series as the Doctor. Steven Cooper has written excellent detailed analyses of each episode, which he published online soon after each episode was broadcast, thus providing an invaluable record of how a long-standing fan reacted to each twist of the plot as it occurred. Kevin Mahoney follows Steven's analyses with his reviews, which he wrote from the perspective of having watched the entire series. This enabled Kevin to gauge exactly how Steven Moffat had put this season together, and to assess the success of his various hoodwinks and sleights of hand. There have been various controversies this series, such as Moffat's novel move to split the series in half. Then there were murmurings of discontent within fandom when the news that there might be fewer than 14 episodes in 2012 leaked out, along with the perennial erroneous tales from the newspapers about the loss of viewing figures. The cancellation of Doctor Who Confidential left some fans fearing for the future of such an expensive show in austere times. Others have gone further than this, to suggest that Doctor Who itself needs a break. However, despite some minor blips in the storytelling department in 2011, this book argues that there is still a great deal to be positive about in Doctor Who.

Steven Moffat's Doctor Who 2011: The Critical Fan's Guide to Matt Smith's Second Series (Unauthorized)

At over 90,000 words, this is the most comprehensive fan guide yet published to the 2012-2013 season of Doctor Who. After the first part of the season provided an emotional ending to the Doctor's travels with his friends Amy and Rory, Steven Moffat presented an innovative and intriguing new mystery, as the Doctor puzzled over the “woman twice dead” that is Clara Oswald, who had the most spectacular introduction(s) of any companion. This series was the most demanding yet for Moffat; no other Doctor Who showrunner had previously faced an assignment like writing a series finale, an anniversary story, and a combined Christmas Special/Doctor finale in quick succession. We are with Moffat every step of the way as he rises to this unique challenge. The format of this book is the same as our previous Doctor Who guides. Steven Cooper has written excellent detailed analyses of each episode, which Slant Magazine published online in their House Next Door blog soon after each episode was broadcast. In this way, Steven’s reviews provide an invaluable record of how a long-standing fan reacted to each twist of the plot as it occurred. House Next Door published Steven’s 2013 episode reviews in abridged form; he then expanded upon his analyses, so this book contains far more of his insights than those published online. Kevin Mahoney then follows Steven’s analyses with his reviews, which he wrote from the perspective of having watched the entire series. This enabled him to gauge exactly how Steven Moffat had put this season together, and to assess the success of his various hoodwinks and sleights of hand. In this series, Steven Moffat was just as ambitious as ever - perhaps too ambitious at times, when the scripting became uneven or the production team was not able to realize an episode as well as they might have done. Despite this, there were several episodes that rank among the best of the show's achievements, which we applaud in this celebration of Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary.

Steven Moffat's Doctor Who 2012-2013: The Critical Fan's Guide to Matt Smith's Final Series (Unauthorized)

Mahoney, Kevin

Science Fiction & Fantasy

After three successful seasons at the helm of Doctor Who, Steven Moffat was faced with the need to establish a whole new direction for the show with the introduction of his second Doctor. When it was announced in August 2013 that Peter Capaldi would be taking over the role for the following year's series, Doctor Who's public profile was bigger than ever before, and the reveal of the new Doctor became a TV event in its own right. Unlike the mixed reaction to the virtually unknown Matt Smith becoming the Doctor, Capaldi's casting was met with almost universal approval. Moffat spoke of how the new Doctor would be more in the patrician mould of the classic series than the "youthful boyfriend" exterior projected by both Smith and David Tennant. In this book, Steven Cooper covers all 26 episodes broadcast in 2014 and 2015, from the start of the Capaldi era to the 2015 Christmas special.

Steven Moffat's Doctor Who 2014-2015: The Critical Fan's Guide to Peter Capaldi's Doctor (Unauthorized)

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