Kropp & själ

Why is the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the world? Why did Facebook succeed when other social networking sites failed? Did the surge in Iraq really lead to less violence? And does higher pay incentivize people to work harder?If you think the answers to these questions are a matter of common sense, think again. As sociologist and network science pioneer Duncan Watts explains in this provocative book, the explanations that we give for the outcomes that we observe in life-explanations that seem obvious once we know the answer-are less useful than they seem. Watts shows how commonsense reasoning and history conspire to mislead us into thinking that we understand more about the world of human behavior than we do; and in turn, why attempts to predict, manage, or manipulate social and economic systems so often go awry.Only by understanding how and when common sense fails can we improve how we plan for the future, as well as understand the present-an argument that has important implications in politics, business, marketing, and even everyday life.

Richard Branson is an iconic businessman. In Screw It, Let's Do It, he shares the secrets of his success and the invaluable lessons he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As the world struggles with the twin problems of global recession and climate change, Richard explains why it is up to big companies like Virgin to lead the way in finding a more holistic and environmentally friendly approach to business. He also looks to the future and shares his plans for taking his business and his ideas to the next level.Richard reveals the new and exciting areas into which Virgin is currently moving, including biofuels and space travel, and brings together all the important lessons, good advice and inspirational adages that have helped him along the road to success. This is a fantastic motivational business book that will help every reader achieve their own dreams.

Professor Jane Plant's international bestseller on combating breast cancer through diet and lifestyle changes has been fully revised and updated, including new information on ovarian cancer and other types of cancer. In this groundbreaking book, Professor Plant details her own experiences of suffering with breast cancer, and how she learnt of the relationship between cancer and diet. The book explains the science behind the 'no dairy' diet and gives practical advice on how diet and lifestyle changes can help prevent and overcome breast and ovarian cancer.For sufferers, their families and anyone who is concerned about the risk of cancer, this book is essential reading.

Whatever youre creative agenda is, use this book to instantly generate new ideas. Attractive and easy-to-use, Creativity Now provides an instant source of inspiration for times when creative stimulation runs dry. This updated edition is packed full of innovative exercises, tips, tricks, stories and inspirational examples. You will find out how to unleash endless streams of ideas on any topic and turn them into a success. Both creative in content and format, each page has been designed to give you an instant jolt of inspiration the moment you look inside. Divided into four parts, you will find help with:1) Dreaming - getting into the state of mind to invite new ideas.2) Originating - different ways to come up with new, exciting and innovative ideas on any topic.3) Applying - taking action and turning ideas into reality.3) Adapting - how others successfully realised their dream. Bonus materials, including audio and video tips are available at www.CreativityNowOnline.com

The definitive study of the minor planet Chiron, tracing the development of the archetype of the Shaman, or Wounded Healer, which accompanies the soul's journey of awakening. It also demonstrates this theme as reflected in the astronomical picture, and revealed in the individual horoscope. Chiron's story in Greek mythology is explored and illuminated with skilled interpretation, and the astrological symbolism and meaning is detailed through signs, houses and aspects. Essential reading for anyone seeking to shed light on Chiron in the horoscope.

'Must the tyranny of the group rule us from cradle to grave? Absolutely not, says Todd Rose in a subversive and readable introduction to what has been called the new science of the individual ... Readers will be moved' Abigail Zuger, The New York Times'Groundbreaking ... The man who can teach you how not to be average' Anna Hart, Daily Telegraph'Fascinating, engaging, and practical. The End of Average will help everyone - and I mean everyone - live up to their potential' Amy Cuddy, author of Presence'Lively and entertaining ... a cheering story of how the square pegs among us can build successful lives despite being unable or unwilling to fit into round holes' Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education'Heartening . . . a worthwhile read for the aspiring nonconformist' Iain Morris, Observer

Our Necessary Shadow is the first attempt in a generation to explain the whole subject of psychiatry, from the UK's leading expert, Tom BurnsA lot is written about psychiatry and the things it deals with, but very little that describes psychiatry itself. Why should there be such a need? There isn't a raft of books explaining all the other branches of medicine. But for good or ill, psychiatry is a polemical battleground, critcised on the one hand as an instrument of social control or a barbaric practice, while on the other the latest developments in neuroscience are trumpeted as offering lasting solutions to mental illness. Which of these strikingly contrasting positions should we believe? This is the first attempt in a generation to explain the whole subject of psychiatry. In this deeply thoughtful, descriptive and sympathetic book, Tom Burns reviews the historical development of psychiatry, the places where there is much agreement on treatment and where there is not, throughout alert to where psychiatry helps, and where it is imperfect. What is clear is that mental illnesses are intimately tied to what makes us human in the first place. And the drive to relieve the suffering they cause is even more human. Psychiatry, for all its flaws, currently represents our best attempts to discharge this most human of impulses. It is not something we can just ignore. It is our necessary shadow.Tom Burns is Professor of Social Psychiatry at Oxford University. From the late 1980s he has conducted research, in addition his clinical and teaching work, and has produced nearly 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles.

The sequel to the international bestseller The Go-Giver, applying its inspirational approach to real-world challenges.The Go-Giver took the business world by storm with its message that giving is the simplest, most fulfilling, and most effective path to success. It has inspired hundreds of thousands of readers; but some have wondered how the story's lessons stand up to the tough challenges of everyday, real-world business.Bob Burg and John David Mann answer that question in Go-Givers Sell More, a practical guide that turns giving into the cornerstone of a powerful and effective approach to selling.Most of us think of sales as a struggle to make people do something they don't really want to do. But that cut-throat mentality makes the process much harder than it has to be - especially in an economic downturn when customers are more suspicious and defensive than ever. It's far more effective (and satisfying) when salespeople think like Go-Givers and focus on creating value for the customer. Cultivate a trusting relationship and provide outstanding service, and great results will follow automatically.Illustrating their points with a wide range of real-life examples, Burg and Mann offer tips and strategies that anyone in sales can start applying right away.

Can you resist everything except temptation? In a hedonistic age full of distractions, it's hard to possess willpower - or in fact even understand why we should need it. Yet it's actually the most important factor in achieving success and a happy life, shown to be more significant than money, looks, background or intelligence. This book reveals the secrets of self-control. For years the old-fashioned, even Victorian, value of willpower has been disparaged by psychologists who argued that we're largely driven by unconscious forces beyond our control. Here Roy Baumeister, one of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, and journalist John Tierney, turn this notion on its head. They show us that willpower is like a muscle that can be strengthened with practice and improved over time. The latest laboratory work shows that self-control has a physical basis to it and so is dramatically affected by simple things such as eating and sleeping - to the extent that a life-changing decision may go in different directions depending on whether it's made before or after lunch. You will discover how babies can be taught willpower, the joys of the to-don't list, the success of Alcoholics Anonymous, the pointlessness of diets and the secrets to David Blaine's stunts. There are also fascinating personal stories, from explorers, students, soldiers, ex-addicts and parents.Based on years of psychological research and filled with practical advice, this book will teach you how to gain from self-control without pain, and discover the very real power in willpower. The results are nothing short of life-changing.

Uncover the truth behind our food addiction - and learn how to break the cycle Many of us find ourselves powerless in front of a bag of crisps, a packet of biscuits, the last slice of pizza. Why is it that we simply can't say no?In The End of Overeating David Kessler, the man who took on the tobacco industry, exposes how modern food manufacturers have hijacked the brains of millions by turning our meals into perfectly engineered portions of fat, salt and sugar, turning us into addicts in the process. The result is a ticking time-bomb of growing obesity, heart conditions and a mass of health problems around the globe. Examining why we're so often powerless in the face of such food, Kessler reveals how our appetites have been and are increasingly hijacked by hyper-palatable foods that encourage us to keep eating - all the time. With a special focus on the growing problems in the UK and Europe, Kessler lays out a clear plan and vital tools for reclaiming control over our cravings.

In The Politics of Experience and the visionary Bird of Paradise , R.D. Laing shows how the straitjacket of conformity imposed on us all leads to intense feelings of alienation and a tragic waste of human potential. He throws into question the notion of normality, examines schizophrenia and psychotherapy, transcendence and us and them thinking, and illustrates his ideas with a remarkable case history of a ten-day psychosis. We are bemused and crazed creatures, Laing suggests. This outline of a thoroughly self-conscious and self-critical human account of man represents a major attempt to understand our deepest dilemmas and sketch in solutions. Everyone in contemporary psychiatry owes something to R.D. Laing Anthony Clare, the Guardian.

An extraordinary collection of thematically linked essays, including THE UNCANNY, SCREEN MEMORIES and FAMILY ROMANCES.Leonardo da Vinci fascinated Freud primarily because he was keen to know why his personality was so incomprehensible to his contemporaries. In this probing biographical essay he deconstructs both da Vinci's character and the nature of his genius. As ever, many of his exploratory avenues lead to the subject's sexuality - why did da Vinci depict the naked human body the way hedid? What of his tendency to surround himself with handsome young boys that he took on as his pupils? Intriguing, thought-provoking and often contentious, this volume contains some of Freud's best writing.

'Powerful and gripping... To have read it is to have consulted a first draft of the structural plan of the human psyche ... a glittering tour de force' Spectator Why do we laugh? What makes memories fade? Why do people believe in ghosts? From the acclaimed author of Enlightenment Now and Better Angels of Our Nature, How the Mind Works explores every aspect of mental life, showing that our minds are not a mystery, but a system of organs of computation designed by natural selection.'Pinker's objective in this erudite account is to explore the nature and history of the human mind ... He explores computations and evolutions, and then considers how the mind lets us "e;see, think, feel, interact, and pursue higher callings like art, religion and philosophy' Sunday Times

'A passionate defence of the enduring power of human nature ... both life-affirming and deeply satisfying' Daily TelegraphRecently many people have assumed that we are blank slates shaped by our environment. But this denies the heart of our being: human nature. Violence is not just a product of society; male and female minds are different; the genes we give our children shape them more than our parenting practices. To acknowledge our innate abilities, Pinker shows, is not to condone inequality, but to understand the very foundations of humanity.'Brilliant ... enjoyable, informative, clear, humane' New Scientist'If you think the nature-nurture debate has been resolved, you are wrong ... this book is required reading' Literary Review'An original and vital contribution to science and also a rattling good read' Matt Ridley, Sunday Telegraph 'Startling ... This is a breath of air for a topic that has been politicized for too long' Economist

In late 1888, only weeks before his final collapse into madness, Nietzsche (1844-1900) set out to compose his autobiography, and Ecce Homo remains one of the most intriguing yet bizarre examples of the genre ever written. In this extraordinary work Nietzsche traces his life, work and development as a philosopher, examines the heroes he has identified with, struggled against and then overcome - Schopenhauer, Wagner, Socrates, Christ - and predicts the cataclysmic impact of his 'forthcoming revelation of all values'. Both self-celebrating and self-mocking, penetrating and strange, Ecce Homo gives the final, definitive expression to Nietzsche's main beliefs and is in every way his last testament.

'The Essential Difference' shows that, on average, male and female minds are of a slightly different character. Men tend to be better at analysing systems (better systemisers), while women tend to be better at reading the emotions of other people (better empathisers).

'I lost weight and my skin changed, it cleared. But when I quit the white stuff, I also started to heal. I found wellness and the kind of energy and sparkle I had as a kid. I don't believe in diets or in making eating miserable. This plan and the recipes are designed for lasting wellness.'Sarah Wilson was a self-confessed sugar addict, eating the equivalent of twenty-five teaspoons of sugar every day, before making the link between her sugar consumption and a lifetime of mood disorders, fluctuating weight issues, sleep problems and thyroid disease. She knew she had to make a change.What started as an experiment soon became a way of life, then a campaign to alert others to the health dangers of sugar. I Quit Sugar uses Sarah's personal experience to help you:* beat the sugar habit with a tested eight week plan* overcome cravings via proven and easy tricks* find healthy sugar substitutes* cook sugar-free: over a hundred desserts, cakes, chocolate, kids' treats, snacks and easy detox meals'Sarah's down-to-earth, practical approach makes the sugar-quitting process doable, while her recipes make it fun' - David Gillespie, author of Sweet Poison.

The first book to reveal how everday pricing strategies manipulate us Why do text messages cost money while emails are free? Why do cereal packets keep getting smaller? Why do department stores have a few extortionate goods that no one will buy? Why do so many prices end in 9?Why do text messages cost money while e-mails are free? How does Apple persuade people to pay for music instead of downloading it for nothing? In Priceless, bestselling author William Poundstone reveals how we perceive value and why businesses set the prices we pay. Rooted in the emerging field of behavioural decision theory, Poundstone reveals the secrets that multinationals - including Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Nokia and Mercedes - are willing to pay millions for from so-called price consultants. Revealing how conventional economics gets it all wrong, this is a stunning expose of how irrational we all are and how global businesses are taking advantage.

Acne affects young adults the most, but roughly 30% of sufferers continue to be affected in adulthood. One in 10 people in the UK are also affected by a condition called rosacea (pronounced rose-ay-sha) and the likelihood is that we all know someone who has it. The typical symptoms of rosacea include: facial redness (most commonly covering the nose and cheeks), spots, extreme sensitivity to temperature changes, as well as broken veins, flushing and blushing. It's a condition that can be treated and usually the sooner, the better.Written by a leading expert, Acne and Rosacea: The Complete Guide takes the reader through diagnosis, the symptoms and causes and offers practical, sensitive advice on treatment options and the very latest in skincare advice.

In the fast changing world of today, we can all benefit from guidance in steering a course through the inevitable ups and downs of life. Life Mapping - so much more than just another self-development technique - can offer us a way forward that is uniquely suited to us as individuals. Simple to understand and fun to use, Life Mapping is both profound in its depth and great in its rewards. Your Life Map is a crystallisation of your best thoughts and feelings about your self, and a visual reminder of the best 'you' that you can imagine. In capturing this picture of your potential and holding it up as a beacon, your Life Map will help you define a vision of where you choose to go in life and supply a set of principles to help guide you there. An unchanging core in a fast changing world. The result will be a natural boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem and self-belief as your Life Map leads you to be pro-active in your attitudes, and effective in living your best life.

'At the turn from our bedroom into the hallway, there is an old full-length mirror in a wooden frame ... This reflected version of myself, shaking, rumpled, pinched and slightly stooped, would be alarming were it not for the self-satisfied expression pasted across my face. I would ask the obvious question, "e;What are you smiling about?"e; but I already know the answer: "e;It just gets better from here."e;'Struck with Parkinson's - a debilitating, degenerative disease - at the height of his fame, Michael J. Fox has taken what some might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. In Always Looking Up, Michael's Sunday Times bestselling memoir, he writes with warmth, humour and incredible honesty about the journey he has undertaken since he came to terms with his condition.

This second book from Matthew Johnstone, author of I Had a Black Dog, is an equally touching and beautifully illustrated book, written for those who care for those suffering from depression - friends, family members, colleagues, and even therapists. Using wonderful illustrations and the image of Churchill's infamous 'black dog', Matthew and his wife Ainsley offer a moving, inspirational and often humorous portrait of life with depression - not only for those suffering from it themselves, but for those close to them. Living with a Black Dog speaks directly to the carer and offers practical and sometimes tongue-in-cheek tips on helping the depression sufferer, such as 'Socks have little do with mental health. If people could just 'snap out of it' they would.' and 'Encourage any form of regular exercise. Fitness robs the Dog of its power'. Based on their own experiences, Matthew and his wife Ainsley treat the subject of depression sympathetically, hopefully and, most importantly, humorously.

The prevailing orthodoxy in brain science is that since physical laws govern our physical brains, physical laws therefore govern our behaviour and even our conscious selves. Free will is meaningless, goes the mantra; we live in a 'determined' world.Not so, argues the renowned neuroscientist Michael S. Gazzaniga as he explains how the mind, 'constrains' the brain just as cars are constrained by the traffic they create. Writing with what Steven Pinker has called 'his trademark wit and lack of pretension,' Gazzaniga ranges across neuroscience, psychology and ethics to show how incorrect it is to blame our brains for our behaviour. Even given the latest insights into the physical mechanisms of the mind, he explains, we are responsible agents who should be held accountable for our actions, because responsibility is found in how people interact, not in brains.An extraordinary book, combining a light touch with profound implications, Who's in Charge? is a lasting contribution from one of the leading thinkers of our time.

Sometimes it can feel like there's a gap between what we plan or hope for in our lives and the reality we're faced with - a so-called 'reality gap'. Sometimes it's a startling reality gap caused by the death of a loved one, for example, or a serious illness, a freak accident, divorce or the loss of a job. Sometimes it's a little gentler: envy, loneliness, resentment, failure, disappointment or rejection. But whatever form your 'reality gap' may take, one thing's for sure: it can cause us great distress.Based on the scientifically proven mindfulness-based approach called 'Acceptance and Commitment Therapy' (ACT), this self-help book will teach you how to cope effectively when life hurts and you will learn not only how to survive life's unexpected curve balls, but also how to thrive, despite them.

Winner of the British Psychological Society Book Award for Popular PsychologyPsychologists have long been aware that most people tend to maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life. In fact, optimism may be crucial to our existence. Tali Sharot's original cognitive research demonstrates in surprising ways the biological basis for optimism. In this fascinating exploration, she takes an in-depth, clarifying look at how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how anticipation and dread affect us; and how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions.With its cutting-edge science and its wide-ranging and accessible narrative, The Optimism Bias provides us with startling new insight into how the workings of the brain create our hopes and dreams.

Written by eight times World Memory Champion, Dominic O'Brien this book is a complete course in memory enhancement. Dominic takes you step-by-step through an ingenious program of skills, introducing all his tried and tested techniques on which he has built his triumphant championship performances. Pacing the course in line with his expert understanding of how the brain responds to basic memory training, Dominic offers strategies and tips that will expand your mental capacities at a realistic but impressive rate.

"e;Before I started juicing, I was overweight and on medication to treat an autoimmune disease. By drinking only fresh vegetable and fruit juices while making my film, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, I lost the weight, got off those drugs and started feeling better than ever! To keep healthy and happy today, I drink a lot of juice and eat a balanced diet centred on fruit s and vegetables -this book will help you feel great too!"e;JOE CROSSThe Reboot with Joe Juice Diet Recipe Book includes healthy inspiration for your kitchen with Joe's favourite Reboot recipes to help you feel more energised than ever. Includes recipes for- Juices- Smoothies- Salads- Soups- Snacks- Main dishesA Reboot diet - a time of drinking and eating only fruits and vegetables - is a perfect way to power up your system and lose weight, increase your energy levels and think more clearly. And when you consume juice, your system is flooded with an abundance of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help your body stay strong and fight disease. Take control of your diet and improve your health with The Reboot with Joe Juice Diet Recipe Book.

The incredible and heartwarming sequel to the bestselling A Street Cat Named Bob'Close proximity to animals does wonders for your mental health. Close proximity to this book will do wonders for it, too.' (Daily Mail)* * * * * * *'Since Bob has appeared, I've made huge strides in my life. For more than a decade I was a homeless drug addict. I was lost to the world and had forgotten what was important in life. Now I've got myself back on my two feet, but as I put the past behind me, I'm still stepping unsteadily into the future. I still need help in the right direction. Bob is always there to offer guidance and friendship.' (James, on Bob)James and his street cat Bob have been on a remarkable journey together. In the years since their story ended in the bestselling A Street Cat Named Bob, James, with Bob's help, has begun to find his way back to the real world.Almost every day, Bob provides moments of intelligence, bravery and humour, at the same time opening his human friend's eyes to important truths about friendship, loyalty, trust - and the meaning of happiness. In The World According to Bob, the continuing tale of their life together, James shows the many ways in which Bob has been his protector and guardian angel through times of illness, hardship, even life-threatening danger. As they high five together for their crowds of admirers, James knows that the tricks he's taught Bob are nothing compared to the lessons he's learnt from his street-wise cat.For more stories from James and Bob's adventures, don't miss The Little Book of Bob, a pocket-friendly compilation of wisdom from the world's favourite street-wise cat.

Handed a sacred scroll from Atlantis by a dying Tibetan monk, Marcus, Joanna and Helen are propelled into adventure as they race to get it translated and to follow its instructions. Because its contents hold the key to healing and empowering Earth and humanity, vested interests will stop at nothing to prevent the information from being revealed, and the lives of all three are endangered as their endeavours to protect and act on this information take them across the world, and to a final denouement in Machu Picchu, Peru. Diana Cooper weaves into her story profound elements of spiritual learning, as her characters reveal the seven Great Mysteries that are the spiritual laws of this planet, the illusions by which humans live, the symbols and sounds for unblocking interdimensional portals and the true purpose of Stonehenge and Machu Picchu.