Alumni in Print

Don't Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet

Alice Robb (2010 Archaeology and Anthropology), a British journalist with a background in ballet, presents a timely and personal examination of classical ballet in her book, Don't Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet.

Drawing on her own experiences as a former student at the School of American Ballet, and on those of her contemporaries, Robb weaves a narrative that exposes the often toxic culture that pervades the ballet industry, as well as critically examining the values ingrained in ballet, such as discipline, stoicism and submission.

Through the lens of 21st-century feminism, she reflects on the obsessive and dangerous nature of an art form built on notions of beauty and perfection. Don’t Think, Dear combines memoir and journalistic investigation, offering readers a re-examination of ballet that is long overdue.

The Cactus Hunters: Desire and Extinction in the Illicit Succulent Trade

This book by Jared Margulies (2009 Biodiversity, Conservation and Management) is due to be published in November 2023.

It explores the dangerous world of succulent collecting and its impact on endangered species. Succulents are highly sought after by collectors, but their scarcity has fuelled an illegal trade that threatens their survival. Margulies investigates the motivations behind this trade, from heists on a Mexican island to law enforcement efforts in South Korea.

He introduces a Czech "cacto-explorer" who played a role in making his country a hub for the illegal succulent trade. With the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting the problem, this book provides a detailed look at these trades, their operations, and the need for conservation measures.

Combining international intrigue, social theory, botanical knowledge, and ecological study, The Cactus Hunters offers the first in-depth insights into this trade, species extinction, conservation and the complexities of caring for the natural world.

History of the British and Irish Press

In this first volume of a three-volume series on the history of the British and Irish press, Nicholas Brownlees (1971 Jurisprudence) provides a comprehensive and detailed account of press history in early-modern Britain and Ireland, from its 17th-century beginnings until the end of the 18th century.

With contributions from expert scholars, the book explores the production, transmission, and reception of newspapers and specialised press during the 17th and 18th centuries. It covers such aspects as the business of press, legal constraints, readerships, and the emerging identities of news writers and journalists. The volume also examines national realities in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as transnational networks, and the role of translation in news dissemination.

Principles of Knowledge Auditing

In this book, Patrick Lambe (1978 Philosophy and Theology) explains how the critical process of ‘knowledge auditing’ can improve an organisation’s effectiveness through a better understanding of the dynamics and levers of knowledge production, access, and use.

The text offers a comprehensive exploration of this growing field in the context of the development of communications, information, and knowledge management in the 20th century.

Lambe integrates theory and practice, providing guidelines and principles to make knowledge auditing more accessible to practitioners and researchers. By addressing ambiguities and clarifying approaches to knowledge audits, Lambe contributes to a better understanding of the subject, clarifying ambiguities in how knowledge audits are approached and described, as well as how the results are conveyed within organisations.

The Underactive Thyroid

In their 11th book, The Underactive Thyroid, Craig Robinson (1982 Mathematics) and Dr Sarah Myhill shed light on the underdiagnosed and poorly treated condition of hypothyroidism.

They explain that, despite patients displaying classic signs and symptoms, modern medicine fails to treat the patients comprehensively. The authors explore the symptoms of hypothyroidism, which result in a slow metabolism, and highlight the limitations of relying solely on diagnostic blood tests.

They advocate for lifestyle changes, the use of iodine, and natural desiccated thyroid when necessary. Additionally, the book emphasises the consequences of untreated hypothyroidism at different stages of life and the importance of taking control of one's own treatment if doctors are unwilling to provide the necessary diagnosis and care.

Using Psychodynamic Thinking to Enhance CBT in Clients with Psychosis

In this book, Simon Jakes (1976 Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology) offers a practical guide on incorporating psychodynamic thinking into cognitive therapy for individuals with psychosis. He presents detailed accounts of therapy sessions with clients, using concrete examples to avoid complex theoretical discussions.

The method proposed can be seamlessly integrated into existing therapeutic approaches without the need for additional training. By linking clients' symptoms to their personal development and life issues, the book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing psychosis.