Bøger udgivet af ICON BOOKS

'Damn, all my cheating secrets revealed. In book form' Stephen FryWhich philosopher had the maddest hairstyle? Which novelist drank 50 cups of black coffee every day? What on earth did Simone de Beauvoir see in Jean-Paul Sartre? How to Sound Cultured offers a wry and yet profoundly useful look inside the mirrored palaces of high culture. Covering such inscrutable characters as Heidegger, Montaigne, Kahlo and Lvi-Strauss (apparently not just a designer of jeans), inscrutable polymaths Thomas W. Hodgkinson and Hubert van den Bergh - the author of the acclaimed How to Sound Clever - have done the hard work of sorting the cultural wheat from the chaff. Read this book and you'll never again mistake Rimbaud for Rambo or Georg Lukacs for George Lucas, you'll know precisely when to drop Foucault's name into a conversation and how to pronounce 'Borgesian', and you'll learn many more essential pointers for the intellectual life.

A unique glimpse of the deadliest profession of the Second World War.In June 1941, Flight Sergeant Leslie Mann, a tail gunner in a British bomber, was shot down over DuI sseldorf and taken into captivity. After the war, wanting to record the experiences of the RAF's 'Bomber Boys', he gave voice to his private thoughts and feelings in a short novella, uncovered only after his death.Visceral, shocking and unglamorous, this compelling story transmits as rarely before the horrors of aerial warfare, the corrosive effects of fear, and the psychological torment of the young men involved. The sights, sounds, smells, and above all the emotional strain are intensely evoked with a novelist's skill.And Some Fell on Stony Ground is introduced by historian Richard Overy, author of the acclaimed book, The Bombing War (2013).

It's an astonishing fact that capturing all the energy in just one hour's worth of sunlight would enable us to meet the planet's food and energy needs for an entire year. The Solar Revolution tells the story of how scientists are working to reconnect us to the 'solar economy', harnessing the power of the sun to provide sustainable food and energy for a global population of 10 billion people: an achievement that would end our dependence on 'fossilised sunshine' in the form of coal, oil and gas and remake our connection with the soil that grows our food. Steve McKevitt and Tony Ryan describe the human race's complex relationship with the sun and take us back through history to see how our world became the place it is today - chemically, geologically, ecologically, climatically and economically - before moving on to the cutting-edge science and technology that will enable us to live happily in a sustainable future.

'A work of engaging pop philosophy and accessible social science [and] a boisterous dissection of the forces jellifying our minds' Sunday TimesIncludes brand new material covering the US election and BrexitEvery day, many people will try to change your mind, but they won't reason with you. Instead, you'll be nudged, anchored, incentivised and manipulated in barely noticeable ways. It's a profound shift in the way we interact with one another.Philosopher James Garvey explores the hidden story of persuasion and the men and women in the business of changing our minds. From the covert PR used to start the first Gulf War to the neuromarketing of products to appeal to our unconscious minds, he reveals the dark arts practised by professional persuaders.How did we end up with a world where beliefs are mass-produced by lobbyists and PR firms? Could Google or Facebook swing elections? Are new kinds of persuasion making us less likely to live happy, decent lives in an open, peaceful world? Is it too late, or can we learn to listen to reason again? The Persuaders is a call to think again about how we think now.

Walter Benjamin is often considered the key modern philosopher and critic of modern art. Tracing his influence on modern aesthetics and cultural history, Introducing Walter Benjamin highlights his commitment to political transformation of the arts as a means to bring about social change. Benjamin witnessed first-hand many of the cataclysmic events of modern European history. He took a critical stance on the dominant ideologies of Marxism, Zionism and Technocracy, and his attempt to flee Nazi Europe ultimately led to his suicide in 1940. With its brilliant combination of words and images, this is an ideal introduction to one of the most elusive philosophers.

The Magic of a Name tells the story of the first forty years of Britain's most prestigious manufacturer - Rolls-Royce. Beginning with the historic meeting in 1904 of Henry Royce and C.S. Rolls, and the birth in 1906 of the legendary Silver Ghost, Peter Pugh tells a story of genius, skill and dedication that gave the world cars and aeroengines unrivalled in their excellence. In 1915, 100 years ago, Royce produced the first of many aero engines, the Eagle, which proved itself in battle in the First World War. Twenty-five years later, the totemic Merlin was installed in the Spitfire and built in a race against time to help win the Battle of Britain. With unrivalled access to the company's archives, this is a unique portrait of both an iconic name and of British industry at its best.

For fifteen years, Tim Bradford has meandered round the quiet streets of his North London home, seeking outthe ordinary and the extraordinary, the sublime and the ridiculous. A London Country Diary documents his wanderings - he attempts to rescue a deer in Clissold Park, talks to a magical old man in Holloway, breaks up a fight in Stoke Newington and has issues with foxes in Highbury. And that's just the beginning. All of life is in these pages. Well, some. OK, just a little bit. But with its idiosyncratic wit and charming illustrations, this book is a timely reminder that you can find beauty, humour and life, wherever you call home.

Simon Flynn's bestselling selection of enthralling facts, stories, poems and more from science's history

Martin Bell OBE has been many things - an icon of BBC war reporting, Britain's first independent MP for 50 years, a UNICEF ambassador, and 'the man in the white suit' - a tireless campaigner for honesty and accountability in politics.But as For Whom the Bell Tolls reveals, he's also a poet of light verse, and here Bell's poems continue his war by other means on duplicitous politicians, our all-consuming media, the venality of celebrity culture and much more. The earliest poem here was written when Martin was 19; the most recent cover the riots of August 2011, the phone-hacking scandal and the 'Arab spring'.Oscillating between trenchant satire and touching honesty with often poignant autobiography spiced with gentle humour, Bell presents poems on Tony Blair and Iraq, on Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic, on his hero, Reuters reporter Kurt Schork, and colourful episodes from his work and life, from the chart-topping calypso written about him in St Lucia to his being a guest at Idi Amin's wedding:'...that by God / Was well worth doing, if distinctly odd.'

Father of existentialism or the Eeyore of philosophy?Known as the first modern theologian, SrenKierkegaard was a prolific writer of the Danish 'golden age'. A philosopher,poet and social critic, his key concepts of angst, despair, and theimportance of the individual, influenced many 20th-century philosophers andliterature throughout Europe.Dave Robinson and Oscar Zarate's brilliant graphicguide explains what Kierkegaard means by 'anti-philosophy', and tells anilluminating story of the strange life and ideas of a man tortured by hisattempts to change the very priorities of Western thought.

'Excellent ... an astounding amount of material.'Times Educational Supplement Popular culture often portrays the Holocaust as ahorrific drama played out between Nazi executioners and ghetto Jewish victims -in short, a single aberration of history. Introducingthe Holocaust is a powerful graphic guide that dissolves thisstereotype, explaining the causes and its relevance today. It places theHolocaust where it belongs - at the centre of modern European and worldhistory. Haim Bresheeth and Stuart Hood - along with LitzaJansz's outstanding illustrations - bring a unique and unforgettable perspectiveto how we think about this most dark of shadows on human history.

This is the dramatic story of the ups and downs of a born entrepreneur.

All over the world and throughout the ages people have accumulated the extraordinary objects of their affection. Some of these collections are museums. This work presents a pilgrimage to some of the world's oddest and interesting, which include museums of asparagus, lawnmowers, ships in bottles, the pets of American presidents, and burnt food.

Did you know that Estonia once managed to beat Scotland without even turning up? That the Cote d'Ivoire has the most expensive team? And why Dutch defender Winston Bograde is paid twice what Real Madrid pays Beckham, Ronaldo and Zidane combined? Gary Rimmer's unique Number Freaking technique unearths the real truth behind the beautiful game. Discover: How many German police officers await each England fan in 2006 Which club has opened a chain of themed restaurants in China How many free condoms are given out during a game Who is worth more per gramme: Michael Ballack or cocaine? How many cows a football fan consumes each year - and much, much more. From which German football stadium has the most comfy seats to the cup that was hidden in an Italian shoebox, Gary Rimmer presents the essential guide to everything you never needed to know about football.

The pride of Scotland, Clyde Rovers boast three Scottish internationals among their ranks, alongside the Czech national keeper Serbrle, Algeria's Bonziane and the awesome Brazilian playmaker Oliveria. Can YOU lead Clyde to league and cup victories this season?

A title in this series of interactive solo or two player game books featuring the most popular sport in the world - soccer. Learn the tricks and tactics of the game and lead your team to victory! Ages 8+.

A title in this series of interactive solo or two player game books featuring the most popular sport in the world - soccer. Learn the tricks and tactics of the game and lead your team to victory! Ages 8+.

A title in this series of interactive solo or two player game books featuring the most popular sport in the world - soccer. Learn the tricks and tactics of the game and lead your team to victory! Ages 8+.

Nicholas Agar provides a uniquely accessible exploration of the highly controversial issue of cloning. Starting with the biology, and building up the scientific background step-by-step, Perfect Copy provides the perfect guide to the moral labyrinth that surrounds the cloning debate. Author lectures at Victoria University, NZ.

With their characteristic panache and unrivalled clarity, world-renowned science authors Mary and John Gribbin take us on an incredible and thought-provoking illustrated tour of everything you ever wanted to know about science.

The most intriguing stories from the history of cinema are the tales of what might have been, those seemingly insignificant incidents that would have had the largest unforeseen effects. Imagine ThatThe farmers of southern California revolt against plans for an aqueduct and Chicago becomes the new home of American cinemaCasablanca's writing committee takes total control and the film's greatest moments are whitewashed from historyDisney decides against collaborating with Hitler's former engineer and the USA never wins the 'Space Race'Engaging, contentious and compulsively readable, each book in this new series takes the reader on a historical flight of fancy, imagining the consequences if history had gone just that little bit differently.

Technology's most intriguing stories are the tales of what might have been, those seemingly insignificant incidents that would have had the largest unforeseen effects. Imagine ThatAlexander Fleming cleans up his dishes and penicillin is washed down the drainSteve Jobs skips the company visit to Xerox PAR C and computers never crack the commercial marketNikola Tesla receives philanthropic support and the 20th century is illuminated by space age energy and technologyEngaging, contentious and compulsively readable, each book in this new series takes the reader on a historical flight of fancy, imagining the consequences if history had gone just that little bit differently.

Popular music's most intriguing stories are the tales of what might have been, those seemingly insignificant incidents that would have had the largest unforeseen effects. Imagine ThatElvis is drafted into the army before his first studio session and quietly lives out his days as a support actThe curse of the '27 Club' is broken and rock music rehabilitates its fallen starsMTV flops as music fans side with the radio star and hip-hop never reaches the mainstreamEngaging, contentious and compulsively readable, each book in this new series takes the reader on a historical flight of fancy, imagining the consequences if history had gone just that little bit differently.

International football's most intriguing stories are the tales of what might have been, those seemingly insignificant incidents that would have had the largest unforeseen effects. Imagine ThatMessi is unable to afford growth hormone treatment and Spanish football loses its charitable natureTechnology helps prevent decades of human error in football ... and West Germany claims victory at Wembley in 1966Substitutions are never introduced to football and the game is rid of greed and disloyaltyEngaging, contentious and compulsively readable, each book in this new series takes the reader on a historical flight of fancy, imagining the consequences if history had gone just that little bit differently.

It's an astonishing fact that capturing all the energy in just one hour's worth of sunlight would enable us to meet the planet's food and energy needs for an entire year. Project Sunshine tells the story of how scientists are working to reconnect us to the 'solar economy', harnessing the power of the sun to provide sustainable food and energy for a global population of 10 billion people: an achievement that would end our dependence on 'fossilised sunshine' in the form of coal, oil and gas and remake our connection with the soil that grows our food. Steve McKevitt and Tony Ryan describe the human race's complex relationship with the sun and take us back through history to see how our world became the place it is today - chemically, geologically, ecologically, climatically and economically - before moving on to the cutting-edge science and technology that will enable us to live happily in a sustainable future.

Wagner's operatic works rank with the supreme achievements of western culture. But acceptance of Wagner's musical genius is tempered by feelings of misgiving and many believe the composer's underlying ideas to be indefensible. A self-styled social revolutionary, Wagner thought the world could be redeemed through vegetarianism and Aryan philosophy. Introducing Wagner: A Graphic Guide separates the composer's art from the ideas and the arrogant destructive personal behaviour of the man.

Mobile phones are a ubiquitous technology with a fascinating history. There are now as many mobile phones in the world as there are people. We carry them around with us wherever we go. And while we used to just speak into them, now mobiles are used to do all kinds of tasks, from talking to twittering, from playing a game to paying a bill. Jon Agar takes the mobile to pieces, tracing what makes it work, and puts it together again, showing how it was shaped in different national contexts in the United States, Europe, the Far East and Africa. He tells the story from the early associations with cars and the privileged, through its immense popular success, to the rise of the smartphone. Few scientific revolutions affect us in such a day-to-day way as the development of the mobile phone. Jon Agar's deft history explains exactly how this revolution has come about - and where it may lead in the future.

In an increasingly sexualised world, how we lose our virginity remains an untold story. Inspired by her Cosmopolitan award-nominated blog, The Virginity Project, Kate Monro sets out to ask men and women from every walk of life, how did it happen for you? Losing It brings together an astonishing collection of stories. From the experiences of Edna, who lost her virginity in 1940 aged 25, to Charlie, a young, disabled punk rocker whose first-time experience many able-bodied people would envy, Kate reveals the poignant, funny and often surprising truth about other people's most intimate sexual stories.