Irrational beliefs and behaviour are virtually universal. This title draws on research to examine why we are irrational, the different types of irrationality, the damage it does us, and the possible cures. It also argues that we could significantly reduce irrationality and its effects - but only ...

In 1954 Leon Festinger, a brilliant young experimental social psychologist in the process of outlining a new theory of human behavior - the theory of cognitive dissonance - and his colleagues infiltrated a cult who believed the end of the world was only months away. How would these people feel when ...

Esther Vilar's classic polemic about the relationship between the sexes caused a sensation on its first publication. Her perceptive, thought-provoking and often very funny look at the battle between the sexes has earned her severe criticism and even death threats.But Vilar's intention is not misogyn...

In the 1950's - inspired by Grantly Dick-Read's Childbirth without Fear - Marjorie Karmel, an American woman pregnant with her first child in Paris, went to see pioneering French obstetrician Dr Lamaze. This best-selling account of her experiences of antenatal education and hospital care on both sid...

As revealing as "Freakonomics", shocking as "Fast Food Nation" and thought provoking as "No Logo", "The Politics of Breastfeeding" exposes infant feeding as one of the most important public health issues of our time. Every thirty seconds a baby dies from infections due to a lack of breastfeeding and...