Figurines dating from prehistory have been found across the world but have never before been considered globally. The Oxford Handbook of Prehistoric Figurines is the first book to offer a comparative survey of this kind, bringing together approaches from across the landscape of contemporary research into a definitive resource in the field. The volume is comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible, with dedicated and fully illustrated chapters covering figurines from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia and the Pacific laid out by geographical location and written by the foremost scholars in figurine studies; wherever prehistoric figurines are found they have been expertly described and examined in relation to their subject matter, form, function, context, chronology, meaning, and interpretation. Specific themes that are discussed by contributors include, for example, theories of figurine interpretation, meaning in processes and contexts of figurine production, use, destruction and disposal, and the cognitive and social implications of representation. Chronologically, the coverage ranges from the Middle Palaeolithic through to areas and periods where an absence of historical sources renders figurines 'prehistoric' even though they might have been produced in the mid-2nd millennium AD, as in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The result is a synthesis of invaluable insights into past thinking on the human body, gender, identity, and how the figurines might have been used, either practically, ritually, or even playfully.

This guide to people and places of the Bible covers both the New and Old Testament. It will be of interest to anyone needing an A-Z reference work on the people and places mentioned in the Bible, from prophets and apostles, to kingdoms and monuments.

From Martin Amis on Jimmy Connors and Jane Austen on Henry VIII, to Liz Hurley on Marilyn Monroe and Madonna on Eva Peron, here are more than 4,000 quotations about both historical and contemporary figures from all over the world. The speakers are as well known as the people they are talking about, and come from a broad range of disciplines and professions, including actors, architects, dancers, historians, mathematicians, literary figures, politicians, academics, sports personalities, and scientists. We read Margot Fonteyn's praise of Fred Astaire: "His technique is astounding, yet everything is accomplished with the air of someone sauntering through the park on a spring morning." Albert Einstein on Madame Curie: "Very intelligent but as cold as a herring." El Greco on Michaelangelo: "He was a good man, but did not know how to paint." And Barbara Streisand in defense of Bill Clinton: "We elected a President, not a Pope." All the quotations about an individual are brought together in an entry headed by a brief description, making it possible to compare what different people have said about one particular person. A detailed author index gives a context line from each quotation, biographical information on authors, and an overview of their comments, often revealing their personalities. A colorful source of information on famous personalities past and present, People on People is an entertaining read, perfect for browsing.

"A sumptuous selection of short fiction and poetry. . . . Its invitation to share the passion of women's voices characterizes the entire volume."--"USA Today."

This wide-ranging dictionary covers over 2,300 statistical terms in accessible, jargon-free language. All existing entries and web links have been revised and updated to ensure that the content is as relevant as possible. An indispensable reference work for any students or professionals who come into contact with statistics at work or university.

This book is a guide to the practical application of statistics in data analysis as typically encountered in the physical sciences. It is primarily addressed at students and professionals who need to draw quantitative conclusions from experimental data. Although most of the examples are takenfrom particle physics, the material is presented in a sufficiently general way as to be useful to people from most branches of the physical sciences. The first part of the book describes the basic tools of data analysis: concepts of probability and random variables, Monte Carlo techniques,statistical tests, and methods of parameter estimation. The last three chapters are somewhat more specialized than those preceding, covering interval estimation, characteristic functions, and the problem of correcting distributions for the effects of measurement errors (unfolding).

Oxford Cases in Medicine and Surgery, second edition, teaches students a hypothesis-driven, logical step-by-step approach to diagnosis when faced with each of 29 common patient presentations. This approach mirrors that used by successful clinicians on the wards, challenging students with questions at each stage of a case (history-taking, examination, investigation, management). In tackling these questions, students understand how to critically analyse information and learn to integrate their existing knowledge to a real-life scenario from start to finish. Each chapter focuses on a common presenting symptom (e.g. chest pain). By starting with a symptom, mirroring real life settings, students learn to draw on their knowledge of different physiological systems - for example, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology - at the same time. All the major presenting symptoms in general medicine and surgery (mapped to UK medical school curricula) are covered, together with a broad range of pathologies. This book is an essential resource for all medicine students, and provides a modern, well-rounded introduction to life on the wards. Ideal for those starting out in clinical medicine and an ideal refresher for those revising for OSCEs and finals.