Cecil Davies' The Adelphi Players: The Theatre of Persons represents a uniquely interesting contribution to our understanding of touring British theatre in the mid-twentieth-century, post-war period. This book will interest everyone - whether student, academic or general reader - who wants to know more about issues concerning the recent history of British theatre. In their values and aims, the Adelphi Players pre-empted many of the post-war developments that we associate with the non-commercial, fringe and community theatre movement. In Richard Heron Ward founder of the Adelphi-Players, we encounter a dramatist, novelist, essayist and poet who has been unusually neglected in terms of our appreciation of the English literature of the broad left in the 1930s, `40s and `50s. The Adelphi Players has been edited by Peter Billingham, who has also provided an introduction placing Ward and the Adelphi players in the wider social, cultural and ideological context.

Austin Brereton's 'The Literary History of the Adelphi and Its Neighbourhood' is a comprehensive exploration of the cultural and literary significance of the Adelphi district in London. Brereton delves into the rich history of the area, examining how it has inspired and influenced writers throughout the centuries. The book is written in a scholarly style, drawing on a wide range of literary sources and historical documents to paint a vivid picture of the Adelphi and its inhabitants. This work is a valuable contribution to the study of literary landscapes and the ways in which urban environments shape artistic production. Readers will appreciate Brereton's meticulous research and insightful analysis, which sheds new light on the relationship between place and creativity. Austin Brereton, a noted literary historian and expert on London's cultural history, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his study of the Adelphi district. His background in researching the intersections of literature and urban space makes him uniquely qualified to undertake this exploration of the neighborhood's literary legacy. Brereton's passion for the subject is evident throughout the book, as he brings to life the stories of the writers who have been inspired by the Adelphi over the years. 'The Literary History of the Adelphi and Its Neighbourhood' is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of literature, history, and urban studies. Brereton's engaging prose and thorough research make this book a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers alike.

Intensifying geopolitical rivalries, rising defence spending and the proliferation of the latest military technology across Asia suggest that the region is set for a prolonged period of strategic contestation. None of the three competing visions for the future of Asian order – a US-led ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’, a Chinese-centred order, or the ASEAN-inspired ‘Indo-Pacific Outlook’ – is likely to prevail in the short to medium term. In the absence of a new framework, the risk of open conflict is heightened, and along with it the need for effective mechanisms to maintain peace and stability. As Asia’s leaders seek to rebuild their economies and societies in the wake of COVID-19, they would do well to reflect upon the lessons offered by the pandemic and their applicability in the strategic realm. The societies that have navigated the crisis most effectively have been able to do so by putting in place stringent protective measures. Crisis-management and -avoidance mechanisms – and even, in the longer term, wider arms control – can be seen as the strategic equivalent of such measures, and as such they should be pursued with urgency in Asia to reduce the risks of an even greater calamity.

The rise or resurgence of revisionist, repressive and authoritarian powers threatens the Western, US-led international order upon which Germany’s post-war security and prosperity were founded. With Washington increasingly focused on China’s rise in Asia, Europe must be able to defend itself against Russia, and will depend upon German military capabilities to do so. Years of neglect and structural underfunding, however, have hollowed out Germany’s armed forces. Much of the political leadership in Berlin has not yet adjusted to new realities or appreciated the urgency with which it needs to do so. Bastian Giegerich and Maximilian Terhalle argue that Germany’s current strategic culture is inadequate. It informs a security policy that fails to meet contemporary strategic challenges, thereby endangering Berlin’s European allies, the Western order and Germany itself. They contend that: Germany should embrace its historic responsibility to defend Western liberal values and the Western order that upholds them. Rather than rejecting the use of military force, Germany should wed its commitment to liberal values to an understanding of the role of power – including military power – in international affairs. The authors show why Germany should seek to foster a strategic culture that would be compatible with those of other leading Western nations and allow Germans to perceive the world through a strategic lens. In doing so, they also outline possible elements of a new security policy.

The major aim of Cyberspace and the State is to provide conceptual orientation on the new strategic environment of the Information Age. It seeks to restore the equilibrium of policy-makers which has been disturbed by recent cyber scares, as well as to bring clarity to academic debate on the subject particularly in the fields of politics and international relations, war and strategic studies. Its main chapters explore the impact of cyberspace upon the most central aspects of statehood and the state systempower, sovereignty, war, and dominion. It is concerned equally with practice as with theory and may be read in that sense as having two halves.

101 Zen Stories is a captivating collection of ancient tales and koans that offer profound insights into the essence of Zen Buddhism. Compiled by Nyogen Senzaki, these short stories and dialogues between masters and disciples illuminate the core principles of Zen, inviting readers to challenge their preconceived notions and awaken to the true nature of reality. Through paradoxical and often humorous narratives, this book guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, encouraging them to embrace the present moment and find enlightenment in the ordinary.

Based upon the Handbook of London, by the late Peter Cunningham.