Robert Leach

This succinct but comprehensive textbook leads students through the various aspects of their politics and IR degree. It includes a clear overview of the issues, theories, methods and controversies with which scholars across the discipline have engaged alongside guidance on research and study skills such as critical thinking, distinguishing facts from values and academic reading. Furthermore, it helps students to prepare for a career and a lifetime’s interest and involvement in politics. From pre-course reading, to core text on introductory politics and IR modules, to handy reference guide across a degree program, this Companion provides a one-stop resource, packed with tips for succeeding at university and beyond. Drawing on a wide range of international examples and written accessibly with no expectation of prior familiarity with the subject it will appeal to students across the world. New to this Edition: - Thoroughly revised and updated with the help of new co-author Simon Lightfoot - Coverage of International Relations and Political Economy has been significantly expanded to reflect the ever-changing nature of degree programmes in Political Science - Sections on study skills have been extended and linked more specifically to the demands of Politics and IR

As well as introducing the "mainstream" ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism, this text examines challenges from nationalist, feminist and Green thinkers, amongst others. Now in its third edition, it includes a new chapter on anarchism and assesses the continuing disillusionment of Britain with the ideas of the "Westminster elite".

This companion to the successful The Fashion Resource Book shows student and professional designers how to use visual research to develop a personal aesthetic as a fashion designer in a global industry. The book is divided into three sections: the first presents the research process underpinning the work of 10 designers including Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton, Yohji Yamamoto and Alexander McQueen; the second section is on research and inspiration. The subjects covered include street style and uniform, and the influence of established companies such as Barbour and Gieves & Hawkes. The concept-led work of such contemporary designers as Christopher Shannon and Walter Van Beirendonck is also explored. The third part presents detailed case studies of particular garments, trench coats, parkas and denim jackets among them. Illustrations provide an informative accompaniment to the text throughout.

Now in a second edition, Theatre Studies: The Basics is a fully updated guide to the wonderful world of theatre. The practical and theoretical dimensions of theatre – from acting to audience – are woven together throughout to provide an integrated introduction to the study of drama, theatre and performance. Topics covered include: dramatic genres, from tragedy to political documentary theories of performance the history of the theatre in the West acting, directing and scenography With a glossary, chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading throughout, Theatre Studies: the Basics remains the ideal starting point for anyone new to the subject.

Now in a second edition, Theatre Studies: The Basics is a fully updated guide to the wonderful world of theatre. The practical and theoretical dimensions of theatre – from acting to audience – are woven together throughout to provide an integrated introduction to the study of drama, theatre and performance. Topics covered include: dramatic genres, from tragedy to political documentary theories of performance the history of the theatre in the West acting, directing and scenography With a glossary, chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading throughout, Theatre Studies: the Basics remains the ideal starting point for anyone new to the subject.

Interviews with leading contemporary designers, including Paul Smith, Stephen Jones, and Maria Cornejo and education professionals, including Willie Walters, Course Director at Central St Martins, Andrew Groves from the University of Westminster and a Foreword by Shelley Fox, the Donna Karan Professor of Fashion, Director of the MFA Fashion Design and Society Program at Parsons, New York, will enable all readers both to understand the vital role of research and to discover the techniques the designers have adapted for themselves, while a richly illustrated profile of the major themes of fashion is both a highly original resource and a mine of information about each theme for readers to draw on in their own research.

The Printing Ink Manual was first published in 1961 under the auspices of the Society of British Printing Ink Manufacturers with the object of providing an authoritative work on printing ink technology. This, the fourth edition, continues that purpose and presents a comprehensive study of the current 'state of the art' in the ink industry. For those starting in the printing ink industry it is a textbook dealing with all aspects of the formulation and manufacture of printing ink. For the ink technician it is a practical manual and useful source of reference. For printers and users of printed material the manual supplies helpful information on the nature and behaviour of ink both on the printing press and as the finished print. Readers with a little scientific knowledge will have no difficulty in using the manual. but as in previous editions, sufficient chemistry and physics have been introduced to assist the advanced technician and research scientist.

The Printing Ink Manual was first published in 1961 under the auspices of the Society of British Printing Ink Manufacturers with the object of providing an authoritative work on printing ink technology. This, the fourth edition, continues that purpose and presents a comprehensive study of the current 'state of the art' in the ink industry. For those starting in the printing ink industry it is a textbook dealing with all aspects of the formulation and manufacture of printing ink. For the ink technician it is a practical manual and useful source of reference. For printers and users of printed material the manual supplies helpful information on the nature and behaviour of ink both on the printing press and as the finished print. Readers with a little scientific knowledge will have no difficulty in using the manual, but as in previous editions, sufficient chemistry and physics have been introduced to assist the advanced technician and research scientist.

Systematically revised and updated, British Politics is an accessible and definitive guide to the shape of Britain's political institutions and processes. The new edition covers significant developments and events in British politics, such as the financial crisis and the 2010 general election, and provides full analysis of the first year of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. Incorporating useful learning aids throughout, the book examines the state of British politics set against the background of devolution within the UK and an ever-changing European and global environment. Key features• 'Comparative politics' boxes highlight differences and similarities with other political systems• 'Academic controversy' boxes summarize debates on key issues• On-page glossary explains key words and concepts • Chapter summaries, questions for discussion and further reading to stimulate and reinforce learning• Illustrated 'key thinker' profiles• A companion website – www.palgrave.com/foundations/leach – containing valuable additional material for students and lecturers

Ratios provide an extremely effective method of understanding company accounts. At their most basic this usually involves taking one figure from the published accounts and dividing it by another – however, this seemingly simple process can reveal an enormous amount about both the nature and performance of a company.Ratios Made Simple looks at ratios from the perspective of an investor, providing a toolkit for investors to use to accurately analyse a company from its accounts. This book is divided into nine chapters, with each chapter looking at a different aspect of potential concern to an investor:1. Profitability Ratios2. Investment Ratios3. Dividend Cover4. Margins5. Gearing6. Solvency Ratios7. Efficiency Ratios8. Policy Ratios9. VolatilityFor each ratio, financial expert Robert Leach provides a detailed definition, explains how it works, describes its use. Investors are also given a simple explanation of how to calculate each ratio, what the ratio means and how the investor should apply the answers in making investment decisions.This book provides the investor with an essential guide to the use of these powerful analytical tools – tools that should form a vital part of an investor's decision-making process.

Ensure that payroll is punctual, accurate, secure and used effectively as a management tool Managing the payroll is often seen as a purely administrative function. But, aside from the legal and financial implications of payroll errors, payroll has significant implications for the organisation as a whole. So this 6-Step audit first of all ensures that your payroll: - Meets all relevant legal requirements- Is secure against the risk of mistakes and internal and external fraud- Is managed efficiently and cost-effectively- Is supplied with timely and accurate information about all employeesThen it goes on to consider the overall role of the payroll function and allows you to consider: - How the payroll function could be better integrated into the HR function- Whether any of the information held by the payroll function could usefully (and legally) be shared - e.g. flexible working schemes may hold two sets of time and attendance data- How far payment methods and timetabling meet employees' needs and the needs of the company- Whether payroll resources could be used by other departments at 'quiet' times- Whether payroll should be seen as a separate profit centre, and how it might earn revenue.

Written by an international team of experts, this book brings together the fruits of recent research into all areas of Russian theatre history. Of particular interest are the chapters written by senior Russian academics, who not only reveal previously unpublished documentation but also offer alternative insights into their subjects. The History covers the whole range of Russian dramatic experience, from puppet theatre to ballet and grand opera, but its emphasis is on the practice of theatre, especially acting, and the final chapter puts Russian theatre into the wider context of Western performance and the stage. The History begins with the earliest endeavours, with rituals and entertainments, and moves through to the emergence of established drama in the eighteenth century. The history of twentieth-century Russian theatre is a special feature of the volume, with chapters following the progress of drama and performance from the revolution, through communism, up until recent years.

Theatre Workshop: Joan Littlewood and the Making of Modern British Theatre is the first in-depth study of perhaps Britain’s most influential twentieth-century theatre company. The book sets the company’s aims and achievements in their social, political and theatrical contexts, and explores the elements which made its success so important. Robert Leach has provided the definitive account in this first full-length study of Theatre Workshop and the methods of its director from 1945 to 1965, Joan Littlewood. His book provides the historical and political context needed by theatre studies students (both school and university), who frequently encounter Oh What a Lovely War as part of their courses.

Theatre Workshop: Joan Littlewood and the Making of Modern British Theatre is the first in-depth study of perhaps Britain’s most influential twentieth-century theatre company. The book sets the company’s aims and achievements in their social, political and theatrical contexts, and explores the elements which made its success so important. Robert Leach has provided the definitive account in this first full-length study of Theatre Workshop and the methods of its director from 1945 to 1965, Joan Littlewood. His book provides the historical and political context needed by theatre studies students (both school and university), who frequently encounter Oh What a Lovely War as part of their courses.

Many investors ignore company accounts because they think they are too difficult. But, as the great investor Peter Lynch said "Investing without looking at the numbers is like playing bridge without looking at the cards".The mission of this book is to explain to ordinary investors, with no accounting knowledge, what to look for in a set of accounts and how to interpret what you find – so that you have an accurate 'health check' on a company in ten simple steps.Robert Leach considers the entire subject from an investor's point of view, by asking – and then answering – the questions which matter most. He also looks at the techniques which companies sometimes use to flatter their accounts, and shows how accounts for companies in different sectors have to be looked at differently.The 10 Crunch questions:1. Is the company growing?2. Are costs under control?3. Does it make a profit?4. How much cash does it have?5. Is its market value supported by assets?6. Is it using debt wisely?7. Are there any hidden nasties?8. Is management good enough?9. Can I expect a reliable income?10. Are there any threats to my interests?

Who were the giants of the twentieth-century stage, and exactly how did they influence modern theatre?Robert Leach's Makers of Modern Theatre is the first detailed introduction to the work of the key theatre-makers who shaped the drama of the last century: Konstantin Stanislavsky, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud.Leach focuses on the major issues which relate to their dominance of theatre history:*What was significant in their life and times?*What is their main legacy?*What were their dramatic philosophies and practices?*How have their ideas been adapted since their deaths?*What are the current critical perspectives on their work?Never before has so much essential information on the making of twentieth-century theatre been compiled in one brilliantly concise, beautifully illustrated book. This is a genuinely insightful volume by one of the foremost theatre historians of our age.

Who were the giants of the twentieth-century stage, and exactly how did they influence modern theatre?Robert Leach's Makers of Modern Theatre is the first detailed introduction to the work of the key theatre-makers who shaped the drama of the last century: Konstantin Stanislavsky, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud.Leach focuses on the major issues which relate to their dominance of theatre history:*What was significant in their life and times?*What is their main legacy?*What were their dramatic philosophies and practices?*How have their ideas been adapted since their deaths?*What are the current critical perspectives on their work?Never before has so much essential information on the making of twentieth-century theatre been compiled in one brilliantly concise, beautifully illustrated book. This is a genuinely insightful volume by one of the foremost theatre historians of our age.

Contemporary local governance in Britain comprises a complex network of organisations working in partnership to formulate policies to address local needs and issues. Within this, local government continues to play an important part in policy and practice and in the structures and processes of local democracy. This book provides a systematic assessment of the key development issues and debates that are shaping local governance now situating these in their historical context.

This is the first comprehensive history of Russian theatre in English. Written by an international team of experts, the book brings together the fruits of recent research into all areas of Russian theatre history. Of particular interest will be the chapters written by senior Russian academics, who not only reveal previously unpublished documentation but also offer new insights into their subjects. The History covers the whole range of Russian dramatic experience, from puppet theatre to ballet and grand opera, but its emphasis is on the practice of theatre, especially acting, and the final chapter puts Russian theatre into the wider context of Western performance and the stage. A key feature of the History is the collection of rare photographs, some published for the first time.

This book traces the career of the Russian revolutionary theatre director, Vsevolod Meyerhold, from his early years as a founding member of the Moscow Art Theatre with Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko, through his Symbolist period, his experiments with commedia dell’arte and other popular forms, to his demise in the Stalin era. Leach describes in detail Meyerhold’s ‘system’ of theatre: his attitude to the audience, the place of the fore stage, ‘biomechanics’ and actor training, and the importance of the mise-en-scène. Finally, Leach explores Meyerhold’s legacy, which can be detected in the work of Brecht, Eisenstein, Peter Brook and others.