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The Empty Cradle: A completely gripping and chilling suspense novel, with a shocking twist
by Lisa RookesAmy's so sure that her husband, Joel, is deeply invested in their future together. After all, it's his dream of a family together that has them trying so hard to have a baby, despite a series of disappointments. It's this certainty that leaves Amy absolutely floored when she learns of Joel's affair with her best friend.Heartbroken and horrified, Amy flees to a dilapidated cottage in a Yorkshire village, a place she'd bought with dreams of making it feel homey and warm. In the new village, she feels like a clear outsider, but a group of local women soon take her under their wing. They gather for a routine book club, they say. Before Amy knows it, these women are in her life, and in her home. Amy wakes one night to find herself outside in the fields. Strange offerings seem to be left on her doorstep. And the surveillance camera she installs shows shapes creeping around her house in the night. Strangest of all, she suddenly finds she's pregnant. A pregnancy that feels like a cruel joke.The book club is incredibly invested in Amy's pregnancy. And it might just be in Amy's mind, but the women's interest doesn't always seem safe. What do the women want with her? And what do they want with her baby?
Knife in the Back: the New Orleans series Book 4 (The New Orleans Series)
by Karen RoseThe explosive new thriller in the New Orleans series, from Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Rose.'Intense, complex and unforgettable' James Patterson'Fast and furious' Sun'High-wire suspense that keeps you riveted' Lisa GardnerNaomi Cranston's five years in jail for something she didn't do were the worst of her life. Now the former NOPD cop is being targeted again by the people who framed her for stealing evidence. If she doesn't comply with their demands to deliver drugs, they'll hurt her teenage son, Everett.When she arrives at the Burke Broussard Investigation Agency asking for help, Burke is reluctant to assist a convicted cop. But her story and her courage in standing up to the criminals touch him to the core. Even if taking on the case puts him and the rest of his team in grave danger.As they try to work out who is responsible for framing Naomi, they must do all they can to keep their families safe. There might be something far more sinister at play than a drugs enterprise - and someone would do anything to stop Burke and the team finding out what. And there's one question they all need to grapple with: why was Naomi targeted in the first place?WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT KAREN ROSE:'Karen Rose never disappoints!''I just couldn't put it down, I'd definitely recommend this author''It is just painstaking waiting for her next novel'
The Pug who wanted to be a Dinosaur (The Pug Who Wanted to... #13)
by Bella SwiftEveryone's favourite little pug embarks on a dinosaur hunt in this roaringly funny dino adventure story.Peggy the pug's family are going on a camping holiday to Dino Cove. Peggy's best friend, Chloe, is determined to find dinosaur fossils, and Peggy would do anything to help her. So Peggy sets off on a dinosaur hunt of her own - but what if she can't find one before they go home?Get ready for a roarsome dinosaur adventure with Peggy the Pug in this adorable story featuring fun black and white illustrations throughout.(p) 2025 HODDER AND STOUGHTON LIMITED
The Final Vow (Washington Poe #7)
by M. W. CravenThe next unmissable novel* in the Sunday Times bestselling, multi-award-winning Washington Poe series. Poe and Tilly fans: be prepared for the most twisted thrill-ride so far . . .---'Another standout entry in a series that keeps setting the bar higher', Heat 'The Final Vow is everything a thriller should be: clever, compelling, and packed with unforgettable characters. Gripping, darkly funny, and utterly addictive - MW Craven has done it again', Rachel Abbott'...ingenious, absorbing, cynical and funny', Literary Review---An invisible killer with a 100% success rate. No one is safe. Not even those closest to Washington Poe . . . A shooting at Gretna Green. A bride is murdered on her wedding day, seconds after she slips on her new ring. It's brutal and bloody but she isn't the first victim and she won't be the last. With the body count now at 17, people are terrified, not knowing where the sniper will strike next.With the nation in a state of panic, the police are at a loss and turn to Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw - the only team who just might be able to track down a serial killer following no discernible pattern and with the whole country as his personal hunting ground. Can Poe and Tilly stop an unstoppable assassin, who never misses his mark and never makes a mistake? Or will he find them before they find him...*Previously listed as The Third LightEVERYONE LOVES M.W. CRAVEN:'Washington Poe is a brilliant creation from one of the finest and most inventive crime writers of today' Peter James'Mesmerising, macabre and magnificent. Poe and Tilly are unstoppable' Chris Whitaker'If you haven't read any M.W. Craven yet, fix that immediately' S. A. Cosby'I've been following M.W. Craven's Poe/Tilly series from the very beginning, and it just gets better and better ' Peter Robinson'Poe and Tilly books are a joy' Steve Cavanagh'In Tilly and Poe, M.W. Craven has created a stand-out duo who are two of the most compelling characters in crime fiction in recent years' Fiona Cummins
The Pug who wanted to go to School (The Pug Who Wanted to... #14)
by Bella SwiftPeggy the pug is ready to be the teacher's pet!It's the end of the summer holidays and the children are heading back to school. But Peggy's best friend, Chloe, is nervous about joining a new class this year. Peggy wishes she could help reassure Chloe. If only she could find a way to go to school too, but dogs aren't allowed . . .Can Peggy teach them all a lesson?(p) 2025 HODDER AND STOUGHTON LIMITED
The Colonel and the King: Tom Parker, Elvis Presley and the Partnership that Rocked the World
by Peter GuralnickIn early 1955, Colonel Tom Parker (the manager of the number-one country music star of the day) heard that an unknown teenager from Memphis had just drawn a crowd of more than 800 people to a Texas schoolhouse and headed south to investigate. Within a matter of days, Parker was sending out telegrams and letters to promoters and booking agents: 'We have a new boy that is absolutely going to be one of the biggest things in the business in a very short time. His name is ELVIS PRESLEY.' The close personal bond between Elvis and the Colonel is something that has never been fully portrayed before. It was a relationship founded on mutual admiration and support. From the outset, the Colonel defended Elvis fiercely and indefatigably against RCA executives, Elvis' own booking agents and movie moguls. But in their final years together, the story grew darker, as the Colonel found himself unable to protect Elvis from himself - or to control growing problems of his own. Featuring troves of previously unpublished correspondence from the Colonel's own archives, revelatory for both their insights and their emotional depth, The Colonel and the King provides a groundbreaking dual portrait of the relationship between the iconic artist and his legendary manager and a unique perspective on not one but two American originals. A tale of the birth of the modern-day superstar (an invention almost entirely of Parker's making) by the most acclaimed music writer of his generation, it presents these two misunderstood icons as they've never been seen before: with all of their brilliance, humour and flaws on full display.
Crookhaven: Book 5 (Crookhaven #5)
by J.J. ArcanjoAn irresistible series about chosen family, high stakes thievery, and what it really means to do good. Perfect for fans of M.G. Leonard and Anthony Horowitz.It's Gabriel's fifth and final year at Crookhaven School for Thieves, and the crew have only one thing on their minds. This year, they must take down Gabriel's parents - the infamous leaders of the criminal organisation, the Nameless - once and for all.How will the crew balance this goal alongside their last year of studies, which includes a new class called Groundwork, and the most difficult Break-in to date: infiltrating Crookhaven itself?Most importantly, can they find a way to lure two of the Underworld's most notorious villains out of the shadows, without anyone getting hurt...?The final book in the 'criminally good' Crookhaven series, the secret school where students are taught to do wrong, so that one day, they can put the world to rights.
Don't Leave Me Here: Saskia’s true story of secrets, kidnap and abuse (A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story #29)
by Maggie Hartley'Don't leave me here! Please, don't leave me.'What possesses a mum to kidnap her own child? That's what Maggie asks herself when she's asked to foster 13-year-old Saskia, the subject of a bitter custody battle between her parents. When Saskia's mum Rosa fears the courts are going to favour her ex-husband, James, she takes matters into her own hands. With Rosa facing criminal charges, and Saskia refusing to live with her dad, her future looks uncertain.Will Maggie be able to step in and discover the bombshell that will tear this family apart?From Britain's best-loved foster carer, a new and inspiring true story of secrets and hope.*****Readers LOVE Maggie Hartley:'Wow! I did not want this book to end. This story was unlike any other' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review'Very gripping and powerful read... makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
Seduction Theory: The smart, funny, delicious campus novel that everyone is making their summer read of 2025
by Emily Adrian'The most fun I have had with a novel in years' Megan Nolan'So emotionally honest, clever and sexy' Charlotte Mendelson'By far and away my favourite book of the year - and probably next year, too' Nathan FilerLove and marriage - and infidelity. Seduction Theory is a smart, funny, delicious novel about a long marriage being derailed during a hot summer on a prestigious American campus.What they were doing was not an affair because Ethan had never laid a hand on Abigail. But it also was, because leaving a department potluck to buy cigarettes was better than sex.The long summer holiday has begun on the campus of Edwards University in upstate New York.Simone is the star of the creative writing department, a renowned scholar, successful memoirist and campus sex icon.Ethan, her devoted husband, is a lecturer in the same department, though he hasn't published a novel since he was twenty-six.Their marriage is long, strong and happy. But, over the course of that aggressively hot summer break, both will stray. And, as others become involved, new sides to the story of this apparently flawless marriage will emerge.Deliciously smart and bitingly funny, Seduction Theory is a novel about love and betrayal, truth and fiction, power and attraction.'So classy, so cool and so funny' Naomi Wood'Funny, clever and beguiling' Lisa Owens'This summer's smart, classy sun lounger read' Georgina Moore
Making Matters: In Search of Creative Wonders
by Clare Hunter'Clare Hunter is out to reclaim the joy of making for the masses... no act of creativity is too humble, too ephemeral, for this hymn to the sensory wonder and connectivity of the homemade'OBSERVER'In an era of screens and machines, what a joy it is to read Clare Hunter's inspiring new book, which summons up the creative delights of making wonderment with our own hands'Justine Picardie, author of Miss Dior'Making Matters celebrates the joy of the handmade in all of its wonderful variety. In a fast paced world, it is a timely and beautiful exploration of making traditions. I loved it!'Kate Strasdin, author of The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne SykesAs children, we made things: snowmen, paper boats, eccentrically costumed plays. That making fired our minds and imaginations - it altered our small worlds and shaped who we became. But as adults, it is hard to find to find the space for creativity and to remember its power.Exploring craft traditions and forms of making from across centuries and cultures, Clare Hunter encourages to engage with the world afresh. To use our hands again, to see beauty in unexpected places, to play and protest and embrace imaginative possibilities. From paper crafts to wonders made from light and snow, she searches for creative delight - making lanterns, puppets and pinhole cameras.Inspiring and fascinating, Making Matters celebrates individual and collective creativity. It blends history, culture and politics with rich storytelling, wonderful characters and tales of remarkable objects. Read this, and then make something.PRAISE FOR THREADS OF LIFE:"An astonishing feat . . . Her highly impressive debut is a richly textured and moving record of a history that has largely being lost" Sunday Times"Enthralling...beautiful... An inspiring and moving sideways look at history" Sunday Express"A beautifully considered book . . . Clare Hunter has managed to mix the personal with the political with moving results" Tracy Chevalier
Catatonia: A Practical Guide to a Clinical and Scientific Conundrum
by Georg Northoff Dusan HirjakCatatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor, affective and cognitive-behavioral symptoms, presenting significant challenges for both psychiatrists and neurologists. It occurs in 5–18% of patients in inpatient psychiatric units and in 3.3% of those in neurology or neuropsychiatric tertiary care inpatient settings. Despite its relatively high prevalence, catatonia is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated, which can lead to substantial disadvantages for patients and may be associated with potentially life-threatening conditions. This comprehensive guide is designed to assist clinicians, researchers, and students in understanding and treating catatonia. It navigates through the history of the condition, exploring its phenomenology, clinical manifestations and pathophysiology, before delving into effective treatment strategies. By providing a clear and thorough overview, this guide simplifies the recognition of catatonia and promotes prompt and accurate treatment, encouraging future research endeavours in catatonia.
Time and Governance in Fifteenth-Century Perpignan (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series)
by Philip DaileaderIn the fifteenth century, Renaissance humanists were not the only ones to think about time differently from previous generations. Time and Governance examines how and why late medieval townspeople – those who bought, sold, and manufactured for a living – reconceptualized time and applied their new understanding of it to politics and to economics. In doing so, this book reconstructs and analyses a place and time both unexpectedly familiar and deeply alien. Blending institutional history with the history of mentalities, Philip Daileader engages with issues of state building, finance, production, social conflict, national identity, and demography. He addresses the question of whether late medieval Europe deserves its often-grim reputation by recapturing and prioritizing the life experiences, thoughts, and opinions of those who lived then and there.
Islam and Pseudoscience (Elements in Islam and Science)
by Stefano BigliardiPseudoscience includes any practice or argument that is presented as scientific but systematically violates criteria that distinguish science, particularly experimental verification. This Element discusses, in critical fashion, different ideas and approaches that combine pseudoscience and Islam. It begins by historically reconstructing the debate on Islam-related pseudoscience developed by Muslim and non-Muslim critics. It then analyzes three areas which these critics have identified as pseudoscience: iʿjāz ʿilmī or the “miraculous scientific content of the Qur'an”; Islamic creationism; ideas and approaches related to hygiene, nutrition, health, and illness. Each area is dissected, identifying the exact reasons that characterize some of its versions as pseudoscientific. After a section discussing other malpractices and erroneous approaches, which do not strictly qualify as pseudoscience but accompany and foster it, the Element ends with the discussion of overarching questions constituting an agenda for future discussions of Islam-related pseudoscience.
Punctuated Equilibria and Sino-American Relations: Lulls and Lurches across the Pacific
by Steve ChanIn many areas of the natural and physical world, long periods of seeming stasis or small incremental changes are interrupted by large, sudden leaps. This book illustrates how similar processes characterize international relations. This book points to such occurrences, for example the collapse of the USSR, the unravelling of Napoleon's wartime alliance, and the possible future status of the US dollar; and it illustrates in greater detail the admission of China to the United Nations, the history of economic development of various countries, and the possible formation of a countervailing coalition against US primacy. Steve Chan investigates these instances and explains the dynamics governing these processes of lulls and lurches and illuminates how qualitative research can apply the Boolean logic to study systematically the danger of a possible future Sino-American conflict based on past episodes.
Hieratic: An Ancient Egyptian Cursive Script (Elements in Writing in the Ancient World)
by Fredrik HagenHieratic was the most widely used script in ancient Egypt, but is today relatively unknown outside Egyptology. Generally written with ink and a brush, it was the script of choice for most genres of text, in contrast to hieroglyphs which was effectively a monumental script. The surviving papyri, ostraca and writing boards attest to the central role of hieratic in Egyptian written culture, and suggest that the majority of literate people were first (and not infrequently only) trained in the cursive script. This Element traces the long history of hieratic from its decipherment in the nineteenth century back to its origins around 2500 BC, and explores its development over time, the different factors influencing its appearance, and the way it was taught and used.
Building the African Nation: The African Association and Pan-Africanism in Twentieth Century East Africa (African Identities: Past and Present)
by Ethan R. SandersHow did people in East Africa come to see themselves as 'Africans,' and where did these concepts originate from? Utilizing a global intellectual history lens, Ethan Sanders traces how ideas stemming from global black intellectuals of the Atlantic, and others, shaped the imaginations of East Africans in the early twentieth century. This study centers on the African Association, a trans-territorial pan-Africanist organization that promoted global visions of African unity. No mere precursor to anti-colonial territorial nationalism, the organization eschewed territorial thinking and sought to build a continental African nation from the 1920s to the 1940s, at odds with later forms of nationalism in Africa. Sanders explores in depth the thought of James Aggrey, Paul Sindi Seme, and Julius Nyerere, three major twentieth-century pan-Africanists. This book rethinks definitions of pan-Africanism, demonstrating how expressions of both practical and redemptive pan-Africanism inspired those who joined the African Association and embraced an African identity.
Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines
by Peter R. MansoorRedemption is a sweeping new history of the largest and costliest campaign waged by US armed forces during the Pacific War. Peter Mansoor surveys the course of the Philippines campaign, from the Japanese invasion and the Filipino guerrilla operations which contested occupation to the US Army's return to Leyte and the subsequent battles of liberation. Central to the book is a re-evaluation of the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, one of the most controversial military commanders in US history. At times brilliant, courageous, and politically astute, MacArthur was also egotistical, publicity hungry, often ignorant of conditions at the front, and self-certain to a fault. In their return to the Philippines, MacArthur and his forces liberated millions of Filipinos and severed a critical Japanese resource lifeline. But he also achieved something much rarer – redemption on the same ground and against the same enemy that defeated him earlier in the war.
The Boundaries of Blame: Towards a Universal Partial Defence for the Criminal Law
by Louise KennefickHow can our criminal law retain legitimacy in an era of growing awareness about the complexities of human vulnerability and the far-reaching harm of punitive attitudes? The Boundaries of Blame makes a fresh contribution to the evolving scholarship on the relationship between criminal responsibility and social justice. It challenges the constricted view of personhood underpinning doctrines of responsibility, encouraging new conversations about long-standing questions on the role of circumstances like deprivation and trauma in excusing wrongdoing. Testing entrenched boundaries can provoke resistance, but the book argues that pushing past these limits is essential to fostering a more just framework of state blame in our present time and place. To achieve this objective, Louise Kennefick proposes a bold yet pragmatic response in the form of a Universal Partial Defence, grounded in the Real Person Approach – a blueprint that offers a practical and humane pathway towards a fairer measure of criminal accountability.
Wittgenstein and Social Epistemology (Elements in the Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein)
by Annalisa ColivaThe last twenty years have witnessed a 'social turn' in analytic philosophy. Social epistemology has been crucial to it. Social epistemology starts by repudiating the kind of individualistic epistemology, which, since Descartes' Meditations and through Kant's maxim 'Think for yourself', has dominated philosophy. It is a sign of the deep erasure of Wittgenstein's ideas from many debates in analytic philosophy that neither his views against fundamental tenets of individualistic epistemology, nor his positive contribution to key themes in social epistemology are considered. This Element on Wittgenstein and Social Epistemology is the first comprehensive study of the implications of the later Wittgenstein's ideas for key issues at the core of present-day social epistemology, such as the nature of common sense and its relations to common knowledge; testimony and trust; deep disagreements in connection with genealogical challenges; and the meaning of 'woman' and the role of self-identification in the determination of gender.
The Cambridge History of War: Volume 3, War and the Early Modern World (Cambridge History of War)
by David Parrott Gábor ÁgostonVolume III of The Cambridge History of War covers the early modern world, offering a four-hundred-year perspective from the last Eurasian nomadic empires to the advent of ironclad, steam-driven warships in the mid-nineteenth century. Together, the chapters cover the rise of professional armies and purpose-built warships in Europe; the evolution of military societies in the great Islamic empires; the vicissitudes of Ming and Qing military organization and that of their Asian neighbours; and the raising and maintaining of armies in Africa and the Americas. Numerous processes of imperial expansion, both on land of sea, are examined, as are the processes of global confrontation and interchange across different military systems. Technology, organization, finance, and military cultures are each explored from a broad perspective. Bringing together an impressive team of experts in their fields, the volume provides a comprehensive and accessible history of war from 1450–1850.
Reverse Engineering Armv8-A Systems: A practical guide to kernel, firmware, and TrustZone analysis
by Austin KimExplore reverse engineering in Armv8-A-based Arm devices, develop the skills to analyze binaries, and leverage cutting-edge security hardening features through hands-on techniques and expert insightsKey FeaturesMaster key aspects of Armv8-A, including register, exception handling, and TrustZoneBuild new reversing skills for kernel binaries, such as *.ko and vmlinux, for firmware analysisUnderstand Armv8-A's latest security featuresPurchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook DescriptionUnlock the secrets hidden in binary code without needing the source! Written by a Linux kernel engineer and author with over 14 years of industry experience, this book lays a solid foundation in reverse engineering and takes you from curious analyst to expert. You’ll master advanced techniques to dissect kernel binaries, including kernel module files, vmlinux, and vmcore, giving you the power to analyze systems at their core. This practical, three-part journey starts with the essentials of reverse engineering, introducing the key features of Armv8-A processors and the ELF file format. The second part walks you through the reverse-engineering process, from Arm environment setup to using static and dynamic analysis tools, including innovative methods for analyzing kernel binaries and the powerful debugging tool uftrace. The final part covers security, exploring TrustZone and the latest security techniques to safeguard Arm devices at the hardware level. By the end of this reverse engineering book, you'll have comprehensive Armv8-A expertise and the practical skills to analyze any binary with confidence while leveraging advanced security features to harden your systems.What you will learnUnderstand the organization of Arm assembly instructionsDisassemble assembly code without using C codeWork with reverse engineering tools, such as GDB and binary utilityApply reversing techniques for both user space and kernel binariesGet to grips with static and dynamic binary analysis processesGet a solid understanding of the powerful debugging tool, uftraceAnalyze TrustZone and the advanced security features provided by Armv8-AWho this book is forThis book is for professionals and enthusiasts interested in reverse engineering and debugging on Armv8-A-based devices. It is especially useful for system software engineers, security consultants, and ethical hackers expanding their binary analysis expertise. To get the most out of this book, you should have a basic understanding of the C programming language. Familiarity with computer architecture, Linux systems, and security concepts will be a definite advantage.
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane PART #3: Fall in love with part three of this new uplifting and heartwarming story
by Holly Hepburn**PART THREE in the brand new series from Holly Hepburn, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Katie Fforde** Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh&’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter, and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren&’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right? When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she&’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he suggests she makes some ceramic ghosts to go with his city ghost tour business, she&’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it&’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura&’s life. The ghosts go viral, meaning she has more orders than she can fulfil, and Jamie is less than thrilled that she&’s spending all her time in her studio. But it&’s not until Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura&’s work that things begin to spiral out of control.Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?
Wild Magic: Journey of the Lost Elephant (Wild Magic)
by Abiola BelloDiscover your wild side! Join twins Misha and Ziggy on another magical wildlife adventure in the second book in the WILD MAGIC series. For fans of Leonora Bolt and Space Detectives.Misha and Ziggy are super excited to be joining their wildlife presenter father on a trip to India, where they&’ll be able to test their magical powers all over again. Misha can&’t wait to talk to all the fascinating animals she meets and Ziggy is eager to shapeshift into all the amazing animals he sees!When they plan to map the migration route of an elephant herd, they discover that the elephant calf has gone missing.Can Misha and Ziggy find the baby elephant and reunite it with its family before its lost forever?PRAISE FOR THE WILD MAGIC SERIES&‘Loveable and brilliant adventure-seeking characters . . . funny, gorgeously illustrated and full of heart. Perfect for young readers.&’ Swapna Haddow, author of Dave Pigeon series
How to Survive Camping: A gruesomely funny and addictive must-read horror
by Bonnie QuinnA campy, funny horror novel about a manager of a haunted campground just trying to get through the season, perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix, Welcome to Night Vale and You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight.WELCOME TO GOAT VALLEY. WE HOPE YOU SURVIVE YOUR STAY. Goat Valley Campground has been in Kate&’s family for generations. It draws campers year after year . . . as well as creatures from folklore that have made the land their home, their hunting ground, and their portal between worlds. As campground manager, Kate must do whatever she can to keep her campers alive and the monsters contained, including making some basic rules on how to survive your camping experience. Still, not everyone gets out alive. And now the threat of decapitated campers are the least of Kate&’s worries, as one of the most dangerous, insidious inhabitants of the campground is determined to claim the land for himself . . . Based on the popular r/nosleep reddit stories, The Man With No Shadow is the first novel in a horror series which will terrify you and make you laugh in equal measure.
The Origin of Language: How We Learned to Speak and Why
by Madeleine BeekmanIn a radical new story about the birth of our species, The Origin of Language argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the inescapable need to care for our children. Journeying to the dawn of Homo sapiens, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman reveals the &“happy accidents&” hidden in our molecular biology—DNA, chromosomes, and proteins—that led to one of the most fateful events in the history of life on Earth: our giving birth to babies earlier in their development than our hominid cousins the Neanderthals and Denisovans. Faced with highly dependent infants requiring years of nurturing and protection, early human communities needed to cooperate and coordinate, and it was this unprecedented need for communication that triggered the creation of human language—and changed everything. Infused with cutting-edge science, sharp humour, and insights into the history of biology and its luminaries, Beekman weaves a narrative that&’s both enlightening and entertaining. Challenging the traditional theories of male luminaries like Chomksy, Pinker, and Harari, she invites us into the intricate world of molecular biology and its ancient secrets. The Origin of Language is a tour de force by a brilliant biologist on how a culture of cooperation and care have shaped our existence.