In 1999 His Holiness The Dalai Lama published the bestselling Ancient Wisdom: Modern World, which addressed the question of ethics for the new millennium. A decade later, His Holiness enters the contemporary debate about religion vs atheism, and returns to the theme of ethics with a major new work: Beyond Religion: ethics for a whole world. In this thought-provoking new book he argues that religion is not a necessity for pursuing a spiritual life. Rather, focusing on tolerance and understanding between religions, as well as tolerance and understanding between believers (of any faith) and non-believers is the way forward. The way to achieve such an approach, he proposes, is through a system of secular ethics grounded in a deep appreciation of our common humanity. Aimed particularly at the general reader, Beyond Religion: ethics for a whole world is a modern-day polemic which outlines those ethics he believes should be central to our lives.

This book is a first. There has never been one entirely dedicated to the spiritual life of the Dalai Lama. Yet as one of the world’s most recognised, and respected, spiritual leaders there is clearly great need for such a work. My Spiritual Autobiography will be a revelation to His Holiness’ thousands of friends and followers around the world. It offers an insight into his interior world, and does so with great skill, sensitivity and openness. The Dalai Lama sees himself first and foremost as a human being, secondly as a monk and thirdly as the political leader of Tibet. In this fascinating book we can read many hitherto unknown stories from his childhood, his formation as a monk and his gradual development as a leader of his people. We are offered a view of his daily spiritual practise, invited to listen in on the dialogue he has been pursuing with other religions, with non-believers and with scientists in his search for ethical and environmental principles, and shown how he brings a sense of goodness and conscience to political life around the globe. In a world that is so profoundly interdependent, the Dalai Lama explains how he transforms himself through spiritual means in order to have a positive effect on the world, and he encourages us also to help change things, by working on ourselves first of all. This inspiring and private glimpse of the inner life of His Holiness is a book Rider is proud to be publishing. Brought to us by Sophia Stril-Rever, it is a major acquisition, and one that will be on our list for many years to come.

Fifteen, white, middle-class, Alice seems fine. She diets. She is doing well at school. She thinks someday someday she'd like to get married and raise a family. On July 9th, Alice is turned on to acid. She figures life is more bearable with drugs thank without. Alice's life is never the same again. Her parents notice changes, but they don't know what's happening. They can't help her. The difference betweeen Alice and a lot of other kids on drugs is that Alice kept a diary . . .

Updated with 5 new songs, this is the intimate, first-person chronicle of the life and work of Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter in Brooklyn’s notorious Marcy Projects, now known to many as the greatest rapper alive. Told through lyrics, images and personal narrative, Decoded shares the story of Jay-Z’s life through the 10 codes that define him, giving an unparalleled insight into his background, influences and the artistic process that shapes his work. Each chapter features a highly personal narrative section followed by a visually captivating selection of his most famous and provocative lyrics underlining the chapter’s themes, along with Jay-Z’s own ‘decoding’ of each lyric, uncovering the wordplay and stories behind the song. This is a brilliant insight into the art and poetry of hip-hop, as well as the life of one of the genre’s greatest artists.

For nearly fifty years, Hoover was the most powerful man in the USA. The creator of the FBI and its Director until his death in 1972, he played a key role in nearly every major tragedy and scandal in America during the twentieth Century. When he died, Hoover was lauded as an American hero. In his controversial bestseller, Official and Confidential, Anthony Summers explodes the myths, exposing the dark secrets that remained hidden throughout Hoover's lifetime. In it is revealed that Hoover used his intimate knowledge of John F Kennedy's sex life to ensure that Lyndon Johnson became Vice President, later supressing evidence about JFK's assassination. Summers also describes how Hoover was a closet homosexual and said to have enjoyed dressing up as a woman, which led to him being blackmailed by the Mafia. Hoover's death came on the eve of the exposure of the Watergate scandal, holding some of President Nixon's darkest secrets.

Patterns of the Past traces the history and practice of tattooing through the ancient oral traditions of the Cook Island people, as well as from reports of early Western visitors and rich archival material. The book looks at the current practices of contemporary Cook Island tattooists, what the tattoos mean and what techniques and instruments are traditionally used. More than 250 colour and black and white images included.