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Identifying Special Needs in the Early Years
by Kay MathiesonWith increasing expectations from parents and practitioners for inclusive early years settings, many practitioners are anxious about identifying and accommodating children′s individual needs as early as possible. Through simple step-by-step instruction, this book will: o increase practitioners′ confidence in identifying individual needs; o give practical advice on involving parents; o provide clear links to existing guidance and legislation. This is a valuable guide for practitioners in all early years settings including Day Nurseries, Pre-schools, Children′s Centres, Nursery Schools and infant schools.
Tourism and Tourism Spaces
by Gareth Shaw Allan M WilliamsThis is a critical introduction to the relations between tourism, tourists, and tourism spaces. It fuses economic and cultural perspectives to explain how tourism is dependent on place and space, while at the same time as defining those places and spaces. Examining different levels of scale - from local to global - Tourism and Tourism Spaces is informed by the discussion of three key processes: - production and consumption of tourist spaces - consumption and commodification of tourist experiences - construction and reconstruction of tourist spaces Each chapter engages with different theoretical perspectives; is illustrated with comparative examples and case studies; uses tables, boxes and figures throughout; and concludes with a summary. An integrated and systematic review of a range of theoretical positions - that integrates economic and cultural - Tourism and Tourism Spaces will be a key resource for students of geography, sociology, management studies, hospitality studies, and leisure studies.
Globalism, Nationalism, Tribalism: Bringing Theory Back in
by Paul W James`Paul James has written a magnificent account of the world′s current condition, one that highlights the complexities and contradictions with which people, communities, and nations must contend and that does so in a compelling and creative style. Stressing the interaction between global and local forces, his writing style is lively and compelling as well as peppered with a wide range of citations, from Woman′s Day to the Cambodian Daily (on the same page!)′ - James N Rosenau, University Professor of International Affairs, The George Washington University Globalism, Nationalism, Tribalism establishes a new basis for understanding the changing nature of polity and community and offers unprecedented attention to these dominant trends. Paul James charts the contradictions and tensions we all encounter in an era of increasing globalization, from genocide and terrorism to television and finance capital. Globalism is treated as an uneven and layered process of spatial expansion, not simply one of disorder, fragmentation or rupture. Nor is it simply a force of homogenization. Nationalism is taken seriously as a continuing and important formation of contemporary identity and politics. James rewrites the modernism theories of the nation-state without devolving into the postmodernist assertion that all is invention or surface gloss. Tribalism is given the attention it has long warranted and is analyzed as a continuing and changing formation of social life, from the villages of Rwanda to the cities of the West. Theoretically adept and powerfully argued, this is the first comprehensive analysis that brings these crucial themes of contemporary life together.
Rethinking Strategy
by Henk W. Volberda Tom Elfring`Readers interest in an overview of important aspects of the strategy field will find this book a helpful volume to add to their shelves′ - Administrative Sciences Quarterly This is a new overview of the strategy field, with internationally renowned contributors summarizing the latest directions and developments in strategic management theory in the context of their theoretical roots in economics, organization theory, and systems theory. The contributors outline the most promising new directions on the basis of a systemic treatment of paradigms or schools of thought in strategy: redrawing firm boundaries, developing dynamic capabilities and discovering viable strategy configurations. The volume will be an invaluable companion to advanced courses in strategy and management, used as a reader alongside case material and field studies. As well as providing a summary and evaluation of the different schools of thought in strategy, the volume offers a synthesis of the American and European approaches.
Introducing English as an Additional Language to Young Children
by Kay Crosse`A definite must-have for all teachers of English confronted with early multilingualism′ - Times Educational Supplement The activities and guidance in this book will help teachers to develop the confidence and meet the individual needs of young children with English as an additional language across different settings. There are also practical and varied language teaching strategies to promote learning for children working individually or in small groups. The first part of the book focuses on the introduction and development of oral language skills and the particular needs of young "additional English language learners" settling into a new environment. It provides an introduction to the Foundation Stage curriculum and the ways in which links can be made with English as an additional language activity. The second part of the book presents practical activities grouped under the six areas of learning forming the early years curriculum. Each activity includes an appropriate objective, materials and preparation, key vocabulary to focus on and extension suggestions, as well as full guidance on how to manage the activity effectively. The book will be a valuable resource for all teachers, teaching assistants and other early years staff in day nurseries, nursery schools and other early years settings. Kay Crosse is a freelance early years consultant and was formerly head of Norland College.
Social Work with Older People
by Mark E LymberyThis book provides an up-to-date and authoritative overview of the development of social work with older people in the UK. The coherent structure draws together the key themes involved in working with older people, and clearly demonstrates how to translate these into real-life practice. Key features of the book include: - Establishes an understanding of the policy context within which social work takes place, with particular attention to key topics such as inter-professional collaboration and ethics. - Goes beyond other textbooks to challenge the restricted nature of social work practice, and adopts a positive view of its potential to benefit older people. - An engaging and practice-led approach which includes student-friendly features and detailed practice scenarios. - Satisfies the curriculum benchmarks and National Occupational Standards that structure social work training and practice. Written by a leading academic, this is a key text for social work trainees. Its analytical depth will ensure that it will also be valuable for students undertaking post-qualifying courses, and for those in related disciplines such as health and community care, social policy and social gerontology. Its practice-based and inter-professional approach will mean it is also useful for health and social care practitioners seeking to improve the quality of practice with older people. `Drawing on both theory and research as well as the author′s clear knowledge of current practice, this book is able to deal with practice realities in ways which many texts cannot. It offers social workers realistic options for how to approach their work′ - Karen Postle, University of East Anglia
Spirituality in Counselling and Psychotherapy
by Dennis Lines`Fascinating. There is much here that is controversial, thought provoking and very useful. It is encyclopaedic in its breadth and use of knowledge. [Like] rich food [it] needs to be taken in slowly, savouring every morsel!′ - Thresholds `[Spirituality] has been traditionally ′taboo′ within the counselling and psychotherapy profession. Denis Lines comes into this controversial scene with a rigorous-but-gentle, mystical-but-grounded, inspiring and thought-provoking voice…. The book is well written and presents the model in the context of other therapeutic modalities, which makes it interesting and useful for therapists from different backgrounds and practice settings. It could also be of use for those involved in religious education, pastoral care or anybody interested in the spiritual development of the self or the existential quest of humankind′ - Therapy Today ′This gentle, mystical, empirical and scholarly book is truly inspirational and it deserves the widest possible readership among therapists, religious educators and all those who care about the spiritual destiny of humankind′ - Professor Brian Thorne, Co-founder The Norwich Centre and Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of East Anglia Spirituality in Counselling and Psychotherapy explores the idea that throughout the course of a therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, a spiritual level is reached by the two people involved. The author shows how this dimension can help clients who are living in an increasingly secular and faithless society to find some resolution with the issues they bring to therapy. By exploring different perspectives on religion and spirituality, the book provides therapists with the grounding they need to introduce spiritually-centred counselling into their practice. It describes the characteristics of spiritual counselling and covers practical considerations such as: " recognising indications from the client to move into a spiritual mode of therapy " exploring the ′self′ through spiritual work within the therapeutic process, and how this can lead to healing and growth " how to deal with doubt and scepticism over issues of spirituality. The book is illustrated throughout with transcripts and case studies to show how therapists can integrate the spiritual within their own approach to therapeutic work. It will be invaluable to all those who wish to explore this dimension in their work with clients.
Research Training for Social Scientists: A Handbook for Postgraduate Researchers
by Dawn BurtonWith indispensable advice for students from all social science backgrounds, this handbook provides the core conceptual and practical skills to embark on succesful research. The organization of the book reflects the knowledge that is required in order to become a competent and effective researcher. It follows the life-cycle of the research project: it begins with a discussion of ethical and philosphical issues; presents guides to both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis; provides help on using computers in research; and includes advice on how to write up and present a research project. Based on the UK Economic and Social Research Council advice on the training which students should undertake in preparation for postgraduate research, this book will be invaluable for all beginning researchers.
Person-Centred Counselling: An Experiential Approach
by David L. Rennie`This book offers a truly engaging "read". The writing style is good and it gives the reader a wide range of perspectives, from the meta-theoretical to the concrete practical experience of clients and counsellors.... David Rennie′s book serves to continue the development as well as the exposition of the person-centred approach to counselling′ - British Journal of Guidance and Counselling `This is a very good book... clearly within the humanistic/experiential tradition... It seems to me to be very important that this kind of research continues - it is the raw data of the counselling profession′ - Person-Centred Practice This book contains powerful new ideas about person-centred theory and practice. Supported by intensive qualitative research into the client′s experience of counselling, the book highlights the significance and pervasiveness of reflexivity - defined as self-awareness and agency within that self-awareness - and explores surprising ways in which clients contribute reflexively to the counselling process. Vivid examples highlight activities, show the therapy in action and illustrate how counsellors can use their own experiences creatively to facilitate their attunement to themselves, their clients and their relationships with them. The theoretical framework covers matters such as the use of images and metaphor, counsellor transparency and the assistance of clients′ agency. Emphasis is placed on the client/counsellor relationship through such crucial areas as the working alliance, power dynamics and metacommunication.
Person-Centred Therapy: A European Perspective
by Brian Thorne Elke Lambers`In this scholarly book, Thorne and Lambers have gathered together significant contributions to the advancement of person-centred theory and practice from leading exponents of the approach in Austria, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.... I found the book both stimulating and challenging. The insight it offers into working with "difficult" clients is invaluable and the sections on theory stretched me in my understanding of the approach. I strongly recommend it to anyone from within or without the person-centred tradition who wants to achieve a real understanding of the approach "post Rogers" and get to grips with the vibrancy and vitality of person-centred thought in Europe′ - Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy This book brings together up-to-date contributions to the development of person-centred theory and practice from leading European practitioners. The book makes available for the first time in English some of the most significant theoretical ideas and practical applications of a distinguished group of contributors at the cutting edge of the approach. It also gives a valuable insight into a vibrant professional network whose members are making a significant impact on the European world of counselling and psychotherapy. Covering a wide range of person-centred issues, the book provides unique and challenging material that will act as a springboard for debate at many levels between experienced practitioners, supervisors, trainers and trainees.
Intersubjectivity: The Fabric of Social Becoming (Philosophy and Social Criticism series)
by Nick CrossleyThis clearly written and broad-ranging text introduces and explains the notion of intersubjectivity as a central concern of philosophy, sociology, psychology and politics. The main purpose of the book is to provide a coherent framework for this important concept against which the various and contrasting debates can be more clearly understood. Beyond this, Nick Crossley provides a critical discussion of intersubjectivity as an interdisciplinary concept to shed light on our understanding of selfhood, communication, citizenship, power and community. The author traces the contributions of many key thinkers engaged within the intersubjectivist tradition, including Husserl, Buber, Koj[gr]eve, Merleau-Ponty, Mead, Wittgenstein, Schutz and Habermas. Intersubjectivity is an important and accessible volume which promotes cooperation between various disciplines addressing shared concerns.
Supporting Children′s Learning: A Guide for Teaching Assistants
by Lyn OverallAre you looking for a book that explains all the key ideas on how children learn, and how to best support children in that learning? Covering all the major themes, this book offers: o An introduction to the main theories of learning and development, from birth to primary; o A chapter on brain development; o An introduction to what motivates learners to learn, and how much learners understand about how learning takes place; o A glossary of key terms; o Case studies, research summaries, tasks for reflection, chapter summaries and advice on further reading. This book will be essential reading for Teaching Assistants studying for Foundation Degrees, or for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification. Students on any course looking at how children learn (such as Early Childhood and teacher training courses) will likewise find this book covers all the key themes. Lyn Overall is Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Introducing Anova and Ancova: A GLM Approach (Introducing Statistical Methods series)
by Andrew RutherfordTraditional approaches to ANOVA and ANCOVA are now being replaced by a General Linear Modeling (GLM) approach. This book begins with a brief history of the separate development of ANOVA and regression analyses and demonstrates how both analysis forms are subsumed by the General Linear Model. A simple single independent factor ANOVA is analysed first in conventional terms and then again in GLM terms to illustrate the two approaches. The text then goes on to cover the main designs, both independent and related ANOVA and ANCOVA, single and multi-factor designs. The conventional statistical assumptions underlying ANOVA and ANCOVA are detailed and given expression in GLM terms. Alternatives to traditional ANCOVA are also presented when circumstances in which certain assumptions have not been met. The book also covers other important issues in the use of these approaches such as power analysis, optimal experimental designs, normality violations and robust methods, error rate and multiple comparison procedures and the role of omnibus F-tests.
The Multivariate Social Scientist: Introductory Statistics Using Generalized Linear Models
by Graeme D Hutcheson Nick SofroniouStarting from simple hypothesis testing and then moving towards model-building, this valuable book takes readers through the basics of multivariate analysis including: which tests to use on which data; how to run analyses in SPSS for Windows and GLIM4; how to interpret results; and how to report and present the reports appropriately. Using a unified conceptual framework (based around the Generalized Linear Model) the authors explain the commonalities and relationships between methods that include both the analysis of categorical and continuous data.
The Management of Tourism
by Lesley Pender Richard SharpleyThe Management of Tourism considers and applies management concepts, philosophies and practices to the business of tourism. The book goes beyond a conceptual discussion of tourism, to cover management perspectives both in operational and strategic terms. It has been written to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental business management aspects of tourism, together with the specific techniques required for successful management of the variety of tourism businesses. The text places the management of tourism in a structured framework, ordered around four principal themes: - Managing the Tourism System - Managing Tourism Businesses - Managing Tourism in its Environment - Contemporary Issues in Tourism Management Each chapter is written by an acknowledged subject specialist, and highlights current challenges and appropriate management responses to its particular arena. At the same time, each chapter also includes an illustrative case study, and provides suggestions for further reading that offers a more general perspective.
Power in Contemporary Politics: Theories, Practices, Globalizations
by Henri Goverde Philip G. Cerny Mark Haugaard Howard H. LentnerThis major book provides an up-to-date and state-of-the-art overview of the contemporary theory and practice of the most central concept in political science: power. The concept of political power is introduced within a three-part framework: contemporary theories of power; applications of power processes and practices; and the implications of modern power flows across the globe today. The book explores the many structures of power in the contemporary world from theories of its construction and use, to its operation in policy networks, and its wider exercise at different levels in the political process, from the local to the global. Amongst the many themes explored are the reproduction and the legitimization of power, the dynamics of resistance and coercion, the concepts of private and public power, and the impact of globalization processes and subsequent shifting power arrangements. Combining diverse perspectives and different tools of analysis, this book represents the most comprehensive treatment of political power published in the last fifteen years. It will be essential reading for academics and students alike across political science, international studies and political sociology.
Supervising Counsellors: Issues of Responsibility
by Sue Wheeler David KingSupervising Counsellors is a practical and insightful guide to the responsibilities facing all those involved in supervising practitioners and trainees. Drawing together contributions and new research from those at the forefront of supervisory practice, this book makes essential reading for both qualified and trainee supervisors. Part One defines the supervisor′s clinical, legal and ethical responsibilities, and clearly sets out the law and professional codes relating to supervision. Part Two examines issues that arise for supervisors working in different contexts: organizations; training; primary care; and some of the wider issues concerning supervision, and highlights in particular the expectations of supervisees and the role of supervisors in ensuring that clients are not discriminated against.
Social Work: A Companion to Learning
by Mark Lymbery Karen Postle′This engaging and stimulating book is well placed to become a key text in many student social workers′ redaing lists′ - Journal of Interprofessional Care `[An] excellent book, abounding with conceptual insights, bursting with research and evidence-based reasoning, and pretty comprehensive in the spread of topics. [It] contains plenty of though-provoking material in nice sized chunks that challenged me to think about my practice in different ways and also made me want to find out more. The range of contributors is impressive and students could do a lot worse than digest and reference their work in assignments′ - Professional Social Work `a comprehensive account of the issues related to social workers′ personal development and latest developments in social work practice. I have no doubt that this book will provide an invaluable reference guide for social workers who are interested in the development of the profession′ - Social Policy and Social Work (SWAP) `[This] book is put together in an accessible and engaging way, which serves to stimulate the reader by posing questions, and creating opportunities for reflecting on the key learning points of each chapter. [It] should be an essential reading item on the book list of every social work student and act as a training resource to those training future social workers, and those already established within the profession′ - Health & Social Care in the Community `In recent years, social work has been devalued by politicians and the media. However it requires practitioners equipped with key skills to empower individuals and communities and rooted in values which stimulate them to promote social justice. It is heartening that social work educators are at the forefront of equipping social workers with the skills and values to promote a better society. This book will open hearts and minds to achieve these ends′ - Bob Holman, former Community Worker and Professor of Social Policy Social Work: A Companion to Learning is an exciting and definitive new book that will equip readers with the core knowledge and skills they need to successfully complete their social work training, and go on to be an effective practitioner. The text takes a holistic and critical approach, not only enabling students and practitioners to understand how to practise social work effectively, but also how to locate this practice within its societal context. Written and edited by leading experts in the field, each chapter skilfully explores key themes, issues, and concepts underpinning social work theory and practice in an engaging, authoritative and accessible way. The selection of topics serves to establish: - the contexts through which social work education can best be understood - the core requirements and processes that characterise social work courses - the issues involved in continuing professional development. The chapters comprise a wide range of key issues, such as communication skills, partnership working, the values of social work, supervision, management, law, and research mindedness, as well as two unique chapters written exclusively from service users′ perspectives. Case studies, interactive questions, key points and further reading sections are used throughout the book to bring the material to life and aid readers′ understanding. Social Work: A Companion to Learning will be a core text for students and practitioners at all levels, providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive companion they will need to help them progress in their careers. Mark Lymbery has taught social work at the University of Nottingham since 1995. He is the author of Social Work with Older People (2005), also published by SAGE. Karen Postle is a lecturer in social work at the University of East Anglia. Both authors have a background as social work prac
Brief Gestalt Therapy (Brief Therapies series)
by Gaie Houston`Anybody with the slightest interest in brief therapy should read this book. Now that the initial controversy over brief therapy has begun to subside it is great to see how brief therapy works in practice. Gaie Houston′s book is part of a series published by SAGE which sets out to do this - and hers is particularly illuminating and accessible. As she points out Gestalt is better equipped than many mainstream therapies to be applied to situations with extreme time constraints because it is both flexible and it acknowledges the part that can be played by other therapies. But what propels Houston′s book out of the hum drum - or indeed the defensive (or offensive) diatribes about short therapy which have appeared over the past few years - is her vivid accounts of real-life sessions, both one to one and group, which punctuate the text′ - Amazon Review Brief Gestalt Therapy demonstrates how the Gestalt approach can be used effectively in brief interventions with clients. Gestalt′s distinctively integrative nature and emphasis on a highly co-operative working alliance, make it particularly suited to brief work. The book sets out the basic theory and principles of Gestalt and looks at each phase of the therapeutic process from initial assessment through the beginning and middle stages to the ending of the work. It presents clear, practical strategies for therapists to follow and in particular examines: } aspects of Gestalt which are especially relevant to brief work -} the elements of successful therapy -} ways of improving skills. Brief Gestalt Therapy includes vignettes and detailed case studies which bring the theory alive. It will contribute much to both existing literature on Gestalt therapy and also brief therapy, and will be invaluable to trainee and practising Gestalt therapists.
Survey Research
by Roger SapsfordThis much-anticipated Second Edition presents an informative and accessible account of survey research. It guides the reader through the main theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and illustrates the application of survey methods through examples. Thoroughly revised and updated, it presents: Concise and analytic coverage of multivariate analysis techniques A new chapter giving theoretical and practical advice on the stages involved in constructing scales to measure attitude or personality An account of using materials on the internet Concise introductions and summaries to all chapters This book will prove to be equally useful for students conducting small research projects in the social sciences or related professional/applied areas, researchers planning systematic data collection for applied purposes and policy makers who want to understand and analyse the research with whose conclusions they are presented.
How to Teach Thinking and Learning Skills: A Practical Programme for the Whole School
by C J SimisterIncludes Online Resources ′The author puts into perspective the importance of teaching thinking and learning skills providing clear explanations and easy to follow activities that can be used as a series of lessons, or simply as a one off. As a resource for the primary practitioner it is both practical and informative′ - ESCalate ′A treasure-trove of practical resources to stretch young people′s thinking muscles!′ - Professor Guy Claxton, University of Bristol ′It is full of useful ideas for busy teachers and helpful in getting the children rather than the teachers to do the thinking in the classroom′ - Professor Robert Fisher, Brunel University By helping children to form positive thinking and learning habits, and to develop a range of transferable skills, we give them the tools they need to become successful learners. This book is grounded in the best of current practice and theories surrounding thinking and learning skills. It provides a highly effective method for introducing a comprehensive set of thinking and learning skills to children aged 5 to 11, as well as for integrating these skills through the curriculum. By means of carefully developed games, activities and group tasks, these ready-to-use lessons will appeal to a wide range of learners and abilities. Features of the book include: - a clear explanation of what thinking and learning skills are; - lots of photocopiable activities, for use by individual teachers and in INSET; - a plan for introducing thinking and learning skills in your school; - suggestions for further reading and development of the programme. Headteachers, Curriculum Co-ordinators and classroom practitioners wishing to introduce and develop thinking and learning skills in their school can either follow this programme in its entirety, or dip into it when appropriate for specific activities.
Researching Leisure, Sport and Tourism: The Essential Guide
by Jonathan A LongGood entry level text that new students will really appreciate. Clearly written in a style that aids understanding and will develop their knowledge and ability to apply research techniques. - Shane Thurlow, Bishop Burton College "Essential elements associated with research in the fields of leisure, sport and tourism are introduced and explained in a clear manner. This book is informative and easy to read... ideal for those who are not familiar with research in those field." - Miyoung Oh, Sheffield Hallam University "This book would be useful for any leisure, sport, or tourism student who has no previous knowledge of research methods. Its style and language make it particularly useful for first year students in degree or diploma programs." - Annals of Tourism Research "The style of writing is wonderfully clear and the author explains areas such as sampling and significance in a much better way than many very well known texts. It will be an incredibly useful book for students." - Malcolm Williams, University of Plymouth What are the essential research methods for students studying leisure, sport and tourism? What are the main benefits in competing research methods, and how can you avoid gremlins in the research process? This is a comprehensive and informative book written especially for new and inexperienced researchers in the fields of leisure, sport and tourism. Unlike generic research texts that do not ′speak′ to people in this field, this book uses subject-specific examples and explains the central methodological issues in straightforward terms. By showing students what they can do to assess, manage and reduce the time they spend on research Researching in Leisure, Sport and Tourism: The Essential Guide will help them achieve a better balance in their course work.
Policing (SAGE Course Companions series)
by John Grieve Clive Harfield Allyson MacVeanThis is the first course guide that has been developed for students of policing. It identifies the core themes and additional source material, providing an essential overview for students and a reference point for use throughout their studies. The Policing Course Companion is designed to complement and work alongside existing literature. It provides: " Easy access to the key themes in policing " Helpful summaries of the approach taken by the main course textbooks " Guidance on the essential study skills required to pass the course " Help with developing critical thinking " Taking it Further sections that suggest how readers can extent their thinking beyond the "received wisdom" " Pointers to success in course exams and written assessment exercises The SAGE Course Companion in Policing is much more than a revision guide for undergraduates; it is an essential tool that will help readers take their course understanding to new levels and help them achieve success in their undergraduate course. John Grieve is a former Director of Intelligence for the Metropolitan Police, where he also held a number of other senior roles. He is now Chair of the John Grieve Centre for Policing and Community Safety and Emeritus Professor at London Metropolitan University. Clive Harfield is a former police Inspector and is now the Deputy Director of the John Grieve Centre for Policing and Community Safety, London Metropolitan University. Allyson MacVean is Founder and Director of the John Grieve Centre for Policing and Community Safety, London Metropolitan University.
Œuvres complètes de Voltaire: Histoire de Charles XII (Œuvres complètes de Voltaire (Complete Works of Voltaire) #4)
by G.V. VoltairePart of the complete works of the French philosopher, historian and social reformer, Voltaire. His first major history, which was influential throughout the eighteenth century. For students and scholars of the 18th-century Enlightenment.
Subverting Sex, Gender, and Genre in Cuban and Mexican Detective Fiction (Contemporary Hispanic and Lusophone Cultures #31)
by Ailsa PeateThe presence of bodies and sex in detective fiction has been a long-term feature of this internationally popular genre. Titillation is at the centre of narratives reliant upon discovery and revelation: motives and criminals are slowly revealed, along with sexualized and violated bodies – from femmes fatales to the corpses of victims. A satisfying, gratifying genre for its readership, the detective novel promises the disruption and subsequent restoration of order in societies tarnished by disillusionment which hope for a better future. This book takes as its focus examples of detective fiction from Cuba and Mexico during or in the aftermath of huge social upheaval (the Special Period and the War on Drugs), analyzing representations of sexualities, bodies, and the genre itself. Through an investigation of novels by Leonardo Padura and Amir Valle of Cuba, and Bef and Rogelio Guedea of Mexico, this work investigates increasingly fluid sexualities and bodies in challenging examples of metaphysical detective fiction, a particularly anxious subgenre which challenges both the structures and limits of the detective novel and the reader’s understanding of true and false and right and wrong, representative of troubling periods of severe social disruption for Cuba and Mexico.