04 April 2020
Publications 2010 - 2019
Publications from your fellow alumni. Published by alumni who graduated 2010 - 2019.
From novels and poetry collections to works of non-fiction, our community of alumni and staff have published a variety of books over the years. We share a selection of these with you here.
If you would like to put forward a work for inclusion, please email the alumni office.
The Road to the Sea by Ciara Hegarty
It is the late 1940s in rural Ireland, and Kathleen Steele has been prematurely thrust into adulthood by the death of her twin sister, Nuala. Debilitated by grief, their mother has descended into a state of near-catatonia, and it is left to Kathleen to care for her younger siblings, and her taciturn father.
When a traumatised young man, Joseph Foley, mysteriously appears in the small farming community, a tentative love affair develops. But as Mrs Steele’s illness deepens, Kathleen’s relationship with her father grows ever more disturbing. When Kathleen agrees to marry Joseph, her mother begins to regain her health. But by then it has become clear that the events of the intervening years will cast a dark shadow over the new generation.
Buy it here.
Kaleidoscope by Greta Bellamacina
Kaleidoscope aims to provide an invaluable encounter with words for thought. Poetically, philosophically and elegantly touching upon the basic human emotions, through a journey of multiple reflections. Drawing on the infinite patterns of colour formed unconsciously in life through a kaleidoscopic prism. Rotating and recurring. Forming inwards, unexpectedly and vibrantly for all to inspire.
Diplomas and Diplomacy: The History of Marshall Scholarship by Aroop Mukharji (International Peace and Security, 2012)
The first published work to chart the history of the Marshall Scholarship, this book details the origins of the Scholarship in the British Foreign Office and subsequently traces the award's evolution through the careers and narratives of a range of Scholars. It further explores the complex and dynamic interaction between education and diplomacy through the broader lens of Anglo-American relations by way of extensive primary-source document research, interviews, and statistical analysis.
Nasser's Peace: Egypt’s Response to the 1967 War with Israel by Michael Sharnoff (Mediterranean Studies Research, 2012)
Gamal Abdel Nasser was arguably one of the most influential Arab leaders in history. As President of Egypt from 1956 to 1970, he could have achieved a peace agreement with Israel, yet he preferred to maintain his unique leadership role by affirming pan-Arab nationalism and championing the liberation of Palestine, a common euphemism for the destruction of Israel.
In that era of Cold War politics, Nasser brilliantly played Moscow, Washington, and the United Nations to maximize his bargaining position and sustain his rule without compromising his core beliefs of Arab unity and solidarity. Surprisingly, little analysis is found regarding Nasser’s public and private perspectives on peace in the weeks and months immediately after the 1967 War. Nasser’s Peace is a close examination of how a developing country can rival world powers and how fluid the definition of “peace” can be.
Drawing on recently declassified primary sources, Michael Sharnoff thoroughly inspects Nasser’s post-war strategy, which he claims was a four-tiered diplomatic and media effort consisting of his public declarations, his private diplomatic consultations, the Egyptian media’s propaganda machine, and Egyptian diplomatic efforts. Sharnoff reveals that Nasser manipulated each tier masterfully, providing the answers they desired to hear, rather than stating the truth: that he wished to maintain control of his dictatorship and of his foothold in the Arab world.
The Magic of Monday by Obi Abuchi
The Magic of Monday by Obi Abuchi explores how having a winning attitude and focus can improve performance, results and achievements in life, regardless of circumstance. The story follows Josh, a young professional.
Stay Calm and Content by Cat Williams
Life brings daily challenges, both large and small, for us all.
Are you sometimes stressed, anxious, or emotional?
Do you ever feel something is missing, even when you think you should be happy?
Are there people with whom you don’t get on well, but wish you did?
Have you ever wondered why you behave a certain way, do or don’t do certain things, or have done something you now regret?
The author’s clients suggested this book be written so that anyone could find encouragement and new ideas within its pages. It is not a typical self-help book, you don’t need to have a ‘problem to solve’, this book is for everyone.
Buy the book here.
Live another 4006 days and improve your health with dental medicine by Dr Richard Guyver
This useful manual helps readers understand how mouth and body interact with one another, what can be done to save money on dental care, how to achieve a healthier mouth and at the same time, reduce the risk of developing a number of medical conditions.
Don Quixote's Disciples: philosophy, fantasy and fascism where science and religion meet by Dr Mark Smith (Physics with Astrophysics, 1989)
This book brings much needed perspective to the debate over the compatibility or otherwise of science and religion. The subject matter ranges across religions, science, philosophy and psychology, to show that both science and religion ultimately rest on similar bases. The conclusion is that there is no need to consider them mutually exclusive.
The book is currently available in paperback and kindle online at Amazon. It can also be ordered in bookshops or requested in libraries.
Ferguson's Gang: the maidens behind the masks by Anna Hutton-North
Ferguson’s Gang: The Maidens behind the Masks is now available, telling the startling history of the women who hit the headlines in the 1930s when they began anonymously arriving at National Trust offices, dressed in masks and cloaks with sacks full of money to save historic properties.
From Bench to Bedside, to Track & Field: the Context of Enhancement and its Ethical Relevance by Dr Silvia Camporesi (Philosophy, 2013)
This book represents a unique contribution to the debate on enhancement technologies as it spans from the bench of molecular biology where the technologies are being developed, to the bedside of a clinical trial where they are used for selective reproduction or for first-in-human gene therapy studies, to the track & field where they are being applied to enhance human athletic performance.
New Stars for Old: Stories from the history of astronomy by Marc Read (PhD Philosophy)
New Stars for Old is a collection of twenty short stories, each dealing with a specific character or episode from the history of astronomy. Accompanied by historical notes, the book covers the changing relationships between science, astrology, religion and general intellectual culture from Aristotle to Newton through the eyes of central and peripheral figures. It’s based on research Marc undertook for his Ph.D. from the Philosophy department at King’s.
'Delightful and erudite ... fascinating' (Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist)
'Fresh and imaginative' (Ursula Coope, Professor of Ancient Philosophy, Oxford)
Find out more about the book.
Tales From The Courtroom by Brian Harris (Internal Evening Student)
The somewhat prosaic title of the book belies a varied and fascinating exploration of the follies and idiosyncrasies of the legal world and those who have crossed its path. Brian Harris reveals a breadth of learning and the rare skill of imparting thorough well researched examples some of the hard lessons that history has to offer, all too often overlooked or misunderstood by contemporary lawyers and laymen alike.
Tales of witches, corrupt chief justices, slavery, subway vigilantes, 'Old Sparky' and the real Reginald Perrin vie with Thomas Jefferson and the account of the jurymen and the Ouija Board, anarchists and seducers through well defined themes. Harris' valedictory chapter leaves the reader in no doubt as to the author's moral and legal compass. He examines the address given by Billings Learned Hand, Chief Judge of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to 150,000 newly naturalised citizens assembled in Central Park to swear the oath of allegiance to their newly adopted country 2 weeks before the Normandy landings and the sacrifice made by North Americans to save Europe from the tyranny of dictatorship. Erudition and humour lie side by side. Its engaging style make this book a must for those who wish to be entertained as well as informed.
Find out how to purchase the book here.
The Lion of Umuna and the Legacy of the Nomads by Henry Chuks (BSc Pharmacology)
The book, The Lion of Umuna and the Legacy of the Nomads, introduces Ariel Rock-Igwe, son of the Chief of Umuzah, and bestowed with magical super powers, a legacy of Hebrew nomads who encountered Ariel's forefathers generations ago. Set in the early twentieth century, The Lion of Umuna smacks of Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' with a superhero-quest twist capitalising on Hebrew mythology. The book has quickly raced into the 'Top 100 in the Fantasy > Historical genre' in the Amazon Kindle store, and Spotlight Literary Publishing are taking the book to paperback this summer.
Buy the book.
The Pretty Gentleman by Max Fincher, PhD English
Erotic sketches, a blackmail letter, a closeted aristocrat, his ambitious lover, and a sacrificial murder. Love, betrayal, deception and vengeance in Regency London. George Rowlands, an aspiring young painter meets the charismatic Sir Henry Wallace who invites him to draw his sculpture collection and his handsome valet Gregorio Franchese. Patronised by Wallace to study at the Royal Academy, George is befriended by the aloof John McCarther, assistant to the eccentric Gothic painter, Henry Fuseli. Meanwhile, Lady Arabella Wallace becomes increasingly suspicious of her husband’s enthusiasm for his new protégé. When a male brothel, the White Swan, is exposed, Henry Wallace receives a letter of extortion in George’s handwriting. After Gregorio Franchese is found murdered, George is suspected when erotic drawings of Gregorio are discovered in his possession. Will he face the gallows? Or will self-sacrifice and truth save his fate?
Find out more and purchase the book here.
De-constructing Dahl by Dr Laura Viñas Valle (Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, 2014)
This is the first single-authored monograph on Roald Dahl since 1994. Remarkably, in spite of Dahl’s commercial success, and the divided opinions he generates, very little scholarly work on the author has been produced.
Find out more here.
The Making of a Salafi Muslim Woman: Paths to Conversion by Anabel Inge (Anthropology of Islam, 2014)
The spread of Salafism―often referred to as Wahhabism―in the West has intrigued and alarmed observers since the attacks of 9/11. Many see it as a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam that condones the subjugation of women and fuels Jihadist extremism. This view depicts Salafi women as the hapless victims of a fanatical version of Islam. Yet in Britain, growing numbers of educated women―often converts or from less conservative Muslim backgrounds―are actively choosing to embrace Salafism's literalist beliefs and strict regulations, including heavy veiling, wifely obedience, and seclusion from non-related men. How do these young women reconcile such difficult demands with their desire for university education, fulfilling careers, and suitable husbands? How do their beliefs affect their love lives and other relationships? And why do they become Salafi in the first place?
Anabel Inge has gained unprecedented access to Salafi womens groups in the United Kingdom to provide the first in-depth account of their lives. Drawing on more than two years of ethnographic fieldwork in London, she examines why Salafism is attracting so many young Somalis, Afro-Caribbean converts, and others. But she also reveals the personal dilemmas they confront. This ground-breaking, lucid, and richly detailed book will be of vital interest to scholars, policy-makers, journalists, and general readers.
Memoirs of a 'Lazy Korfa' by Dr Tunmise Usikalu (Dental Public Health, 2014)
Based on a daily journal kept by the author during three weeks of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in Nigeria, Memoirs of a 'Lazy Korfa' provides a very honest, detailed and eye-opening account of NYSC life.
You can find excerpts and more details about the book here: www.lazykorfa.com
Purchase the book via Amazon here.
The Kicking Tree by Rev. Trevor Stubbs
The Kicking Tree tells the story of two young people in their late teens, living in different parts of the universe, who meet each other through mysterious white gates that connect their different worlds.
The Wagner Experience by Paul Dawson-Bowling
In this bicentenary celebration of Wagner and his music, Paul Dawson-Bowling introduces, deepens and enriches the Wagner Experience for the newcomer and the seasoned Wagnerian alike. Expounding in colourful style the stories, the sources and the lessons of Wagner’s great dramas, he offers unusual insights into the man, his works and their meaning, while grappling with the music’s almost occult power.
Find out more and purchase the book here.
Religious Identity and Cultural Negotiation: Toward a Theology of Christian Identity in Migration by Jenny McGill (Theology and Religious Studies, 2015)
Given increasing global migration and the importance of positive cross-cultural relations across national borders, this book offers an interdisciplinary and intercultural exploration of identity formation. It uniquely draws from theology, psychology, and sociology--engaging narrative and identity theories, migration and identity studies, and the theologies of identity and migration--and builds on them in an unprecedented study of international migrants to construct an initial theology of Christian identity in migration.
New sociological research describes the social construction of religious, ethnic, and national identities among non-North American evangelical graduates who entered the United States to pursue advanced academic studies from 1983 to 2013. It provides an intercultural account of Christian identity formation in the context of migration, transnationalism, and globalization. It ultimately argues that an integral component of Christian identity-making involves the concept of migration, of movement, toward a transformation.
This Happy by Niamh Campbell (English Research, 2015)
This Happy is about Alannah, who at 23, meets an older man - a married man - and falls in love. Things happened suddenly. They met in April, in the first bit of mild weather; and in August, they went to stay in rural Ireland, overseen by the cottage's landlady.
Six years later, when Alannah is newly married to another man, she sees the landlady from afar. Memories of those days spent in bliss, then torture, return to her. And the realisation that she has been waiting - all this time - to be rediscovered.
The novel has been described as 'an exhilarating coming-of-age story for fans of Sally Rooney' by the Sunday Times and an 'engrossing, heady debut' by the Independent.
This Happy is published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson and can be ordered here.
The Metropolis of Glass by Chloe Lee (English, 2016)
The Metropolis of Glass is a poetry collection penned over four years by alumna Chloe Lee (English Literature and Language, 2016). It ranges across diverse topics, from divorce and infidelity to our rising use of social media in the digital age. The collection of poetry offers an insight into the negative impacts of digitalisation on society, and particularly on the younger generation. Inspired by John Ruskin’s The Stones of Venice, Chloe Lee’s Metropolis of Glass has been described as a ‘poignant and relevant read.’
Reflections on the Challenges of Psychiatry in the UK and Beyond by Nick Bouras
This book is a historical chronicle of developments and changes of UK psychiatry over the last 40 years, all told from the perspective of a man influential and prominent in much of the process. Professor Bouras witnessed the challenges in psychiatry as a postgraduate student, practicing clinician, teacher, trainer, researcher and health service manager, allowing him to provide a personal panoramic view of some of the most significant milestones of modern psychiatry.
Professor Edgar Jones, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London has said that ‘this exploration of the psychiatry of intellectual disabilities is revealing not only as a personal history but also as an analysis of its clinical development, research challenges and its place in the politics of health. Professor Nick Bouras is particularly well qualified to provide this insightful and evocative account.’
Find out more here.
The Philosopher Queens by Rebecca Buxton (Philosophy, 2013) and Lisa Whiting
The history of philosophy has not done women justice: you've probably heard the names Plato, Kant, Nietzsche and Locke - but what about Hypatia, Arendt, Oluwole and Young?
The Philosopher Queens is a long-awaited book about the lives and works of women in philosophy by women in philosophy. This collection brings to centre stage twenty prominent women whose ideas have had a profound - but for the most part uncredited - impact on the world.