Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN MARCH 2026 🗓️

New Edition

'Delightful.' — @publisherswkly.bsky.social

'The Portuguese' by Barry Hatton is an intimate portrait of a fascinating country, capturing its contradictions and charms.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/3h9mp2af

An author photo of Barry Hatton looking off to one side alongside a mock-up of his book ‘The Portuguese’. This is a very colourful book cover which depicts a Portuguese guitar, port wine and olives, all featured on a tin of fish (in the colours of the Portuguese flag (red, green and yellow) with red and yellow lettering visible. Behind the tin of fish is a blue mosaic patterned background. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN MARCH 2026 AS A REISSUE 🗓

‘Delightful … written with humour and beguiling gusto.’ —
@thetls.bsky.social

With a foreword by Sir David Attenborough, 'First Overland' by Tim Slessor recounts an epic journey from London to Singapore and back via Land Rover.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/44yk7s8s

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN MARCH 2026 🗓️

From sculptors to worshippers, patrons to vandals, 'Voices in Stone' by Paul Brummell is an era-spanning, globe-trotting exploration of our complex relationship with statues.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/5b2bfzm9

An author photo of Paul Brummell alongside a mock-up of his book ‘Voices in Stone: The Lives of Public Statues’. The book cover is black and features a broken orange statue and white lettering. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN FEBRUARY 2026 🗓️

'The Cancelled Prime Minister' by @walterreid.bsky.social offers a fresh look at the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, who rose from poverty to Britain's highest office.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/3an3p95u

An author photo of Walter Reid alongside a mock up of his book ‘The Cancelled Prime Minister: The Extraordinary Rise and Tragic Fall of Ramsay MacDonald’. The book cover features a black and white image of Ramsay MacDonald with the title in white over his face.The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN JUNE 2026 🗓️

‘Uneasy Streets: How Chinese Money Is Remaking Urban Britain’ by @urbanmorph.bsky.social is a bottom-up look at China’s erratic economic and social footprint in British cities.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/44k85vj4

An author photo of Caroline Knowles alongside a mock-up of her book ‘Uneasy Streets: How Chinese Money Is Remaking Urban Britain’. The book cover is black with red and white lettering. The title words are written sideways and the three letter ‘e’s are designed to resemble buildings and there are two yellow stars are visible around the subtitle and author name. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN MAY 2026 🗓️

'Demagogues and Despots' by leading political thinker @professorjkeane.bsky.social explores how democracy and despotism live closer together than you’d expect—and why that should alarm us all.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/8cm7fdyh

An author photo of John Keane sitting down with a beach visible behind him alongside a mock-up of his book ‘Demagogues and Despots: Democracies on the Brink’. The book cover features an upside down photo of a protest or political gathering with US flags and signs being waved. The lettering is in blue and red. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN APRIL 2026 🗓️

‘The Future: A User’s Guide’ by @florencegaub.bsky.social is a guide for both everyday readers and policymakers on using creativity and knowledge to imagine the best, prepare for the worst and live with surprise.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/3mzf6s5f

An author photo of Florence Gaub alongside a mock-up of her book ‘The Future: A User’s Guide’ The book cover is a mix of black and gold in colour with gold, white and black lettering. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 1h

OUT IN FEBRUARY 2026 🗓️

'The Doom Loop' by Eswar S. Prasad examines how globalisation and its institutions have failed to adapt to today’s political economic realities. What went wrong, and how can we reverse our descent into chaos?

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/4at5sc7y

An author photo of Eswar S. Prasad alongside a mock-up of his book ‘The Doom Loop: Why the World Economic Order Is Spirallng into Disorder’. The book cover is dark blue with a cut up image of the world globe in the middle. The title, subtitle and author name are in white lettering. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 2h

OUT IN DECEMBER 🗓️

‘Brisk, engaging.’ — Kirkus Reviews (starred)

From British country homes to republican Spain and civil rights America, 'Troublemaker' by Carla Kaplan is the inspiring, wildly entertaining story of Jessica Mitford.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/4p8ez54f

An author photo of Carla Kaplan alongside a mock-up of her book ‘Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford’. The book cover is a turquoise colour with a full length mugshot of Jessica Mitford in the middle. There is a plaque around her neck with some illegible text and some lines showing different height measurements runs behind the image of her. The title, subtitle and author name are visible on the cover and are in both black and white. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 2h

OUT IN JUNE 2026 🗓️

‘Healthy Scepticism’ by @caitjan.bsky.social is the entertaining, enlightening and occasionally enraging account of controversy, complexity and conspiracy in the medical world, diagnosing both healthy and unhealthy doubt.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/4z2zmm9f

An author photo of Caitjan Gainty alongside a mock-up of her book ‘Healthy Scepticism: Tales of Doubt, Dissent and Distrust in Medicine’ The book cover is a turquoise colour with a red stethoscope in the middle. The title and subtitle are in white letters and the author’s name is in black letters. The background behind the book image is a burnt orange colour.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 2h

OUT IN NOVEMBER 🗓️

‘A searing new eyewitness account [and] a much needed history lesson.’ — @jacobinmag.bsky.social

As the reckoning of Israel's destruction of Gaza begins, 'A Historian in Gaza' by Jean-Pierre Filiu offers a unique and vivid firsthand account.

Pre-order ➡️ tinyurl.com/3sd8b5dj

An author photo of Jean-Pierre Filiu alongside a mock up of his book ‘A Historian in Gaza’. The book cover is white and shows the Gaza flag in the middle and a pattern resembling barbed wire at the top and bottom of the book. The title and author name are visible on the cover and the words ‘Author of Gaza:A History’ are also visible at the top of the book. The background colour behind the book image is burnt orange.

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 2h

Our Spring/Summer 2026 catalogue is here! 🎉

➡️ tinyurl.com/bdf7e6km

Read the on-the-ground reportage from the pre-eminent historian of Gaza; the unlikely story of Decca Mitford, a British aristocrat-turned-American Communist; and much more.

See the thread below for some highlights ⬇️

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 3h

🗣️ @rachelcdailey.bsky.social will be speaking about her new book, Ramping Up Rights: An Unfinished History of British Disability Activism, with Steve Unwin at @conwayhall.bsky.social!

Don’t forget to book your tickets!
⏰ 6.30 - 8.30 pm BST
🎟️ tinyurl.com/52x4kmp2

Disability Rights and Dignities - Conway Hall

For much of history, people with learning disabilities have been regarded as unworthy of interest - often seen as a threat to the social order and sometimes dismissed as barely human. While recent yea...

tinyurl.com

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 2d

✍️Two Hurst books reviewed in @financialtimes.com!

Lithuania by Richard Butterwick is ‘fascinating’, while @ljukic.bsky.social’s Central Europe offers a ‘compelling’ polemic.👏👏

‘Both offer insights about the worlds they describe as well as present-day European politics.’
www.ft.com/content/6b1c...

Mapping the shifting mental boundaries of Europe

Two books look at how so much central and eastern Europe identity has long been defined by an animosity to Moscow

www.ft.com

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 3d

What does caste teach us —not just about India, but about the global architecture of oppression?

Join @surajyengde.bsky.social in conversation with Miriam Fauzia about his new book, Caste: A Global Story, at @hayfestival.bsky.social in Dallas!

⏰ 2 pm CDT
🎟️ tinyurl.com/yw2b3x7w

Suraj Yengde in conversation with Miriam Fauzia - Hay Festival

Suraj Yengde in conversation with Miriam Fauzia

tinyurl.com

Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 3d

The launch of Rigby’s Encyclopaedia of the Herring at @litandphil.bsky.social this evening is sold out! 👏

Looking forward to seeing you all later to celebrate with some delicious treats made by @rigbysherrings.bsky.social 🎣

The cover of Rigby's Encyclopaedia of the Herring against a pale blue background. The cover is black with pale blue writing that reads 'Rigby's Encyclopaedia of the Herring: Adventures with the King of Fishes. Graeme Rigby.' There is a picture of a herring in the middle of the cover.

The inside of the Lit and Phil bookshop, filled with packed bookshelves. There is a black banner across the image with white writing that explains the history of the bookshop. This information is available on their website: https://www.litandphil.org.uk

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 3d

'[Lynch] is a fierce and compelling voice … unsparing in his critique.'

Read the review of @abuaardvark.bsky.social’s America's Middle East: The Ruination of a Region in @thespectator1828.bsky.social👇
www.spectator.co.uk/article/will...

Will Israel always have America’s backing?

Marc Lynch is angry. The word ‘rage’ appears six times on the first page, and comes in response to Israel’s war in Gaza. This should be sufficient warning to anyone expecting a cool, calm, dispassiona...

www.spectator.co.uk

Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 3d

Olivier Roy’s The Crisis of Culture is out now in paperback! 📚

‘Roy has achieved something remarkable. [An] illuminating and highly original interpretation of today’s world.’ — @financialtimes.com

Get 25% off w/code ROY25 ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdhnapnw

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Reposted by Hurst Publishers

Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 4d

“Marc Lynch is angry. The word ‘rage’ appears six times on the first page. This should be sufficient warning to anyone expecting a cool, calm, dispassionate analysis of the Middle East….he is a fierce and compelling voice.” @hurstpublishers.bsky.social

www.spectator.com.au/2025/10/will...

Will Israel always have America’s backing?

Marc Lynch is angry. The word ‘rage’ appears six times on the first page, and comes in response to Israel’s…

www.spectator.com.au

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Reposted by Hurst Publishers

Steve Saidemonster @smsaideman.bsky.social · 4d

Congrats, @abuaardvark.bsky.social I am sure this is a must-read for not must Mideast specialists but for all of us.

Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 4d

Publication day: @abuaardvark.bsky.social's timely and incisive America's Middle East: The Ruination of a Region is out now.

‘No one is better equipped than Lynch to tell this tragic story ... essential reading.’ — David D. Kirkpatrick

25% off w/code LYNCH25➡️ tinyurl.com/yvxua6u8

A copy of America's Middle East held up in the stairwell of Somerset House. The cover of the book has a photo of an orange, fiery sunset with a helicopter silhouetted in front of the moon. There is white, orange and red writing that reads 'America's Middle East: The Ruination of a Region. Marc Lynch.'

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 4d

Publication day: @abuaardvark.bsky.social's timely and incisive America's Middle East: The Ruination of a Region is out now.

‘No one is better equipped than Lynch to tell this tragic story ... essential reading.’ — David D. Kirkpatrick

25% off w/code LYNCH25➡️ tinyurl.com/yvxua6u8

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Reposted by Hurst Publishers

Off the Shelf Festival of Words @otsfestival.bsky.social · 4d

Explore Africa’s long and complex history of slavery with @martinplaut.bsky.social.

In this powerful talk, the former BBC World Service Africa Editor examines the lasting impact of enslavement across the continent.

Book here: offtheshelf.org.uk/events/unbro...

@hurstpublishers.bsky.social

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Reposted by Hurst Publishers

Alasdair Craig @alasdaircraig.bsky.social · 5d

@askwilliamblake.bsky.social's brilliant book on William Blake has just been published by @hurstpublishers.bsky.social – www.hurstpublishers.com/book/awake/

Awake! | Hurst Publishers

A new look at the life, works and enduring relevance of William Blake, a deeply spiritual and politically radical figure.

www.hurstpublishers.com

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Reposted by Hurst Publishers

Michael Dwyer @michaeldwyer.bsky.social · 5d

www.culturednortheast.co.uk/p/tasty-new-... 'Rigby believes our attitude to the fish might be a hangover from the darkest of days when badly processed herring was shipped to the Caribbean as cheap food for slaves on the plantations.' @hurstpublishers.bsky.social

Tasty new book makes case for the 'King of Fishes'

'Herripedia' man Graeme swims into print

www.culturednortheast.co.uk

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Hurst Publishers @hurstpublishers.bsky.social · 5d

Join us tomorrow, 8th October, at @soasuni.bsky.social
@soastaiwanstudies.bsky.social for the launch of Heaven Does Not Block All Roads by Anna Beth Keim!📚🌊

‘Riveting... deftly interweaving vivid details… The result is cinematic.’ — @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social

⏰3-5 pm GMT
🎟️ tinyurl.com/4vrw8sr8

A graphic with a blue wavy background and the cover of Heaven Does Not Block All Roads on it. There is also white and yellow writing that reads 'Book Launch. 3-5pm, in room DLT, 8th October 2025. Heaven Does Not Block All Roads: A History of Taiwan Through the Life of Huang Chin-tao. Featuring the author Anna Beth Keim.'