The Basics
About the Book Series
The Basics is a highly successful series of accessible guidebooks which provide an overview of the fundamental principles of a subject area in a jargon-free and undaunting format.
Intended for students approaching a subject for the first time, the books both introduce the essentials of a subject and provide an ideal springboard for further study. With over 50 titles spanning subjects from Artificial Intelligence to Women’s Studies, The Basics are an ideal starting point for students seeking to understand a subject area.
Each text comes with recommendations for further study and gradually introduces the complexities and nuances within a subject.
Religion: The Basics
3rd Edition
By Malory Nye
January 01, 2027
Now in its third edition, Religion: The Basics remains the best introduction to religion and contemporary culture available. The new edition has been fully revised and updated....
Ecofeminism: The Basics
1st Edition
By Susan Buckingham
December 14, 2026
Ecofeminism: The Basics introduces the ecofeminist approaches to understanding how humans interact with, dominate and are embedded within the natural environment, of which we are a part. Tracing ecofeminism from Françoise d’Eaubonne’s coining of the term in Feminism or Death through to the mid-...
Hasidism: The Basics
1st Edition
By Marcin Wodziński, Wojciech Tworek
December 14, 2026
Hasidism: The Basics offers a clear and accessible introduction to one of the most influential socioreligious movements shaping Jewish religious, social, and cultural life from the eighteenth century to the present. The book outlines Hasidism as a dynamic movement that profoundly transformed ...
Human-Computer Interaction: The Basics
1st Edition
By Alan Dix
December 09, 2026
Digital technology shapes our daily lives, from smartphones to autonomous cars, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) focuses on understanding and enhancing how we interact with these systems. Human-Computer Interaction: The Basics provides a concise and accessible introduction to the foundational ...
Theatre Studies: The Basics
3rd Edition
By Robert Leach, Sophie Stringfellow
December 07, 2026
Theatre Studies: The Basics, now in its 3rd edition provides a comprehensive yet accessible exploration of both practical theatre-making and critical performance theories, now expanded with contemporary digital and sociocultural perspectives. Readers gain an integrated understanding of Western ...
Stammering: The Basics
1st Edition
By Victoria Cummings, Nicola Darby
December 01, 2026
This book provides a clear overview of what stammering is, addressing the observable features, the cognitive and emotional aspects of stammering, as well as the impact that a stammer can have on a person’s life. Using a multi-factorial approach, the current research regarding the physiological, ...
American Freedom: The Basics
1st Edition
By Geoff Hamilton
November 16, 2026
American Freedom: The Basics explores ideals of freedom as they have been conceived, debated, practiced, and struggled for in the United States from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Across ten chapters, the book addresses these core concepts: the nation’s revolutionary ideals and ...
Popular Culture: The Basics
1st Edition
By John Alberti
November 16, 2026
A fast-paced and lively introduction to the most significant approaches to studying and analyzing popular culture. Opening with an introduction exploring the challenges of defining just what we mean by ‘popular culture’, this book charts popular culture studies from the early 20th century to ...
Polygamy: The Basics
1st Edition
By Bruce Whitehouse, William Jankowiak
November 03, 2026
Polygamy: The Basics is an accessible and engaging introduction to the kinship structure known as plural marriage or polygamy. Tailored for general readers and non-specialists, this book distils research findings from evolutionary anthropology, history, economics, political science, and cultural ...
Transgender Philosophy: The Basics
1st Edition
By Matthew J. Cull
October 28, 2026
Transgender Philosophy: The Basics is an introduction to the exciting and rapidly growing world of trans philosophy. The book covers a wide range of central themes in transgender philosophy, bringing the reader up to speed with both foundational texts and new ideas from this increasingly global ...
Social Psychology: The Basics
2nd Edition
By Daniel Frings
October 26, 2026
This accessible book introduces the fundamental principles of social psychology, providing an overview of this fascinating area in a jargon-free guide. The second edition of Social Psychology: The Basics explores some of the most important questions we face to understanding ourselves as individuals...
Personality Psychology: The Basics
2nd Edition
By Stanley O. Gaines, Jr.
October 21, 2026
Personality Psychology: The Basics, 2nd Edition, offers a comprehensive yet accessible exploration of the field of personality psychology. This updated edition, authored by Stanley O. Gaines, Jr., with contributions from Manuel Ramirez, III, and Norma Rodriguez, delves into the major schools of ...