How many lesbians can dance on the head of a pin? Kinky Friedman sure as hell doesn't know, but he's learning exactly how many it takes to send the geriatric plaster tumbling from the ceiling of his downtown New York loft. The culprit is one Winnie Katz, man-hating proprietress of a lesbian dance troupe that thunders daily through his waking dreams. And when Winnie won't even give it enough of a rest to let Kinky patch the hole, our hero, lost in a blue-gray haze of Irish whiskey and cigar smoke, takes drastic action. He pens an anonymous, threatening note, hoping -- as only one lost in an alcohol-soaked fantasy can hope -- to then step in as "Ace Private Big Dick" Friedman, and save the day, thus earning the undying gratitude of Ms. Winnie. Besides, just as Sherlock Holmes had his Watson, the Kinkster needs a suitable sidekick, and what better test? He calls on each of his Village Irregulars to solve the case: reporter Mike McGovern; Dylan look-alike Ratso Sloman; investigator Steve Rambam; and his own lady love, the delicious Stephanie Dupont. But things get dicey when the bogus death threat turns all too real, and suddenly Kinky and his Keystone crime fighters find themselves dancing -- none too daintily -- for their lives.

This is the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of developmental psychology, from the pre-scientific era to the present day. Covers the first research published in Germany, America, and France during the late 19th century Examines the work and influence of key international scholars in the area Incorporates the contributions of psychologists from diverse backgrounds Pays attention to the historical research on development in adulthood and old age Highlights the relationship between the growth of developmental psychology and renewed interest in child-rearing practices

Focusing on crime fiction and films that artfully combine comedy and misdeed, this book explores the reasons writers and filmmakers inject humor into their work and identifies the various comic techniques they use. The author covers both American and European books from the 1930s to the present, by such authors as Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler, Robert B. Parker, Elmore Leonard, Donald E. Westlake, Sue Grafton, Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich, along with films from The Thin Man to the BBC's Sherlock series.

'A vital read, not just for parents but anyone who values the next generation' Psychologies 'A provocative new book which challenges every aspect of modern parenting' Daily Mail Society is making great strides in increasing awareness of oppression and injustice, but one group remains mistreated: children. Commonly recommended parenting and discipline methods treat children in ways that would cause uproar if adults were treated similarly. Children's needs and feelings are frequently dismissed and ignored by adults. Children are taught to blindly obey adults in the name of 'respect', although respect is so rarely shown to them. We are a society that is afraid of treating children kindly, as evidenced by the almost constant uproar and ridicule of the 'gentle parenting' movement. In this timely book, bestselling author and parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith blends childcare history, sociology, psychology and current affairs to raise awareness of childism - the unconscious discrimination of children in our world - and why it impacts everybody. Essential for parents, carers, teachers and anybody who works with children, Because I Said So! is both a thought-provoking guide and an urgent call to action. It will help you to understand your own upbringing and how this has shaped your beliefs and behaviour; prompt you to consider the prevalence of childism in society today, so that you can change the way you look after the children in your care or reinforce the approach you are already taking; and consider how we can transform the way our society treats children to create positive, lasting change for generations to come. Childism is an issue that has been ignored and avoided for far too long. If we want to change the world for the better, we must start with treating our children better.

Handbook of Behaviorism provides a comprehensive single source that summarizes what behaviorism is, how the various "flavors" of behaviorism have differed between major theorists both in psychology and philosophy, and what aspects of those theories have been borne out in research findings and continue to be of use in understanding human behavior.

In this important book, Ken Gelder offers a lively and comprehensive account of popular fiction as a distinctive literary and cultural field, tied directly to the logics and practices of entertainment and industry.

Friedman offers up a collection of both his essays from his column in "Texas Monthly" as well as new essays on the current state of the nation. From immigration to why Willie Nelson would have been on his gubernatorial staff, nobody cuts to the heart of the matter like Friedman.