The Contemporary British City locates aspects of urban governance within the broader debates about the welfare state in Britain. Local economic development, inner city policy, housing, transport, welfare and education are dealt with in terms of a variety of economic, political, financial and sociodemographic factors. Each chapter addresses issues relating to the effectiveness and equity of intervention in the postwar period; the tension between political rhetoric and policy reality; and the degree to which debate between and within political parties has modified policy implementation.

Gauged brickwork is a term used to describe the superior finish required in the details of an important brickwork elevation, such as moulded reveals, arches, string courses and other forms of ornamentation. This is achieved through shaping the individual bricks to produce a high degree of regularity, accurate dimensions and extreme fineness in the joints. This practical handbook combines simple diagrams and photographs to describe each stage of the process, from rubbing, cutting and shaping the bricks to laying and carving them. It emphasizes the importance of this skill in repairing and repointing rubbed and gauged brickwork and the damage that can be done by those unskilled in the craft. The second edition of this standard reference work has been substantially updated with new material, including additional photographs and illustrations to explain the various procedures and applications. It also now offers a fascinating and detailed historical perspective on the development of this important craft. The insights gleaned from this revised edition will be extremely valuable to architects and builders involved in conserving and repairing gauged brickwork, and also to those who are required to commission new decorative work to a high standard.

I Will Survive is the story of Gloria Gaynor, America's "Queen of Disco." It is the story of riches and fame, despair, and finally salvation. Her meteoric rise to stardom in the mid-1970s was nothing short of phenomenal, and hits poured forth that pushed her to the top of the charts, including "Honey Bee," "I Got You Under My Skin," "Never Can Say Goodbye," and the song that has immortalized her, "I Will Survive," which became a #1 international gold seller. With that song, Gloria heralded the international rise of disco that became synonymous with a way of life in the fast lane - the sweaty bodies at Studio 54, the lines of cocaine, the indescribable feeling that you could always be at the top of your game and never come down. But down she came after her early stardom, and problems followed in the wake, including the death of her mother, whose love had anchored the young singer, as well as constant battles with weight, drugs, and alcohol. While her fans always imagined her to be rich, her personal finances collapsed due to poor management; and while many envied her, she felt completely empty inside. In the early 1980s, sustained by her marriage to music publisher Linwood Simon, Gloria took three years off and reflected upon her life. She visited churches and revisited her mother's old Bible. Discovering the world of gospel, she made a commitment to Christ that sustains her to this day.