Agassiz, Garman, Albatross, and the Collection of Deep-sea Fishes

The first of Alexander Agassiz’ voyages on the U.S. Fish Commission steamer Albatross in 1891 yielded significant scientific results. This paper reviews the background of the voyage, including the career path that led Agassiz to the back deck of the Albatross. We also give a brief account of the life and work of Samuel Garman. Garman wrote up the ichthyological material from this Albatross voyage in a magnificent book on deep-sea fishes published in 1899. This book was exceptional in its coverage, anatomical detail, and recognition of phylogenetically important morphology

Book review: gender inequality in the labour market in the UK edited by Giovanni Razzu

Despite the changed and changing position of women in society there remain substantial gender differences in the labour market. This collection covers the gender pay gap, occupational segregation, and gender differences in school subject choice. Marion Koob is impressed but would like to have seen more policy recommendations from the book’s contributors

Book review: British pirates and society 1680-1730 by Margarette Lincoln

British Pirates and Society 1680-1730 is a captivating and meticulously researched work of social history, which brings to life varied perspectives of the time, writes Marion Koob

Book review: the House of Commons: an anthropology of MPs at work by Emma Crewe

A new book by Emma Crewe explores the day to day lives of Members of Parliament as they cycle through the House of Commons. MPs are pushed and pulled by various interests and allegiances. Marion Koob finds The House of Commons: An Anthropology of MPs at Work insightful, and is a strong case for anthropologists to be more widely involved in political analysis. The book also gives an excellent overview of the 2010-2015 Parliament, through which the author charts more recent changes, such as the impact of social media and the 24 hours news cycle, the weakening of whips, and more diversified representation

Book review: Presence: bringing your boldest self to your biggest challenges by Amy Cuddy

Have you ever wished for a second chance at a job interview, performance or difficult conversation? Drawing upon her popular TED talk, in Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, Harvard Business School Professor Amy Cuddy encourages readers to see transformative power in small ‘nudges’ in behaviour, body language and mind-set that can generate a better sense of ‘presence’ in our everyday lives. Marion Koob finds much in the way of useful advice within the book but wonders if its central ideas could have been outlined in a shorter span and wishes for more explicit connection between Cuddy’s claims and related contemporary research

Book review: thrive: the power of evidence-based psychological therapies

Thrive explores the new effective solutions to the misery and injustice caused by mental illness. It describes how successful psychological treatments have been developed and explains what works best for whom. It also urges us to do all we can to prevent these problems in the first place, through better schools and a better society. Marion Koob reviews, writing that this is a crucial and necessary book, especially for those who know little about mental illness

#IWD2016 Book review: SPQR: a history of ancient Rome by Mary Beard

With SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, the renowned Cambridge classicist Mary Beard presents a new history of ‘the Senate and People of Rome’, covering over 1,000 years and a diverse array of themes. Marion Koob applauds this superb book for its gripping narrative threads, its persuasive account of Rome’s contemporary relevance and for drawing attention away from the colourful personalities of the Roman emperors to instead consider the structures and patterns of power through which they ruled. Put simply, this is an essential read