NEWS
1. New Housmans website is launched!
2. January sale
3. Facebook update
EVENTS
4. (talk/book signing)
‘Britain’s dirty role in global mining’ with Roger Moody
Wednesday 14th January – 7pm
5. (talk/book signing)
‘Violence and Sex Work in Britain’ with Hilary Kinnell
Saturday 17th January – 5pm
6. (reading/music/book signing)
‘The Adventure Through Everything and Nothing’ with Jonjo Nally
featuring music from Nathan Ball
Wednesday 21st January – 7pm
7. (film screening/talk)
Solidarity with Grassroots Colombia
Saturday 24th January – 3pm
8. (talk/book signing)
‘The Politics of Abortion’ with Dr. Wendy Savage
Wednesday 28th January – 7pm
9. (talk)
‘Detox, Herbalism and Big Pharma’
with Melissa Ronaldson
Saturday 31st January – 5pm
PEACE DIARY 2009
10. Housmans Peace Diary 2009
NEWS
1. New Housmans website is launched!
After much hard work we’re happy to announce that Housmans now has a shiny new website! Please give it a visit – the address is still http://www.housmans.com . It’s a work in progress, and over the year we hope to include some new features, such as video footage of our in-store events, a page where you can recommend and review books, as well as up-to-date booklists of all our stock. We hope you like it.
2. January sale
This year will see some changes at Housmans, as we plan to reduce the amount of stationery that we carry, and increase the amount of books. As part of this process Housmans is seeing in the new year with a huge clearance sale on both books and stationery. There are many great deals to be had, so please come by the store and pick up a bargain.
3. Facebook update
Last month we asked those of you who use Facebook to sign up to our group – however, a day later our Facebook page was deleted by the administrators! This was to do with the fact that businesses are not allowed to use Facebook. We hope that this is a temporary setback, and we should have a new group up and running by February.
EVENTS
4. (talk/book signing)
‘Britain’s dirty role in global mining’
with Roger Moody
Wednesday 14th January – 7pm
The global ‘credit crisis’ has provided a unique opportunity to transform one of the world’s most damaging industries – as long as we get onto the streets and into the board rooms. So says Roger Moody, a leading mining activist, investigator and author.
As a co-founder of Minewatch International and current managing editor of the Mines and Communities website, Roger has unique experience of researching the impacts of this ‘hidden’ sector and working with affected communities around the world.
In tonight’s talk, he will emphasise the roles played by the UK government, investors and companies in promoting one of the dirtiest industries on the planet.
Roger will also sign copies of his two latest books:
Rocks & Hard Places: The Globalization of Mining (Zed Books)
‘Moody’s reputation as a fair and judicious critic makes his most recent book a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in the globalization of mining.’- Stuart Kirsch, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Michigan
‘Moody brings passion and objectivity to the mining debate’ – Business Standard (India)
The Risks We Run: Mining, Communities and Political Risk Insurance (International Books)
‘Comprehensive, powerfully argued, well informed and thoroughly researched, Roger Moody’s book offers the ultimate statement on the uneasy relationship between mining corporate power and local communities characterised by wealth and technology asymmetry, livelihood struggles and political instability.’ – MA Mohamed Salih, Professor of Politics of Development, University of Leiden
http://www.minesandcommunities.org/
5. (talk/book signing)
‘Violence and Sex Work in Britain’
with Hilary Kinnell
Saturday 17th January – 5pm
Hilary Kinnell, recently national co-ordinator for the United Kingdom Network of Sex Work Projects (UKNSWP), has published a controversial new book concerned with violence in the sex industry. It aims to provide an understanding of the nature of violence against sex workers and the relationship between violence, government legislation and policy, and law enforcement practices – an essential task in view of the recent Ipswich murders and the public and media response to this which illustrated how poorly the context of violence in the sex industry is understood.
Hilary’s book ‘Violence and Sex Work in Britain’ (Willan Publishing – 2008)The book describes the incidence of violence against sex workers, culminating in some cases in murder. It shows how the risk of violence is strongly dependent on the physical and legal context in which sex workers operate; how repressive policing tactics exacerbate vulnerability; and how discourses of abhorrence towards sex work promote perceptions of sex workers as worthless human beings.
It also examines how inadequacies in the criminal justice system lead to failures in investigations and prosecutions, and failures to prevent violence from known offenders; and how the stereotyping of sex workers, their clients and perpetrators of violence, in the media and in other spheres of academic debate, distorts reality leading to inappropriate or harmful public responses.
This evening Hilary will be discussing the politics of the sex industry with a representative of the IUSW (International Union of Sex Workers).
Links
‘Why feminists should rethink on sex workers’ rights’ by Hilary Kinnell
UK Network of Sex Work Projects
http://www.uknswp.org/index.asp
‘The forgotten murders’ – Hilary Kinnell article in The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/feb/22/hilarykinnellonsexworkers
6. (reading/music/ book signing)
‘The Adventure Through Everything and Nothing’
with Jonjo Nally
featuring music from Nathan Ball
Wednesday 21st January – 7pm
What if you never had a good Idea again…
…what if none of us did.
Life in the Imagee Nation begins with a new Idea every morning. Imagees and Empas work together to create the Ideas that are sent into the Universe for the Dewers to imagine. Everything is as it should be.
What a wonderful time for something to go horribly wrong.
The tale of the ultimate coup d’état in the universe is revealed within the The Adventure Through Everything and Nothing. Jonjo Nally brings to life the land where all ideas are created and the dangers rising against our very thoughts. Readers old and young are opening a new door to a colourful corner of the imagination.
Jonjo wrote this adventure during a six-year adventure. He at no point previous to this adventure had any desire, whatsoever, to become a writer. He has achieved no academic accolades, received no media attention, won no awards. The whole thing was an accident that occurred while pursuing a career in illustration. He does not pretend to understand the way things work out sometimes.
This evening Jonjo Nally will be introducing this book to a wider audience, and will be accompanied by acclaimed folk singer-song writer Nathan Ball.
7. (film screening/talk)
Solidarity with Grassroots Colombia
Saturday 24th January – 3pm
This event has been organised by a collective made up of three groups, Refugee Youth, Nueva Generacion and CAIS Maloka – please visit these sites for more info:
What is it they do?
They are involved in the direct support of the following projects:
CAIS Maloka, Colombia
Already Maria and Javier, with daughter Chia, are doing incredible work with young people using the arts to explore issues in their lives and communities, Youth Hip Hop groups, working on campaigns on environmental justice, and much, much more.
The main barrier they are facing is lack of resources, so this is one of the reasons for fundraising events, to send them funds so they can build the centre itself and develop their work there.
Bottom-Up Organising School
Another reason to raise funds is to enable them to participate in organising activities for the International Bottom-Up Organising School next year. For example they are planning visits to organisers in Bolivia, Mexico and Brazil over the next year; to share experiences of organising and to build relationships of solidarity.
The aim is also to share information about each others’ social justice struggles, but also to build relationships of solidarity, particularly across the Americas. Please see: www.peoplesorganizing.org
This afternoon a short film will be shown, about the work of the group, and discussing the needs of communities in Colombia. We hope you can make it along to learn about the great work being done at the grassroots in Colombia.
8. (talk/book signing)
‘The Politics of Abortion’
with Dr Wendy Savage
Wednesday 28th January – 7pm
Wendy Savage has campaigned for many years in defence of abortion rights. Her many experiences, both as a practitioner and as a campaigner, have helped make her an important and respected voice in the debate over abortion and birth rights.
About Wendy Savage
Wendy Savage is a distinguished gynaecologist and champion of women’s rights in childbirth and fertility. She was the first woman consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to be appointed in London. In the early 1980s, she started a group called ‘Women in Gynaecology & Obstetrics,’ and is currently a member of the Socialist Health Association. Wendy recently retired from the GMC, having been an elected member for sixteen and a half years. She is the mother of four children.
In 1985 Wendy was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists during suspension from practice on false charges of incompetence, which was the subject of a book she authored in 1986, ‘A Savage Enquiry’. She was reinstated in 1986 as Honorary Consultant at the Royal London Hospital. Wendy became an Honorary Visiting Professor at Middlesex University in November 1991, and in 2000 was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science at the University of Greenwich. She retired from the Medical School of St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital in 2000.
She brings to her practice the added value of empathy with the patient, and holds a firm belief in patient involvement in decisions such as the location of a delivery, whether natural delivery should be pursued in the case of a breech presentation, or whether a Caesarean section should be carried out only in the last resort.
Wendy has authored several books including ‘A Savage Enquiry’ (Virago 1986) , ‘Birth and Power’ (2007) and ‘Caesarean Birth in Britain’ (Middlesex University Press 1993) with Colin Francome, Helen Churchill and Helen Lewison (of the NCT), a revised edition of which was published in 2006 with Helen Churchill and Colin Francome. She has also written over 45 papers published on a number of topics including induced abortion, sexually transmitted disease, childbirth, and caesarean section.
9. (talk)
‘Detox, Herbalism and Big Pharma’
with Melissa Ronaldson
Saturday 31st January – 5pm
Does the fact that the detox industry lays itself wide open to criticism from the quack busting brigade obscure the genuine advantages of traditional and seasonal fasting practices?
What is the rationale of fasting and the physiology behind it? What exactly does detox mean? What is the point, and can you pick your own liver cleansing herbs yourself along the River Lea in spring time?
A seasonal, practical, and inexpensive look at theses issues from the perspective of medical herbalist Melissa Ronaldson.
PEACE DIARY 2009
10. Housmans Peace Diary 2009
The 56th edition of the Housmans Peace Diary was published in October. Not only is it a beautifully presented, pocket-sized diary, but thanks to its World Peace Directory it serves as a unique reference tool for peace, human rights and green activists everywhere. The Directory lists almost 2000 peace, environmental and human rights organisation in 150 countries, and is the only directory of its kind.
The Diary and its Directory (both a non-profit service to fellow activists) continue to depend on much voluntary labour. We welcome help in promoting the Diary – appropriate leaflets are available from Housmans Diary Group – either call the shop on 020 7837 4473 or email nik@housmans.com.
The Diary is available from Housmans and can be sent direct to any destination worldwide for just £8.95, post-free. It makes a wonderful gift, whether for your loved ones, fellow activists, or even yourself! To get your copy either get in touch with the shop by phone or in person, or email orders@housmans.com
Please visit http://www.housmans.com/diary.php for more information.
Housmans
5 Caledonian Road
King’s Cross
London N1 9DX
t: 020 7837 4473
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The New Dark Age 
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