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1. Almanac of British Politics

Waller & Criddle, Routledge, [pounds sterling]35pbk

This volume should really be known as the Bible of British Politics. Newly updated to cover the 2001 election and with noticeably more acidic comments on MPs than before, this is the book to keep your resident political anorak quiet for at least a couple of months. The country is covered constituency by constituency and all possible relevant facts and figures show the seats by a host of social and economic characteristics (deprivation, agriculture, ethnicity, etc). The reader builds up a much broader political picture of the country this way than would ever be possible by ordinary political commentary. If you ever need to win an argument about politics in the UK this is the book to buy. Available at the discount price of [pounds sterling]28 plus [pounds sterling]1 p&p

2. The Spanish Civil War

Antony Beevor, Cassell, [pounds sterling]7.99pbk

The Spanish civil war still has iconic status for the left almost 70 years after it ended, and if we are honest our view of it can tend to be one dimensional. Antony Beevor has enjoyed runaway success with his books Stalingrad and Berlin but NS readers will be surprised to learn that he wrote a book about this conflict first. The subject is covered in Beevor's characteristic detail and (like his other works) has the benefit of being both politically and militarily aware. He illuminates the divisions among the Republican side, the reasons for the ultimate victory of Franco, and the sheer depth of suffering involved for people on all sides and none.

Available at the discount price of [pounds sterling]6.19 plus p&p

3. Activism!

Tim Jordan, Reaktion, [pounds sterling]12.95 pbk

Activism raises concepts, issues and thoughts which will have you wondering why you'd never queried them in the first place. Tim Jordan asks the simple question "How did that happen?" and examines the link between political theory and political product. Change comes though action, direct or indirect. Jordan invites us into the philosophical world of the activist, juggles with morals and ethics and enables the reader to make their own judgements about how ideology is created.

Available at the discount price of [pounds sterling]10.35 plus p&p

4. Give the Anarchist a Cigarette

Mick Farren, Pimlico, [pounds sterling]9.99pbk

And give him credit for writing a book that is both well written and funny. As a member of various bands Farren was closely involved in the 60's with both the music scene and underground politics (although he had a bit of trouble getting up in time for certain demonstrations). There seem to be few important people of the time that he didn't meet and unlike some who fell by the wayside, he survived to form a bridge to the punk movement and then move, improbably, to the USA and become a science fiction writer. You couldn't make it up, and he didn't need to.

Available at the discount price of [pounds sterling]7.19 plus p&p

5. The Peters World Atlas

New Internationalist, [pounds sterling]16.99 hbk

The way we look at maps has great political implications and forms our view of the world from a very early age. New Statesman readers should be familiar with the Peters projection map of the world, which rejects the Eurocentric model and shows the world in true proportion. The Peters World Atlas goes further than the map and alters the colours, relief and grid system of traditional atlases. It also includes 246 thematic maps on all sorts of subjects: mineral resources, life expectancy, the status of women, natural dangers, use of child labour and many more. A must for students, teachers and anyone interested in how the world really looks.

Available at the discount price of [pounds sterling]13.59 plus p&p

6. Staying Alive

Ed. Neil Astley, Bloodaxe, [pounds sterling]10.95 pbk

"Prose is a much less natural way of speaking than poetry is", according to the critic Northrop Frye. As you browse through this collection of contemporary poetry you'll see what he means. Staying Alive shows the power of poetry to convey and deal with the best and worst of life. It is edited by Neil Astley, managing director of Bloodaxe. Astley's enthusiasm for seeking out the best of the new and for resurrecting overlooked gems has propelled this small publisher into the poetry limelight. Staying Alive includes his favourites from around the world. The result is a hugely important anthology. We have been looking for a poetry book to reccomend toNS readers--and here it is.

Available at the discount price of [pounds sterling]8.75 plus p&p