Tournaments Of Power

Thirty years ago, modernization theory contended that notions of honor would become obsolete in modern democracies. Being an archaic remnant of our pre-modern past, honor would be substituted by dignity under modern conditions. When honor does emerge as a valid social theme in modern society, as it sometimes does during court hearings, in gang fights, and in violent reactions to insult, it is often ascribed to immigration from pre-modern cultures where honor still matters in social life. Thus honor becomes part of the cultural baggage that is transfered to the host country through migration. However, the fact that highly modern social formations like MC gangs are also obsessed with honor seriously questions the validity of classical modernization theories. It seems that honor is not just a pre-modern weed in a modern garden of dignity, but an integral part of modernity. Since honor emerges under pre-modern as well as under modern conditions, it is relevant to ask under which circumstances it becomes a theme in interaction. Blurring the distinction between the modern and the pre-modern in this manner allows us to ask what honor is really all about. Containing a wealth of international contributions from Scandinavia, USA, Mexico, Kurdistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Japan, Tournaments of Power provides first-hand ethnographic accounts and important answers to these vital questions.

Europe has recently experienced a resurgence of honour as a topical theme in various realms of social life - court hearings, gang fights, and in violent reactions to insult. However, thirty years ago modernization theory contended that notions of honour would become obsolete in modern democracies. In this fascinating volume, the contributors question the role that honour plays in contemporary society by use of first-hand ethnographic accounts from around the world.

Although King John is remembered for his political and military failures, he also resided over a magnificent court. Power and Pleasure reconstructs life at the court of King John and explores how his court produced both pleasure and soft power. Much work exists on courts of the late medieval and early modern periods, but the jump in record keeping under John allows a detailed reconstruction of court life for an earlier period. Power and Pleasure: Court Life under King John, 1199-1216 examines the many facets of John's court, exploring hunting, feasting, castles, landscapes, material luxury, chivalry, sexual coercion, and religious activities. It explains how John mishandled his use of soft power, just as he failed to exploit his financial and military advantages, and why he received so little political benefit from his magnificent court. John's court is viewed in comparison to other courts of the time, and in previous and subsequent centuries.

This power-packed book on beating no-limit hold'em is one of the three most influential poker books ever written. Negreanu headlines a collection of young, great players Todd Brunson, David Williams, Erick Lindgren, Evelyn Ng and Paul Wasicka who share their insider professional moves and winning secrets. You'll learn about short-handed and heads-up play, high-limit cash games, a powerful beginners strategy to neutralize professional players, how to mix up your play, bluff, and win big pots. The centerpiece, however, is Negreanus powerful and revolutionary small ball strategy. You'll learn how to play hold'em with cards you never would have played before and with fantastic results. The preflop, flop, turn and river will never look the same again. A must-have! 504 pages

Millions of dollars are waiting for you in poker's most exciting game, no-limit Texas hold'em, and this book shows you how to claim your share of it! McEvoy and Vines, who have won cuontless tournaments, teach you the essential moves and strategies that will make you a major threat in any tournament you play. You'll learn a wealth of information in this book: How to use bluffs, position, and big stacks to bully opponents and win chips, how to adjust between no-limit tournaments and cash games, how to play rebuy and add-on events, and how to adjust strategies for every type of opponent and tournament structure. From basic plays, intermediate tactics, and advanced strategies, to the professional plays used by world champions, this powerful guide is a complete course in winning small, medium, and big money tournaments.

First Published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.