Alex Thompson

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Superbly reported . . . Reads like a Shakespearean drama on steroids." — Los Angeles Times "Explosive." —The New York Times "[The] most significant book to date about Biden’s cognitive decline." — The Atlantic "Destined to stand alongside classics like Theodore White’s The Making of the President 1960 and even Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward’s All the President’s Men as one of the great books about American electoral politics.” — Richard Aldous, Persuasion From two of America’s most respected journalists comes an unflinching and explosive reckoning with one of the most fateful decisions in American political history: Joe Biden’s run for reelection despite evidence of his serious decline—amid desperate efforts to hide the extent of that deterioration. In Greek tragedy, the protagonist’s effort to avoid his fate is what seals his fate. In 2024, American politics became a Greek tragedy. Joe Biden launched his successful 2020 bid for the White House with the stated goal of saving the nation from a second Trump presidential term. He, his family, and his senior aides were so convinced that only he could beat Trump again, they lied to themselves, allies, and the public about his condition and limitations. At his debate with Trump on June 27, 2024, the consequences of that deception were exposed to the world. It was shocking and upsetting. Now the full, unsettling truth is being told for the first time. Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson take us behind closed doors and into private conversations between the heaviest of hitters, revealing how big the problem was and how many people knew about it. From White House staffers at the highest to lowest levels, to leaders of Congress and the Cabinet, from governors to donors and Hollywood players, the truth is finally being told. What you will learn makes President Biden’s decision to run for reelection seem shockingly narcissistic, self-delusional, and reckless—a desperate bet that went bust—and part of a larger act of extended public deception that has few precedents. The story the authors tell raises fundamental issues of accountability and responsibility that will continue for decades. The irony is biting: In the name of defeating what they called an existential threat to democracy, Biden and his inner circle ensured it, tossing aside his implicit promise to serve for only one term, denying the existence of health issues the nation had been watching for years, dooming the Democrats to defeat. The decision to run again, the Original Sin of this president, led to a campaign of denial and gaslighting, leading directly to Donald Trump's return to power and all that has happened as a consequence. Rarely does hubris meet nemesis more explosively. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, Original Sin is essential reading.

The must-read new book that upends everything we thought we knew about the 2024 US presidential election.'Explosive' Guardian'Explosive' The Times'Explosive' Daily Mail'Explosive' Politico'Explosive' New York TimesIn Greek tragedy, the protagonist’s effort to avoid his fate is what seals his fate. In 2024, American politics became a Greek tragedy. Joe Biden launched his successful 2020 bid for the White House with the stated goal of saving the nation from a second Trump term. He, his family and his senior aides were so convinced that only he could beat Trump again that they lied to themselves, allies and the public about his condition and limitations. At his debate with Trump on 28 June 2024, the consequences of that deception were exposed – all but dooming the Democrats to defeat later that year. Now the full, unsettling truth is being told for the first time. Here, two of America’s best-respected political journalists take us behind closed doors to reveal the extent of Biden’s decline and who knew about it, from White House staffers to senators to Hollywood celebrities. They paint President Biden’s decision to run for re-election as shockingly narcissistic, delusional and reckless – and the wider cover-up as an act of unprecedented public deception. Rarely has hubris met nemesis so explosively. The story the authors tell raises fundamental issues of accountability and responsibility that will endure for decades. In the name of defeating what they called an existential threat to democracy, Biden and his inner circle ensured it, marking the beginning of a remarkable campaign of denial and gaslighting against the American public. His decision to run again was the original sin of his presidency – the moment that led directly to Donald Trump’s return to power and all that has come since.'How American voters became victims of one of the great political cover-ups of modern times . . . It was the gaslighting of a nation.' The Times'A damning, step-by-step account of how the people closest to a stubborn, aging president enabled his quixotic resolve to run for a second term.' New York Times'The shocking truth of the last year of Biden’s presidency . . . Original Sin presents a scathing account of an elderly, egotistical president cocooned from reality.' Guardian'Original Sin's simple assessment of the 2024 race is more compelling than anything else I’ve read about it . . . Extensive reporting and clear-eyed prose.' Washington Post

This comprehensive textbook introduces students to all the core principles of marketing practice using an employability-focused approach. Essentials of Marketing is underpinned by six pillars, which flow through each chapter: marketing ethics, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, globalisation, the power of new media, and measuring success. The book demystifies theory by placing it in contexts which are recognisable to a diverse readership, using real-life case studies and examples designed to engage today’s technologically savvy and internationally oriented students. The book includes a comprehensive running case study in which readers are invited to adopt the roles of marketing assistant, marketing manager, and marketing director within regional markets, applying the knowledge that they have learned in each chapter into modern, realistic contexts, which simulate a marketing career. Key features to aid learning and comprehension include case studies, chapter objectives and summaries, key learning points, and key questions. With a uniquely accessible and applied approach, Essentials of Marketing is designed as a core text for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Introduction to marketing, marketing management, and principles of marketing modules. Digital learning resources include a comprehensive instructor’s manual to guide interaction with the applied case study, PowerPoint slides, and a test bank.

This comprehensive textbook introduces students to all the core principles of marketing practice using an employability-focused approach. Essentials of Marketing is underpinned by six pillars, which flow through each chapter: marketing ethics, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, globalisation, the power of new media, and measuring success. The book demystifies theory by placing it in contexts which are recognisable to a diverse readership, using real-life case studies and examples designed to engage today’s technologically savvy and internationally oriented students. The book includes a comprehensive running case study in which readers are invited to adopt the roles of marketing assistant, marketing manager, and marketing director within regional markets, applying the knowledge that they have learned in each chapter into modern, realistic contexts, which simulate a marketing career. Key features to aid learning and comprehension include case studies, chapter objectives and summaries, key learning points, and key questions. With a uniquely accessible and applied approach, Essentials of Marketing is designed as a core text for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Introduction to marketing, marketing management, and principles of marketing modules. Digital learning resources include a comprehensive instructor’s manual to guide interaction with the applied case study, PowerPoint slides, and a test bank.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, Advent is often treated as little more than an extended celebration of Christmas. In this short study, Alex Thompson examines the season of Advent as a distinct and important part of the Christian story as it looks forward both to Christ's arrival and his return in glory. Using the rich imagery of the classic Advent hymn ""O Come, O Come Emmanuel,"" he explores the way the New Testament draws on the Old Testament to express the longing for God's deliverance in Jesus. Individual readers and small groups alike are invited to reclaim Advent as a Christian season that captures the longing of the church and invites them into deeper commitment to Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, Advent is often treated as little more than an extended celebration of Christmas. In this short study, Alex Thompson examines the season of Advent as a distinct and important part of the Christian story as it looks forward both to Christ's arrival and his return in glory. Using the rich imagery of the classic Advent hymn ""O Come, O Come Emmanuel,"" he explores the way the New Testament draws on the Old Testament to express the longing for God's deliverance in Jesus. Individual readers and small groups alike are invited to reclaim Advent as a Christian season that captures the longing of the church and invites them into deeper commitment to Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us.

The Porkington Pigs and the Wolfenstein Wolf takes the well-known fable about not trusting pigs to choose the right building materials for the job and gives it the Away With The Fairies treatment. The bonus story When You Wish Upon An Empty Stomach tells of two brothers who stumble across a mysterious lamp. It's a magic one though - I should probably make that clear up front. This isn't a tale about interior decor with rich inner lives or anything.