The first incendiary collection of stencils and graffiti from Banksy, the best known grafitti/street artist/urban guerilla in the world. Rarely have art and politics been put to such fine,and overtly public, use. Mix the irony and juxtaposition of John Yates with the beauty of the finest aerosol art, and you'll have some idea of how good this really is. The reproductions are interspersed with an excellent array of quotes, statements, letters and a beginners guide to painting with stencils. Very, very good.

Here is a major contribution to the scholarship of Fascism. The more than 500 separately authored entries are written by 125 experts in Fascism studies. Like the authors, the entries represent the multidisciplinary nature of Fascism studies, covering history, political science, philosophy, and religion in entries on people, political parties and movements, and key geographical areas.

This new tome of tongues is one of the most remarkable general reference works of the century. From Abkhaz and Abaza (300,000 speakers in Georgia, Turkey, and Russia) to Zulu (8,800,000 speakers in South Africa and Lesotho), Dalby comprehensively details more than 400 languages (living and dead), arranged A-to-Z for easy access, and delving into the political, social, and historical background of each. In addition, more than 200 maps indicate where the languages are spoken today, while sidebars show alphabets, numerals, and anecdotes.

What exactly are the terms left and right supposed to imply? This two-volume Encyclopedia of Politics: The Left and the Right contains over 450 articles on individuals, movements, political parties, and ideological principles, with those usually thought of as left in the left-hand volume (Volume 1), and those considered on the right in the right-hand volume (Volume 2).

A vibrant new history of modern Europe, covering everything from war and politics to everyday life in a period of convulsive and dramatic change.

plus : White Light from the Mouth of Infinity (1991) and Soundtracks for the Blind (1996)

Brutally heavy, wildly confrontational and blessed with a general ugliness sufficiently profuse to grant their name a delicious irony, Swans have remained a brooding, hugely influential presence in alternative rock for the last 25 years. The mammoth noise of Gira's band helped to define the sound of the 'no wave' movement, with the Swans' torturous, hypnotic blasts famously proving loud enough to induce vomiting in audience members during live shows. Progression from the primitive, visceral sound of early recordings such as Filth and Cop has seen Swans diversify into other genres, notably neofolk, shoegaze and gothic rock - in each incarnation, the band has succeeded in maintaining the powerful air of menace that has proved so iconic, whilst still treading some interesting new ground. An essential act for all those interested in the darker side of art.

Formed in 1972 in Peru, El Polen were one of the first Andean psychedelic rock bands ever. Their music was a mixture of native instruments, quenas and antaras, with traditional rock instrumentation, creating a unique style where violins sounded like fuzz guitars.

Probably the best folk album of all time…