Onus Books

Onus Books is an imprint of Ginger Prince Publications set up to publish books written for the philosophical and religious markets. It is the main thrust of the organisation and where 'the action' is taking place. GPP started off with books like Free will? and The Little Book of Unholy Questions, and it is in this vein that Onus Books has developed. With a thriving market for texts published on both sides of the religious fence, the dialogue is buzzing, the debates are hotly contested and the need for critical books has never been greater. 

If you have a polished manuscript which fulfils such a philosophical criteria, then contact us for the possibility of getting it published.

The Nativity: A Critical Examination

The first book that Onus Books has published is called The Nativity: A Critical Examination by Jonathan M.S. Pearce. The product description follows:

The nativity of Jesus is an event that carries much cultural recognition. However, is it a narrative which commands much support in the academic world? Is it a story which holds much historical truth? Or were the two biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus an opportunity for the authors to impart a theological truth or otherwise?

These are the sort of questions that are often asked of the nativity accounts and questions which are answered in this concise and yet well-researched and informative book. Some twenty arguments are looked at and presented in a clear and detailed manner, building a cumulative case for the objection to the historical nature of the Gospel accounts. The author also questions what purpose these stories do serve if indeed they do carry little or no historical truth. 

With reference to a wide array of contemporary and iconic works on the subject, Pearce has created a compendium of critical arguments against the historicity of a story which still remains a vital piece of our collective cultural and religious tapestry. 

“For anyone beginning to doubt the reliability of the gospels as eyewitness accounts, Pearce's "The Nativity" will teach you everything you need to know to move past the limitations of biblical infallibility and explore the complicated process that went into the gospel narratives of Jesus Christ.” - Derek Murphy, author of Jesus Potter Harry Christ

Dr Caleb Lack

Caleb W. Lack is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma. He specializes in training others in evidence-based treatment of mental health problems.

has Anxiety Disorders: An Introduction and Mood Disorders: An Introduction available from Onus Books. His new title OCD: Etiology, Phenomenology, and Treatment is out in ebook format and will soon be available in paperback. 

The description for Anxiety Disorders: An Introduction is as follows:

In this book, clinical psychologist and professor Dr. Caleb Lack introduces readers to the class of mental health problems known as the anxiety disorders. Covering what we know about each of the specific disorders across eight areas (DSM-IV criteria, changes expected in DSM-5, associated features, presentation differences across the lifespan, gender and cultural differences, epidemiology, etiology, and empirically supported treatments), this text is structured to in an easily digestible, but still highly informative fashion. 

“In Anxiety Disorders: An Introduction Dr. Caleb Lack artfully depicts the nature, clinical features, and empirical treatment literature associated with anxiety disorders. This volume is a must-have for any clinician or researcher given the high quality of writing, concise but thorough nature in which information is conveyed, and clinical utility.” - Eric Storch, Ph.D., All Children's Hospital Guild Endowed Chair Professor, University of South Florida 

“... a succinct overview of anxiety disorders... an honest appraisal of the strength and weaknesses of various approaches to identification... This book is an excellent introduction or reference for students and practitioners.” - B. Scott Singleton, PsyD, BCBA-D, NCSP, University of Central Oklahoma

The description to his OCD title follows:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Etiology, Phenomenology, and Treatment provides an introduction to the fascinating world of those with problematic obsessions and compulsions. Some of the world’s leading researchers and clinicians contribute chapters to this volume, which covers everything from the causes of OCD, to how it manifests across different cultural settings, to evidence-based treatments. Both new clinicians and those experienced with the disorder will find useful information inside, as will those seeking to learn more for themselves or their family members.

“Lack has assembled a terrific volume on OCD that is concise yet thorough. A must read for students, clinicians, and researchers... every chapter of this book is clearly written and the authors stick to the most up-to-date scientifically supported knowledge. The chapters on symptom dimensions in OCD and cultural manifestations of the disorder are highlights and make this book unique. It will occupy a prominent place on my bookshelf and become required reading for my students.”- Jonathan S. Abramowitz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr Charles Abramson

Dr Lack also has a further book  in conjunction with fellow psychologist Dr Charles Abramson which details the mistakes of racism and sexism in early psychology. It is titled Psychology Gone Astray. 

In the relatively short history of psychology as a science, our understanding of human behavior, cognition, emotion, and perception has moved forward in leaps and bounds. This knowledge is frequently applied today to help make improvements in people’s lives, from more effective therapies for the mentally ill to educational strategies to increased work productivity. 

But if we step back in time only a few decades, we find psychologists playing a key role in a very different effort: the attempt to support racist and sexist attitudes and policies with results from experiments and other forms of research. This book provides a window into this period, reprinting over 20 journal articles from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with commentary from noted educators Abramson and Lack. Will we continue to twist science to fit our preformed beliefs or can we learn from the mistakes of our past? 

“This is an important contribution to the literature in psychology regarding a very uncomfortable time in our history. I applaud the authors for taking on this challenging topic and shining light on this dark time in the history of social science.” - Dr. Robert Mather, Associate Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of Central Oklahoma

The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View
and
Dot, Dot, Dot: Infinity Plus God Equals Folly

Onus Books are proud to announce the publication of books by American authors Aaron Adair and James A. Lindsay.

The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View is a critical look at the claim in the Gospel of Matthew that a star led the magi to the birthplace of Jesus. It is a conjunction of science and religion and Aaron Adair's first book. there will be a foreword by Bob Berman. The book has received some great critical reviews from the likes of Richard Carrier and Adair has now become a prominent voice in the Star of Bethlehem research.

James A. Lindsay, author of God Doesn't; We Do has produced Dot, Dot, Dot: Infinity Plus God Equals Folly, a critical look at the way in which theists use the concept of infinity to further their case, and finds such use wanting. With a foreword by the late Victor Stenger, this book is a fascinating take on arguments for God, showing that the foundations are incoherent, from a mathematical and philosophical point of view.