Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer

$35.00 AUD

Category: Reference

_______________________'An utterly delightful book to read, Dreyer's English will stand among the classics on how to use the English language properly.' ELIZABETH STROUT_______________________ An indispensable, New York Times-bestselling guide to the craft of writing from Random House's long-time copy c hief and one of Twitter's leading language gurus. We all write, all the time- books, blogs, tweets, emails, emails, emails - and we all want to write better. Benjamin Dreyer is here to help. As Random House's copy chief, Dreyer has upheld the standards of the legendary publisher for more than two decades. He is beloved by authors and editors alike - not to mention his followers on social media - for playfully, brilliantly deconstructing the English language. Dreyer's English is the distillation of everything he has learned from copy-editing thousands of books, the perfect guide not just for writers but for everyone who wants to put their best prose foot forward. Both authoritative and amusing, Dreyer's English offers lessons on punctuation, from the underloved semicolon to the enigmatic en-dash; the rules and nonrules of grammar, including why it's OK to begin a sentence with "And" or "But" and to confidently split an infinitive; and why it's best to avoid the doldrums of the Wan Intensifiers and Throat Clearers, including "very," "rather," "of course," and the dreaded "actually." And yes- "Only godless savages eschew the Oxford comma." Stuffed with advice, insider wisdom, and fun facts, this book will prove to be invaluable to everyone who wants to shore up their writing skills, mandatory for people who spend their time editing and shaping other people's prose, and - perhaps best of all - an utter treat for anyone who simply revels in language. _______________________ This book is written in British English._______________________ 'Benjamin Dreyer's brilliant, pithy, incandescently intelligent book is to contemporary writing what Geoffrey Chaucer's poetry was to medieval English- a gift that broadens and deepens the art and the science of literature by illustrating that convention should not stand in the way of creativity, so long as that creativity is expressed with clarity and with conviction.' JON MEACHAM 'Meet the guardian of grammar who wants to help you be a better writer. Benjamin Dreyer sees language the way an epicure sees food. And he finds sloppiness everywhere he looks.' THE NEW YORK TIMES 'Playful, smart, self-conscious, and personal . . . One encounters wisdom and good sense on nearly every page of Dreyer's English.' WALL STREET JOURNAL 'Destined to become a classic.' THE MILLIONS 'A mind-blower--sure to jumpstart any writing project, just by exposing you, the writer, to Dreyer's astonishing level of sentence-awareness.' GEORGE SAUNDERS 'Dreyer can help you . . . with tips on punctuation and spelling. . . . Even better- He'll entertain you while he's at it.' NEWSDAY 'It is Benjamin Dreyer's intense love for the English language and his passion for the subject that make the experience of reading Dreyer's English such a pleasure, almost regardless of the invaluable and practical purpose his book serves in such dark and confusing times for grammar and meaning.' AYELET WALDMAN & MICHAEL CHABON 'This work is that rare writing handbook that writers might actually want to read straight through, rather than simply consult.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ...Show more

DK Big Book of Knowledge by Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff

$20.00 AUD

Category: Reference

The perfect encyclopedia for any information-hungry kid who wants to boost their general knowledge, this pocket-sized book is packed full of facts. From earthquakes to Marco Polo, magnets to how the brain works, this fully updated 600-page book of knowledge covers just about every topic that a curious c hild will want to learn about. The perfect resource for school-aged children, this book will be a reference point for years' worth of homework, research, and school projects. Updated photography and illustration are combined to show what others only tell you. Annotation points out the details that you might miss at first and gives you a detailed overview of every subject you can think of. A whole world of discovery awaits in the Big Book of Knowledge, and it will keep curious kids endlessly entertained and captivated. ...Show more

1001 Quotations to Inspire You Before You Die by Robert Arp (General Editor)

$40.00 AUD

Category: Reference

1001 Quotations To Inspire You Before You Die is full of smart remarks - not just sassy one-liners (although there are plenty of those), but also more considered, philosophical epigrams that make us pause and reflect on a range of profound topics. Each quotation is accompanied by an insightful account o f its meaning and the historical context in which it was first uttered or written. Some famous quotations are straightforward, but many need contextualising - it's often not exactly what was said, but who said it, and in what context, that is more important. Many oft-quoted remarks open up whole new worlds of thought and interpretation. What, for example, did Voltaire mean when he wrote 'If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him'? - was he hinting at his own atheism (unlikely, given the age in which he lived) or making a more subtle point about the difficulty of apprehending the Almighty? This book looks into these and a host of other such questions, and takes the reader from the source material into illuminating discussions of its wider significance. We all love quotations - we use them to make our points, to plead our cases and to justify our opinions, as well as to honour, glorify, motivate, incite, besmirch, bewitch and beguile. 1001 Quotations To Inspire You Before You Die will help you do all that and more. ...Show more

Reading Greek - Grammar and Exercises by Cambridge University Press Staff; Joint Association of Classical Teachers Staff

$47.95 AUD

Category: Reference | Series: Reading Greek Ser.

First published in 1978, Reading Greek has become a best-selling one-year introductory course in ancient Greek for students and adults. It combines the best of modern and traditional language-learning techniques and is used widely in schools, summer schools and universities across the world. It has also been translated into several foreign languages. This volume provides full grammatical support together with numerous exercises at different levels. For the second edition the presentations of grammar have been substantially revised to meet the needs of today's students and the volume has been completely redesigned, with the use of colour. Greek-English and English-Greek vocabularies are provided, as well as a substantial reference grammar and language surveys. The accompanying Text and Vocabulary volume contains a narrative adapted entirely from ancient authors in order to encourage students rapidly to develop their reading skills, simultaneously receiving a good introduction to Greek culture. ...Show more

Oxford Mini Thesaurus by .

$16.95 AUD

Category: Reference

The Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago Press (COR)

$186.00 AUD

Category: Reference | Series: Chicago Manual of Style

Technologies may change, but the need for clear and accurate communication never goes out of style. That is why for more than one hundred years The Chicago Manual of Style has remained the definitive guide for anyone who works with words. In the seven years since the previous edition debuted, we have s een an extraordinary evolution in the way we create and share knowledge. This seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style has been prepared with an eye toward how we find, create, and cite information that readers are as likely to access from their pockets as from a bookshelf. It offers updated guidelines on electronic workflows and publication formats, tools for PDF annotation and citation management, web accessibility standards, and effective use of metadata, abstracts, and keywords. It recognizes the needs of those who are self-publishing or following open access or Creative Commons publishing models. The citation chapters reflect the ever-expanding universe of electronic sources--including social media posts and comments, private messages, and app content--and also offer updated guidelines on such issues as DOIs, time stamps, and e-book locators. Other improvements are independent of technological change. The chapter on grammar and usage includes an expanded glossary of problematic words and phrases and a new section on syntax as well as updated guidance on gender-neutral pronouns and bias-free language. Key sections on punctuation and basic citation style have been reorganized and clarified. To facilitate navigation, headings and paragraph titles have been revised and clarified throughout. And the bibliography has been updated and expanded to include the latest and best resources available. This edition continues to reflect expert insights gathered from Chicago's own staff and from an advisory board of publishing experts from across the profession. It also includes suggestions inspired by emails, calls, and even tweets from readers. No matter how much the means of communication change, The Chicago Manual of Style remains the ultimate resource for those who care about getting the details right. ...Show more

Roget's Thesaurus by George Davidson (Editor)

$28.00 AUD

Category: Reference

Roget's Thesaurus ranks as one of the greatest English language reference works, used for generations by anyone looking for help in order to write a letter, prepare a speech, solve a crossword, or write any manner of prose or poem. Its sales now exceed 32 million copies. This edition has been revi sed and updated to include all the latest buzzwords and phrases. In addition this new edition of Roget contains useful panels of additional information that include such nuggets of information as signs of the zodiac and the origins of familiar quotations that have become an integral part of our everyday language. ...Show more

Japanese English Bilingual Visual Dictionary by DK

$23.00 AUD

Category: Reference | Series: DK Bilingual Dictionaries

With over 10,000 fully illustrated terms arranged by theme and an audio app, Japanese language learning has never been easier. Perfect for tourist and business travellers alike, DK's Bilingual Visual Dictionary series is by your side when buying food, talking about work, discussing health, and studying language. Stunning visuals and comprehensive indexes combine to make the Japanese English Bilingual Visual Dictionary your indispensable Japanese language companion. Fully updated to reflect recent changes in technology and clothing, the Japanese English Bilingual Visual Dictionary also features an easy-to-use free audio app available on the App Store and Google Play, enabling you to hear terms spoken out loud. Learn and retain all the key phrases you need to know, and perfect your pronunciation with audio help. ...Show more

Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable by E. Cobham Brewer

$45.00 AUD

Category: Reference

In this book: Much loved for its wit and wisdom since 1870, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable takes you on a captivating adventure through its trademark blend of language, culture, myth and legend. Edited by Susie Dent, this new edition contains an intriguing supplement of Brewer's Gems - facts, f ables and curiosities from Brewer collections of the past. Its pages brim with esoteric and entertaining entries - everything from curious customs to the world of newspapers and political alliances of yesteryear - all seen through the distinctive Brewer lens. This nineteenth edition of Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable encapsulates all the charm and wit that characterise its predecessors and maintains the standards of scholarship and eclecticism that have long been its hallmark. This unique edition has been thoroughly updated with over 100 new and revised entries - think crowdsourcing, cyberpunk, iPad and mash-up - guaranteed to delight, entertain and inspire in the best Brewer's tradition. Also included are twenty special entries that encapsulate the enticing spirit of the dictionary. Discover Brewer's take on angels, heraldry, pub signs and recluses and delve into the lexicographical world of the eggcorn. Whether you're a committed Brewerphile or a newcomer to its pages of fascinating entries, this edition will draw you in and keep you glued to its rich mix of eccentric nuggets. As Susie Dent explains in the foreword, Brewer's 'is not a straightforward dictionary, nor is it an encyclopaedia. It is, in fact, unlike any other reference book that exists, anywhere.' ...Show more

Oxford French Mini Dictionary by Oxford Dictionaries Staff

$10.95 AUD

Category: Reference

This is the reissued Oxford French Mini Dictionary - now in an attractive new format.This small dictionary offers the most accurate and up-to-date coverage of essential, everyday vocabulary with over 40,000 words and phrases and 60,000 translations. Easy-to-use colour design and a centre section of usef ul words and expressions listed by topic make this dictionary ideal for traveland quick reference. ...Show more

The Pebbles on the Beach: A Spotter's Guide by Clarence Ellis; Robert Macfarlane (Introduction by)

$25.00 AUD

Category: Reference

*Top 10 Sunday Times bestseller* The Pebbles on the Beach was first published in 1954. This newly reissued edition includes a foreword by Robert Macfarlane. There is a handy illustrated guide to identifying pebbles on the reverse of the book jacket. Pebble-hunting is a pleasant hobby that makes little d emand upon one's patience and still less upon one's physical energy. (You may even enjoy the hunt from the luxurious sloth of a deck chair). One of the true delights of the pebble-seeker is to read the stories in the stones - to determine whence and by what means they came to be there. We must always bear in mind that a pebble is a transient thing. It is in the half-way stage of a long existence . . . This is a book about the simple pleasure of pebble spotting. Clarence Ellis is a charming, knowledgeable and witty guide to everything you didn't know there was to know about pebbles. He ruminates on what a pebble actually is, before showing us how they are formed, advising on the best pebble-spotting grounds in the UK, helping to identify individual stones, and giving tips on the necessary kit. You'll know your chert from your schist, your onyx from your agate, and will be on your guard for artificial intruders before you know it. Understanding the humble pebble makes a trip to the beach, lake-side or river bank simply that little bit more fascinating. ...Show more

Reading Latin: Grammar and Exercises by Peter V. Jones

$39.95 AUD

Category: Reference

Reading Latin, first published in 1986, is a bestselling Latin course designed to help mature beginners read classical Latin fluently and intelligently. It does this in three ways: it encourages the reading of continuous texts from the start; it offers generous help with translation at every stage; and it integrates the learning of classical Latin with an appreciation of the influence of the Latin language upon English and European culture from antiquity to the present. The Text and Vocabulary, richly illustrated, consists at the start of carefully graded adaptations from original classical Latin texts. The adaptations are gradually phased out until unadulterated prose and verse can be read. The accompanying Grammar and Exercises volume completes the course by supplying all the grammatical help needed, and the second edition has been fully revised and updated. It has also been extensively redesigned to make it clearer and easier to navigate. ...Show more