An acclaimed author of novels & short stories, Tim Parks
- who was described in a recent review as ”one of the best living writers
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In this witty & informative book, expert linguist David Crystal explores the origins, the present use & the future of language. Delivered with humour & dotted with diagram & quizzes, this is an entertaining study of the use of language & words worldwide; from the first word a baby speaks or that was ever written to the birth of obscure dialect & the development of unique linguistic styles, to text message structure & the broader effect of technology on our reading, writing & speech. Revealing & captivating, entertaining & accessible to any age reader, this is a story that will have anyone interested in the subject captivated. ...

Simply everything you need to know to learn something new. Ever wanted to learn more about astronomy but don`t know where to begin? You can learn step-by-step with A Little Course in Astronomy, part of the popular series of learning guides from DK that explain everything & assume nothing. You can learn at your own pace, in your own time & in the comfort of your own home. A Little Course in Astronomy takes you from complete beginner to being able to identify stars, planets & other objects in space. You can start simple by studying the Moon, build on your skills to find constellations & observe the solar system to see the Milky Way, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn. The step-by-step pictures show you what other courses only tell you & you can learn by doing with sections on locating & observing stars, planets & constellations & choosing & using equipment like planispheres, binoculars & telescopes. A Little Course in Astronomy will show you how to succeed at your new skill in no time. 10 A Little Course in...titles available including Crochet, Preserving, Yoga, Pilates, Wine Tasting, Sewing, Knitting, Baking, Growing Fruit & Veg. ...

Simply everything you need to know to learn something new; a practical & inspirational course in growing fruit & veg. Ever wanted to learn how to grow fruit & veg but don't know where to begin? Take the first step with A Little Course in Growing Veg & Fruit, part of a new series of learning guides from DK where nothing is assumed & everything is explained. You can learn at your own pace, in your own time & in the comfort of your own home & garden. Each course follows the same structure; start simple & learn the basics, build on what you've learnt & then show off your new skills! A Little Course in Growing Veg & Fruit takes you from complete beginner to being able to complete 53 gardening projects. You can start simple with salad in a windowbox & a herb hanging basket, build on your skills with a bean wigwam & an apple tree in a pot & show off by building a raised bed & growing asparagus. The step-by-step pictures show you what other courses only tell you & the practice projects keep you on the right track. A Little Course in Growing Veg & Fruit will help you learn your new skill in no time. 8 A Little Course in.. .titles available including Preserving (9781409364443), Yoga (9781409365235), Pilates (9781409365174), Wine Tasting (9781409365204), Sewing (9781409365198), Knitting (9781409365181), Baking (9781409365211), & Growing Fruit & Veg (9781409365228). ...

Whether extolling the merits of a cheerful breakfast tray, conjuring up a winter picnic of figs & mulled wine, sharing delicious Tuscan recipes, or suggesting a last-minute pre-theatre dinner, the sparkling writings of the society hostess & philanthropist Agnes Jekyll describe food for every imaginable occasion & mood. Originally published in The Times in the early 1920s, these divinely witty & brilliantly observed pieces are still loved today for their warmth & friendly advice &, with their emphasis on fresh, simple, stylish dishes, were years ahead of their time. ...

What sort of tree did Robin Hood`s bow come from? What pine tree drops its needles in the winter & how did the monkey puzzle get its name? These are just some of the wonderful facts that you`ll discover inside this book. Trees give us shade & the oxygen we breathe, like tall green giants that watch over us. & they are beautiful! Use the delicate illustrations & simple text to help your child identify the trees they see every day, whether they live in the country or the city. This book is a wonderful way of encouraging a child to interact with their environment, helping them to respect & protect the trees that surround them. ...

Arranged in colour for speedy identification, with extra anecdotes from winsome characters in Charlotte Voake`s inimitable style; this child-friendly guide also

Includes:: keynotes on plant parts & the seasons, along with a tick-box index for keen spotters. The Eden Project brings plants & people together. It is dedicated to developing a greater understanding of our shared global garden; encouraging us to respect plants
- & protect them.


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The thrilling history of archaeological adventure, with tales of danger, debate, audacious explorers, & astonishing discoveries around the globe What is archaeology? The word may bring to mind images of golden pharaohs & lost civilizations, or Neanderthal skulls & Ice Age cave art. Archaeology is all of these, but also far more: the only science to encompass the entire span of human history-more than three million years! This Little History tells the riveting stories of some of the great archaeologists & their amazing discoveries around the globe: ancient Egyptian tombs, Mayan ruins, the first colonial settlements at Jamestown, mysterious Stonehenge, the incredibly preserved Pompeii, & many, many more. In forty brief, exciting chapters, the book recounts archaeology`s development from its eighteenth-century origins to its twenty-first-century technological advances, including remote sensing capabilities & satellite imagery techniques that have revolutionized the field. Shining light on the most intriguing events in the history of the field, this absolutely up-to-date book illuminates archaeology`s controversies, discoveries, heroes & scoundrels, global sites, & newest methods for curious readers of every age. ...

Did the Romans have rakes? Did the monks get muddy? Did the potato seem really, really weird when it arrived on our shores? This lively `potted` history of gardening in Britain takes us on a garden tour from the thorn hedges around prehistoric settlements to the rage for ornamental grasses & `outdoor rooms` today. It tracks down the ordinary folk who worked the earth
- the apprentice boys & weeding women, the florists & nursery gardeners
- as well as aristocrats & grand designers & famous plant-hunters. Coloured by Jenny Uglow`s own love for plants, & brought to life in the many vivid illustrations, it deals not only with flowery meads, grottoes & vistas, landscapes & ha-has, parks & allotments, but tells you, for example, how the Tudors made their curious knots; how housewives used herbs to stop freckles; how the suburbs dug for victory in World War II. With a brief guide to particular historic or evocative gardens open to the public, this is a book to put in your pocket when planning a summer day out
- but also to read in your deckchair with a glass of cold wine, when dead-heading is simply too much.


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Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality & how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy & explores their most compelling ideas about the world & how best to live in it. In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton takes us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting & often quirky stories of the lives & deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical & ethical questions that haunt our own times. Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, & question in the tradition of Socrates. ”A Little History of Philosophy” presents the grand sweep of humanity`s search for philosophical understanding & invites all to join in the discussion. ...