Albert Jacks Shaggy Dogs & Black Sheep" is a compulsively readable highly enlightening look at the phrases we use all the time but rarely consider. The English language is crammed with colourful phrases & sayings that we use without thinking every day. Its only when were asked who smart Alec or Holy Moly were where feeling in the pink or once in a blue moon come from or even what letting the cat out of the bag really means that we realize that theres far more to English than we might have thought. Luckily enough we now have Albert Jack. & rather than resting on his laurels after the enormous success of " Red Herrings & White Elephants" he has continued his search around the world exploring the origins of hundreds more phrases. The fascinating stories he has uncovered come from the rich traditions of the navy army & law to confidence tricksters & highwaymen from the practices of ancient civilizations to Music Hall & pubs. Determined to chase each shaggy dog story to the bitter end his discoveries are even stranger & more memorable this time round. From the skin of your teeth to the graveyard shift
- youll never speak (or even think) English in the same way again. Albert Jack has become something of a publishing phenomenon clocking up hundreds of thousands of sales with his series of bestselling adventures tracing the fantastic stories behind everyday phrases (" Red Herrings & White Elephants") the worlds great mysteries (" Loch Ness Monsters & Raining Frogs") & nursery rhymes (" Pop Goes the Weasel")."
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The ninth book to feature the classic crime-solving Detective Chief Inspector Wexford. Angela Hathall is found strangled in her bed but shockingly the murder of this meek & solitary woman sparks little emotion from her husb&. Called in to investigate Wexford's curiosity only deepens when he discovers that the Hathall household has been meticulously cleaned but for a single distinctive palm print. As the case develops Wexford is increasingly frustrated by the seemingly pointless nature of the murder. There is no motive no weapon & no suspect. Nothing except the unidentified print. But despite the sparse evidence Wexford is convinced Hathall is hiding something. So when Wexford is taken off the case he decides to take matters into his own hands... ...

From bestselling author Bill Bryson comes this compelling short biography of William Shakespeare our greatest dramatist & poet. Examining centuries of myths half-truths & downright lies Bill Bryson makes sense of the man behind the masterpieces. As he leads us through the crowded streets of Elizabethan England he brings to life the places & characters that inspired Shakespeares work. Along the way he delights in the inventiveness of Shakespeares language which has given us so many of the indispensable words & phrases we use today & celebrates the Bards legacy to our literature culture & history. Drawing together information from a vast array of sources this is a masterful account of the life & works of William Shakespeare one of the most famous & most enigmatic people ever to have lived
- not to mention a classic piece of Bill Bryson.
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This exquisitely illustrated edition of Bill Brysons best-selling biography of William Shakespeare takes the reader on an enthralling journey through Elizabethan England & the eccentricities of Shakespearean scholarship. Bill Brysons biography of William Shakespeare pairs the most celebrated playwright in history with one of the most popular writers in the English language today. In this exquisitely illustrated new edition the age of Shakespeare is vividly evoked through full-colour paintings portraits documents & photographs. Ever since he took the theatre of Elizabethan London by storm over 400 years ago Shakespeare has remained centre stage. His fame stems not only from his plays
- performed everywhere from school halls to the worlds most illustrious theatres
- but also from his enigmatic persona. His face is familiar to all yet in reality very little is known about the man behind the masterpieces. Taking us on a journey through the streets of Elizabethan & Jacobean England Bryson examines centuries of myths half-truths & downright lies surrounding our greatest dramatist. With a steady hand & his trademark wit he introduces a host of engaging characters as he celebrates the magic of Shakespeares language & delights in details of the bards life folios poetry & plays. An updated preface

Includes:: the recent discoveries of the Cobbe portrait & Londons first purpose-built theatre in Shoreditch. Shakespeare: The Illustrated Edition is captivating & colourful as Bryson brings the legend into focus with unmatched clarity & amusement. Sonnets (audio CD) Selected & read by Sir John Gielgud these personal & initimate poems were recorded over a period of six months on two continents a few at a time. They are magnificently sensitive readings by the most memorable interpreter of Shakespeare in our time. The text follows the original quarto of 1609.



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DK Eyewitness Shakespeare" is a spectacular & informative guide to one of historys most well known playwrights. Amazing colour photographs offer your child a unique eyewitness view of William Shakespeare. Did you know special effects were used in Shakespeares plays including devils & ghosts that came up through trapdoors in the stage? Let your child discover the fascinating life & times of one of the worlds greatest playwrights from Shakespeares birth in the small town of Stratford-upon-Avon to theatre life in 16th century London. Then use the giant pull-out wall chart to decorate their room. Great for projects or just for fun make sure your child learns everything they need to know about Shakespeare. Find out more & download amazing clipart images at our associated website." ...

This guide to the most popular works of William Shakespeare provides & overview of his life & times which gives an insight into his writings themes & characters & how facts were altered to make the historical plays more entertaining. The book

Includes:: plot & main character summaries of such plays as A Midsummer Night's Dream" " Othello" " Julius Caesar" & " Romeo & Juliet". It also contains plot scorecards that allow the reader to follow the play & keep track of the deaths marriages & family relations. In addition Shakespeare's poetry is covered in detail. The guide

Includes:: an overview of the English of Shakespeare's day with tips on sentence construction verbs & knowing the difference between "thee" "thou" & "thine" as well as an examination of his use of words jokes & puns. The book also offers: tips on how to best enjoy the Bard's work with advice on reading aloud reading footnotes & using a dictionary; suggestions on how to prepare for a performance of Shakespeare's work & what to look for in film versions; the best places to see a Shakespearean production; the most common Shakespeare"es still used today; the best films based on the Bard's works; & notable performances."



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The full comprehension of the plays is gained from the line-by-line modern English translation given on facing pages. Understanding of the plays is increased as pupils take part in the variety of related activities included in each book. The significance of the plays is reinforced by sections discussing Shakespeares life works & theatre. Pupils are encouraged to understand the language characters structure & themes of the plays by completion of practical exercises. ...

The full comprehension of the plays is gained from the line-by-line modern English translation given on facing pages. Understanding of the plays is increased as pupils take part in the variety of related activities included in each book. The significance of the plays is reinforced by sections discussing Shakespeares life works & theatre. Pupils are encouraged to understand the language characters structure & themes of the plays by completion of practical exercises. ...

Whos afraid of William Shakespeare? Just about everyone. He wrote too much & what he did write is inaccessible & elitist. Right? Wrong. Shakespeare on Toast" knocks the stuffing from the staid old myth of Shakespeare revealing the man & his plays for what they really are: modern thrilling & uplifting drama. Actor & author Ben Crystal brings the bright words & colourful characters of the worlds greatest hack writer brilliantly to life handing over the key to Shakespeares plays unlocking the so called difficult bits & astonishingly finding Shakespeares own voice amid the poetry. Told in five fascinating Acts " Shakespeare on Toast" sweeps the cobwebs from the Bard
- from his language his life his time
- revealing both the man & his work to be relevant accessible & full of beans."

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Lily Bard has started over in the quiet town of Shakespeare Arkansas where she works as a cleaning lady. But shes about to go back to where she came from & where Lily goes danger follows.. . Determined to move beyond her violent past Lily heads to Bartley her hometown for her sisters Christmas Eve wedding. But theres something in the air besides festive cheer: the towns doctor & nurses have been bludgeoned to death & Lilys detective boyfriend has followed an eight-year-old kidnapping case straight to Bartley. It just might have something to do with the murders.. .and with her sisters fiance. With only three days to the wedding Lily must work fast to clean up the messy case before her sister promises to love honour & obey a killer. ...