'Stuffed with entertaining detail ... Horrible Words is lively, provocative, witty and enlightening' The TimesNothing inflames the language purists like an illogical irregardless or a hideous otherization. But is it enough simply to dismiss these words as vile and barbarous howlers? Taking a genial tour far and wide through our linguistic badlands, Rebecca Gowers finds answers that are helpful, surprising and often extremely funny.'Exuberant, erudite, informative and fun ... a call on all English-speakers to trust their own feel for their language, to relish their verbal inventiveness and to do battle against the pedants who tell them they are wrong' Michael Skapinker, Financial Times 'A very useful book, packed with good historical sense' Lynne Truss, The Times
For over a century, a mysterious figure from 1870s California, going by the name of Major Harry Larkyns, has been written off as little more than a liar, seducer and cheat. And he is only remembered at all these days because he was shot dead by the magnificently strange photographer Eadweard Muybridge. A rural court would exonerate the unrepentant murderer, in contravention of all existing laws; and the conduct of the case has barely been questioned since. But was either the killer or the victim quite what he seemed?In the autumn of 2015, Rebecca Gowers uncovered the startling fact that Harry Larkins, lost brother of her own great-great-grandmother, Alice Larkins, was one and the same as the Harry Larkyns coldly executed by Eadweard Muybridge. Provoked by this into extensive researches, Gowers is now able to lay bare the long-concealed and extraordinary truth about this 'brilliant waif'.Part biography, part crime account, The Scoundrel Harry Larkyns shows how, after a catastrophic childhood, Harry grew up handsome, fragile, courageous, and a beguiling reprobate to boot. The exploits of his tragically short life would span three continents, and range from a stint as an adolescent army cadet in India, through a louche spell in Second Empire Paris, to his days as a Bohemian rogue in the American Wild West. He found himself behind bars more than once, won glory in battle, and, hardly less dangerously, had a fondness for chasing notorious women. But what would seal his fate was to fall in love with another man's wife.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA NON-FICTION CROWNDiamond thief, guerrilla fighter, spy, decorated hero, bohemian rogue and lover of several notorious women - all describe Major Harry Larkyns. Yet he has long been dismissed as merely a liar and a cheat, famous only for being shot dead in 1874 by the unnerving photographer Eadweard Muybridge. But has history properly understood either the killer or his victim? Part biography, part crime investigation, THE SCOUNDREL HARRY LARKYNS uncovers some extraordinary truths, and is historical detective work at its finest.'One of the best books of the year' Irish Times'Strange, brilliant, quirky and illuminating' Country Life'A story that is as eventful as it is tragic' Guardian'A masterpiece of historical detective work' Keith Lowe
'Be short, be simple, be human.'When Sir Ernest Gowers first wrote Plain Words, it was intended simply as a guide to the proper use of English for the Civil Service. Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made it a bestseller. Since then it has never been out of print.Six decades on, writer Rebecca Gowers has created a new edition of this now-classic work that both revises and celebrates her great-grandfather's original. Plain Words has been updated to reflect numerous changes in English usage, yet Sir Ernest's distinctive, witty voice is undimmed. And his message remains vital: our writing should be as clear and comprehensible as possible, avoiding superfluous words and clichés - from the jargon of 'commercialese' to the murky euphemisms of politicians.In a new preface, this edition draws on an extensive private archive, previously hidden away in family cupboards and attics, to tell the story behind a book that has become an institution: the essential guide to making yourself understood.
A Word-Lover's History of English explores the story of the English language in 501 words that illustrate the advance of English, the processes of its evolution, and the mechanisms driving these changes. It examines new coinages from 1500 years of English's development, from its arrival in the mouths of conquering Germanic tribes in the fifth century AD to its present-day status as the fastest-growing language in the world. Because English is remarkably circular, many words enjoy a period of popularity, then lie dormant for a while before being resurrected (and often refashioned) in a new era. This book is organized chronologically according to the date of the first coinage of each new word or new word grouping, and so while cool may have become a ubiquitous term of approval over the past 25 years, here it is found in the 1940s, when it first saw the light of day during the jazz and bebop era. A Word-Lover's History of English charts all the major influences upon the language: its misty Celtic origins; the Dark-Age arrival of the Jutes, Angles and Saxons; the seismic linguistic shocks of the Viking invasions and Norman conquest; the catalyst of growing trade from the East in the 13th and 14th centuries and the later impact of a global empire; the influence of particular individuals on shaping English, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson and even the rap-artists of the 21st century; the emergence of a specifically American form of English; changes in grammar and why they happened (and are still happening); pronunciation and spelling changes; and the potential new words of the future - taking a view on how English will develop in this century and beyond.
In A Word-Lover's History of English, Susie Dent and Rebecca Gowers examine the principal landmarks in the evolution of English, charting all of the major influences upon the language: its misty Celtic origins; the Dark-Age arrival of the Jutes, Angles and Saxons and the seismic linguistic shocks of the Viking invasions and Norman conquest. They look at the impact on the language of the growing trade from the East in the 13th and 14th centuries and the later impact of Britain's global empire; the influence of particular individuals on shaping English, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson and even the rap-artists of the 21st century; as well as the emergence of a specifically American form of English. The authors' exploration of individual words also sheds light on modifications in grammar, and why they happened (and are still happening); pronunciation and spelling changes; and the potential new words of the future - taking a view on how English will develop in this century and beyond. Brilliantly entertaining and rigorously researched, A Word-Lover's History of English is the perfect gift for word and language buffs.
Fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Kitty Neale will love this captivating and heart-wrenching saga from the pen of bestselling author Iris Gower. READERS ARE LOVING DAUGHTERS OF REBECCA! "A real page turner" -- ***** Reader review"I couldn't put it down" -- ***** Reader review"Amazing" -- ***** Reader review"Brilliant storyline which started from the very beginning right through to the end" -- ***** Reader review******************************************************************TWO WOMEN. RIVALS IN LOVE. WILL LIFE EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN? Shanni Price, a spirited, lively girl, trapped in a tragic and poverty-stricken life, is lucky enough to be given protection by lovely, wealthy Llinos Mainwaring when she is at her lowest ebb, and goes to live at the famous pottery in Swansea. Llinos, whose marriage to handsome Joe has run into trouble, is glad to have this strong-minded girl as her companion, but when they both meet the dashing Dafydd Buchan, young Shanni begins to regard her employer as her rival in love.These are troubled times in South Wales, when the poor are feeling the effects of repression and the Rebeccas, bold rebel leaders dressed as women, are storming the countryside. As Llinos begins to wonder whether her marriage to Joe is over, and Shanni becomes involved with the rioters, the life of the pottery is threatened as never before...Daughters of Rebecca is the fourth novel in Iris Gower's Firebird series. The saga continues in Kingdom's Dream. Have you read Firebird, Dream Catcher and Sweet Rosie, where the story began?
Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers Authoritative and comprehensive go-to reference work for commercial vegetable growers around the world For more than 65 years, Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers has provided generations of commercial growers with the most timely, accessible, and useful information available on the subject, containing key guidance on transplant production, planting rates and spacing, irrigation, fertilization, methods for controlling diseases, and insect pest identification, plus important information on topics such as composting, post-harvest storage and processing, genetically-engineered crops, organic growing, federal regulations and best management practices, environmentally friendly pest management, and food safety. To allow for convenient and efficient access to the enormous amount of data contained within, most of the information is presented in the form of tables and charts. The work goes above and beyond to provide everything a reader needs to know on the subject, even including a multilanguage vegetable dictionary. Now in its 6th edition, the work has been significantly expanded and modernized to cover key modern advancements in the industry, such as: Computer-based crop monitoring technologies, robotic disease control and harvesting systems, and new protected-ag production systems (including vertical systems and indoor production) New production systems pertaining to protected organic agriculture, soil moisture sensing, environmental monitoring, soil health, and soil conservationNew technologies, including satellite-based decision-making, robotics, and UAVs for increasing production efficiencyThe various advances that have been made in food safety regulations, plus coverage of new invasive pests Part Farmer’s Almanac, part encyclopedia, and part dictionary, Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers serves as an invaluable asset for growers, students, and other industry professionals seeking an all-in-one reference for all of the questions they have on both holistic and specific facets of the commercial vegetable industry.
The multi-million-copy bestseller that has enthralled generations of readers. A haunting tale of obsessive love. A mesmerizing psychological thriller. In Monte Carlo, our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at Manderley, her husband's cavernous estate on the Cornish coast, that she realizes how vast a shadow his late wife, Rebecca, will cast over their lives--introducing a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their love from beyond the grave. This universally acclaimed novel has remained consistently in print since its original publication in 1938 and has frequently been adapted--for television, radio, the theater, and film--most notably in 1940 by Alfred Hitchcock, whose Rebecca received the Academy Award for Best Picture, and in the 2020 Netflix film starring Lily James and Armie Hammer. "Excellent entertainment...Du Maurier created a scale by which modern women can measure their feelings." --Stephen King "One of the most influential novels of the twentieth century, Rebecca has woven its way into the fabric of our culture with all the troubling power of myth or dream." --Sarah Waters
A stunning hardback edition to mark the eightieth anniversary of one of the best-loved novels ever written. A bestselling gothic tale of love, murder and secrets.
DISCOVER THE DU MAURIER DARK ROMANCE COLLECTION'Rebecca has woven its way into the fabric of our culture with all the troubling power of myth or dream. A stunning book' SARAH WATERS'It's the book every writer wishes they'd written' CLARE MACKINTOSH'The greatest psychological thriller of all time' ERIN KELLY***He did not belong to me at all, he belonged to Rebecca. . .Everyone knows that Maxim de Winter was obsessed with his glamorous wife - and devastated by her tragic death. So when he proposes to a shy, anxious young woman after a whirlwind meeting in the South of France, no one is more surprised than the new bride herself. But when they reach Manderley, his beautiful, isolated Cornish mansion, the second Mrs de Winter begins to realise that every inch of her new home - and everyone in it - still belongs to Rebecca.'The perfect story by the perfect storyteller' JOANNA CANNON'One of my all-time favourites' ERIN MORGENSTERN'She's so deviant. So fascinating' EMERALD FENNELL'Will chill you as much as any thriller' ALICE SLATER'Daphne du Maurier created a scale by which modern women can measure their feelings' STEPHEN KING
Republished to coincide with the much anticipated sequel Rebecca's Tale, a classic novel of romantic suspense finds the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter entering the home of her mysterious and enigmatic new husband and learning the story of the house's first mistress, to whom the sinister housekeeper is unnaturally devoted. Reprint.
With these words, the reader is ushered into an isolated gray stone mansion on the windswept Cornish coast, as the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter recalls the chilling events that transpired as she began her new life as the young bride of a husband she barely knew. For in every corner of every room were phantoms of a time dead but not forgotten a past devotedly preserved by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers: a suite immaculate and untouched, clothing laid out and ready to be worn, but not by any of the great house's current occupants.3 women, 8 men
Max de Winter brings his shy young bride to Manderley, his great house in Cornwall. Everywhere, she senses the overpowering presence of Rebecca, Max's drowned wife. Mrs Danvers, the grim housekeeper, will not allow her to forget her shortcomings. She doubts Max's love until Rebecca's body is found. Max confesses that he murdered Rebecca, hating her depravity. The husband and wife now face the exciting fight to save Max from the gallows.3 women, 8 men
Wilna Adriaanse se deurbraakboek is nou weer beskikbaar! Op vyf-en-twintig is Rebecca Fagan in besit van 'n regsgraad, 'n rugsak, 'n groot mond en baie guts. Sy het twee jaar lank druiwe gepluk in Frankryk, in Italie op 'n olyfplaas gewerk en in Duitsland was sy 'n kelner. Maar nou is sy terug in Suid Afrika en sy soek 'n 'regte' werk. Verkieslik een wat opwindend is en 'n groot salaris betaal. Toe sy hoor dat Julian Hoffman, derde geslag erfgenaam van 'n multibiljoenrand-maatskappy, op soek is na 'n persoonlike assistant, besluit sy om aansoek te doen.
The storm took more than her husband and ruined most everything she had, but, Rebecca was so grateful that her horse Fella and dog Jack were spared. Somehow, she found the strength to load the wagon with what little she had left. But how was she going to do this? How would she honor Roberts's last request? The death of Rebecca's husband meant she was going home to her well-meaning, loving brothers who would, once again, try to run her life. She needed time... For several days, they traveled without seeing a single person on the long dusty road to Oak Grove, until Jack began to bark with a warning. The sound of thunder cracked through the air, bringing two enormous men on horses in a cloud of dust. Rebecca realized just how alone she was. As the men questioned about her travels and her destination for what seemed like hours, they finally moved on. But something was strange about those men. They even offered to escort her to Oak Grove. Why would they do that? Who were they? There was no such thing as knights in shining armor, she laughed. They were only a legend...a fairy tale..................Weren't they?
