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Word to the Wise (eBook)
eBook only
Untangling the Mix-ups, Misuse and Myths of Language
Even the best wordsmiths can trip over words that are commonly misused, mixed up or misspelled. This useful reference gets to the bottom of these language issues so that you can ensure you’ve got the word you’re looking for. With examples of how to sharpen up text and improve your writing, lists of useful social media abbreviations and a discussion of unusual plurals, this playful look at the often bizarre English language has got you covered, whether you’re writing a book, blog or an email.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 229 x 152 mm / 9 x 6 Inches | 192 Pages |
Cluck
A book of happiness for chicken lovers.
Any chicken owner will know that there’s more to these endearing, quirky, clever characters than the eggs they produce. Cluck is a celebration of hens, roosters and chicks, combining high-quality photography with inspirational and amusing quotes to create the perfect gift for chicken fans. Some of the collection’s quotations come from famous people (Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis, Mark Twain, Plutarch), others don’t; some are philosophical, others light-hearted — all are memorable. Accompanied by beautiful pictures of a variety of these farmyard birds, from Plymouth Rocks and Orpingtons to Welsummers and Silkies, this collection of quotes and proverbs will steal any chicken lover’s heart.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 225 x 203 mm | 8.75 x 8 inches | 160 Pages | Colour
Australia Illustrated (2nd edition)
Due for release October 2018. Pre-order your copy now.
Australia. Big. Beautiful. Diverse. From the First People to washing lines and crocodiles, football and sunshine, koalas and akubras, skyscrapers and beaches, this is a glorious tribute to this wide brown land and its rich and varied multicultural communities. Vibrantly illustrated with watercolour, ink and mono-printing, it not only celebrates the more ‘typical’ Australian flora, fauna and landmarks, but also showcases the everyday quirks and idiosyncrasies that make Australia unique.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 280 x 245 mm / 11 x 9.5 Inches | Colour | 96 Pages
Curious English Words and Phrases (2nd edition)
The truth behind the expressions we use.
‘Cloud nine’, ‘at the drop of a hat’, ‘spitting image’, ‘mollycoddle’, ‘rigmarole’, ‘round robin’, ‘spill the beans’, ‘kick the bucket’, ‘balderdash’ and ‘touch wood’. There are so many curious words and phrases that we often use and yet haven’t you ever wondered why we say them, where they come from and what they mean?
Written by language expert Max Cryer, Curious Words and Phrases has all the answers behind some of the most interesting and perplexing words and expressions in the English language. Bulging with information, it’s a useful reference book and the ideal gift for anyone curious about the words and phrases we use.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 210 x 135 mm / 8.25 x 5.25 Inches | 432 Pages |
Minibeasts
True rulers of our world and the key to our survival.
Lavishly illustrated with breathtaking macrophotography, this stunning insight into the world of the minibeasts reveals the critical role these true rulers of our world play in our survival. Topics covered include the jobs invertebrates (insects) perform that enable life on earth to exist, as well as how they have evolved to suit their environments. From new medical drugs to hi-tech robotics, minibeasts provide a wealth of material for humans to draw on to help solve our 21st-century problems.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 254 x 254 mm / 10 x 10 Inches | Colour | 160 Pages |
Word to the Wise
Untangling the Mix-ups, Misuse and Myths of Language
Even the best wordsmiths can trip over words that are commonly misused, mixed up or misspelled. This useful reference gets to the bottom of these language issues so that you can ensure you’ve got the word you’re looking for. With examples of how to sharpen up text and improve your writing, lists of useful social media abbreviations and a discussion of unusual plurals, this playful look at the often bizarre English language has got you covered, whether you’re writing a book, blog or an email.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 229 x 152 mm / 9 x 6 Inches | 192 Pages |
Happiness is a Red Teapot
‘When you have nobody you can make a cup of tea for… that’s when life is over.’ So said Audrey Hepburn, and we quite agree. Tea has a valued place in cultures worldwide. From the ritual of a Japanese tea ceremony to the cosy informality of an English cuppa, it soothes, grounds and comforts us.
This beautiful collection of quotes and photographs features words from people as diverse as Mick Jagger, Thich Nat Hahn, Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly and Bear Grylls. It’s a testament to the universal appeal of tea, perfect for reading whilst sipping a mug or two. ‘Tea makes everything better’, after all.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 225 x 203 mm / 8¾ x 8 Inches | Colour | 160 Pages |
Today in New Zealand History
From the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and the Alexander Turnbull Library, this glorious, fully illustrated discovery of New Zealand’s key times brings history to life. Each day of the year features a story ranging from the nation-forming to the quirky. A timeline lists key events that have shaped the course of New Zealand’s political and constitutional development, while Born on this Day boxes scattered throughout provide details on around 100 figures of significance to New Zealand history.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 280 x 210 mm | Approximately 500 Colour Photographs | 304 Pages |
PUG: How to be the Best You
Pugs have been the favorite pets of Chinese Emperors, and even lived with Tibetan Monks, so it’s not surprising they’ve gathered a wealth of wisdom over the centuries.
This delightful, illustrated book will put a smile on everyone’s face. Humorous and beautiful illustrations, combined with words of wisdom from PUG, take readers on an inspirational journey. Who would have thought that PUG stands for Philosophical Universal Guidance?
An excellent gift for all ages, or a fun coffee table item, How To Be The Best You will be loved by millions of people the world over.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 225 x 203 mm / 8 x 8 Inches | Colour | 64 Pages |
The Longevity List
Myth busting the top ways to live a long and healthy life
Free Shipping for Australian and New Zealand Customers.
Every day we’re bombarded by often-contradictory advice on what to do to keep ourselves healthy. How can we separate fact from fad? Written by a medical clinician, this is the ultimate myth-busting guide to what will really help us live a long and healthy life.
Along the way you’ll discover stacks of intriguing, entertaining and often very funny facts. It’s the one-stop checklist to living a life that might just see you reach your 100th birthday and beyond!
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 229 x 152 mm / 9 x 6 Inches | Black & White | 352 Pages |
Love Me Tender
The stories behind the world’s favourite songs
Some of the world’s best-loved songs have had remarkable origins. In a book full of surprises and curiosities, Max Cryer reveals stories from all around the world, and from artists as diverse as Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland and Elton John. This truly fascinating book makes enthralling reading.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 210 x 155 mm | Illustrations | 192 Pages |
Is It True?
USD $7.59 – USD $19.99 Tax IncludedThe facts behind the things we have been told
In this revealing book, Max Cryer explores the truth or otherwise of facts and beliefs we may have always been told are true, but which on closer examination may not be. In a wide-ranging book encompassing social history, language, music, politics, food, sport, the natural world and much more, we discover the truth behind some of our most cherished beliefs.
For example:
Do St Bernard dogs really carry brandy?
Does Santa Claus come from the North Pole?
Did Winston Churchill coin the term ‘Iron Curtain’?
‘OK’ is an American expression, right?
Tulips come from Holland, don’t they?
Did Sarah Palin say ‘I can see Russia from my house?’
Did Alexander Graham Bell invent the telephone?
Lady Godiva rode naked through Coventry – didn’t she?
Max Cryer is a seasoned author who is incapable of writing a dull word. Always fresh and amusing, he will take you on a journey through your acquired knowledge, testing whether it is really up to scratch.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 210 x 135 mm | 216 Pages |
Inspiration for the Heart
USD $3.99 – USD $11.19 Tax IncludedOften our lives are so busy that we forget to reflect on the important issues that underpin our relationships, careers and family life. But reflection is essential. From enjoying the present moment to using your imagination to its greatest potential, each page insightfully provides a catalyst for your own reflection.
If you apply the wisdom in this book to your life, you are sure to benefit, but the currencies in play may be patience, empathy and love rather than those of the material kind.
SPECIFICATIONS: Cased with Jacket | 138 x 105 mm | Black & White | 192 Pages |
Everyone Can Write
Everyone Can Write is an easy-to-understand, practical, ‘how to write’ book that is accessible to everyone from a business executive wanting to polish his reports to a retiree wanting to chronicle her family history. It solves the problems that beginning writers struggle with by giving them an easy-to-follow and simple set of rules that allows them to write rapidly and clearly.
The book outlines the three forms of non-fiction writing: report, narrative and essay. Each one is dissected and a set of rules applied to each structure. The rules are easily put into practice and vary for each structure. For example, in report writing, two easy-to-apply rules are: 25 words to a sentence and 3 or 4 sentences in a paragraph.
The author has also developed a foolproof method of structuring your writing, so that you make effective use of your time. It’s based on the easy-to-remember three-step formula: Pre-write, Free-write, Re-write. Pre-write refers to researching the necessary information. Free-write refers to getting the information onto the computer screen. Re-write refers to the essential task of editing the writing into clear readable text. This technique allows writers to become the editors of their own writing, thereby dramatically improve its quality.
The essentials of grammar and punctuation, easily confused words and other useful tips for writers are also covered.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 162 mm x 125 mm | 176 Pages |
Curious English Words and Phrases
USD $7.99 – USD $19.99 Tax IncludedThe truth behind the expressions we use
Have you ever wondered where terms like ‘end of your tether’, ‘gets my goat’ or ‘letting ones hair down’ come from? Or why we call some people ‘geezers’, ‘sugar daddies’ or ‘lounge lizards’? Or where the words ‘eavesdropping’, ‘nickname’ and ‘D-Day’ come from?
They are just a few of the many words and phrases that language expert Max Cryer examines in this fact-filled and fun new book.
Max explains where these curious expressions come from, what they mean and how they are used.
Along the way he tells a host of colourful anecdotes and dispels quite a few myths – Did Churchill originate the phrase ‘black dog’? And if ‘ivory tower’ can be found in the Bible, why has its meaning changed so drastically?
Curious English Words and Phrases is a treasure trove for lovers of language. Informative, amusing and value for money, this book is ‘the real McCoy’. From ‘couch potato’ to ‘Bob’s your uncle’, you’ll find the explanation here!
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 210 x 135 mm | 388 pages | eBook available
49 Ways to Write Yourself Well
49 Ways to Write Yourself Well is an inspirational guide to improving your confidence and general well-being through writing. Written by a leading creative-writing trainer and life coach, this book is a compendium of tools, techniques and activities which you can draw on to help you take control of your emotions, relationships and personal goals, and find a greater sense of self. The book is structured into 49 different and complementary approaches to using writing in creative and transformational ways for enhancing well-being.
The information and exercises will help you to build and maintain a regular writing practice, as well as set up and maintain a journal. Learn how to use creative writing to identify and manage your emotions, release emotional and mental blocks, practise coaching models on the page to discover solutions to work or personal challenges, and reframe relationships with oneself and others. With recent research showing the positive and health-improving benefits that can come through writing, this guide will help you express yourself and achieve a greater sense of personal well-being.
SPECIFICATIONS: 210 x 148 mm | Paperback | 152 Pages |
49 Ways to Eat Yourself Well
49 Ways to Eat Yourself Well is an inspirational guide to making sure that the food you eat every day actively promotes your health and well-being. Written by a leading nutritional therapist, the book focuses on 49 different foods, looking at their history, character, properties and nutritional benefits. It provides positive and practical information on how to use your food to help you resist and recover from illness, and gain resilience and vitality.
Packed full of motivational and practical ideas, the book offers handy tips on how to incorporate the 49 foods into your diet, as well as easy, tasty recipes so that you can put what you’ve learned into practice the same day! When so much of what we eat is processed and pre-prepared, it is easy to lose track of what we are putting into our bodies; this book will support you to take back control over your own health.
SPECIFICATIONS: 210 x 148 mm | Paperback | 152 Pages |
Illuminating Wisdom: Words of Wisdom, Works of Art
Illuminating Wisdom brings art and wisdom together in a beautiful celebration of some of the world’s most inspiring philosophical, spiritual and literary quotes.
Approximately 80 quotes have been drawn from some of the great wisdom and literary traditions of both East and West, as well as from inspiring people throughout history noted for their practical wisdom. These quotes have been set to exquisite calligraphy by Deirdre Hassed, a leading professional calligrapher, in a range of styles — from the traditional to the contemporary, and making use of many and varied techniques such as gilding, collage, work on glass, letterpress and linoprinting.
Accompanying each artwork is text by Craig Hassed, an international expert in mindfulness, that provides background on the quote’s author, explores the wisdom tradition to which it belongs, and offers deep insight into the meaning of the quote. The result is a book that is both a work of art and a collection of wisdom that will educate and inspire.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback, Case with Jacket | 225 x 203 mm / 8 ¾ x 8 Inches | 160 Pages |
How to Fake Your Way Through a Wine List: Tips and Tricks to Sound Like an Expert
From the beginner to the person who may already have one wine book.
The bulk of How to Fake Your Way Through a Wine List is an attractive, breezy entertaining look at the world’s seventy five most prominent wine regions and styles, packed with mnemonic devices and colourful photos that help retain information. Get to know the key things in the area and you are more likely to know understand and remember the wines.
Other sections include “Learn the Lingo”, “Just get to know this short selection of terms related to wine and its appreciation and you’ll be talking like a pro”. The “Embrace the Unknown” chapter takes you ‘to meet the unsung regions and unknown grape varieties that will be tomorrow’s superstars’. There is a section on Choosing Your Own wine adventure –who said wine education must begin with Marlborough or the Barossa or even Bordeaux?
Most of all this energetic, fun book will be appreciated by all who love wine and there will be very few people indeed who cannot learn a few enjoyable things from this fact packed book.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 198 x 140 mm / 7 ⅘ x 5 ½ Inches | Colour |
Who Said That First?: The curious origins of common words and phrases
Believe it or not, this is probably the first book to attempt to identify the original sources of some of the English language’s most common expressions. We might think we know who first said famous for fifteen minutes, annus horribilis, the cold war and let them eat cake. It’s a no brainer, you might say, but Max Cryer has a surprise or two in store for you. I kid you not. In this very readable book, he explores the origins of hundreds of expressions we use and hear every day – and comes up with some surprising findings. Never economical with the truth, he might just have the last laugh.
We learn what they didn’t say…We are not amused; Elementary my dear Watson; Let them eat cake; First catch your hare. We learn that the Bible doesn’t mention Salome – or seven veils…. We learn about the origins of the infamous Mile High Club.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 210 x 135 mm / 8 ¼ x 5 ⅓ Inches | 320 Pages |