The fascinating and surprising history of English spelling from David Crystal, everyone's favorite expert logophile With The Story of English in 100 Words, David Crystal took us on a tour through the history of our language. Now, with Spell It Out, he takes on the task of answering all the questions about how we spell: "Why is English spelling so difficult?" Or "Why are good spellers so proud of their achievement that when they see a misspelling...

First appearing as an anonymous serial in "Harper's Magazine" in 1895, "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" was Mark Twain's final novel and was published as a complete work under his name in 1896. The novel is a stark departure from Twain's usual comic and satirical writings, which is why Twain insisted it initially be published anonymously so that the public would take it seriously. The work is told from the perspective of a fictionalized version...

Introduces fruits and illustrates how they are part of a healthy diet.

After a throw from his horse, Alexander Tate is left with bandaged eyes and prayers for healing. Not until the doctor orders rest does he leave London for Collingbourne and what he thinks will be a peaceful and uneventful stay. When his Aunt Harriet asks one of the Steele sisters to read to Tate daily, the intriguing voice of this visitor sparks new light in the heart of the young man. As Tate's affection grows stronger, he wonders if this vibrant...

"The creation of the Oxford English Dictionary began in 1857, took seventy years to complete, drew from tens of thousands of brilliant minds, and organized the sprawling language into 414,825 precise definitions. But hidden within the rituals of its creation is a fascinating and mysterious story - a story of two remarkable men whose strange twenty-year relationship lies at the core of this historic undertaking." "Professor James Murray, an astonishingly...

"A special 25th anniversary edition of Paulo Coehlo's extraordinary international bestselling phenomenon--the inspiring spiritual tale of self-discovery that has touched millions of lives around the world.Combing magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical...

A retired forest ranger tries to help a woman after she witnesses a crime.

"In May 1940, as the German army blitzes Europe and Parisians flee their city, the chief curator of the Musee de l'Armee is ordered to get a mysterious piece of cargo out of the country. When he arrives at the port of Le Havre and learns that his intended ship has been sunk, he places the object on a decrepit steamer that sails out under German fire. In the present day, National Underwater and Marine Agency Director Dirk Pitt is on a diving expedition...