This unique and authoritative dictionary contains over 1,100 of the most widely used proverbs in English and uses research from the Oxford English Corpus, the world's largest language databank. This edition has been revised and fully updated and includes numerous entirely new entries. It also features expanded coverage of foreign language proverbs currently in use in English. With an emphasis on examples of usage, including the earliest written evidence of its use, this A-Z guide provides a thorough — and fascinating — history for every entry. Arranged in A-Z format and with a useful thematic index, A Dictionary of Proverbs is ideal for browsing and perfectly suited for quick reference. Look up your old favourites, learn punchy new expressions to get your point across, and find the answer to that crossword clue. Seeing is believing: find proverbs relevant to every aspect of life in this entertaining and informative collection.

There are few stories more remarkable than the evolution of life on earth. This Very Short Introduction presents a succinct guide to the key episodes in that story — from the very origins of life four million years ago to the extraordinary diversity of species around the globe today. Beginning with an explanation of the controversies surrounding the birth of life itself, each following chapter tells of a major breakthrough that made new forms of life possible: including sex and multicellularity, hard skeletons, and the move to land. Along the way, we witness the greatest mass extinction, the first forests, the rise of modern ecosystems, and, most recently, conscious humans. Introducing ideas from a range of scientific disciplines, from evolutionary biology and earth history, to geochemistry, palaeontology, and systematics, Michael Benton explains how modern science pieces the evidence in this vast evolutionary puzzle together, to build up an accessible and up-to-date picture of the key developments in the history of life on earth.

Billy Monster can't sleep. There are chinks of scary light creeping into his bedroom and he has woken up twice after horrible daymares about boys and girls. Although Daddy Monster has tried howling a lullaby and making a soothing cup of cold slime, Billy is still worried. Just how will Daddy Monster reassure Billy and help him to sleep soundly through the day? Set in a topsy-turvy world where monsters are scared of children, this warm and funny story is perfect for raising a smile and chasing away bedtime fears.

Shelley's suspenseful and intellectually rich gothic tale confronts some of the most important and enduring themes in all of literture — the power of human imagination, the potential hubris of science, the gulf between appearance and essence, the effects of human cruelty, the desire for revenge and the need for forgiveness, and much more.

Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow coming down along the road and this moocow that was coming down along the road met a nicens little boy named baby tuckoo. So begins one of the most significant literary works of the twentieth century, and one of the most innovative. Its originality shocked contemporary readers on its publication in 1916 who found its treating of the minutiae of daily life indecorous, and its central character unappealing. Was it art or was it filth? The novel charts the intellectual, moral, and sexual development of Stephen Dedalus, from his childhood listening to his father's stories through his schooldays and adolescence to the brink of adulthood and independence, and his awakening as an artist. Growing up in a Catholic family in Dublin in the final years of the nineteenth century, Stephen's consciousness is forged by Irish history and politics, by Catholicism and culture, language and art. Stephen's story mirrors that of Joyce himself, and the novel is both startlingly realistic and brilliantly crafted. For this edition Jeri Johnson, editor of the acclaimed Ulysses 1922 text, has written an introduction and notes which together provide a comprehensive and illuminating appreciation of Joyce's artistry.

Since Devolution in 1999 Scotland has become a focus of intense interest both within Britain and throughout the wider world. In this Very Short Introduction, Rab Houston explores how an independent Scottish nation emerged in the Middle Ages, how it was irrevocably altered by Reformation, links with England and economic change, and how Scotland influenced the development of the modern world. Examining politics, law, society, religion, education, migration, and culture, he examines how the nation's history has made it distinct from England, both before and after Union, how it overcame internal tensions between Highland and Lowland society, and how it has today arrived at a political, social and culture watershed. Authoritative, lucid, and ranging widely over issues of environment, people, and identity, this is Scotland's story without myths: an ideal introduction for those interested in the Scots, but also a balanced yet refreshing challenge to those who already feel at home in Scotland past and present.

Scramble is a little otter who can't swim. At the beginning of the story, we find him in the middle of writing a list. It's his Can-do and Can't-do List. The Can't-do side just says 'Swimming'. One small word. But not being able to swim is a big deal for Scramble. It means he's teased by some of the riverbank animals. It means he feels left out when everyone else is in the water. And it means he spends hours and hours sitting on his own on the slippery rock wishing and wishing and wishing that he could. But something is going round in Scramble's head. Something his mummy has said. Something his older sister has said. 'You've got to start smallEL' And so, slowly, slowly, Scramble builds his confidence in the water — overcoming each new incremental goal that he sets himself. Until, finally, Scramble really can swim! At the heart of this gentle story about learning a new skill is the message of encouragement — something that is important for toddlers everywhere.

Here are five of the best-loved fables of La Fontaine simply retold and sumptuously illustrated by Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed picture-book writer and artist. We meet a boastful hare as he challenges a slow-and-steady tortoise to a race. We see how a bag of coins threatens to rob a simple shoemaker of his happiness. We discover that the Sun's gentle warmth is more than a match for the North Wind's bluster. We join a miller, a boy, and a donkey on their eventful journey. And we witness a little rat's kindness and courage in helping a mighty lion. These are lovely stories for adults to share with children over and over again.

On the day that Miss Cluck says there is going to be a new animal in the class, everyone is very excited. In fact, there are squeals of delight. Nobody expects the new animal to be a bear. So, when Boris takes his first hairy, scary, grizzly steps into the classroom, Leticia the rabbit, Fergus the fox cub, Maxwell the mole, and the little mice EL scream! Of course, Boris doesn't mean to be scary. He only wants to make friends. But he spends a lonely, miserable first day at school. When it's home time, Boris trudges through the woods, far behind the others. After all, it seems to him that none of them wants to be his friend. Then he sees some rats up ahead as they jump out from behind the trees. Boris hurries along to introduce himself (ever hopeful of making new friends) but, once again, his ursine enthusiasm terrifies the rats. However, to his astonishment, in scaring off the bullies Boris has truly endeared himself to Maxwell, Leticia, Fergus and the mice. Boris is a gentle giant and he immediately wins our affections.How Boris is perceived by his classmates and how those perceptions change as the story unfolds give this picture book real resonance for children everywhere who have experienced being new among an unfamiliar group.

The starting point of Ruth Miskin's popular Read Write Inc phonic teaching programme. Speed Sound Flashcards introduce the sounds and the corresponding graphemes (letters), to enable children to decode words easily so they are ready to read the storybooks. Follows on from Read Write Inc Flashcards Set 1. Introduce the sounds and corresponding letters with pictures and short phrases to help children remember the sound. Guidance for parents to practice the Speed Sounds with their child is offered throughout.

As the bicentennary of the French Revolution draws near, Dickens' historical novel serves as a timely reminder of nineteenth-century reactions to that great upheaval. Set between 1757 and 1793, A Tale of Two Cities views the causes and effects of the Revolution from an essentially private point of view, showing how private experience relates to public history. Dickens' characters are fictional, and their political activity is minimal, yet all are drawn towards the Paris of the Terror, and all become caught up in its web of human suffering and human sacrifice. This edition includes extensive explanatory notes giving crucial background information about the Revolution and Dickens' sources. 'the best story I have written' Charles Dickens.

«In the latter part of the nineteenth century Walter Bagehot wrote a classic account of the British constitution as it had developed during Queen Victoria's reign. He argued that the late Victorian constitution was not at all what people thought it was. Anthony King argues that the same is true at the beginning of this century. Most people are aware that a series of major constitutional changes has taken place, but few recognize that their cumulative effect has been to change entirely the nature of Britain's constitutional structure. The old constitution has gone. The author insists that the new constitution is a mess, but one that we can make the best of. The British Constitution is neither a reference book nor a textbook. Like Bagehot's classic, it is written with wit and mordant humor--by someone who is a journalist and political commentator as well as a distinguished academic. The author maintains that, while the new British constitution is a mess, there is no going back now. «As always», he says, «nostalgia is a good companion but a bad guide.» Far from shying away from the thorniest issues facing the British polity today, the author grapples with them head on. He offers a trenchant analysis of the increasingly divergent relationship between England, Scotland and Wales in the light of devolution and a devastating critique of the reformed House of Lords, whose benches, the author fears, risk being adorned by «a miscellaneous assemblage of party hacks, political careerists, clapped-out retired or defeated MPs, has-beens, never-were's and never-could-possibly-be's». The book is a Bagehot for the 21st Century — the product of a lifetime's reflection on the topic, and essential reading for anyone with an interest in the nature and future of British political life.»

Much of the discussion of Russia's recent post-Communist history has amounted, both in Russia and the West, to a series of monologues by strong-minded people with starkly divergent views. In contrast, Padma Desai's conversations with influential, intelligent participants and observers provide the reader with a broad, nuanced view of what has and has not happened in the last fourteen years, and why. Conversations from Russia will thus serve as a much-needed reference volume, both for academics who study Russia and for laypeople who only have vague perceptions of what has occurred in Russia since the collapse of Communism. In conversations with important figures like Boris Yeltsin, George Soros, Anatoly Chubais, and Yegar Gaidar, Desai considers questions like why the Soviet Union fell apart under Gorbachev, what went wrong with economic reforms after Gorbachev, whether the privatization of Russian assets could have been managed differently, and what the prospects are for the Russian economy in the near future. Desai, a recognized expert in the field of Soviet studies, ties the interviews together with an introduction, ultimately reaching her own judgment on each issue considered in the conversations. This book will appeal to researchers and students in developmental economics, political economy, and Soviet studies, and educated laypeople interested in Russia.

Grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary practice for every unit Extra vocabulary — More Words to Learn, Check What You Know, MultiROM with video, quizzes, audio, dictations, exam practice, and reference material.

Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmond Dantès is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Château d'If. Having endured years of incarceration, he stages a daring and dramatic escape and sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo, and to catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, The Count of Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge. Believing himself to be an 'Angel of Providence', Dantès pursues his vengeance to the bitter end, only then realizing that he himself is a victim of fate.This newly revised, unabridged translation is as unputdownable now as it was when the novel first appeared, and William Thackeray, enthralled, 'began to read Monte Cristo at six one morning and never stopped till eleven at night'.

Described variously as the greatest poem of the European Middle Ages and, because of the author's evangelical purpose, the 'fifth Gospel', the Divine Comedy is central to the culture of the west. The poem is a spiritual autobiography in the form of a journey — the poet travels from the dark circles of the Inferno, up the mountain of Purgatory, where Virgil, his guide leaves him to encounter Beatrice in the Earthly Paradise. Dante conceived the poem as the new epic of Christendom, and he creates a world in which reason and faith have transformed moral and social chaos into order. Charles Sisson's blank verse translation is remarkable for its lucidity and vigour, and the Introduction, diagrams, maps, and notes by David Higgins provide the reader with invaluable guidance.

'A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought...but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting one who commands.' When Machiavelli's brief treatise on Renaissance statecraft and princely power was posthumously published in 1532, it generated a debate that has raged unabated until the present day. Based upon Machiavelli's first-hand experience as an emissary of the Florentine Republic to the courts of Europe, The Prince analyses the usually violent means by which men seize, retain, and lose political power. Machiavelli added a dimension of incisive realism to one of the major philosophical and political issues of his time, especially the relationship between public deeds and private morality. His book provides a remarkably uncompromising picture of the true nature of power, no matter in what era or by whom it is exercised. This fluent new translation is accompanied by comprehensive notes and an introduction that considers the true purpose of The Prince and dispels some of the myths associated with it.

Read at Home First Skills are fun early learning books, which use your favourite Oxford Reading Tree characters to introduce important first skills to your child. Your favourite Oxford Reading Tree characters make learning fun and memorable. Read at Home First Skills books are the perfect accompaniment to all your Oxford Reading Tree Read at Home storybooks. In this fun story, it is Biff and Chip's birthday. They have a number of friends coming, invitations to send, food to buy and so much more! With so many children and so much to do, Dad shows Biff that using times tables can help prepare for the big day. Times tables are very hard for children to learn. To ensure that the levelling is right, the main focus of the story is the two, five and ten times tables, which are the first times tables children are taught at school. Biff introduces all the times tables, from 2-10, at the end of the book for children to learn and refer to when they are ready. As with all Read at Home books, the story ends with fun activities for parent and child to enjoy together.

Read at Home First Skills are fun early learning books, which use your favourite Oxford Reading Tree characters to introduce important first skills to your child. Your favourite Oxford Reading Tree characters make learning fun and memorable. Read at Home First Skills books are the perfect accompaniment to all your Oxford Reading Tree Read at Home storybooks. From Floppy having no bone (0) through to Nadim playing with twenty (20) building blocks, this book takes the reader through a series of fun events to help him/her learn to count to twenty. Throughout, parent and child can read the number as a digit (e.g. 1) and see it written as a word (e.g. one). The reader can also count items relating to the relevant number on every page. They can also read a sentence about what the character is doing on the page (e.g. Kipper is looking for seven starfish). Fun illustrations support the text throughout. As with all Read At Home books, the book ends with fun activities for parent and child to enjoy together.

Read at Home First Skills are fun early learning books, which use your favourite Oxford Reading Tree characters to introduce important first skills to your child. Your favourite Oxford Reading Tree characters make learning fun and memorable. Read at Home First Skills books are the perfect accompaniment to all your Oxford Reading Tree Read at Home storybooks. From Gran picking an apple to Chip and Wilf spying a zebra, this book takes the reader through a series of fun events to help him/her learn alphabet letters and sounds. Throughout, parent and child can see either the capital letter (e.g. A), the lower case letter (e.g. a), the letter at the beginning of word (e.g. apple) and the word in a sentence e.g. Gran picked an apple. Fun illustrations support the text throughout. As with all Read at Home books, the story ends with fun activities for parent and child to enjoy together.