The Literary Life and Other Curiosities

The Literary Life and Other Curiosities PDF Author: Robert Hendrickson
Publisher: Harvest Books
ISBN: 9780156527873
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 498

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Book Description
Presents a collection of unusual and entertaining facts and myths about writers, books, word origins, publishers, critics, grammar, and other aspects of the world of literature

The Literary Life and Other Curiosities

The Literary Life and Other Curiosities PDF Author: Robert Hendrickson
Publisher: Harvest Books
ISBN: 9780156527873
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 498

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Book Description
Presents a collection of unusual and entertaining facts and myths about writers, books, word origins, publishers, critics, grammar, and other aspects of the world of literature

The Literary Life and Other Curiosities

The Literary Life and Other Curiosities PDF Author: Robert Hendrickson
Publisher: Penguin Group
ISBN: 9780140063189
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 420

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Book Description


The Madman's Library

The Madman's Library PDF Author: Edward Brooke-Hitching
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 1797212052
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
This fascinating and bizarre collection compiles the most unusual, obscure books from the far reaches of the human imagination throughout history. From the author of the critically acclaimed bestsellers The Phantom Atlas and The Sky Atlas comes a unique and beautifully illustrated journey through the history of literature. The Madman's Library delves into its darkest territories to hunt down the oddest books and manuscripts ever written, uncovering the intriguing stories behind their creation. From the Qur'an written in the blood of Saddam Hussein, to the gorgeously decorated fifteenth-century lawsuit filed by the Devil against Jesus, to the most enormous book ever created, The Madman's Library features many long forgotten, eccentric, and extraordinary volumes gathered from around the world. Books written in blood and books that kill, books of the insane and books that hoaxed the globe, books invisible to the naked eye and books so long they could destroy the Universe, books worn into battle and books of code and cypher whose secrets remain undiscovered. Spell books, alchemist scrolls, wearable books, edible books, books to summon demons, books written by ghosts, and more all come together in the most curiously strange library imaginable. Featuring hundreds of remarkable images and packed with entertaining facts and stories to discover, The Madman’s Library is a captivating compendium perfect for bibliophiles, literature enthusiasts, and collectors intrigued by bizarre oddities, obscure history, and the macabre. • MUST-HAVE FOR BOOKLOVERS: Anyone who appreciates a good read will love delving into this weird world of books and adding this collection to their own bookshelf. • DISCOVER SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE: The Madman's Library will let you in on the secret and obscure histories of the strangest books ever made. • EXPERT AUTHOR: Edward Brooke-Hitching is the son of an antiquarian book dealer, a lifelong rare book collector, and a master of taking visual deep dives into unusual historical subjects, such as the maps of imaginary geography in The Phantom Atlas or ancient pathways through the stars in The Sky Atlas.

Curiosities of Literature

Curiosities of Literature PDF Author: John Sutherland
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1446409015
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
How much heavier was Thackeray's brain than Walt Whitman's? Which novels do American soldiers read? When did cigarettes start making an appearance in English literature? And, while we're about it, who wrote the first Western, is there any link between asthma and literary genius, and what really happened on Dorothea's wedding night in Middlemarch? In Curiosities of Literature, John Sutherland contemplates the full import of questions such as these, and attempts a few answers in a series of essays that are both witty and eclectic. His approach is also unashamedly discursive. An account of the fast-working Mickey Spillane, for example, leads to a consideration of the substances, both legal and illegal, that authors have employed to boost their creative energies. An essay on good and bad handwriting points out in passing that Thackeray could write the Lord's Prayer on the back of a stamp. As for Mary Shelley, a brief recital of the circumstances in which she wrote Frankenstein stops off to consider what impact the miserable summer weather of 1816 had on the future path of English literature. Of course, it is debatable whether knowledge of these arcane topics adds to the wisdom of nations, but it does highlight the random pleasures to be found in reading literature and reading about it. As John Sutherland rightly asks, 'Why else read?'

The Courage to Write

The Courage to Write PDF Author: Ralph Keyes
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks
ISBN: 1466828099
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
The Courage to Write is an invaluable book and essential reading for anyone who wishes to learn how to write well. Katherine Anne Porter called courage "the first essential" for a writer. "I have to talk myself into bravery with every sentence," agreed Cynthia Ozick, "sometimes every syllable." E. B. White said he admired anyone who "has the guts to write anything at all."An author who has taught writing for more than thirty years, In The Courage to Write, Ralph Keyes, an author who has taught writing for more than thirty years, assures us that anxiety is felt by writers at every level, especially when they dare to do their best. He describes the sequence of "courage points" through which all writers must pass, from the challenge of identifying a worthwhile project to the mixture of pride and panic they feel when examining a newly published book or article. Keyes also offers specifics on how to root out dread of public "performance" and of the judgment of family and friends, make the best use of writers' workshops and conferences, and handle criticism of works in progress. Throughout, he includes the comments of many accomplished writers -- Pat Conroy, Amy Tan, Rita Dove, Isabel Allende, and others -- on how they transcended their own fears to produce great works.

White Coat Tales

White Coat Tales PDF Author: Robert B. Taylor
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331929055X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
This new edition of White Coat Tales presents intriguing stories that give historical context to what we do in medicine today—the body’s “holy bone” and how it got its name, a surprising reason why gout seemed to be so prevalent several centuries ago, and the therapeutic misadventure that shortened the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. In addition to many new tales, this revised edition contains 128 illustrations, such as images of Baron von Münchhausen aloft with cannonballs and Vincent van Gogh’s portrait of his doctor showing a clue to the painter’s health. Read about legendary medical innovators, diseases that changed history, illnesses of famous persons, and some epic blunders of physicians and scientists. The author is Robert B. Taylor, MD, Emeritus Professor, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, and Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Taylor is the author and editor of more than 33 medical books. To see Dr. Taylor lecture on the history of medicine, go here: https://youtu.be/Zx4yaUyaPRA

Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes

Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes PDF Author: Andre Bernard
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0446931268
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 808

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Book Description
From Hank Aaron to King Zog, Mao Tse-Tung to Madonna, Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes features more than 2,000 people from around the world, past and present, in all fields. These short anecdotes provide remarkable insight into the human character. Ranging from the humorous to the tearful, they span classical history, recent politics, modern science and the arts. Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes is a gold mine for anyone who gives speeches, is doing research, or simply likes to browse. As an informal tour of history and human nature at its most entertaining & instructive, this is sure to be a perennial favorite for years to come.

The Writer's Book of Hope

The Writer's Book of Hope PDF Author: Ralph Keyes
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 0805072357
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 236

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Book Description
The author and journalist offers his best advice and encouragement, helping writers find the courage and dedication they need to continue to write despite the obstacles to success.

The Quote Verifier

The Quote Verifier PDF Author: Ralph Keyes
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 1429906170
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
Our language is full of hundreds of quotations that are often cited but seldom confirmed. Ralph Keyes's The Quote Verifier considers not only classic misquotes such as "Nice guys finish last," and "Play it again, Sam," but more surprising ones such as "Ain't I a woman?" and "Golf is a good walk spoiled," as well as the origins of popular sayings such as "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings," "No one washes a rented car," and "Make my day." Keyes's in-depth research routinely confounds widespread assumptions about who said what, where, and when. Organized in easy-to-access dictionary form, The Quote Verifier also contains special sections highlighting commonly misquoted people and genres, such as Yogi Berra and Oscar Wilde, famous last words, and misremembered movie lines. An invaluable resource for not just those with a professional need to quote accurately, but anyone at all who is interested in the roots of words and phrases, The Quote Verifier is not only a fascinating piece of literary sleuthing, but also a great read.

A Study Guide for "Neoclassicism"

A Study Guide for Author: Gale, Cengage Learning
Publisher: Gale, Cengage Learning
ISBN: 1410353737
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
A Study Guide for "Neoclassicism," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Literary Movements for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Literary Movements for Students for all of your research needs.