From the Introduction to the American Edition: Though his readers would demand no explanation, Ivor Brown has, with growing diffidence, offered the successive volumes in this series of delightful word anthologies. But, besieged by eagerly interested correspondents who, with each book's appearance, have pressed upon him the claims for attention of still other words, he followed A Word in Your Ear with Just Another Word, and I Give You My Word with Say the Word. Still importuned, he brought forth No Idle Words and then, in an access of firm resolution, conceived the ominous title, Having the Last Word. This, with No Idle Words, forms what he bids us accept as the final pair in these double-barreled American editions of his work.--page v.

The most original and authoritative voice of today's English lexicography presents a fully revised new edition of his beloved usage dictionary When Bryan Garner published the first edition of A Dictionary of Modern American Usage in 1999, the book quickly became one of the most influential style guides ever written for the English language. After four previous editions and over twenty years, our language has evolved in many ways, and the powerful tool of big data has revolutionized lexicography. This extensively revised new edition fully captures these changes, featuring a thousand new entries and over two hundred replacement entries, thoroughly updated usage data and ratios on word frequency based on the Google Ngram Viewer, a more balanced coverage of World Englishes, not just American and British, and the inclusion of gender-neutral language. However, one thing has not changed: in no sense is this a regular dictionary but a masterpiece of lexicography written with wit and personality by one of the preeminent authorities on the English language. To put it in David Foster Wallace's words, Garner's discussion of rhetoric and style still borders on genius. From the (lost) battle between self-deprecating and self-depreciating to the misuse of it's for its, from the variant spelling patty-cake taking over pat-a-cake in American English to the singular uses of they, Garner explains the nuances of grammar and vocabulary and the linguistic blunders to which modern writers and speakers are prone, whether in word choice, syntax, phrasing, punctuation, or pronunciation. His empirical approach liberates English from two extremes: from the purists who maintain that split infinitives and sentence-ending prepositions are malfeasances and from the linguistic relativists who believe that whatever people say or write must necessarily be accepted. The purpose of Garner's dictionary is to help writers, editors, and speakers use the language effectively. And it does so in a playful and persuasive way that will help you sound grammatical but relaxed, refined but natural, correct but unpedantic.

With more than a thousand new entries and more than 2,300 word-frequency ratios, the magisterial fourth edition of this book-now renamed Garner's Modern English Usage (GMEU)-reflects usage lexicography at its finest. Garner explains the nuances of grammar and vocabulary with thoroughness, finesse, and wit. He discourages whatever is slovenly, pretentious, or pedantic. GMEU is the liveliest and most compulsively readable reference work for writers of our time. It delights while providing instruction on skillful, persuasive, and vivid writing. Garner liberates English from two extremes: both from the hidebound "purists" who mistakenly believe that split infinitives and sentence-ending prepositions are malfeasances and from the linguistic relativists who believe that whatever people say or write must necessarily be accepted. The judgments here are backed up not just by a lifetime of study but also by an empirical grounding in the largest linguistic corpus ever available. In this fourth edition, Garner has made extensive use of corpus linguistics to include ratios of standard terms as compared against variants in modern print sources. No other resource provides as comprehensive, reliable, and empirical a guide to current English usage. For all concerned with writing and editing, GMEU will prove invaluable as a desk reference. Garner illustrates with actual examples, cited with chapter and verse, all the linguistic blunders that modern writers and speakers are prone to, whether in word choice, syntax, phrasing, punctuation, or pronunciation. No matter how knowledgeable you may already be, you're sure to learn from every single page of this book.

Originally published in 1953, What Shall I Read Next? lists nearly 2000 works published after 1900, with the compiler's own appreciatory comments on selected items. It was a companion volume to Mr Seymour Smith's English Library. Both books are published on behalf of the National Book League. In his introduction, explaining the scope and purpose of the book, Mr Seymour Smith wrote: 'Some will find it useful merely as a shopping list, reminding them of books they know something about already, and serving as a remembrancer. To others, and particularly to younger readers, it may introduce books which have so far escaped their notice. It is hoped, too, that for booksellers and librarians it will have a practical use as a desk-book, for answering enquiries, for serving as a check list for stock, and for use as a reference book when memory fails'.

Painstakingly researched with copious citations from books, newspapers, and news magazines, this new edition has become the classic reference work praised by professional copy editors.

Learn and practice the art of mindful living with the collection of the complete works of James Allen. Feel the difference in your attitude, thoughts and everyday energy with the father of the New Thought Philosophy and become successful in your personal and professional lives. Contents: As a Man Thinketh Out from the Heart (Sequel to "As a Man Thinketh") From Poverty to Power (aka The Realization of Prosperity and Peace) - The Path to Prosperity - The Way of Peace All These Things Added - Entering the Kingdom - The Heavenly Life Through the Gate of Good (aka Christ and Conduct) Byways of Blessedness Poems of Peace Eolaus (A Lyrical Dramatic Poem) The Life Triumphant: Mastering the Heart and Mind Morning and Evening Thoughts The Mastery of Destiny Above Life's Turmoil From Passion to Peace Eight Pillars of Prosperity Man: King of Mind, Body and Circumstance Light on Life's Difficulties How Pain Leads to Knowledge and Power Foundation Stones to Happiness and Success Men and Systems The Shining Gateway The Divine Companion James Allen's Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year