Non-fiction books
Explore our curated list of top non-fiction books across genres, from biographies to self-help. Find your next great read with our expert recommendations today!
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Words and Rules
by Steven Pinker
How does language work, and how do we learn to speak? Why do languages change over time, and why do they have so many quirks and irregularities? In this book, the profound mysteries of language are explored.
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Boy
by Roald Dahl
Funny, irreverent and sometimes sad, here is the story of the early life of one of the world's best-loved authors. From the evocation of an enchanted boyhood spent in Wales and Norway to his unhappy experiences at an English public school, these sparkling memoirs are filled with wit, high spirits and more than a touch of the macabre. "A shimmering fabric of his yesterdays, the magic and the hurt" --Observer. "Brilliantly coloured, sometimes grotesque and sometimes magical" --Sunday Times. "As frightening and funny as his fiction" --The New York Times Book Review. "Superbly written ... a glimpse of a brilliant eccentric" --New Statesman.
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The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
by David Crystal
English is arguably the nearest thing we have to a world language, and yet it is a language with a wealth of varieties, dialects, and traditions, all developing in different ways and at different speeds. This book is a superbly written and illustrated exploration of the history, structure, and use of English throughout the world. World-renowned linguist and author, David Crystal, explores the many facets and varieties of the English language, bringing life to this large and complex subject. He begins with the origins of English in Anglo-Saxon times and follows the growth of the language to the present. Every major English-speaking country is included, and the book abounds with insights into how English evolved and how it works. The author pays particular attention to the use of language in literature and how it permeates humor. He allows language to "speak for itself" by using quotations, photographs, newspaper clippings, poems, advertisements, cartoons, and many other types of illustrative material that vividly complement his narrative. Author Crystal systematically covers the structural features of English, and includes a complete description of grammar, a summary of pronunciation and writing systems, and a thorough treatment of the size and complexity of vocabulary. He explains technical aspects in simple and accessible terms and includes a glossary to assist the reader with unclear language terminology. Highly visual with striking color illustrations, panels and boxed features throughout, this book is fascinating reading for the widest possible audience. David Crystal is the author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language (CUP, 1987) and the editor of The Cambridge Encyclopedia (CUP, 1990, 1994).
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A Guide to Old English, Sixth Edition
by Bruce Mitchell
The sixth edition of this popular introduction to Old English language and literature retains the general structure and style of previous editions, but has been updated and includes two new texts: Wulf and Eadwacer and Judith. A new edition of the most widely used introduction to Old English language and literature. Includes two new texts, widely requested by teachers and students: Wulf and Eadwacer and Judith. Includes a range of helpful pedagogical tools - a map of Anglo-Saxon England, notes, a glossary, indexes to Part I, and a general introduction to Anglo-Saxon studies. Can be used in the classroom or for self-study; there is a special section "How to Use this Guide".
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501 German Verbs Fully Conjugated in All the Tenses in a New Easy-to-learn Format, Alphabetically Arranged
by Henry Strutz
From chzen (to groan) to ziehen (to pull), 501 of the most commonly used German verbs are presented alphabetically with translations. The arrangement is one verb per page in easy to comprehend table form. Each verb is listed with its principal parts and followed by complete conjugation in all tenses. Additional material includes tables of strong verbs arranged according to pattern of change, and a section on prefix verbs and model auxiliaries. An added feature in this edition is a set of 27 verb tests with answers explained. Language students will also find weather expressions as they are used with impersonal verbs, a selection of German idioms and proverbs, and a concise review of rules for verb tenses and moods. This book, with its emphasis on grammatical form, makes a fine classroom supplement for beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses in German.
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Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2004
by Bob Sehlinger
The Unofficial Guides® are the "Consumer Reports" of travel guides, offering candid evaluations of their destinations' attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, sports, and more, all rated and ranked by a team of unbiased inspectors so even the most compulsive planners can be sure they're spending their time and money wisely. Each guide addresses the needs of everyone from families to business travelers, with handy charts that demonstrate how each place stacks up against the competition. Plus, all the details are pulled out so they're extremely easy to scan. The Unofficial Guide® to Disneyland® is a candid guide to the Happiest Place on Earth, offering candid reviews of all the rides, shows, hotels, and restaurants, plus field-tested touring itineraries for adults and families with children. Also includes complete coverage of Universal Studios Hollywood. The Unofficial Guide® to Disneyland® also includes: Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group, based on interviews and surveys of more than 6,100 families When to go: the best times of year and the best days of the week All the Disneyland® area hotels rated and ranked for value and quality of rooms, plus reviews of all full-service restaurants in Disneyland® How to find and meet the Disney characters Unvarnished, practical advice for families, couples, honeymooners, and singles
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The Making of the Wizard of Oz
by Aljean Harmetz
Recounts the production of "The Wizard of Oz" by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio.
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The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook
by Joshua Piven
Danger! It lurks at every corner. Volcanoes. Sharks. Quicksand. Terrorists. The pilot of the plane blacks out and it's up to you to land the jet. What do you do? The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook is here to help: jam-packed with how-to, hands-on, step-by-step, illustrated instructions on everything you need to know FAST-from defusing a bomb to delivering a baby in the back of a cab. Providing frightening and funny real information in the best-selling tradition of the Paranoid's Pocket Guide and Hypochondriac's Handbook, this indispensable, indestructible pocket-sized guide is the definitive handbook for those times when life takes a sudden turn for the worse. The essential companion for a perilous age. Because you never know...
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The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel
by Joshua Piven
If you have to leave home, TAKE THIS BOOK! The team that brought you The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook now helps you navigate the perils of travel. Learn what to do when the tarantula crawls up your leg, the riptide pulls you out to sea, the sandstorms headed your way, or your camel just wont stop. Find out how to pass a bribe, remove leeches, climb out of a well, survive a fall onto subway tracks, catch a fish without a rod, and preserve a severed limb. Hands-on, step-by-step instructions show you how to survive these and dozens of other adventures. An appendix of travel tips, useful phrases, and gestures to avoid will also ensure your safe return. Because you just never know...
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The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex
by Joshua Piven
The authors of the best-selling The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook are back—and they've brought a date. Whatever your own dating nightmares are, take it from the professionals, things can get worse. Just in time for Valentine's Day, here are dozens of scenarios covering every phase of the romantic—or not so romantic—turn of events. Learn how to remove stubborn articles of clothing, slip away from a blind date, and get rid of unsightly stains. Discover the secrets of dealing with a bad kisser and of surviving a meeting with your date's parents. Hands-on, step-by-step illustrated instructions help guide you through these and many more perils d'amor. Tasteful and useful, and with an appendix of great pickup lines, breakup lines, and all-purpose excuses, this is the book you need when you wake up next to someone whose name you can't remember.
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The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work
by Joshua Piven
Work is bad enough, but what if things go really wrong? The Worst-Case Scenario authors come to the rescue with expert advice for surviving dozens of nightmare on-the-job scenarios, whether in the office or on the loading dock. From savage bike messengers to a bag of pretzels stuck in the lunchroom vending machine, peril is everywhere. Learn how to sneak out of a meeting, treat a deep-fryer burn, and survive a stockroom avalanche. Expertly remove a dent from the company car, extract a tie caught in the photocopier, and survive a workplace romance. Hands-on, step-by-step instructions guide you through these and other crises that can strike between 9 and 5, or on the swing shift. With an appendix of useful interview phrases, a career-path decoder, instructions for playing Jargon Bingo, and more, this is the one desk reference you can't live without.
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Mouse Under Glass
by David Koenig
This volume presents an evaluation of the quality and financial successes of the Disney Company's ventures. It also provides an overview of and behind-the-scenes information about 30 Disney animated films from "Snow White" through "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". The author relates each film to its original tale, gives the Disney version, and tells what and why cuts were made. The exposed secrets consist of such things as "Plot Holes," "Bloopers," "Hidden Images," and "Strange Reactions." Anecdotes about the growth of the Disney industry and the development of the theme-park rides are included. One of the most enticing sidebars offers over 50 names that were originally considered for the seven dwarfs.
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Mouse Tales
by David Koenig
A revealing glimpse backstage at Disneyland, its development, and its operations.
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Good Days and Mad
by Dick DeBartolo
A behind-the-scenes look at "the usual gang of idiots" who have contributed to Mad magazine, especially its founder, William M. Gates, and Dick Bartolo with lots of original material and artwork.